Data transformation system and method

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for data transformation.SOLUTION: A method for transforming data includes: receiving data of a first language-specific format; converting the data of the first language-specific format into data of a language-independent format; storing the data of the language-independent format; converting the data of the language-independent format into data of at least one second language-specific format; and exporting at least one data of the data of the at least one second language-specific format.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications Here, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 144,407, filed on April 8, 2015, entitled "Data Transmission System and Method" is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and its priority is claimed in accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.78(a)(1).

[0002] Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods and systems for data transformation.

Background Art

[0003] Background of the Invention Various data transformation systems and methods are known.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide improved methods and systems for data transformation.

[0005] Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of transforming data is provided, the method including receiving data in a first language - specific form, converting the data in the first language - specific form to a language - agnostic form, storing the data in the language - agnostic form, converting the data in the language - agnostic form to at least one second language - specific form, and on demand (in response to a request), exporting at least one data of at least one of the at least one second language - specific forms.

[0006] Preferably, converting data in a language - independent format into at least one second language - specific format is performed on - demand.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, data in at least one second language - specific format includes data in a plurality of second language - specific formats. Alternatively, data in at least one second language - specific format includes data in a single second language - specific format.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one second language - specific format includes at least the first language - specific format. Preferably, data in at least one second language - specific format includes data in the same language as the language of the first language - specific format.

[0009] Preferably, the method of transforming data also includes converting data in the first language - specific format from unstructured data to structured data, and converting data in the first language - specific format into a language - independent format includes converting the structured data in the first language - specific format into structured data in the language agnostic form.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, data in the first language - specific format relates to an object. Additionally, the object includes an article. Preferably, the attributes of the article are described by the data. Additionally, the data includes attribute values assigned to the corresponding attributes of the article assigned.

[0011] Also, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for transforming data is provided, and the system includes a data receiving function, and the data receiving function is operable to receive data in the first language - specific format. including a conversion function from language-specific data to language-independent data, the conversion function from language-specific data to language-independent data being operable to convert data in a first language-specific format to a language-independent format, including a language-independent database, the language-independent database being configured to store data in a language-independent format, including a conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data, the conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data being operable to convert data in a language-independent format to at least one second language-specific format, and including a data export function, the data export function being operable to export, on demand, at least one data of at least one of the second language-specific formats.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data is operable to convert data in a language-independent format to at least one second language-specific format on demand.

[0013] Preferably, the data of at least one second language-specific format includes data of a plurality of second language-specific formats. Alternatively, the data of at least one second language-specific format includes data of a single second language-specific format.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one second language-specific format includes at least the first language-specific format. Preferably, the data of at least one second language-specific format includes data in the same language as the language of the first language-specific format.

[0015] Preferably, the conversion function from language-specific data to language-agnostic data is also operable to convert data in a first language-specific format from unstructured data to structured data and to convert structured data in the first language-specific format to structured data in a language-agnostic format.

[0016] Preferably, the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object. Additionally, the object includes a product. Preferably, the attributes of the product are described by data. Additionally, the data includes attribute values assigned to the corresponding attributes of the product.

[0017] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for transforming data is provided, the method including receiving unstructured data in a first language-specific format, converting the unstructured data in the first language-specific format to a structured language-agnostic form, storing the data in the structured language-agnostic form, converting the data in the structured language-agnostic form to at least one second language-specific format, and on demand, exporting at least one of the data in at least one of the second language-specific formats. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, converting the data in the structured language-agnostic form to at least one second language-specific format is performed on demand.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a plurality of second language-specific formats. Alternatively, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a single second language-specific format.

[0019]

[0020] ​Preferably, at least one second language-specific format includes at least the first language-specific format. Preferably, the data of at least one second language-specific format includes data in the same language as the data of the first language-specific format.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of transforming data also includes converting unstructured data in a first language-specific format from unstructured data to structured data, and converting unstructured data in a first language-specific format to a structured language-independent format includes converting structured data in a first language-specific format to structured data in a language-independent format.

[0022] Preferably, the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object. Additionally, the object includes a product. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attributes of the product are described by data. Additionally, the data includes attribute values assigned to the corresponding attributes of the product.

[0023] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for transforming data is provided, and the system includes an unstructured data receiving function, which is operable to receive unstructured data in a first language-specific format, a conversion function from unstructured language-specific data to structured language-independent data, which is operable to convert unstructured data in a first language-specific format to a structured language-independent format, a structured language-independent database, which is configured to store data in a structured language-independent format, It includes a conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data, and the conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data is operable to convert structured language-independent data into at least one second language-specific format, and It includes a data export function, and the data export function is operable to export at least one data among at least one second language-specific format on demand.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from language-independent data to language-specific data is operable to convert structured language-independent data into at least one second language-specific format on demand.

[0025] Preferably, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a plurality of second language-specific formats. Alternatively, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a single second language-specific format.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one second language-specific format includes at least a first language-specific format. Preferably, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in the same language as the language of the first language-specific format.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from unstructured language-specific data to structured language-independent data is operable to convert data in the first language-specific format from unstructured data to structured data, and is operable to convert the structured data in the first language-specific format into structured data in a language-independent format.

[0028] ​Preferably, the data in the form specific to the first language relates to an object. Additionally, the object includes a product. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attributes of the product are described by the data. Additionally, the data includes attribute values assigned to the attributes of the corresponding product.

