1240183 A7 _B7__ 五、發明説明（1 ) 發明之技術領域 本發明係大致有關資訊的電子檢索技術，且更確切來 說，本發明係有關一種用以描述參數性詢問的系統與方 法。 發明之技術背景 對資訊有需求的使用者經常需要建構反映出該等需 求的搜尋請求，且遞送該等請求到搜尋引擎以進行搜 尋。一項搜尋請求可為詢問形式，其典型地係界定為描 述欲從資料庫檢索之資料的一種語言表述。例如，一位 採購代理人或其他使用者可能可以建構且遞送一項呈結 構化查詢語言（Structured Query Language、SQL)格式的 詢問以取得產品的可得性、產品價格、以及用於製造產 品之零件有關的其他資訊。 傳統的詢問往往受限於使用用以表達使用者需要的 布林（Boolean)運算符。因此，利用傳統的詢問格式，使 用者能夠完全且正確地表達其需求的能力將會受到限 制。因此，可處理傳統詢問的搜尋引擎並無法檢索到能 最佳地滿足使用者對資訊需求的結果。 傳統詢問之問題的一特別實例為，使用者可能要遞送 一項詢問至一電子零組件供應商的零件目錄資料庫來尋 找出具有介於Q與C2之間範圍的電容、介於V】與V2 之間範圍的電壓特徵、以及介於L與T2之間範圍的溫度 特徵的所有可得電容器。為了回應此項詢問，一搜尋引 4 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) Α4規格（210X297公釐） 掌··........?τ.....#· (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 1240183 A7 B7 ---—— ------- " --------—.—一 五、發明説明（2 ) 擎將為該使用者識別出該零件目錄資料庫中的所有屬於 上述範圍的電容器。因此，針對此項相對簡單的詢問， 使用者要描述欲搜尋之三種詢問範圍的任務將相對地容 易且不會很耗時。然而’如果欲搜尋的詢問數量與範圍 增加幅度相當大的話（例如數以百計的參數與範圍），那 麼使用者要顯現、描述與輸入此種大範圍詢問的工作將 變得相當困難且極端地耗時。再者，如果使用者持續要 搜尋且詢問的範圍及物件均相當多的話，例如有關為一 大型製造商採購零件的工作，此項任務將變得相當艱困。 發明之槪皇 根據本發明，與習知之用以描述參數性詢問技術相關 的問題與缺點將可減少或消彌。 根據本發明的一實施例’ 一種用以從一資料庫檢索資 訊的方法包括以下步驟：選出欲由一項詢問來描述的至 少一參數；配合欲描述之該至少一參數的一數值範圍來 調整一搜尋工具精靈(widSet)的第一邊界；以及配合欲插 述之該至少一參數的該數值範圍來調整該搜尋工具精靈 的第二邊界，而該數值範圍包括介於該第一邊界與該第 二邊界之間的多個數值；以及遞送出該項詢問以在該資 料庫中進行一項搜尋，而該項詢問包括與該數值範圍相 關聯的資訊。 本發明的某些實施例可提供優於習知技藝的一個或 多個技術上優點。例如，本發明可允許一位採購者、買 5 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（娜）A4規格（210X297公爱） (請先閲讀背面之注意事项再填窝本頁} •W— .訂· • XTi 1240183 A7 B7五、發明説明（3 ) 方、或找尋資訊的其他使用者能更方便且容易地顯現出 感興趣的參數性範圍資訊，且能正確地描述在欲遞送至 一搜尋引擎之一個或多個詢問中的資訊。因此，本發明 可允許買方能更快速地表示出欲購買物件的搜尋請求， 且藉此可識別出賣方能提供的所有可接受物件。本發明 可進而改善多面化的電子商務技術。例如，使用者可為 使用來自該參數性範圍詢問的搜尋結果以針對有關資料 庫物件作出採購決策的一位採購代理人或買方。能整合 一個或多個上述或其他優點的系統與方法將適用於商務 的環境中，例如與網際網路可存取網站或電子市場相關 的環境。對熟知技藝者來說，可從圖式、發明說明與申 請專利範圍中更了解本發明的其他技術上優點。 圖式的簡要說明 為了更清楚地了解本發明及其優點，將參照以下的說 明以及圖式來進行說明，在圖式中： 第1圖將展示出利用匹配準則來檢索資訊的一例示 系統10，該系統可用來實行本發明的一例示實施例； 第2圖將展示出一例示參數性詢問搜尋工具精靈 (widget)100，該工具精靈可用來實行本發明的一例示實 施例；以及 第3圖將根據本發明的一例示實施例展示出一種用 以快速地顯現參數性資訊且描述一項詢問的例示方法。 6 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 訂| Ϊ240183 A7 B7 五 、發明說明（4) 施例的詳細説明 將參照圖式中的第1圖至第3圖來清楚地了解本發 明的較佳實施例及其優點，而在不同的圖式中，相同的 元件編號將用於相同且對應的元件上。 第1圖展示出利用匹配準則來檢索資訊的一例示系 统該系統可用來實行本發明的一例示實施例。系統 包括一個或多個買方12、一個或多個賣方14、以及 與一網站、電子市場、或買方12與賣方14可存取之其 他環境相關的至少一匹配伺服器16。大致來說，匹配伺 服器16可接收來自表達出其需求的一買方12接收一項 搜尋請求，例如對一個或多個目標產品、服務、房地產、 文件、或者透過與匹配祠服器Ί 6相關聯的一市場從賣方 14取得之其他物件等需求。根據本發明，可藉由匹配準 則來快速地分辨且表示出買方12的需求，例如以下將詳 細說明之一個或多個參數、或有關各個目標物件的參數 1已圍。為了回應於該搜尋請求，匹配伺服器16使用相關 匹配弓丨擎18來對一目錄資料庫20應用匹配準則。目錄 貝料庠20包括有關賣方14目前且現在可提供之物件的 資訊。同樣地，匹配引擎18可對包含一個或多個賣 14之迫近報價的一報價資料庫22應用該匹配準則。 配弓丨擎18可根據該匹配準則從適當資料庫2〇或22 索相關可得物件的資訊，且將結果回報給買方12。可根 據針對目標物件的參數輸入來排序該等結果，而該等參 數係反映出與買方12、買方12之偏好、或其他考量的 方 匹 檢 ..............—.....…f! —— (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填窝本頁) •、一-T— 本紙張尺度適用t國國家標準（哪）从規格（2歡公爱） 1240183 A7 B7 五、發明説明（5 ) 相關性，以便允許買方12能作出採購或其他適當的決 策。 買方12可為可存取匹配伺服器16的任何適當實 體，其可獨立地或仰賴相關人士的投入來發現有關一項 採購或其他活動之一個或多個可得物件的資訊。賣方14 可為提供有關可得物件之資訊給匹配伺服器16的任何 適當實體。因此，買方12、賣方14以及匹配伺服器16 可利用鏈結24彼此躺合在一起。例如，鏈結24包括一 個或多個區域網路（local area network、LAN)、都會區 域網路(metropolitan area network、MAN)、廣域網路 (wide area network、WAN)、全球網路的至少一部份， 例如網際網路、或任何其他適當有線、光學、無線或其 他類型的鏈結。在此實施例中，匹配伺服器16係相連於 一電子企業對企業（business-to-business、B2B)市場，該 市場可利用一個或多個鏈結24在網際網路上促進買方 12與賣方14之間的B2B交易。雖然在本發明說明中為 了展示目的，將主要描述匹配伺服器16為分離於買方 1 2與賣方1 4的伺服器，匹配伺服器1 6可根據特別需求 與一個或多個買方12及/或賣方14共享一個或多個電腦 資源或其他適當資源。 可因著任何適當因素來產生一項搜尋請求。在資料庫 系統（database management system、DBMS)的領域中， 一項詢問為一種搜尋請求。如上所述，一項詢問為描述 欲從例如目錄資料庫20或報價資料庫22之一資料庫檢 8 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210 X 297公釐） S34 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) •訂— 1240183 A7 B7 五、發明説明（6 ) 索資料的一種資料庫語言表述。例如，一項詢問可以利 用結構化查詢語言（Structured Query Language、SQL) 形式來表示，或可以利用任何其他適當形式來表示。可 用來描述欲從一資料庫檢索之資料的典型詢問為偏好詢 問、正確匹配詢問、以及參數性詢問。