Marketplace content provider inclusion notification

In an approach to providing a notification based on lack of search results, one or more computer processors monitor one or more queries for content in an online marketplace. One or more computer processors determine that a result of the one or more queries is content is not found. One or more computer processors determine that a history of the result of the one or more queries for the content exceeds a threshold for content not found. One or more computer processors send a notification of the history.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of search engines, and more particularly to providing a notification based on lack of search results.

Online marketplaces are information technology platforms that act as intermediaries by connecting sellers and consumers. On the website of the online marketplace, sellers can publish their product offering with a price and information on the product's features and qualities. Potential customers can search and browse goods, compare price and quality, and then purchase the goods directly from the seller. The inventory is held by the sellers, not the company running the online marketplace. Online marketplaces are characterized by a low setup cost for sellers, because they do not have to run a retail store, although the sellers may have to pay to subscribe to the online marketplace service. For consumers, online marketplaces reduce the search cost and provide a wide variety of products to choose from.

An example of an online marketplace is a digital twin marketplace. A digital twin refers to a digital representation of a physical asset. In Internet of Things (IoT) systems, a digital twin can represent an evolving virtual data model that mimics the physical asset as well as the experiences and state changes of the physical asset. A digital twin may be said to store and track information about its twin physical asset. A digital twin marketplace allows manufacturers and suppliers to share digital resources associated with physical assets with owners and operators of the manufacturers' physical assets. Examples of digital resources include, but are not limited to, a bill of materials, warranty bulletins, warranty claims, maintenance plans, maintenance history, part replacement history, part usage history, specifications, 3-dimensional model and drawing data, operating manuals, usage data, operating history, ownership history, applicable standards, etc.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computer program product, and a system for providing a notification based on lack of search results. The method may include one or more computer processors monitoring one or more queries for content in an online marketplace. One or more computer processors determine that a result of the one or more queries is content is not found. One or more computer processors determine that a history of the result of the one or more queries for the content exceeds a threshold for content not found. One or more computer processors send a notification of the history.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A problem faced by online marketplaces, especially at start-up, is the development of content. The content needs to be the right content to satisfy the business and operations needs of the owners and operators of the products sold in the online marketplace, where content can include both physical and digital resources. Embodiments of the present invention recognize that efficiency in curating and providing content can be improved by systematically alerting manufacturers and suppliers, as well as online marketplace administrators, when end users are unable to find desired content in the online marketplace. Embodiments of the present invention also recognize that participation in the online marketplace can be improved if the alert includes evidence-based incentives to back up a request for participation. Implementation of embodiments of the invention may take a variety of forms, and exemplary implementation details are discussed subsequently with reference to the Figures.

Distributed data processing environment100includes server computer104and client computing device110, interconnected over network102. Network102can be, for example, a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or a combination of the three, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. Network102can include one or more wired and/or wireless networks capable of receiving and transmitting data, voice, and/or video signals, including multimedia signals that include voice, data, and video information. In general, network102can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between server computer104, client computing device110, and other computing devices (not shown) within distributed data processing environment100.

Server computer104can be a standalone computing device, a management server, a web server, a mobile computing device, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving, sending, and processing data. In other embodiments, server computer104can represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. In another embodiment, server computer104can be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with client computing device110and other computing devices (not shown) within distributed data processing environment100via network102. In another embodiment, server computer104represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components (e.g., database server computers, application server computers, etc.) that act as a single pool of seamless resources when accessed within distributed data processing environment100. Server computer104includes inclusion program106and marketplace database108. Server computer104may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG.4.

Inclusion program106systematically alerts content manufacturers and suppliers, as well as marketplace administrators, when end users desire content but are unable to find the content within the marketplace. As referred to herein, the term “supplier” can be used interchangeably with a manufacturer, a vendor, a content owner, and a third-party content provider. The notification can include evidence to back up a request to participate in the marketplace. Inclusion program106monitors queries for marketplace content. Inclusion program106determines that the content is not found in marketplace database108. Inclusion program106maps the query to the content owner. Inclusion program106determines whether a history of queries for the content exceeds a threshold. If inclusion program106determines the history of queries exceeds the threshold, then inclusion program106aggregates the search history information. Inclusion program106generates a report with the aggregated information. Inclusion program106sends a notification. Inclusion program106is depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG.2.

Marketplace database108is a repository for data used by inclusion program106. Marketplace database108can represent one or more databases. In the depicted embodiment marketplace database108resides on server computer104. In another embodiment, marketplace database108may reside elsewhere within distributed data processing environment100, provided inclusion program106has access to marketplace database108. A database is an organized collection of data. Marketplace database108can be implemented with any type of storage device capable of storing data and configuration files that can be accessed and utilized by inclusion program106, such as a database server, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory. Marketplace database108stores a corpus of content associated with physical and/or digital resources provided by one or more manufacturers and/or suppliers which plan to sell the content in the marketplace. For example, if the marketplace is a digital twin marketplace, then marketplace database108stores digital content associated with a physical asset, such as a bill of materials or an operating manual. Marketplace database108also stores product or content search histories. Marketplace database108may also store contact information for users and for content manufacturers and suppliers. Marketplace users may create an account with the marketplace and marketplace database108stores user account and/or profile information. Marketplace database108may also store contact information for content owners not currently participating in the online marketplace which may be used for notification purposes. Marketplace database108may also store contact information for marketplace administrators. For example, contact information may include, but is not limited to, a phone number, an email address, a business address, etc.

