Patent ID: 6327588
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, the method comprising:(a) providing a computer readable data file of stored information representing at least one family of items, said data file identifying at least one alternative for each item;(b) reading said data file;(c) displaying a plurality of pictures from said data file, wherein each of said plurality of pictures represent said at least one family of items or represent a cluster of said at least one family of items;(d) accepting a selected picture of said plurality of pictures;(e) determining if said selected picture represents said at least one family of items or said cluster of said at least one family of items;(f) when said selected picture represents said at least one family of items, displaying a feature screen indicating said alternatives represented in said at least one family of items selected;(g) accepting at least one selected alternative, said at least one selected alternative defining a selection criteria;(h) determining the subfamily of items wherein each said item in the subfamily satisfies said selection criteria;(i) determining available alternatives represented in the subfamily and unavailable alternatives unrepresented in the subfamily; and(j) revising said feature screen to display said available alternatives as distinct from said unavailable alternatives.