偏好詢問為描述 有關欲檢索資料之一項或多項使用者偏好的語言表述。 正確匹配詢問可正確地描述出使用者想要檢索的資料。 參數性詢問則描述出針對欲檢索資料的一個或多個數值 範圍。針對此實施例，將主要說明參數性詢問，但本發 明亦可闡述任何適當詢問、搜尋請求、或可根據有關目 標物件的匹配準則快速地表示出買方12需求的其他表 述方示，如以下所述3 例如，買方12可為一位消費者，其可建構或遞送一 項詢問至與該匹配伺服器16相連的一購物助理程式 (bot)以測定出可得性、價格或有關該消費者有興趣購買 之一項零售產品的其他資訊。或者，買方12可為一位採 購經理，或為一組織中的一獨立採購過程，而該組織可 建構且遞送有關製造產品之必要零件的詢問，或者可建 構且遞送有關任何其他有形或無形物件的詢問。作為另 一種替代方法，買方12可在與一個或多個賣方14協調 的過程中產生且遞送詢問，而該等協調過程可由匹配伺 服器16來進行調停。在此實施例中，針對一項詢問而識 別出的各個目標物件，該詢問將根據買方12的需求指定 一個或多個特徵、特性、或該目標物件之其他參數的數 9 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 訂| :v Γ '一:•厂 124〇1831240183 A7 _B7__ V. Description of the Invention (1) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic retrieval technology for general information, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for describing parametric queries. Technical Background of the Invention Users who are in need of information often need to construct search requests that reflect these needs, and deliver those requests to a search engine for searching. A search request may be in the form of a query, which is typically defined as a linguistic description describing the information to be retrieved from a database. For example, a purchasing agent or other user may construct and deliver a query in Structured Query Language (SQL) format to obtain product availability, product prices, and Additional information about the part. Traditional queries are often limited to the use of Boolean operators to express user needs. Therefore, with traditional query formats, users' ability to fully and correctly express their needs will be limited. As a result, search engines that can handle traditional queries cannot retrieve results that best meet users' information needs. A particular example of a traditional question is that a user may want to send an inquiry to a parts catalog database of an electronic component supplier to find a capacitor with a range between Q and C2, between V] and All available capacitors with voltage characteristics in the range between V2 and temperature characteristics in the range between L and T2. In order to respond to this inquiry, a search quoted 4 paper sizes applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) Α4 specification (210X297 mm)... ........? Τ ..... # · (please first (Read the notes on the back and fill in this page) 1240183 A7 B7 ------- ------- " ----------.-One, five, the description of the invention (2) The user identifies all capacitors in the parts catalog database that fall into the above range. Therefore, for this relatively simple query, the task for the user to describe the three query ranges to be searched for will be relatively easy and not time consuming. However, 'if the number and range of queries to be searched increases considerably (such as hundreds of parameters and ranges), then the task of the user to visualize, describe, and enter such large-scale queries will become very difficult and extreme. Land is time consuming. Furthermore, if the user continues to search and inquire about a wide range of objects and objects, such as work related to purchasing parts for a large manufacturer, this task will become quite difficult. Emperor of the Invention According to the present invention, the problems and disadvantages associated with the conventional technique for describing parametric interrogation can be reduced or eliminated. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for retrieving information from a database includes the following steps: selecting at least one parameter to be described by an inquiry; adjusting according to a numerical range of the at least one parameter to be described A first boundary of a search tool wizard (widSet); and adjusting a second boundary of the search tool wizard according to the value range of the at least one parameter to be interpolated, and the value range includes between the first boundary and the Multiple values between the second boundary; and delivering the query to perform a search in the database, the query including information associated with the range of values. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more technical advantages over conventional techniques. For example, the present invention allows a purchaser to buy 5 paper sizes that are applicable to the Chinese National Standard (Na) A4 specification (210X297 public love) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page} • W—. Order · • XTi 1240183 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (3) Fang, or other users looking for information, can more conveniently and easily show the parametric range information of interest, and can accurately describe the information to be delivered to a search engine. Information in one or more queries. Therefore, the present invention allows a buyer to more quickly indicate a search request for an item to purchase, and thereby identifies all acceptable items that the seller can provide. The present invention can further improve the multi-faceted E-commerce technology. For example, a user can be a purchasing agent or buyer who uses search results from this parametric range query to make purchasing decisions about database objects. Can integrate one or more of the above or other advantages The system and method will be suitable for business environments, such as those related to Internet-accessible websites or electronic markets. For those skilled in the art That is to say, other technical advantages of the present invention can be better understood from the scope of the drawings, the description of the invention, and the scope of the patent application. Brief description of the drawings In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows an example system 10 for retrieving information using matching criteria, and the system can be used to implement an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows an example parametric query search A tool wizard 100 that can be used to implement an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 shows a method for quickly displaying parametric information and describing an inquiry according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6) This paper size is in accordance with Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X297 mm) (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) Order | Ϊ240183 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (4) The detailed description will clearly understand the preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 in the drawings. In different drawings, the same elements The part numbers will be used for the same and corresponding components. Figure 1 shows an example system for retrieving information using matching criteria. The system can be used to implement an example embodiment of the present invention. The system includes one or more buyers 12, a Or more sellers 14, and at least one matching server 16 related to a website, electronic marketplace, or other environment accessible to buyers 12 and sellers 14. In general, the matching server 16 may receive information from a user who expresses his needs. A buyer 12 receives a search request, such as demand for one or more target products, services, real estate, documents, or other items obtained from the seller 14 through a market associated with the matching temple server 6. According to According to the