[0029] Furthermore, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for transforming product data is provided, and the method includes providing a structured language-independent product database, the structured language-independent product database being configured to store a number of structured language-independent product attribute values assigned to a corresponding number of structured language-independent product attributes for each of a number of products, receiving unstructured product data in the form specific to the first language, analyzing the unstructured product data and extracting unstructured product-specific attribute values from the unstructured product data in the form specific to the first language, the unstructured product-specific attribute values being those assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attributes, including converting the unstructured product-specific attribute values (those assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attributes) into a structured language-independent form, determining whether the structured language-independent product-specific attribute values (those assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attributes) are related to a specific product stored in the structured language-independent product database, wherein the structured language-independent product database is configured to store a number of structured language-independent product attribute values (those assigned to the corresponding number of structured language-independent product attributes) for each of a number of products. ​In response to verifying that structured language-independent product-specific attribute values (which are assigned to corresponding structured language-independent product attributes) are not associated with a particular product stored in a structured language-independent product database, adding a new product having structured language-independent product-specific attribute values (which are assigned to corresponding structured language-independent product attributes) to the structured language-independent product database, and In response to verifying that structured language-independent product-specific attribute values (which are assigned to corresponding structured language-independent product attributes) are associated with a particular product stored in a structured language-independent product database, assigning the structured language-independent product-specific attribute values to the corresponding language-independent structured product attributes of the particular product.

[0030] Preferably, receiving unstructured product data in a first language-specific format includes receiving unstructured product data in a first language-specific format from the seller of the product described in the unstructured product data in a first language-specific format. Alternatively, receiving unstructured product data in a first language-specific format includes automatically retrieving unstructured product data in a first language-specific format from any of a plurality of e-commerce trading platforms.

[0031] Preferably, a number of products are classified into a number of product categories. Additionally, a method for transforming product data also includes classifying a product into at least one of the product categories. Preferably, a method for transforming product data also includes being structured including analyzing no product data to classify the products described therein into at least one of the product categories. Additionally, the method for transforming product data also includes classifying for determining whether structured language-independent product-specific attribute values (assigned to corresponding language-independent structured product attributes) are related to a specific product stored in a structured language-independent product database.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for transforming product data also includes converting data in a structured language-independent format into at least one second language-specific format, and exporting at least one product data of at least one second language-specific format.

[0033] Preferably, the method for transforming product data also includes converting data in a structured language-independent format into a format suitable for export to any of a plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms, and exporting product data in a format suitable for export to a specific one of the plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms to a specific one of the plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, exporting at least one product data of at least one second language-specific format is on-demand. Alternatively, exporting at least one product data of at least one second language-specific format is automatic.

[0035] Preferably, converting an unstructured product-specific attribute value (assigned to a corresponding unstructured product attribute) into a structured language-independent format involves checking whether the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute in the first language-specific format are included in the dictionary, the dictionary including, for each product attribute and product attribute value included therein, a language-independent identifier and its translations into at least one of the first language's formats and at least one second language-specific format, and in response to checking that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are included in the dictionary, using the dictionary to convert the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute into a structured language-independent format, and in response to checking that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are not included in the dictionary, adding each of the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute in the first language-specific format to the dictionary and assigning a language-independent identifier to each of the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, converting an unstructured product-specific attribute value (assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attribute) into a structured language-independent format also involves, in response to confirming that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are not included in the dictionary, automatically translating the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute into at least one of at least one second language-specific format each, and adding the translation to the dictionary. Preferably, converting an unstructured product-specific attribute value (assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attribute) into a structured language-independent format also involves, in response to confirming that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are not included in the dictionary, instructing the system administrator (administrator) to translate the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute into at least one of at least one second language-specific format each, and adding the translation to the dictionary.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, converting product data in a structured language-independent format into at least one of at least one second language-specific format uses a dictionary.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, converting product data in a structured language-independent format into at least one of at least one second language-specific format is performed on demand. Alternatively, converting product data in a structured language-independent format into at least one of at least one second language-specific format is performed automatically.

[0039] Preferably, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a plurality of second language-specific formats. Alternatively, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in a single second language-specific format.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one second language-specific format includes at least the first language-specific format. Preferably, the data in at least one second language-specific format includes data in the same language as the language of the first language-specific format.

[0041] Also, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multilingual product catalog system is provided, and the multilingual product catalog system includes an unstructured product data receiving function, and the unstructured product data receiving function is operable to receive unstructured product data in a first language-specific format, includes an unstructured product data extraction function, and the unstructured product data extraction function is operable to analyze unstructured product data and extract unstructured product-specific attribute values (assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes) from the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format, includes a conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data, and the conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data is operable to convert unstructured product-specific attribute values (assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes) into a structured language-independent format, including a product matching function, the product matching function being operative to confirm whether a structured language-independent product-specific attribute value (assigned to a corresponding structured language-independent product attribute) is related to a specific product stored in a structured language-independent product database, and in response to confirming that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value (assigned to a corresponding structured language-independent product attribute) is not related to a specific product stored in the structured language-independent product database, adding a new product having the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value (assigned to a corresponding structured language-independent product attribute) to the structured language-independent product database, and in response to confirming that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value (assigned to a corresponding structured language-independent product attribute) is related to a specific product stored in the structured language-independent product database, being operative to assign the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value to a corresponding language-independent structured product attribute of the specific product.

