Unfortunately, most electronic product catalogs are voluminous and have numerous products with the same or similar attributes.Ī known alternative to search techniques that utilize I/O function calls when conducting searches is to provide a lookup module that stores substantially all of the search database in the local memory of a computer. Therefore, the keyword search methodology is seen to have limited use in that it is most effective when performing searches within product catalogs that have products that have easily distinguishable descriptive attributes. This requires that the results of the search be carefully reviewed by the party conducting the search, or that the search be re-executed with keywords that are aimed at producing a narrower set of search results. Thus, when a keyword search is conducted, the search is likely to generate a large list of products that match the entered keywords. While the keyword search methodology is effective for searching product catalogs with small inventories, conducting searches using I/O function calls is time consuming and less efficient for retailers and suppliers that offer many different products.Īdditionally, many retailers and suppliers offer multiple products that include identical or virtually identical product names or descriptions. Typically, these search engines process the keywords that are entered by the user and, in response, conduct input/output (“I/O”) function calls at a server computer to obtain the search results. To initiate the searching process, many search engines allow users to enter keywords. In fact, currently known search engines are often times frustrating to use and provide less than optimal results. However, retailers and suppliers have struggled to develop search engines that are easy to use and that also provide accurate and useful results on a substantially real-time basis.
In this regard, search engines have been the most common means employed for searching electronic catalogs.
The method for searching for products within these electronically stored catalogs is, however, different than the methods that are traditionally used when searching for products listed in a printed catalog. In order to facilitate the sale of their products via the Internet, these retailers and supplies typically provide online catalogs which identify and describe their products. The recent development of the Internet has caused many retailers and suppliers to enter the electronic-business forum and offer their products for sale via the Internet. This invention relates generally to systems and methods for conducting electronic commerce and, more particularly, relates to a system and method for interacting with an electronic catalog. 09/877,604, entitled “System And Method For Retrieving Information From An Electronic Catalog,” filed on Jun. This subject application is a continuation of, and claims priority to under 35 U.S.C.
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