The present invention may contain various accessible data sources, such as marketplace database108, that may include personal data, content, or information the user wishes not to be processed. Personal data includes personally identifying information or sensitive personal information as well as user information, such as tracking or geolocation information. Processing refers to any operation, automated or unautomated, or set of operations such as collecting, recording, organizing, structuring, storing, adapting, altering, retrieving, consulting, using, disclosing by transmission, dissemination, or otherwise making available, combining, restricting, erasing, or destroying personal data. Inclusion program106enables the authorized and secure processing of personal data. Inclusion program106provides informed consent, with notice of the collection of personal data, allowing the user to opt in or opt out of processing personal data. Consent can take several forms. Opt-in consent can impose on the user to take an affirmative action before personal data is processed. Alternatively, opt-out consent can impose on the user to take an affirmative action to prevent the processing of personal data before personal data is processed. Inclusion program106provides information regarding personal data and the nature (e.g., type, scope, purpose, duration, etc.) of the processing. Inclusion program106provides the user with copies of stored personal data. Inclusion program106allows the correction or completion of incorrect or incomplete personal data. Inclusion program106allows the immediate deletion of personal data.

Client computing device110can be one or more of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, smart watch, a smart speaker, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with various components and devices within distributed data processing environment100, via network102. Client computing device110may be a wearable computer. Wearable computers are miniature electronic devices that may be worn by the bearer under, with, or on top of clothing, as well as in or connected to glasses, hats, or other accessories. Wearable computers are especially useful for applications that require more complex computational support than merely hardware coded logics. In one embodiment, the wearable computer may be in the form of a head mounted display. The head mounted display may take the form-factor of a pair of glasses. In an embodiment, the wearable computer may be in the form of a smart watch or a smart tattoo. In an embodiment, client computing device110may be integrated into a vehicle of the user. For example, client computing device110may include a heads-up display in the windshield of the vehicle. In general, client computing device110represents one or more programmable electronic devices or combination of programmable electronic devices capable of executing machine readable program instructions and communicating with other computing devices (not shown) within distributed data processing environment100via a network, such as network102. Client computing device110includes an instance of user interface112.

User interface112provides an interface between inclusion program106on server computer104and a user of client computing device110. In one embodiment, user interface112is mobile application software. Mobile application software, or an “app,” is a computer program designed to run on smart phones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, user interface112may be a graphical user interface (GUI) or a web user interface (WUI) and can display text, documents, web browser windows, user options, application interfaces, and instructions for operation, and include the information (such as graphic, text, and sound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences the user employs to control the program. User interface112enables a user of client computing device110to input a search query for content stored in marketplace database108and receive search results. In an embodiment where the user of client computing device110is a content owner not currently participating in the online marketplace, user interface112enables the user to communicate with inclusion program106or with a marketplace administrator. User interface112may also enable a user to create an account with the marketplace and input account and/or profile information.

FIG.2is a flowchart depicting operational steps of inclusion program106, on server computer104within distributed data processing environment100ofFIG.1, for providing a notification based on lack of search results, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Inclusion program106monitors queries for marketplace content (step202). In an embodiment, inclusion program106continuously monitors and tracks queries input, via user interface112, by users of marketplace content stored in marketplace database108. For example, inclusion program106may monitor searches for particular part numbers or model numbers belonging to a manufacturer. While monitoring queries, inclusion program106creates a search history associated with the queries and stores the search history in marketplace database108. Inclusion program106may organize the search history, for example, by user, i.e., the searcher, and/or by search terms, such as brand name.

Inclusion program106determines content is not found (step204). In an embodiment, inclusion program106determines that content is not found when the query does not return a result, i.e., the result count is zero. In another embodiment, inclusion program106determines that content is not found by determining that no results were selected after the results were displayed via user interface112. In a further embodiment, inclusion program106determines that content is not found by determining that a new query is input after the results are displayed via user interface112.

Inclusion program106maps the query to the content owner (step206). In an embodiment, inclusion program106maps the query to the owner of the content, whether that is a manufacturer, a supplier, or a third-party provider, thereby matching the content owner to the content. For example, inclusion program106may map the query based on specific keywords, such as model numbers. In another example, inclusion program106may map the query based on a brand name or company name. In one embodiment, the supplier may define the mapping. In another embodiment, a marketplace administrator may define the mapping, such as when the content owner is not a participant in the marketplace. In a further embodiment, users within an organization that search for digital resources may define the mapping. In yet another embodiment, the mapping may be defined using a combination of the supplier, the marketplace administrator, and the users.