[0042] Preferably, the unstructured product data receiving function is operative to receive unstructured product data in a first language-specific format from a seller of a product described in the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unstructured product data receiving function is operative to receive unstructured product data in a first language-specific format by automatically retrieving the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format from any of a plurality of e-commerce trading platforms.

[0043] Preferably, a number of products are classified into a number of product categories. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multilingual product catalog system also includes a product classification function, and the product classification function is operable to classify a product into at least one of the product categories. Additionally, the product classification function is operable to analyze unstructured product data to classify the products described therein into at least one of the product categories. Preferably, the product matching function is also operable to use the product classification function to confirm whether structured language-independent product specific attribute values (assigned to corresponding language-independent structured product attributes) are related to a specific product stored in a structured language-independent product database.

[0044] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multilingual product catalog system also includes a conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data, and the conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data is operable to convert structured language-independent product data into at least one second language-specific format, and includes a product data export function, and the product data export function is operable to export at least one product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific formats. Additionally, the conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data is also operable to convert structured language-independent product data into a format suitable for export to any of a plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms, and the product data export function is also operable to export product data in a format suitable for export to a specific one of the plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms to a specific one of the plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms.

[0045] Preferably, the product data export function is operable to export, on demand, at least one product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format. Alternatively, the product data export function is operable to automatically export at least one product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multilingual product catalog system also includes a dictionary, and the dictionary includes, for each product attribute and product attribute value contained therein, a language-independent identifier and its translations into at least one of the first language format and each of at least one second language-specific formats.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data also checks whether the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes in the first language-specific format are included in the dictionary, and in response to confirming that the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes are included in the dictionary, uses the dictionary to convert the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes into a structured language-independent format, and in response to confirming that the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, is operable to add each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes in the first language-specific format to the dictionary and assign a language-independent identifier to each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data is also responsive to confirming that unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, and automatically translates the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes into at least one respective second language-specific form in the dictionary and is operable to add the translation to the dictionary. Additionally, the conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data is also responsive to confirming that unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, and is operable to instruct the system administrator to translate the unstructured product-specific attribute values and unstructured product attributes into at least one respective second language-specific form and add the translation to the dictionary.

[0049] Preferably, the conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data is operable to use the dictionary to convert the structured language-independent form of product data into at least one of at least a second language-specific form.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data is operable, on demand, to convert the structured language-independent form of product data into at least one of at least a second language-specific form. Alternatively, the conversion function from language-independent product data to language-specific product data is operable to automatically convert the structured language-independent form of product data into at least one of at least a second language-specific form.

[0051] Preferably, the at least one second language-specific format data includes a plurality of second language-specific format data. Alternatively, the at least one second language-specific format data includes a single second language-specific format data.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one second language-specific format includes at least the first language-specific format. Preferably, the at least one second language-specific format data includes data in the same language as the language of the first language-specific format.

[0053] Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be more fully understood and grasped from the following detailed description together with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Refer now to FIG. 1, which is a simplified block diagram of a data conversion system 100 assembled and operating in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in the context of a multilingual e-commerce environment, and it is understood that the present embodiment and other embodiments of the present invention need not be limited to such an environment.

[0056] Conventional e - commerce platforms typically facilitate the listing of products in a semi - structured format. The formats required for listings sent to various conventional e - commerce platforms are different from each other and language - specific. Thus, merchants who wish to list product offerings on a wide range of e - commerce platforms typically need to list their goods separately on each e - commerce platform and in all desired languages.

[0057] Importing unstructured product listings in any of a first plurality of languages, converting the imported product listings into a structured language - independent format, and then facilitating the provision of product listings in any of a second plurality of languages is a prominent feature of embodiments of the present invention. The system of embodiments of the present invention provides product listings suitable for listing in a structured multilingual catalog in any language or in any suitable e - commerce platform.

[0058] It is appreciated that the second plurality of languages typically also includes the language of the original product listing, and that the system of embodiments of the present invention may be utilized to import an unstructured product listing in a first language and provide a structured product listing in the same language.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, data transformation system 100 typically includes data manipulation functions 102 that interact with a database 110 that forms part of the data transformation system 100. The database 110 preferably includes a storage device for unstructured product listings typically provided as input in a language-specific format and for structured product listings provided by the data manipulation functions 102 of the data transformation system 100. The structured product listings may be stored in the database 110 in both a language-independent format and one or more language-specific formats.

[0060] The data manipulation functions 102 of the data transformation system 100 preferably include at least the following that interact with the database 110: An unstructured product data receiving function 120, which is further described below with reference to FIG. 4 and typically includes a supply upload tool 122, which includes an input data mapper 124, and the unstructured product data receiving function 120 includes a supply file receiving function 128, which preferably includes a data writing function 130, a processing necessity checker, and a classifier / matcher trigger 134; A product classification / matching function 136; An unstructured product data extraction function 140 that interacts particularly with a dictionary 142; A conversion function 144 from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data that interacts particularly with a dictionary 142; A new product creation and product data enrichment function 146; A conversion function 150 from language-independent product data to language-specific product data; A data export function 160; and A selected marketplace listing creation function 170.

[0061] These functions will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 4-25.

