Patent ID: 8046375
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a query from a user, the query having a preliminary item specification containing an item type and a plurality of product attributes that specify features characteristic to a desired item to be searched, the desired item being a product offered for sale by one or more businesses, and each product attribute having a value; adjusting the item type of the query when a predefined number of item specifications in an item specification database match at least part of the preliminary item specification; determining a list of attributes for the desired item to be searched, the list of attributes for the desired item comprising at least some attributes of the predefined number of item specifications in the item specification database that match at least part of the preliminary item specification, the adjusted item type and the determined list of attributes for the desired item forming a desired item specification for searching for the desired item specified by the query from the user; determining a location of the user; searching the item specification database for products that have specifications having product attributes that match at least a subset of attributes in the desired item specification; and providing information about suppliers that supply the products, wherein the information comprises a distance of the supplier location relative to the location of the user.