INFORMATION NETWORK SEARCH ENGINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a search engine as well as a method of, and system for the
searching for a selected product or product group and for generating response data for
purposes of serving the request. More specifically it relates to a search engine generally
operatable by means of a web based browser which provides for communication means
to a hosted searching service on a computer network of a service provider connected or
connectable to a Information Network. Furthermore the invention allows users to locate
and obtain information on one or more products registered on one or more databases on
an Information Networks such as the Internet.
BACKGROUND ART
With the introduction of access to the Internet by the public and the subsequent rapid
development and growth into Internet Commerce many people has required companies
to develop search engines to allocate and generate reports for the searching of specific
information or data required. Subsequently the growth of web sites has rendered standard
search engines uneffective due to the large amount of references obtained which in most
cases does not have any relation with the users request. Also E-commerce and the
utilization of the WWW for commercial research has created the need for a specific search
engine for locating and finding products required by a user
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a search engine and a
method and system for searching for products on the World Wide Web with regard to
certain predefined constraints and to generate and communicate intelligent response data
to the user with said data associated with a product required by the user. The method and
system allows users to search intelligently through one or more databases and to obtain
information and data in which the applicant believes that disadvantages of other search
engines may at least be alleviated
Furthermore it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of and system
for searching an information network for a specific product case sensitively in relation to
the product identity or category, location and price , and which the applicant believes
disadvantages of known search engines may at least be alleviated. In particular the
invention provides significant benefits as follows:
• Users that search information networks such as the Internet for products need not
use general or global search engines to identify and locate a specific product ; but
can now do a case sensitive search on the identity , location and price of the
product to obtain reference information for further use. The search engine is
configured to file each product identity with its class or subclass; thereby allowing
users to make easy selection and identification of a required product. Furthermore
response data generated will be more accurate and provide reference detail about
the product, including one or more of the following; contact information, hypertex
links naming but a few;
• Vendors and product advertises benefit in that they are assured that information
about their products are more accessible and that search results will be more
accurate; thereby benefiting their business. Furthermore reference detail allows
users to be directed to them either via the network or via contact information and/or
address reference associated with the users required products.
• Service providers benefit in that the search engines allows more customers
(Vendors and Advertisers) to use their services i.e. database management and web
hosting because contacts or sales leads will be more accurate and reliable.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the 1st aspect of the invention there is included a method of searching for
a product electronically including the steps of:
- providing an electronic network including at least one data terminal at a user
base, at least one computer network of a service provider and at least one
database including details of available products.
- on the system generating a first data input request relating to the identity of
a product requested, generating a second data input request relating to the
location of a product requested and generating a third data input request
relating to the price of a product requested;
- processing the first, second and third data input request on a computer
network of a service provider and comparing the product request data-sets
in relation to available products registered in at least one database;
- generating at least one response data or message including the results of the
search with detail of the products associated database; and
- communicating the response data or message to the user in response to the
request.
According to the 2nd aspect of the invention, the electronic network may include a browser
based software application with encryption and/or decryption capabilities and
communication means to compile user request information and forward them to a
computer network of a service provider.
According to the 3rd aspect of the invention, the search engine may include means to
display and communicate information interactively with the requested information.
According to the 4th aspect of the invention the user may include any one or more of: a
person, organisation, company, non-profit organisation or the like
According to the 5th aspect of the invention the user may input the product request
information via a network device or remote terminal such as a PC and a web browser used
for displaying and communicating interactively with the computer network.
According to the 6th aspect of the invention the remote base may include a home or an
office preferable located remotely from the database and/or the service provider.
According to the 7th aspect of the invention the Information Network may include any one
or more of: the Internet, an Extranet, an Intranet, a Virtual Private Network and a
computer network of a vendor, service provider or a government network.
According to the 8th aspect of the invention the Service provider may include any one or
more of: an Internet associated company or firm, a database management network or
service, an organisation or a vendor.
According to the 9th aspect of the invention the database may include one or more data
containing or storing systems and/or software and/or hardware allowing product and/or
product reference details to be accessible via the Information and/or service provider
network.