[0062] Refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates a typical initial operation performed by a seller using the system of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the seller selects a marketplace (also referred to herein as the "boarding marketplace") where he wishes to list his products. The seller preferably selects a currency conversion policy for each marketplace, a price and price increase policy for each marketplace, and a shipping and return policy for each marketplace. The seller then uploads a seller listing feed file to database 110 in the system of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, after uploading the seller listing file, the seller activates the conversion process of the system of the present invention to convert specific product listings in an unstructured language into structured language-independent product listings, and the language-independent product listings are then stored in database 110. As seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the unstructured language-specific listing data that forms part of the seller listing feed file is typically provided to data transformation system 100 via an unstructured product data receiving function (UPDRF) 120. Preferably, data transformation system 100 stores the unstructured language-specific listing data in database 110. Examples of two different seller listing feed files appear in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0063] As seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the unstructured language-specific listing data that forms part of the seller listing feed file is typically provided to data transformation system 100 via an unstructured product data receiving function (UPDRF) 120. Preferably, data transformation system 100 stores the unstructured language-specific listing data in database 110. Examples of two different seller listing feed files appear in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0064] It can be appreciated that each example of the vendor listing supply file in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes two separate listings for the camera lens. The language of all listings in FIGS. 3A and 3B is English, and the listing data in both examples includes free text that describes not only the camera lens but also the condition and price of the lens. Sometimes, shipping data is also included.

[0065] The unstructured product data receiving function (URDRF) 120 is generally described in FIG. 4 and includes a supply upload tool 122 that receives unstructured language-specific listing data, typically in the form of a vendor supply file as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The supply upload tool 122 is typically implemented on a web page associated with the portal of the system of FIG. 1 and enables the functions described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0066] The supply upload tool 122 particularly includes an input data column mapper 124 that maps columns in the vendor listing supply file to columns in the database 110 based on instructions received from the vendor. The input data column mapper 124 provides a mapping instruction output that is used by the unstructured product data receiving function 120 of the data transformation system 100 to rearrange the columns in the vendor listing supply file to correspond to the columns in the database 110. The input data column mapper 124 then uploads the data rearranged in the database 110. FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the input data column mapper 124.

[0067] A simplified flowchart summarizing the preferred process for uploading a vendor listing supply file to database 110 appears in FIG. 6. In addition to the mapping instruction output provided by input data column mapper 124, the vendor listing supply file and the mapping instruction output are processed by supply file receiving function 128, which also forms part of an unstructured product data receiving function (UPDRF).

[0068] Supply file receiving function 128 includes data writing function 130, which writes data from each row in the vendor listing supply to the corresponding row in database 110 according to the mapping instructions generated by input data column mapper 124. Data writing function 130 also adds a unique listing key to each row, which is preferably generated by operating a hash function, such as a conventional MD5 hash function, on the listing data.

[0069] Data writing function 130 also preferably adds an update date indicating the date on which the vendor listing data is uploaded to database 110 to each row.

[0070] Supply file receiving function 128 also includes a process necessity ascertainer 132, which checks whether the newly loaded listing is related to a listing already existing on the database and, if not, lists the newly loaded listing as a target for processing necessity. Process necessity ascertainer 132 compares the unique listing key of the newly added row with the unique listing keys of all listings in the database. If no match is found, a process necessity flag appears in the process necessity column of the newly added row.

[0071] ​​The supply file receiving function 128 additionally includes a classifier / matcher trigger 134. The classifier / matcher trigger 134 operates only when the entire seller listing supply file is uploaded to the database 110 and a unique listing key is generated for each new row.

[0072] Following the upload of the entire seller listing supply file, the classifier / matcher trigger 134 activates the classification / matching function 136, which processes the rows in which the processing necessity flag appears in the processing necessity column of the newly added rows. The classification / matching function 136 attempts to match the new listings with the products already in the database 110.

[0073] An exemplary updated unstructured language-specific listing table stored in the database 110 is shown in FIG. 7, and the listing table includes the listing data appearing in the seller listing supply files of FIGS. 3A and 3B. It can be seen that each row includes, in particular, a unique listing key, an update date, and, if appropriate, a processing necessity flag.

[0074] As described above, following the upload of the entire seller listing supply file, the classifier / matcher trigger 134 activates the classification / matching function 136, which processes the rows in which the processing necessity flag appears.

[0075] The classification / matching function 136 will be described below in connection with FIG. 8, which presents an overall overview.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, the classification / matching function 136 first checks for the presence of a unique product identifier such as a UPC code consisting entirely of numbers or its equivalent within a new listing. If such a unique product identifier is extracted from the data in the description column of the listing of the rows stored in the database 110 (FIG. 7) from the seller listing supply file, and if that unique product identifier is already stored in the database 110, the product indicated by the listing matches a product already stored in the database 110. matches the product already stored in the database 110.

[0077] If matching using the unique product identifier is not achieved, the classifier / matching function 136 then attempts to extract the manufacturer and a manufacturer product number, which may consist of numbers and characters that are typically Latin characters, from the new listing. If the manufacturer and the manufacturer product number are extracted from the data in the description column of the listing of the rows stored in the database 110 (FIG. 5) from the seller listing supply file, and if that manufacturer and the manufacturer product number are already stored in the database 110, the product indicated by the listing matches a product already stored in the database 110.

[0078] If matching using the unique product identifier and the manufacturer and the manufacturer product number is not achieved, the classifier / matching function 136 then attempts to identify the language of the new listing. This is achieved using prior art such as can be found at https: / / pypi.ython.org / pypi / jangdetect.

