Caterpillar Inc.

I2 Technologies Us, Inc.

Stephen W Blessin

Steven C Bailey

Allen Detmer

David J Cassel

Gary L Lewis

A computer-implemented method for searching for a desired item includes, in response to user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, searching a database that comprises information associated with items for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string. The determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items are provided for display to the user. In response to user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item are determined and provided for display to the user.

Database system facilitating textual searching

A method is disclosed for performing parametric searching using a computer. The method includes providing, via a graphical user interface, a name associated with a desired item, and based on the provided name, generating a list of attribute characteristics associated with the name. The method further includes providing at least one specific attribute for at least one of the listed attribute characteristics, performing a search for items having the at least one specific attribute, based on the provided at least one specific attribute, and generating search results that include items having the at least one specific attribute.

Parametric searching

A computer-implemented method for procuring one or more items includes, in response to user-provided data and after user selection of a search module using a client system, providing an item category. Based on user selection of the item category using the client system, one or more attributes associated with: all items in the item category are provided. Based on user input identifying an attribute value for at least one attribute, search results including one or more items matching the attribute value are generated. In response to user selection of a particular item from among the search results using the client system, an order request for the selected item is then generated.

Computer-implemented procurement of items using parametric searching

Methods are disclosed for loading a database for a computerized procurement system in a standard format that will allow suppliers in varying industries that have and have not standardized their nomenclature. The first step is for a supplier to put data describing an item into the CAE format. This format easily accommodates ISO, non-ISO, and UNSPSC compliant suppliers. The format is then converted into XML which allows for easy transmittal of the information on a computerized network. Thus anyone with access to the internet can relay this information to anyone else on the internet. The information is then deconverted back into the CAE file format once it is received by someone with a procurement database. The data is then stripped from the CAE format using a parser and properly loaded into a procurement database.

Universal file format for products that allows both parametric and textual searching

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented database system ( ) includes a first table ( ) including rows each corresponding to a keyword and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the keyword. Each keyword corresponds to one or more items for which a parametric search may be performed. A second table ( ) includes rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute. A third table ( ) includes rows each corresponding to a keyword-attribute combination and each including the identifier for the keyword, the identifier for the attribute, and a set of all valid attribute values for this combination. A fourth table ( ) includes rows each corresponding to an item and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, and the identifier for the keyword for the item. A fifth table ( ) includes rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each including the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, the identifier for the item, and the identifier for the keyword for the item.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Stephen W Blessin