According to the 10th aspect of the invention the identity of a product may include one or
more of: the product name, product type, product category an the product nature.
According to the 11th aspect of the invention the location of a product may include one
or more of: the physical location, the storage location, the commercial or business location,
the reference date location and a hypertex link
According to the 12th aspect of the invention the price of a product may include one or
more of: the actual price, the retail price, the estimated price or a price range defined as
one or more values between an upper and a lower price limit
According to the 13th aspect of the invention the response data may include details of one
or more products registered in the database and/or the availability thereof.
According to the 14th aspect of the invention there is provided a search engine for
generating response data with regard to a product required by a user, the search engine
including a method for generating and processing a user request from a remote base , said
user request relating to a product on an information network and said information network
including a computer network of a service provider with at least one database with
available products, the method including the steps of:
- generating a first data input request relating to the identity of a product
requested;
- generating a second data input request relating to the location of a
product requested;
- generating a third data input request relating to the price of a product
requested;
- processing the first, second and third data input request on a computer
network of a service provider and comparing the product request data-
sets in relation to available products registered in at least one database;
- generating at least one response data or message including the results of
the search with detail of the products associated database; and
- communicating the response data or message to the user in response to
the request.
According to the 15th aspect of the invention, the search engine may include a browser
based software application with encryption and/or decryption capabilities and
communication means to compile user request information and forward them to a
computer network of a service provider.
According to the 16th aspect of the invention there is included a system for searching for
a product electronically the system comprising:
- an electronic network including at least one data terminal at a user base, at
least one computer network of a service provider and at least one database
including details of available products.
- means for generating on the system a first data input request relating to the
identity of a product requested, generating a second data input request
relating to the location of a product requested and generating a third data
input request relating to the price of a product requested;
- processing means for processing the first, second and third data input
request on a computer network of a service provider and comparing the
product request data-sets in relation to available products registered in at
least one database;
- means for generating at least one response data or message including the
results of the search with detail of the products associated database; and
- system software for communicating request and response data or message
to and from the user in response to the request or response message.
According to the 17th aspect of the invention there is provided a search engine for
generating response data with regard to a product required by a user, the search engine
including a system for generating and processing a user request from a remote base , said
user request relating to a product on an information network and said information network
including a computer network of a service provider with at least one database with
available products, the system comprising:
- a computer network wit at lease one database and a user data terminal;
- means for generating a first data input request relating to the identity of a
product requested;
- means for generating a second data input request relating to the location of
a product requested;
- means for generating a third data input request relating to the price of a
product requested;
- means for processing the first, second and third data input request on a
computer network of a service provider and comparing the product request
data-sets in relation to available products registered in at least one database;
- means for generating at least one response data or message including the
results of the search with detail of the products associated database; and
- system software for communicating request and response data or message
to and from the user in response to the request or response message.
According to the 18th aspect of the invention there is included a method of
programming a computer it means steps of:
- providing a programable computer;
- storing a predetermined computer program on the storage capability of
the computer , the program being capable of causing a body of data to be
inspected for data comprises a set of pre-selected variables;
- causing a pre-selection set of variables to be entered into the computer
and received y the computer program;
- causing the pre-selected variables to be processed by the pre-programed
computer relative to the database for matching variable; and
- causing the computer to display matched variables in identified in the
database
According to the 19th aspect of the inventionthe computer may be interconnected to at
least one other computer comprising at least one database to be inspected, the combination
being such that the pre-selected variable can be entered at the first computer , the program
processing such information and accessing the database at the other or second computer
, and the matched data returned to the first computer . for display purposes
The first computer may be interconnected to a network of computers.
According to the 20th aspect of the invention the variables may comprises a first variable
relating to an identity of a predetermined product: a second variable relating to a location
of a predetermined product and a third variable relating to a monetary value of such
predetermined product.
Of coarse the computer program may include encryption and decryption capabilities
adapted to process information transmitted to a network encrypted form and to decrypt
such information for display purposes.