[0079] As soon as a new listing language is identified, the listing is classified into categories. The classifier / matching function 136 classifies all listing data in each newly added line and uses language-specific functions and preferably a trained statistical model to classify the lines as being related to one of a plurality of categories within a category structure table stored in the database 110 (a simplified example of which appears in FIG. 9), thereby classifying the listing into categories.

[0080] Considering FIG. 9, it can be seen that the category structure includes an indication of the existence of a parent-child relationship between some categories. Thus, for example, categories C1000 and C1002 are related to the parent category C100, category C1001 is related to the parent category C101, and categories C100 and C101 have no parent category. It is understood that the classification function operates to classify each newly added line into the most specific category, if any, such as a child category. The classification function operates to assign a category ID to each line. This category ID is language-independent.

[0081] As soon as the category of the listing is confirmed, the unstructured product data extraction function 140 extracts various attributes and values from the listing data and stores the attributes and values in a language-specific cache of the listing extraction data. An example of such a process is illustrated in a diagram in FIG. 10.

[0082] Considering FIG. 10, it can be seen that various structured language-specific attributes and values are extracted from the unstructured language-specific listing data by the unstructured product data extraction function 140. It is also understood that each of the extracted attributes and values has a corresponding language-independent ID. The extracted language-specific structured data is preferably temporarily stored in the language-specific cache of the listing extraction data, and the conversion function 144 from the unstructured language-specific product data to the structured language-independent product data provides the corresponding extracted language-independent structured data, which is preferably temporarily stored in the language-independent cache of the listing extraction data.

[0083] Each attribute has an attribute ID. FIG. 11 is an example of a category attribute structure table stored in the database 110, and its attributes are related to a specific category, here a lens whose category ID is C1002 (FIG. 9). It can be seen that each attribute has a language-independent attribute ID and is characterized by an attribute type. The attribute type is typically: Discrete value list - including a predetermined number of discrete values of a predetermined value; Number - including a number that may have many values.

[0084] Each value has a value ID. FIG. 12 is a simplified example of an attribute value structure table stored in the database 110, and its values are related to various attributes (FIG. 11).

[0085] It is understood that although this is rare and generally presumed not to occur, various attributes and values may be applicable to multiple categories.

[0086] The structures illustrated in the tables of FIGS. 9, 11 and 12 relate to very large language-specific / language-independent tables stored within database 110, which stores product data corresponding to listings descriptions in all relevant languages for categories, attributes and values as well as their corresponding language-independent IDs. The dictionary 142 is embodied, in particular, in the language-specific / language-independent table, a simplified example of which appears in FIG. 13. In fact, the structures illustrated in the tables of FIGS. 9, 11 and 12 may be stored within database 110 without language-specific category, attribute or value names.

[0087] Preferably, typically, the entire language-specific / language-independent table, which contains hundreds of thousands if not millions of entries, is not used for matching. Instead, only those entries in the identified language are used, and of those entries, initially only those entries related to the category (FIG. 9) are used in the function of FIG. 10. Only immediately when the listing category has been identified is the matching of attributes and values attempted using only those entries (FIGS. 11 and 12) in the language-specific / language-independent table, which are related to the already identified language and category.

[0088] Preferably, in practice the most important values are specific to a single attribute, and thus by matching the values the matching of the attributes is also achieved, so that during the matching of attributes and values first the matching of values is attempted using the value table illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0089] Looking at FIG. 10 again, it is appreciated that there are various rules which identify various listing data elements, typically values, and associate them with various attributes. For example, "18 - 55" is recognized by the rules as referring to the focal length and "F / " as referring to the lens aperture. Two typical sets of rules useful in the function of FIG. 11 appear in FIGS. 14A and 14B.

[0090] Returning now to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the category-specific feature match matrix is used for matching. This matrix defines, for each category, the minimum set of attributes that must be known in order to establish product matches for products in that category. An example of such a matrix appears in FIG. 15.

[0091] If the attributes and values required to establish product matches are extracted and the products in the database contain all of the attributes and values specified in the matrix, then the products in the new listing match the products in the database.

[0092] If the attributes and values required to establish product matches are not extracted, then System 100 uses the new product creation and data enrichment function 146 to add the listing to the database 110.

[0093] Referring now to FIG. 16, which is a simplified flowchart explaining the new product creation and data enrichment function 146 of System 100. Referring now to FIG. 16, which is a simplified flowchart explaining the new product creation and data enrichment function 146 of System 100.

[0094] As seen in FIG. 16, if the new listing matches a product already in the database, then all of the attributes and values in the new listing are extracted and stored in a language-independent format in the language-independent structured product table within the database 110.

[0095] It is then verified whether all of the attribute-value pairs appearing in the new listing appear in the product data stored in the database. If there are attributes and values in the new listing that do not appear in the product data stored in the database, then these new attributes and values are added to the products existing in the database 110.

[0096] If the new listing does not match a product already in the database, a new product line is created in the structured product table within database 110. An example of the structured product table appears in FIG. 17. A new product ID is created, and all associated attribute / value pairs are associated with it and preferably stored in a new structured product data table within database 110, an example of which appears in FIG. 18. After creating the new product ID and the new attribute / value pairs, the listing is added in a language-independent format to the language-independent structured product table within database 110.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 16, if the new listing is not classified into a category within database 110, the new listing is disposed of and system 100 preferably notifies the seller that the new listing could not be classified.