Inclusion program106determines whether a search history exceeds a threshold (decision block208). In an embodiment, inclusion program106reviews a search history associated with the current query to determine whether the current query causes the search history to exceed a threshold. For example, the threshold may be a specific quantity of queries that do not result in desired content, such as greater than 150 queries. In another example, the threshold may be a specific quantity of unique users performing the search, such as greater than 50 users. In an embodiment, inclusion program106may reset thresholds periodically. For example, inclusion program106may reset thresholds weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually. In an embodiment, inclusion program106may receive a threshold reset schedule from a marketplace administrator. In an embodiment, the marketplace administrator sets the threshold. In another embodiment, the supplier that defined the mapping, as discussed with respect to step206, may set the threshold. In a further embodiment, users within an organization that searches for digital resources that defined the mapping, as discussed with respect to step206, may set the threshold. In an embodiment, inclusion program106may use a combination of threshold types to determine if the search history threshold is exceeded. For example, inclusion program106may determine if the quantity of queries exceeds a threshold in addition to, or instead of, the quantity of unique searchers exceeding a threshold.

If inclusion program106determines the search history does not exceed a threshold (“no” branch, decision block208), then inclusion program106returns to step202to continue monitoring search queries for the content.

If inclusion program106determines the search history does exceed a threshold (“yes” branch, decision block208), then inclusion program106aggregates the search history information (step210). In an embodiment, responsive to inclusion program106determining the search history exceeds a threshold, inclusion program106aggregates the corresponding search history data stored in marketplace database108. The aggregated data may include, but is not limited to, search query keywords or search terms, the corresponding content owner name, dates the searches were performed, desired content that was not found, etc.

Inclusion program106generates a report (step212). In an embodiment, based on the aggregated search history data, inclusion program106generates a report. In an embodiment, the report includes evidence for convincing a content owner to participate in the online marketplace. For example, the report may include information about the search and desired content that was not found, such as content owner name, asset type, model number, and one or more other configurable variables. In another example, the report may include details of the search history and the threshold that was exceeded, such as a quantity of searches that were performed within a specified period of time or the number of unique users that searched for the content. The report may also include a link that leads to more information about participating in the online marketplace. The report may also include potential price points of content and associated potential revenue.

Inclusion program106sends a notification (step214). In an embodiment, inclusion program106sends a notification to the content owner whose content was not found in the search history to inform the content owner that queries for content associated with the content owner are being performed in the online marketplace. In an embodiment, the notification includes the report generated in step212. An example of a notification is described in further detail with respect toFIG.3. Inclusion program106may send the notification to the content owner using known methods, such as email or text message. In an embodiment, inclusion program106may generate a recorded audio message that inclusion program106pushes to a phone number associated with the content owner. In an embodiment where inclusion program106does not have contact information for the content owner, inclusion program106may send the notification to a marketplace administrator, such that the marketplace administrator can take action regarding notifying the content owner. In an embodiment, inclusion program106sends a notification to the content owner and sends a copy of the notification to a marketplace administrator for awareness.

FIG.3illustrates example300of a notification provided by inclusion program106, on client computing device110within distributed data processing environment100ofFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Example300includes email302which is a notification to a contact in Company ABC regarding search queries performed by users of XYZ Marketplace. Email302includes opening304, evidence306, and closing308.

Opening304informs the contact, Bob, that users are searching for digital resources associated with Company ABC's assets. Opening304also includes information regarding the price of subscribing to XYZ Marketplace as a content provider.

Evidence306includes a report of aggregated search data, as described with respect to steps210and212ofFIG.2. Evidence306also includes potential price points of content and associated potential monthly and annual revenue. Thus, the information in evidence306indicates the value of being a content provider in XYZ Marketplace.

Closing308includes a link to the website of XYZ Marketplace that can be clicked to lead Bob to more information on becoming a content provider to XYZ Marketplace.

Server computer104can include processor(s)404, cache414, memory406, persistent storage408, communications unit410, input/output (I/O) interface(s)412and communications fabric402. Communications fabric402provides communications between cache414, memory406, persistent storage408, communications unit410, and input/output (I/O) interface(s)412. Communications fabric402can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric402can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory406and persistent storage408are computer readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory406includes random access memory (RAM). In general, memory406can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media. Cache414is a fast memory that enhances the performance of processor(s)404by holding recently accessed data, and data near recently accessed data, from memory406.

Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., inclusion program106and marketplace database108, are stored in persistent storage408for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective processor(s)404of server computer104via cache414. In this embodiment, persistent storage408includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage408can include a solid-state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

Communications unit410, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of client computing device110. In these examples, communications unit410includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit410may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Inclusion program106, marketplace database108, and other programs and data used for implementation of the present invention, may be downloaded to persistent storage408of server computer104through communications unit410.

I/O interface(s)412allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to server computer104. For example, I/O interface(s)412may provide a connection to external device(s)416such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, a digital camera, and/or some other suitable input device. External device(s)416can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., inclusion program106and marketplace database108on server computer104, can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage408via I/O interface(s)412. I/O interface(s)412also connect to a display418.

Display418provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. Display418can also function as a touch screen, such as a display of a tablet computer.