Also the computer program may comprising the capability to interactively manage
information process thereby thought the functioning of the computer associated therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by means of non-limiting
examples only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein:
Figure 1 : is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the invention including a
method of and system for generating a request relating to a product on an
information network;
Figure 2: is a block diagram which more extensively illustrates the system and method
of the invention in particular the search request and response process;
Figure 3 : is a schematic illustration of a computer network configuration for receiving
and processing a user request relating or associated with a product;
Figure 4: is an example of a network configuration according to the invention;
Figure 5: more specifically illustrates the method and system for processing and
executing a product request on an Information network;
Figure 6: more extensively shows the contents or data/information subsets of one or
more databases connected to the information network
Figure 7: more specifically relates to the process of comparing and associating data
input request with available products;
Figure 8: is a diagrammatic illustration of multiple product identification or
categories; and
Figure 9 shows an example of independent databases and/or individual search
engines where products are not synchronized with search results
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Turning to Figure 1 , there is shown illustrated according to an embodiment of the
invention, a method of and system for (1) generating a request relating to a product on an
information network, including providing a network access device or communication
terminal (2) i.e. a Personal Computer at a remote base (3) i.e. a home or an office that is
connected or connectable to an information network (4') i.e. for communication via the
Internet. The user selections regarding the product is processed (5) on a computer network
of a service provider with access to at least one database (7) connected to the network.
Furthermore the invention allows updating of the products or product details or product
reference information (9) via a communication and updating process (8). Updating may
occur from any one or more of: a vendor (14) a service provider (15) and a advertiser or
marketing system (16). Furthermore the updating may be executed by the updating parties
from a location associated or remote from the database (17). Also included within the
scope of the invention, the database and associated computer network of the service
provider may by able to generate and summarize output updates ( 10) including generating
reports (11) on the amount of request received and the frequency of the use as to for
example determine the demand for a certain product or product category. This in turn may
be used for marketing information relayed to vendors, service providers and advertisers
naming but a few. Furthermore Input Updates (12) may be generated and monitored
including generating reports (13) on demand for new advertising, product updates and
retail market tendencies which may be used to price and market the facility and responses
(6) sent or transmitted to the user at the remote base (3), said response including details
of reference information regarding the product.
Figure 2 more extensively illustrates the system and method of the invention in particular
the search request and response process originating when a user (18) uses a data terminal
or PC (19) to access and communicate request data over an information network (20). The
request (21 )that is transmitted to a computer network of a service provider includes details
(22) of any one or more of: the product identity or category, the product location and the
product price. The request is compared to a multiple product entries (25) or data stored on
a database (24), including different product identification data (26), product location data
(27) and prices or price ranges (28). Various data fields are compared to match user
request criteria (29) in respect of the available products on one or more databases. The
available data or information relating to a product including product reference data may
be compiled and used to generate response data or reference (30) that may be
communicated or transmitted (31) to the user (18)
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a computer network configuration for receiving and
processing a user request relating or associated with a product at a remote user base i.e.
a home or an office from a network device (34) ( i.e. a PC) on a computer network of a
service provider (35) via a Point of Presence (POP) (36) which in turn is connected or
linked (37) with the Internet (38) directly or via Intranet (39) or Extranet (40) connection.
Connected to the Internet may be a computer network of a service provider (41) that has
one or more databases connected to it (42). Alternatively the database (43, 44, 45, and 49)
may be connected or linked directly to the Internet: said databases containing information
or data relating to or associated with a product required by a user in terms of: Product ID
(46), Product Location (47) and Product price range (48). In another embedment the
database (50) may be held by a database Administrator (51) which may specialize or focus
on hosting information for purposes of the search engine.