[0098] At this stage, the data within database 110 is ready for export to one or more marketplaces specified by the seller (FIG. 2). For each marketplace, the initial step is to convert the product data from a language-independent format to a language-specific format suitable for that marketplace. FIG. 20 shows an example of the conversion function 150 from language-independent product data of system 100 to language-specific product data. The use preferably consists of a structural translation table, an example of which appears in FIG. 21. Additionally, marketplace-specific conversion parameters are found in a marketplace-specific data specification table, an example of which is explained in FIG. 19.

[0099] Preferably, the conversion function 150 from language-independent product data to language-specific product data first converts the attributes from a language-independent format to a language-specific format suitable for the specified marketplace. Thereafter, the conversion function 150 from language-independent product data to language-specific product data translates values that are not numbers. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the process generates, as output, a plurality of attribute-value pairs in a language-specific format suitable for the specified marketplace.

[0100] Since different marketplaces use different units of measurement and currencies, various operations on product data may be performed by the data export function 160. Typical rules for such operations appear in FIG. 22. Additionally, marketplace-specific modifications to the product data may be appropriate. FIG. 23 shows rules suitable for this purpose.

[0101] As seen in FIG. 23, typical language-specific product listing creation rules are presented in Russian for the OZON marketplace. Typically, seven different attribute-value pairs are translated by using the table of FIG. 21 and the translated values. The resulting marketplace-specific product data listing in the language of the marketplace is stored in the marketplace-specific product data cache within the database 110 and is ready for bordering to the specified marketplace.

[0102] Preferably, the selected marketplace listing creation function 170 uses the API of the specified marketplace to border the listing to the specified marketplace. The selected marketplace listing creation function 170 of the system 100 submits a listing supply in the marketplace-specific format and language via the API. The marketplace-specific format includes category mapping and attribute-value pair mapping to a specific marketplace. Examples of such mapping are seen in FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0103] This mapping may be one-to-one, or may be more complex such as one-to-many and / or many-to-one. In such cases, attribute-value pairs may be associated with the mapping.

[0104] As soon as the bordered marketplace category of each listed product is selected, the attribute-value pairs are mapped to the specific attribute-value pairs of the bordered marketplace. This typically uses a one-to-one mapping. An example of the attribute-value pair mapping appears in Figure 25. Attribute-value pairs in the database that do not exist within the bordered marketplace are typically ignored. Attribute-value pairs that exist within the bordered marketplace but do not exist in the database are also typically ignored, but alternatively, they may be provided by a pre-executed transformation. An example of such a transformation appears in Figure 26.

[0105] A further important step is to combine the marketplace-specific product information with the listing information not included in the product data. An example of such listing information is price information. As noted above with reference to Figure 2, since different price policies may be selected by the seller for different marketplaces, the price policy is selected by the seller and may be specific to the marketplace, as it is not only the result of currency conversion.

[0106] In addition to price, the listing information may include seller-selected parameters related to the status of the product, as seen in Figure 26.

[0107] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described above. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes combinations and sub-combinations of the features described above, as well as variations thereof not found in the prior art.

Claims

1. 1. A method of transforming data, comprising: receiving data in a first language specific format; converting the data in the first language specific format into a language independent format; storing said data in said language independent form; converting the data in the language independent format into at least one second language specific format; and exporting, on demand, the data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format. A method for transforming said data.

2. converting said data in said language independent format into at least one second language specific format on demand; The method of transforming data according to claim 1 .

3. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a plurality of second language-specific formats; A method for transforming data according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a single second language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 1 or 2.

7. and also converting the data in the first language-specific format from unstructured data to structured data, and converting the data in the first language-specific format to the language-independent format includes converting the structured data in the first language-specific format to structured data in the language-independent format. A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object; A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the object comprises a commodity; The method of transforming data according to claim 8.

10. The attributes of the product are described by the data. The method of transforming data according to claim 9.

11. the data includes attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding attributes of the product; The method of transforming data according to claim 10.

12. 1. A system for transforming data, comprising: a data receiving function operable to receive data in a first language specific format; a language specific data to language independent data conversion function operable to convert the data in the first language specific format to a language independent format; a language independent database configured to store said data in said language independent form; a language independent data to language specific data converter operable to convert said data in said language independent format to at least one second language specific format; and a data export function operable to export, on demand, the at least one data in the at least one second language-specific format; A system for transforming said data.

13. the language independent data to language specific data conversion function is operable to convert, on demand, the data in the language independent format into at least one second language specific format.

13. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 12.

14. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a plurality of second language-specific formats; A system for transforming data according to claim 12 or claim 13.

15. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a single second language-specific format; A system for transforming data according to claim 12 or claim 13.

16. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A system for transforming data according to any one of claims 12-15.

17. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 12 or 13.

18. The language-specific to language-independent data conversion function also includes: Operable to convert the data in the first language-specific format from unstructured data to structured data; and operative to convert the structured data in the first language specific format into structured data in the language independent format. A system for transforming data according to any one of claims 12-17.

19. the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object; A system for transforming data according to any one of claims 12-18.

20. the object comprises a commodity; 20. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 19.

21. The attributes of the product are described by the data.

21. A system for transforming data according to claim 20.

22. the data having attribute values ​​to be assigned to corresponding attributes of the product; 22. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 21.

23. 1. A method for transforming data, comprising: receiving unstructured data in a first language-specific format; converting the unstructured data in the first language specific format into a structured, language independent format; storing said data in said structured, language independent form; converting the data in the structured, language-independent format into at least one second language-specific format; and exporting, on demand, the data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format. A method for transforming said data.

