Product Search Categorization Reducing Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search methods on websites return an overwhelming number of search results for related products, consuming significant bandwidth and overwhelming users with too much information, as they are based solely on unique product identifiers rather than product attributes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that categorize search results by common attributes of products, such as paint products, allowing users to view collections of related items sharing common properties, reducing the number of results displayed and conserving bandwidth by transmitting only collection information initially, with detailed product information available upon selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If search results are returned based on unique product identifiers (SKU), then complete product information is provided, but the number of search results becomes overwhelming and bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results by grouping products with similar attributes (color, finish, application type) into categories. Instead of returning all products matching the search string individually, the system organizes them into thematic groups, reducing the perceived quantity of results while maintaining information completeness through structured presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges products that share common attributes into unified search result categories. For example, multiple paint products with the same color and finish are combined into a single categorized entry, reducing the total number of separate results while preserving the distinction between products through attribute-based organization.
2Loss of information
If all search results are transmitted to the user computer, then complete product options are provided, but network bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary categorization of products on the server side before transmitting results to the user computer. By pre-organizing products into categories based on their attributes, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, as only the categorized structure and essential product information need to be sent, not every individual product detail.
3Measurement precision
If search results are displayed individually, then each product is distinguishable, but the display area required becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a categorical dimension to the display of search results. Instead of displaying products in a flat, individual list that requires extensive horizontal space, the system organizes products vertically by categories, allowing multiple products to be displayed in a compact, hierarchical structure that reduces the overall display area while maintaining product distinguishability through attribute labels.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and computer system for facilitating selection of a paint by a user over a communication network. A server component of the computer system receives a type of the paint available on a website desired by the user over the communication network, and transmits content over the communication network to present the user with an arrangement of available colors for the paint. A desired color selected by the user from the arrangement of available colors is received. Without transmitting content over the communication network to cause the user computer to separately present all variants of the paint comprising both the type of the paint and the desired color selected by the user, content indicative of a collection of variants of the paint and a selectable menu of options for specifying an additional parameter that identifies a desired variant of the paint are transmitted.