present invention, the requirements of the buyer 12 can be quickly identified and expressed by the matching criteria. For example, one or more parameters described in detail below, or parameters 1 related to each target object are already included. In response to the search request, the matching server 16 uses the relevant matching bow engine 18 to apply the matching criteria to a directory database 20. Table of contents 20 includes information on what the seller 14 currently and now can provide. Likewise, the matching engine 18 may apply the matching criteria to a quotation database 22 containing one or more impending quotations of the offer 14. The match bow engine 18 can obtain the relevant available object information from the appropriate database 20 or 22 according to the matching criteria, and report the result to the buyer 12. The results can be sorted according to the parameter input for the target object, and these parameters reflect a check with Buyer 12, the preference of Buyer 12, or other considerations ... .—.....… f! —— (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) • 、 一 -T— This paper size is applicable to national standards (where) from the specifications (2 Huan Gongai ) 1240183 A7 B7 5. Description of the Invention (5) Relevance to allow the buyer 12 to make purchasing or other appropriate decisions. Buyer 12 may be any suitable entity that has access to matching server 16, which may independently or rely on the input of relevant parties to discover information about one or more items available for a purchase or other activity. Seller 14 may be any suitable entity that provides information about available items to matching server 16. Therefore, the buyer 12, the seller 14, and the matching server 16 can lie on each other using the link 24. For example, the link 24 includes at least one of one or more of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a global network. Share, such as the Internet, or any other suitable wired, optical, wireless, or other type of link. In this embodiment, the matching server 16 is connected to an electronic business-to-business (B2B) market, which can use one or more links 24 to promote buyers 12 and sellers 14 on the Internet. B2B transactions. Although in the description of the present invention, for the purpose of demonstration, the matching server 16 will be mainly described as a server separated from the buyer 12 and the seller 14, and the matching server 16 may communicate with one or more buyers 12 and / or according to special requirements. Sellers 14 share one or more computer resources or other appropriate resources. A search request may be generated for any suitable reason. In the field of database management system (DBMS), an inquiry is a search request. As mentioned above, an inquiry is to describe that you want to check 8 papers from one of the catalog database 20 or the quote database 22. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) S34 (please first Read the notes on the back and fill out this page) • Order — 1240183 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (6) A database language description of the requested information. For example, a query can be represented in a Structured Query Language (SQL) form, or it can be represented in any other suitable form. Typical queries that can be used to describe the data to be retrieved from a database are preference queries, correct match queries, and parametric queries. A preference query is a linguistic statement describing one or more user preferences about the information to be retrieved. The right match query correctly describes the information the user wants to