Product Record Mapping via Rollup Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic catalogs face challenges in navigating and comparing products due to varying manufacturer taxonomies, making it difficult for users to accurately gauge differences between product series and models with minor variations, especially when filtering by attributes like brand, processor type, and display size.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that includes a user interface with a search area and results area, allowing users to filter products by manufacturer taxonomy, with dynamic ontology organization and rollup modules to consolidate product information, presenting 'winner' products and similar items based on attribute values and user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manufacturers provide detailed product information for each individual product, then product information completeness is improved, but user ability to compare models and series is worsened due to excessive detail and minor variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual product records into consolidated model and series records. The rollup module combines products sharing common attributes (processor type, display size, form factor) into a single model record, and further consolidates models into series records. This merging reduces information overload while preserving complete product specifications within each consolidated record, enabling users to compare models and series without being overwhelmed by minor product variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the product information hierarchy into distinct levels: individual products, models, and series. Each level serves a specific comparison purpose. The segmentation allows users to navigate from detailed product specifications to model-level comparisons and series-level overviews, providing appropriate information granularity at each level of the comparison process.
2Measurement precision
If electronic catalogs store comprehensive product attributes and specifications, then product information accuracy is improved, but navigation and filtering complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic filtering and navigation that adapts to user selections. The system dynamically generates filters based on selected series or model, automatically adjusting the attribute set presented to users. This dynamic approach maintains comprehensive product information accuracy while reducing navigation complexity by showing only relevant attributes at each stage of the comparison process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary consolidation of product data into model and series records before user interaction. The rollup module pre-processes comprehensive product attributes, organizing them into structured hierarchies with inherited specifications. This preliminary action ensures information accuracy is maintained while simplifying subsequent user navigation, as the complex data organization work is completed beforehand.
3Productivity
If filters are provided for common attributes like brand, processor type, and display size, then product search capability is improved, but ability to filter by manufacturer taxonomy (line, series, model) is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal filtering system that handles both common attributes (processor type, display size) and manufacturer taxonomy attributes (line, series, model) through the same interface. The filter module is designed to accept multiple types of filtering criteria simultaneously, allowing users to combine technical specifications with organizational hierarchy filters in a single search operation, thus providing both productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the rollup module as an intermediary that bridges individual product data and manufacturer taxonomy structures. This intermediary consolidates products into model and series records with inherited attributes, enabling the filter system to efficiently handle taxonomy-based filtering. The rollup module mediates between detailed product information and high-level organizational categories, making both types of filtering equally accessible.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for mapping product records according to attributes in a standard schema, the standard schema mapping product records from a plurality of content providers according to a product hierarchy from each respective content provider, the method including: receiving product data from a plurality of feeds including feeds from one or more content providers; identifying a plurality of product records received from each of the plurality of feeds; identifying a taxonomy of products received in each of the plurality of feeds; and storing product records and corresponding product attributes in a standard schema in a data set for each feed according to the taxonomy identified for each respective feed.