24. converting the data in the structured, language-independent format into at least one second, language-specific format on demand; 24. A method for transforming data according to claim 23.

25. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a plurality of second language-specific formats; A method for transforming data according to claim 23 or 24.

26. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a single second language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 23 or 24.

27. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

28. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 23 or 24.

29. also converting the unstructured data in the first language specific format from unstructured data to structured data, and converting the unstructured data in the first language specific format to the language independent format comprises converting the structured data in the first language specific format to structured data in the language independent format. A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 23 to 28.

30. the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object; A method for transforming data according to any one of claims 23 to 29.

31. the object comprises a commodity; 31. The method of transforming data according to claim 30.

32. The attributes of the product are described by the data.

32. A method for transforming data according to claim 31.

33. the data includes attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding attributes of the product; 33. A method for transforming data according to claim 32.

34. 1. A system for transforming data, comprising: an unstructured data receiving function operable to receive unstructured data in a first language specific format; an unstructured language specific data to structured language independent data converter operable to convert the unstructured data in the first language specific format into a structured language independent format; a structured language independent database configured to store said data in said structured language independent form; a language independent data to language specific data converter operable to convert the data in the structured, language independent format into at least one second language specific format; and a data export function operable to export, on demand, the data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format; A system for transforming said data.

35. 35. The system for transforming data of claim 34, wherein the language-independent data to language-specific data conversion function is operable to convert, on demand, the data in the structured, language-independent format into at least one second language-specific format.

36. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a plurality of second language-specific formats; A system for transforming data according to claim 34 or claim 35.

37. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a single second language-specific format; A system for transforming data according to claim 34 or claim 35.

38. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A system for transforming data according to any of claims 34-37.

39. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method for transforming data according to claim 34 or claim 35.

40. The conversion function from unstructured language-specific data to structured language-independent data includes: The data in the first language specific format is converted from unstructured data to structured data. and operative to convert the data in the first language specific format into structured data in the language independent format. A system for transforming data according to any of claims 34-39.

41. the data in the first language-specific format relates to an object; A system for transforming data according to any of claims 34-40.

42. the object comprises a commodity; 42. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 41.

43. The attributes of the product are described by the data.

43. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 42.

44. the data includes attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding attributes of the product; 44. A system for transforming data as claimed in claim 43.

45. 1. A method for transforming product data, comprising: providing a structured language independent database configured to store, for each of a number of products, a number of structured language independent product attribute values ​​assigned to a corresponding number of structured language independent product attributes; receiving unstructured product data in a first language-specific format; analyzing the unstructured product data and extracting unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​from the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format, the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes; converting the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes into a structured, language-independent format; determining whether the structured language independent product specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language independent product attribute is associated with a particular product stored in a structured language independent product database configured to store, for each of a number of products, a number of structured language independent product attribute values, the number of structured language independent product attribute values ​​assigned to a corresponding number of structured language independent product attributes; in response to determining that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute is not associated with a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database, adding a new product having the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute to the structured language-independent product database; and in response to determining that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute is associated with a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database, assigning the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value to the corresponding language-independent structured product attribute of the particular product. A method for transforming the product data.

46. receiving the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format comprises receiving the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format from a seller of a product described in the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format.

46. ​​A method for transforming product data according to claim 45.

47. receiving the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format includes automatically pulling the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format from any of a plurality of e-commerce platforms.

46. ​​A method for transforming product data according to claim 45.

48. The multiple products are classified into multiple product categories; A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 45-47.

49. and classifying the product into at least one of said product categories.

49. A method for transforming product data according to claim 48.

50. and analyzing the unstructured product data to classify the products described therein into at least one of the product categories.

50. A method for transforming product data according to claim 49.

51. using the classifying to determine whether the structured language-independent product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to the corresponding language-independent structured product attributes relate to a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database.

51. A method for transforming product data according to claim 50.

52. converting the data in the structured, language-independent form into a format suitable for export to any of a plurality of third-party e-commerce platforms; and exporting the product data in the format suitable for export to a particular one of the plurality of third party e-commerce platforms to the particular one of the plurality of third party e-commerce platforms. A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 45-51.

53. converting the data in the structured, language-independent format into at least one second language-specific format; and and exporting the product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format. A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 45-51.

54. exporting the product data in the at least one second language-specific format on demand; 54. A method for transforming product data according to claim 53.

55. exporting the product data in the at least one second language-specific format is automatic.

54. A method for transforming product data according to claim 53.

56. the unstructured product attributes assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attributes; translating product specific attribute values ​​into said structured language independent format; determining whether the unstructured product specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes in the first language specific form are contained within a dictionary, the dictionary having for each product attribute and product attribute value contained therein a language independent identifier and its translation into at least one of the first language forms and into each of the at least one second language specific form; in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are contained within the dictionary, using the dictionary to convert the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes into the structured, language-independent form; and in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are not included in the dictionary, adding each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes in the first language-specific format to the dictionary and assigning a language-independent identifier to each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes. A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 53-55.

57. converting the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attributes into a structured, language-independent form also includes, in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, automatically translating the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes in the dictionary into each of the at least one second language-specific form and adding the translation to the dictionary.