retrieve. Parametric queries describe one or more ranges of values for the data to be retrieved. For this embodiment, parametric inquiries will be mainly described, but the present invention can also elaborate any appropriate inquiries, search requests, or other expressions that can quickly express the needs of the buyer 12 according to the matching criteria for the target object, as shown below Description 3 For example, the buyer 12 may be a consumer who may construct or deliver an inquiry to a shopping assistant (bot) connected to the matching server 16 to determine availability, price, or information about the consumer Additional information about a retail product that you are interested in buying. Alternatively, the buyer 12 may be a purchasing manager or an independent procurement process within an organization that may construct and deliver inquiries regarding the necessary parts to manufacture the product, or may construct and deliver any other tangible or intangible item Inquiry. As another alternative, the buyer 12 may generate and deliver inquiries during coordination with one or more sellers 14, and these coordination processes may be mediated by the matching server 16. In this embodiment, for each target object identified for an inquiry, the query will specify the number of one or more features, characteristics, or other parameters of the target object based on the needs of the buyer 12. The paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 Specification (210X297mm) (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) Order |: v Γ '一: • Factory 124〇183
五、發明説明（7 ) 值。匹配伺服器16 的匹配引擎18町適當地對資料庫20 或22應用此等參數數值，且回送符合該輸人參數數值的 資料。 第2圖將展示出〆例示參數性詢問搜尋工具精靈 (widget)1〇0，該搜尋工具精靈可用來實行本發明的一例 示實施例。如下所述，該搜尋工具精靈⑽係藉著使用 常駐在圖形函式庫中的現存工具精靈設計資訊（例如常 駐於 EZWGL® 中（EZ Widget and Graphics Library)中的 資訊）來產生以進行本發明的功能，而該圖形函式庫為撰 寫在XIib函式庫上的一種C語言函式庫。較佳地，可將 搜尋工具精靈1〇〇至現在一電腦監視器上作為由搜尋引 擎應用程式之圖形使用者介面（GraPhics User Interface、GUI)部分所顯示的一影像。例如’搜尋工具 精靈100的影像可包含於用以產生該已顯示影像之一網 路瀏覽器視窗中網頁的顯示影像中。 在此方面，買方12、賣方、匹配伺服器16可各與一 個或多個位置上之一個或多個電腦系統相連在一起。買 方12的電腦系統可各包括一個或多個輸入裝置，例如滑 鼠、觸控式螢幕或其他適當裝置以接收使用者的輸入。 各個該等電腦系統亦包括一個或多個輸出裝置以傳輸與 系統10運作相關的資訊，例如可由搜尋引擎應用程式的 GUI部分顯示出來的視覺顯現資訊。各個該等電腦系統 另包括一個或多個處理器與相關連記憶體以根據系統10 的運作執行指令且操縱資訊。用以處理利用搜尋工具精 10 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） 1240183 A7 _B7_ 五、發明説明（8 ) 靈100而配製之一項買方詢問的搜尋引擎應用程式可常 駐在買方的電腦系統中、與匹配伺服器1 6相連的一電腦 系統中、賣方的電腦系統中，或可位於任何其他適當位 置中。在任一種狀況中，如熟知技藝者可清楚了解的， 搜尋引擎應用程式的位置並不會對本發明的範圍構成限 制。 第3圖將根據本發明的一例示實施例展示出一種用 以快速地顯現參數性資訊且描述一項詢問的例示方法。 假設為了此實例的目的，買方12想要取得有關一個或多 個賣方14目前或潛在可提供之一個或多個物件的資 訊。所欲資訊可常駐在目錄資料庫20中或可常駐在報價 資料庫22中。較佳地，買方12可利用一滑鼠或觸控式 螢幕來點選或選出顯示在電腦監視器上代表一搜尋引擎 應用程式之捷徑的一圖符。該買方可能會想要針對所欲 資訊進行一項一次搜尋、或設定一項獨立、循環或連續 性、電腦驅動的搜尋。接下來，買方12可利用例如滑鼠 或觸控式螢幕的一適當輸入裝置來針對欲搜尋物件以及 欲進行搜尋類型作出一項選擇。針對此實施例，買方12 可藉著選出例如展示在選單中的某些物件來輸入物件與 搜尋類型資訊。對顯示在第2圖中的例示參數性詢問影 像來說，買方12可點選出製造商的零件編號、賣方的零 件編號、顧客的零件編號、零件名稱、或任何其他適當 零件識別符來識別出該項配製詢問的零件或主題。雖然 在此實例中將針對零件進行說明，根據本發明而進行的 11 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 、可· :聲· 1240183 五、發明說明（9 ) 一項參數性搜尋將包含任何適#有形或無形的物件。例 如，同樣地，買方12可使用滑氣或觸碰式營幕來從可進 讀尋類型的選單中選出”參數性詢問·，。因此，展示在 弟2圖中的該影像便可顯示在買方的監視器上。 針對-實施例來說，展示在第2圖中的影像可代表一 種類型的垂直尺規與條碼搜尋卫具精靈。或者，展示在 *圖中的〜像可被旋轉90度且可代表-種類型的水平 尺規與條碼搜尋工具精靈。 以可利用搜尋工具精靈1〇〇來配製的一詢問實例來 說，欲搜尋的一個或多個物件可能由金屬材質製成。在 此灵例中’貝方12可能會想要取得任何或所有屬於一個 或多個適當參數範圍内之賣方14目前或潛在提供的可 传〖生及/或價格’例如該種物件中特定金屬的"純度,，或百 分比。例如’如果感興趣物件係由不鏽鋼製成的話，那 麼每個零件中的鋼純度便是一項重要的因素。 針對此實例，假設買方12想要判斷出資料庫20或 22中具有，，純度”作為感興趣參數之所有零件的可得性與 價格’且該參數係介於30。/。與70%的純度範圍之間。在 本方法的步驟202中，使用者將選出（例如利用滑鼠或 觸控式螢幕來從顯示參數選單中選出一參數)欲進行顯 像且插述的參數。因此，針對此例示實施例，參數性詢 問搜尋工具精靈彳〇〇可視為包括二個部分100(a)與 100(b)。例如，工具精靈部分100(a)可為一種垂直尺規 類型的搜尋工具精靈，其可包括四個各為257。