Figure 4 is an extended example of a network configuration where users (53, 56 and 58))
may gain or obtain access to an information network via one or more of the following
ways: via Dail-up network (54), via Intranet Network (55) or via Extranet Network (57)
that may have direct link or communication (60) into an international (63)
WWW connection or link/connection (61 ) to a local WWW connection (62). One or more
service providers (64) may link directly into the international communication network with
at least one database (65). Alternatively the service provider (66) may link into the local
or regional network with the database (67). In yet another embedment the service
provider(s) (69, 72 and 75) and corresponding database (70, 73 and 76) may link to the
network via a supporting or sub-network (68, 71 and 74). Furthermore other networks
may also have link or communication with the main network (62 and 63)
Figure 5 more specifically illustrates the method and system (78) for processing and
executing a product request from a user (79) on an Information network (80) for
generating a request (81 ) on the network from where it is processed (82) or communicated
to a Database Search Engine (83) or directly to evaluate and associate one or more of the
following: the Product Identity (84), the Product Location (86) and the Product price or
price range (88), with their corresponding categories and price ranges respectively (85, 87
and (89). Search results may be completed and communicated to the networks (90) for
generating a response to the user request.. Alternatively the database search engine (83)
may via a network link (92) be able to integrate (93) or associate (94) with the request and
results communicated (91) to the user.
Figure 6 more extensively shows the contents or data/information subsets of one or more
databases (95) connected to the information network and/or to the computer network of
a service provider (host). The first data set may relate to the Product Type or Category
(96) which may include an alphabetical list of pre-stored product identities . A second
data set by relate or be associated with a product location (97) which may be a pre¬
arranged list that may operate from a top-down approach starting with the macro
environment i.e. country, state or province. The third data set may relate or be associated
with a product price or product price range (98) which is indicated by a selection
including a minimum and maximum value. Also the price may be associated with a
currency value determined by the country where the product may be located.
For illustrative purposes the product request identity may be associate with aviation , the
location Aberdeen (99) and the currency SA Rand (100) specified to a value i.e. R 50-
R100. Should a user request (101) relate to cigars (102) in location Johannesburg (103)
to the value or price (104) of between R 100 and R 200, the response data (105) may
include a summary of the selections and/or reference to the product i.e. a telephone or fax
number and/or an addressed where they or it can be found. Should a user request the exact
same product and location but with another price range ( 110) a different response signal
(111) ,may be generated with different reference information, except if the product on
offer is at the same location or place at a different rate i.e. different brands may have
different prices. Another user request (106) may relate to computers (107) in Randburg
(108) with a value or price range from R 5000 to R 10000 (109) with a response signal
or message (1 12) with reference information i.e. an address, telephone number etc.
Figure 7 more specifically relates to the process of comparing and associating data input
request with available products (113). The method and system more extensively
comprising of a request (122) a comparing associating engine (123) and a dataset of
available products (124). User request or enquiries (1 14) are processed and evaluated in
terms of product identity (115), product location (116) an product pricing or price range
(117). The completed request may be compered and/or processed (118) in terms of
available products (119), active locations (120) and available prices (121). The qualified
selections with corresponding reference information (125) may be processed, compiled
and generated to a response signal or message (127) that is communicated ( 128) to the user
(129).
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of multiple product identification or categories
(130) where product request dataset options (131) may be classified as user product
request databases (132) relating to identity, location and price each with its own reference
or commercial identification database or dataset (133) and or information network
identification (134) (www address). Furthermore the databases may hold multiple product
classes with multiple items (135) i.e. wine or multiple classification (136 and 137) which
are both vehicles. Furthermore multiple database entries (138) may bear resemblance in
both identity (143) and cost (144) but different locations and Internet addresses (139).
Alternatively the product identity and location may be same for a single request (140) but
differ in price (145); but therefor different reference information (146). Also a product
may be alone in its class or identity without corresponding references i.e. a specific
address but rather the store or franchise identity (141)
Figure 9 shows an example of independent databases and/or individual search engines
where products are not synchronized with search results. The method and/or system (147)
includes users (148) at home base to input and execute a search request (149) for a certain
product. The request is processed (150) and activates one or more independent searches
relating to one or more of: the product identity (151), the product location (152) and the
product price/range (153) which launches multiple database searches (154), (155) and
(156) respectively. Each set of search results may be communicated and transmitted (157),
(158) and (159) to generate independent search results (160) which may be compiled and
communicated (161) to a user (162).