57. A method for transforming product data according to claim 56.

58. and converting the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to the corresponding unstructured product attributes into a structured, language-independent form also includes, in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, instructing an administrator of the system to translate the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes into each of the at least one second language-specific form and add the translation to the dictionary.

58. A method for transforming product data according to claim 57.

59. converting the product data in the structured, language independent format into the at least one of the at least second language specific formats using the dictionary. A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 56-58.

60. 60. A method for transforming product data as described in any of claims 53-59, wherein converting the product data in the structured, language independent format into the at least one of the at least second language specific formats is performed on demand.

61. converting the product data in the structured, language-independent format into the at least one of the at least second language-specific formats is performed automatically. A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 53-60.

62. The data in the at least one second language-specific format is having data of the form A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 53-61.

63. the data in the at least one second language-specific format comprises data in a single second language-specific format; A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 53-61.

64. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A method for transforming product data according to any of claims 53-63.

65. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method for transforming product data according to any one of claims 53-63.

66. 1. A multilingual product catalog system comprising: a structured language independent product database configured to store, for each of a number of products, a number of structured language independent product attribute values ​​assigned to a corresponding number of structured language independent product attributes; an unstructured product data receiving function operable to receive unstructured product data in a first language specific format; an unstructured product data extraction function operable to analyze the unstructured product data and extract unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​from the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format, the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes; an unstructured, language-specific product data to structured, language-independent product data converter operable to convert the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to corresponding unstructured product attributes into a structured, language-independent form; and Including a product matching function, the product matching function including: operative to determine whether the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute is associated with a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database; operative in response to determining that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute is not associated with a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database, to add a new product having the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute to the structured language-independent product database; and in response to determining that the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value assigned to the corresponding structured language-independent product attribute is associated with a particular product stored in the structured language-independent product database, operable to assign the structured language-independent product-specific attribute value to the corresponding language-independent structured product attribute of the particular product. The multilingual product catalog system.

67. the unstructured product data receiving function is operable to receive the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format from a seller of a product described in the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format.

67. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 66.

68. the unstructured product data receiving function is operable to receive the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format by automatically pulling the unstructured product data in the first language-specific format from any of a plurality of electronic commerce platforms.

67. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 66.

69. The multiple products are classified into multiple product categories; 69. A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 66-68.

70. and a product classification functionality operable to classify products into at least one of said product categories.

70. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 69.

71. the product classification functionality is operable to analyze the unstructured product data to classify products described therein into at least one of the product categories.

71. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 70.

72. the product matching functionality is also operable to use the product classification functionality to determine whether the structured language-independent product-specific attribute values ​​assigned to the corresponding language-independent structured product attributes relate to a particular product stored within the structured language-independent product database.

72. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 71.

73. a language independent product data to language specific product data converter operable to convert the product data in the structured, language independent format into at least one second, language specific format; and and a product data export function operable to export the product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format.

73. A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 66-72.

74. the language-independent product data to language-specific product data converter is also operable to convert the product data in the structured, language-independent form into a format suitable for export to any of a plurality of third party e-commerce platforms; and the product data export functionality is also operable to export the product data in the format suitable for export to a particular one of the plurality of third party electronic commerce platforms to the particular one of the plurality of third party electronic commerce platforms.

74. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 73.

75. the product data export function is operable to export, on demand, the product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format; 75. A multilingual product catalog system according to claim 73 or claim 74.

76. the product data export function is operable to automatically export the product data in at least one of the at least one second language-specific format.

75. A multilingual product catalog system according to claim 73 or claim 74.

77. and a dictionary having, for each product attribute and product attribute value contained therein, a language independent identifier and a translation thereof into at least one of said first language forms and into each of said at least one second language specific form.

77. A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-76.

78. The conversion function from unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data also includes: Operable to determine whether the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute in the first language-specific format are contained within the dictionary; operative to use the dictionary to convert the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes into the structured, language-independent form in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are contained within the dictionary; and in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute value and the unstructured product attribute are not included in the dictionary, operable to add the first language-specific form of each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attribute to the dictionary and to assign a language-independent identifier to each of the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attribute.

78. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 77.

79. the unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data conversion functionality is also operable, in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, to automatically translate the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes in the dictionary into each of the at least one second language-specific format and add the translation to the dictionary.

79. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 78.

80. the unstructured language-specific product data to structured language-independent product data conversion functionality is also operable, in response to determining that the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes are not included in the dictionary, to prompt an administrator of the system to translate the unstructured product-specific attribute values ​​and the unstructured product attributes into each of the at least one second language-specific form and add the translation to the dictionary.

80. The multilingual product catalog system of claim 79.

81. The language independent product data to language specific product data conversion function converts the product data in the structured language independent format into the at least a second language specific format. and operable to use the dictionary to convert the at least one of the A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 77-80.

82. the language independent product data to language specific product data conversion function is operable to convert, on demand, the product data in the structured language independent format into the at least one of the at least second language specific formats. A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-81.

83. the language independent product data to language specific product data conversion function is operable to automatically convert the product data in the structured language independent format into the at least one of the at least second language specific formats. A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-81.

84. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a plurality of second language-specific formats; A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-83.

85. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a single second language-specific format; A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-83.

86. the at least one second language-specific form includes the at least one first language-specific form; A multilingual product catalog system according to any one of claims 73-85.

87. the data in the at least one second language-specific format includes data in a language that is the same as a language in the first language-specific format; A method of transforming data according to any one of claims 73-85.

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