的子分 12 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填窝本頁) •、^1· :鮮丨 12401835. Description of the invention (7) value. The matching engine 18 of the matching server 16 appropriately applies these parameter values to the database 20 or 22 and returns data matching the input parameter values. Figure 2 shows an exemplary parametric query search tool widget 100, which can be used to implement an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As described below, the search tool wizard is generated by using existing tool wizard design information resident in the graphics function library (such as information resident in EZ Widget and Graphics Library) to carry out the present invention. Functions, and the graphic library is a C language library written on the XIib function library. Preferably, the search tool wizard 100 can be used as an image displayed on a computer monitor by the graphical user interface (GUI) portion of the search engine application program. For example, the image of the 'search tool wizard 100' may be included in a display image of a webpage in a web browser window used to generate the displayed image. In this regard, the buyer 12, the seller, and the matching server 16 may each be connected to one or more computer systems at one or more locations. The computer system of the buyer 12 may each include one or more input devices, such as a mouse, a touch screen, or other suitable device to receive user input. Each of these computer systems also includes one or more output devices to transmit information related to the operation of the system 10, such as visual presentation information that can be displayed by the GUI portion of a search engine application. Each of these computer systems also includes one or more processors and associated memory to execute instructions and manipulate information according to the operation of the system 10. A search engine application designed for processing buyer's inquiry using 10 fine paper sizes that are compatible with Chinese National Standards (CNS) A4 specifications (210X297 mm) 1240183 A7 _B7_ V. Description of the invention (8) Ling 100 Resident in the buyer's computer system, in a computer system connected to the matching server 16, in the seller's computer system, or in any other suitable location. In either case, the location of the search engine application does not limit the scope of the invention, as is well understood by those skilled in the art. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary method for quickly presenting parametric information and describing an inquiry according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Suppose for the purposes of this example, buyer 12 wants to obtain information about one or more items that one or more sellers 14 are currently or potentially offering. The desired information may be resident in the catalog database 20 or may be resident in the quotation database 22. Preferably, the buyer 12 can use a mouse or a touch screen to click or select an icon displayed on a computer monitor to represent a shortcut of a search engine application. The buyer may want to perform a one-time search for the desired information, or set up an independent, cyclic or continuous, computer-driven search. Next, the buyer 12 may use an appropriate input device such as a mouse or a touch screen to make a choice regarding the object to be searched and the type of search to be performed. For this embodiment, the buyer 12 can enter object and search type information by selecting certain objects, such as displayed in a menu. For the example parametric query image shown in Figure 2, the buyer 12 may click the manufacturer's part number, the seller's part number, the customer's part number, part name, or any other appropriate part identifier to identify The item or subject of this inquiry. Although the parts will be explained in this example, the 11 paper sizes made according to the present invention are applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page). ·: ·· 1240183 V. Description of the Invention (9) A parametric search will include any suitable tangible or intangible objects. For example, in the same way, the buyer 12 can use the air-skid or touch screen to select "Parametric Inquiry ·" from the menu of readable type. Therefore, the image shown in the figure 2 can be displayed in On the monitor of the buyer. For the example, the image shown in Figure 2 may represent a type of vertical ruler and bar code search gear wizard. Alternatively, the ~ image shown in the * image can be rotated by 90 And can represent a type of spirit level and bar code search tool wizard. Taking an example of a query that can be prepared using the search tool wizard 100, one or more objects to be searched for may be made of metal materials. In this spiritual example, 'Bayside 12 may want to obtain any or all of the current and potential deliverables of sellers 14 that fall within one or more of the appropriate parameters, such as the specific metal in the object. &Quot; Purity, or percentage. For example, 'If the object of interest is made of stainless steel, the steel purity in each part is an important factor. For this example, suppose buyer 12 wants to judge Database 20 or 22 ,, having a purity "as a parameter of interest of all the parts availability and price 'between lines 30 and the parameters. /. And 70% purity range. In step 202 of the method, the user will select (for example, use a mouse or a touch screen to select a parameter from the display parameter menu) the parameter to be displayed and interpolated. Therefore, for this exemplary embodiment, the parametric query search tool wizard 彳 〇〇 can be regarded as including two parts 100 (a) and 100 (b). For example, the tool sprite part 100 (a) may be a vertical ruler type search tool sprite, which may include four 257 each.的 分 分 12 This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) •, ^ 1 ·: Fresh 丨 1240183
(請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 段。換吕之，搜尋卫具精靈⑽可針對屬於介於仍至 ⑽。/。之間之數值範圍中的任何數值來描、❶ (例如純度)。例如’工具精靈部分100(b)可為—種= ㈣技哥工具精致，其可經調整以涵蓋介於0%至100% 之間之感興趣參數（例如純度）的一數值範圍。 為了調整欲由工具精靈部分1〇〇 圍，買方可選出且向上拉或向下拉卫2數值犯 〜j r双工具精靈部分 :r* · 1〇_的各個邊緣102、104。欲針對感興趣物件而進行 搜尋之參數性數值範圍係介於邊緣1〇2與]叫代表的數 值之間。針對此實例，在步驟2G4 m 12將選出 並且將邊緣1G2向上或向下拖$以設定該邊界為欲描述 的較低值。在步驟206中，買方12隨後將選出並且將 邊緣U)4向上或向下拖_以設賴邊界為欲插述的較高 值。因此，使用者已經調整了將由搜尋工具精靈ι〇〇描 述的參數數值範圍（例如純度）以包括介於較高與較低邊 界（例如307。與707。)之間的數值。 在步驟208中，藉著使用由搜尋工具精靈1〇〇描述 的參數性詢問，買方12可使用滑鼠或觸控式螢幕來選出 標不著有”遞送搜尋”的一方塊，該方塊將針對欲進行的 一項搜尋傳送出已配製詢問到匹配伺服器16。尤其地， 根據本發明，搜尋工具精靈彳00將允許使用者能針對感 興趣之一個或多個物件所搜尋的一個或多個參數快速地 顯現出一數值範圍，並且能選出該數值範圍的邊界（例 如，利用滑鼠進行數次點選與拖曳）以便可以有效率地且 13 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4规格（210 X 297公釐） 1240183 A7 B7 五、發明説明（11) 正確地描述欲針對一項搜尋所遞送出的詢問。較佳地， 本發明將允許一位使用者能快速地顯現且描述多個參數 性範圍，且能容易地將已顯相資訊轉換為一項或多項詢 問。 雖然已經對照附錄的圖式與前述發明說明來展示本 發明方法與裝置的較佳實施例，應該可以了解的是，本 發明並不受限於所揭露的實施例，反之，在不偏離由本 發明之申請專利範圍所界定的精神之下，本發明可包含 各種不同的重新配置、修改與替代方案。 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) :弒· 14 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐） 1240183 A7 B7 五、發明説明（12) 元件標號對照表 10 系統 12 買方 14 賣方 16 匹配伺服器 18 匹配引擎 20 目錄資料庫 22 報價資料庫 24 鏈結 100 參數性詢問搜尋工具精靈 100(a) 工具精靈部分 100(b) 工具精靈部分 102 邊緣 104 邊緣 200 方法 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 、?τ— :ν 步驟202選出欲在詢問中描述的參數 步驟204點選並拖曳邊緣以設定欲描述之參數性 範圍的較低值 步驟206點選並拖曳邊緣以設定欲描述之參數性 範圍的較高值 步驟208針對選出的參數與欲描述的數值範圍來 遞送出搜尋詢問 15 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210X297公釐）(Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page). In other words, the search for the guardian spirit ⑽ can be targeted to between 仍 and ⑽. /. Any value in the range of values is described, such as purity. For example, the 'tool sprite part 100 (b) may be-a kind = ㈣ 技 哥 Tool refined, which can be adjusted to cover a range of values of parameters of interest (such as purity) between 0% and 100%. In order to adjust the area around the tool wizard 100, the buyer can select and pull up or down the guard 2 value to commit ~ j r dual tool wizard section: r * · 1〇_ each edge 102, 104. The range of parametric values to be searched for the object of interest is between the value represented by the edge 102 and the []. For this example, in step 2G4 m 12 will be selected and drag edge 1G2 up or down to set the boundary to the lower value to be described. In step 206, the buyer 12 will then select and drag the edge U) 4 up or down to set the boundary as the higher value to interpolate. Therefore, the user has adjusted the parameter value range (such as purity) to be described by the search tool wizard ι〇〇 to include values between higher and lower boundaries (such as 307. and 707.). In step 208, by using the parametric inquiry described by the search tool wizard 100, the buyer 12 may use a mouse or a touch screen to select a box marked "Delivery Search", which will be targeted at A search to be performed sends a formulated query to the matching server 16. In particular, according to the present invention, the search tool wizard 00 will allow the user to quickly display a range of values for one or more parameters searched for one or more objects of interest, and to select the boundaries of the range of values (For example, click and drag several times with a mouse) so that 13 paper sizes can be efficiently applied to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 1240183 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (11) Accurately describe the query to be delivered for a search. Preferably, the present invention will allow a user to quickly visualize and describe multiple parametric ranges, and easily convert the manifested information into one or more queries. Although the preferred embodiments of the method and device of the present invention have been shown with reference to the drawings of the appendix and the foregoing description of the invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, without departing from the present invention Within the spirit defined by the scope of the patent application, the present invention may include various different reconfigurations, modifications, and alternatives. (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page): 弑 · 14 This paper size applies to Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210X297 mm) 1240183 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (12) Component reference table 10 System 12 Buyer 14 Seller 16 Matching Server 18 Matching Engine 20 Catalog Database 22 Quotation Database 24 Link 100 Parametric Inquiry Search Tool Wizard 100 (a) Tool Wizard Section 100 (b) Tool Wizard Section 102 Edge 104 Edge 200 Method ( Please read the notes on the back before filling this page),? Τ—: ν Step 202 Select the parameter to be described in the query Step 204 Click and drag the edge to set the lower value of the parameter range to be described Step 206 points Select and drag the edge to set the higher value of the parametric range to be described. Step 208 Deliver a search query for the selected parameter and the numerical range to be described. 15 This paper size applies Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm )