Patent Publication Number: US-2015074120-A1

Title: Interactive Expert System for Recommending Chemicals and Method

Description:
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/681,528, filed on Nov. 20, 2012, which is entitled “Interactive Expert System for Recommending Chemicals And Method,” which in turn claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/716,332, which was filed on Oct. 19, 2012, which is entitled “Interactive Expert System for Recommending Chemicals And Method,” both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present patent application, and both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to interactive expert systems and methods, and more particularly to an interactive expert system and method for providing ranked specific chemical product recommendations based upon general application properties information selected by a user and specific application requirements provided by a user. 
     It is time-consuming and difficult for engineers and purchasing agents to navigate thousands of specialty chemicals to find the right product for their specific application requirements. To the extent that websites have used filtering that would be applicable to searching for a chemical product meeting user criteria, the use of descriptive search terms is generally the only way of searching for an acceptable chemical product. Further, given a set of search terms, the chemical products located in the search produces a set of search results with the chemical products always being in the same order, since there is no intelligent agent that is ordering the results that meet minimal search criteria. Thus, if there are a large number of potential results, a user must manually review them all in order to have any assurance of finding the best possible chemical products. 
     It will thus be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a system and method to assist users in the selection of chemical products from the extremely large number of chemical products that are available on the market based upon key desired chemical product characteristics and specific application requirements for the desired chemical product. It would also be desirable that such a system and method be both easy to use and that it be relatively quick to identify appropriate candidates for the product sought by a user. It would further be desirable that the system and method utilize a ranking system that intelligently ranks the results of searching based upon the desired chemical product characteristics and the specific application requirements to order the search results depending on the specific requirements that have been entered by the user. 
     The subject matter discussed in this background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, an interactive expert system and method are used to facilitate the identification of specific chemical products from the extremely large number of chemical products that are available on the market which are the best fit for key desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements that are specified by users. The interactive expert system and method of the present invention preferably allows users to utilize either or both of two different modes of entering information regarding such desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements. 
     In a first mode, the users can enter key properties of chemical substances that they are attempting to identify. For example, the user initially selects a property category, and then selects a property from the property category. This narrows the universe of chemical substances to those having the selected property. This can be done repeatedly, with multiple property categories and multiple properties being specified to further narrow the chemical substances having all of the selected properties. 
     In a second mode, the users can use a wizard that will pose questions to the user. The questions posed to the user vary according to information previously entered by the user, with a series of questions being posed and the series of responses narrowing the universe of chemical substances to those meeting the selected response. This can be done repeatedly, with the responses to multiple questions further narrowing the chemical substances meeting all of the selected responses. Both the first mode and the second mode can also be used together to enter information to located chemical substances having the desired characteristics and meeting the specific application requirements. 
     In an additional preferred aspect of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention, the interactive expert system uses an algorithm to organize the results of the first and/or second modes of entering information regarding such desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements in a priority from most relevant to least relevant. The ranking algorithm utilizes a number of ranking factors and a correlating number of weighting factors to rank the search results from the highest ranked to the lowest ranked. This ensures that the chemical substances best meeting the desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements are presented first. 
     From the results of the interactive expert system and method, the users may optionally be allowed to specify various modes of interactions. These interactions include e-mailing or mailing the search results be to the user or the user&#39;s designee, providing a quote on selected ones of the search results to the user or the user&#39;s designee, requesting that a sample of a selected one of the search results be shipped to the user or the user&#39;s designee, requesting a sales call from a representative of the operator of the interactive expert system or a representative of the chemical manufacturer, requesting expert assistance from an expert employed by the operator of the interactive expert system, and/or requesting a product demonstration from a representative of the operator of the interactive expert system or a representative of the chemical manufacturer. 
     In a system embodiment, a user interface module is arranged and configured to facilitate the entry of information by a user to the interactive system; a properties module operatively connected to the user interface module is arranged and configured to prompt the input, by the user, of desired properties of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; a wizard module operatively connected to the user interface module is arranged and configured to prompt the input, by the user, of responses to questions presented by the wizard module which responses are indicative of application requirements of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; an integration module operatively connected to the properties module and the wizard module is arranged and configured to provide a group of recommended chemical substances that are responsive to the desired properties and the responses to questions provided by the user; a ranking module operatively connected to the integration module is arranged and configured to rank the group of recommended chemical substances in a preferred order from first to last; and an output module operatively connected to the ranking module is arranged and configured to facilitate the display, to the user, of the ranked group of recommended chemical substances in the preferred order from first to last. 
     In another system embodiment, a user interface module is arranged and configured to facilitate the entry of information by a user to the interactive system; a properties module operatively connected to the user interface module is arranged and configured to prompt the input, by the user, of desired properties of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; a property group database operatively connected to the properties module contains a number of different property categories; a properties database operatively connected to the properties module contains pluralities of properties associated with each of the various properties categories of the property group database, wherein the properties module is arranged and configured to allow the user to select a properties category and subsequently select a property associated with the selected properties categories; a wizard module operatively connected to the user interface module is arranged and configured to prompt the input, by the user, of responses to questions presented by the wizard module which responses are indicative of application requirements of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; a question database operatively connected to the wizard module contains a number of different questions, wherein the wizard module is arranged and configured to allow the present questions based at least in part upon information previously provided by the user to the wizard module and/or the properties module; an integration module operatively connected to the properties module and the wizard module is arranged and configured to provide a group of recommended chemical substances that are responsive to the desired properties and the responses to questions provided by the user; a ranking module operatively connected to the integration module is arranged and configured to rank the group of recommended chemical substances in a preferred order from first to last; and an output display module operatively connected to the ranking module is arranged and configured to facilitate the display, to the user, of the ranked group of recommended chemical substances in the preferred order from first to last. 
     In still another system embodiment, at least one data acquisition module is configured to prompt the input, by the user, of at least one of: a. desired properties of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; and b. a response to at least one question presented by the at least one data acquisition module which responses are indicative of application requirements of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain, wherein the at least one data acquisition module is configured to provide a group of recommended chemical substances that are responsive to the desired properties and/or the responses to questions provided by the user; a ranking module configured to rank the group of recommended chemical substances in a preferred order from first to last; and an output module configured to facilitate the display, to the user, of the ranked group of recommended chemical substances in the preferred order from first to last. 
     In a method embodiment, ranked specific chemical product recommendations are provided to a user by performing the steps of: facilitating the entry of information by a user with a user interface module; with a properties module operatively connected to the user interface module, prompting the input, by the user, of desired properties of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; with a wizard module operatively connected to the user interface module, prompting the input, by the user, of responses to questions generated by a wizard module which responses are indicative of application requirements of a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain; with an integration module operatively connected to the properties module and the wizard module, in response to the desired properties and the questions provided by the user, providing a group of recommended chemical substances; with a ranking module, ranking the group of recommended chemical substances in a preferred order from first to last; and with a ranking module, displaying, to the user, the ranked group of recommended chemical substances in the preferred order from first to last. 
     The interactive expert system and method of the present invention provides a system and method to assist users in the selection of chemical products from the extremely large number of chemical products that are available on the market based upon key desired chemical product characteristics and specific application requirements for the desired chemical product that are provided by the users. In addition to enabling engineers and purchasing agents to navigate thousands of specialty chemicals to find the right product for their specific application requirements, the interactive expert system and method of the present invention could also be used by consumers to locate adhesives having consumer applications. The consumer version of such an interactive expert system and method of the present invention may vary somewhat in that it may utilize less sophisticated questions and simplified product requirements. 
     The interactive expert system and method of the present invention are both easy to use and relatively quick to identify appropriate candidates for the product sought by a user. The interactive expert system and method of the present invention utilize a ranking system that intelligently ranks the results of searching based upon the desired chemical product characteristics and the specific application requirements to order the search results depending on the specific requirements that have been entered by the user. Finally, the interactive expert system and method of the present invention achieves numerous advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of an exemplary system that may be used by the interactive expert system and method of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of a process that may be used by the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1  to provide ranked chemical product recommendations based upon information provided by a user; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  together depict a screenshot of a web page in which general application properties information has been selected by a user using the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1  and the process shown in  FIG. 2  to select ranked chemical product recommendations; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C together depict a screenshot of a web page in which a user is responding to a series of questions proffered by an application wizard to narrow the ranked chemical product recommendations from the screenshot of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C depict screenshot of web pages in which summary information, technical data information, and similar materials, respectively, are shown for a selected material; 
         FIG. 6  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing added detail to the review results step, the display similar properties option step, and the select interactions mode step of the process illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of a process that may be used by the ranking module of the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of a number of ranking factors and a correlating number of weight factors that may be used to rank by the ranking module of the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1  and in the process shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of a process that may be used by the similar properties module of the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a somewhat schematic block diagram showing an overview of a number of ranking factors and a correlating number of weight factors that may be used to select products having similar properties by the similar properties module of the interactive expert system shown in  FIG. 1  and in the process shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 
     An exemplary embodiment of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention may be provided by the system illustrated in schematic block diagram fashion in  FIG. 1 . The interactive expert system includes a processor unit  30  to which a variety of system hardware and system modules are operatively interconnected. The processor unit  30  is connected via an Internet server  32  to the Internet  34 . A user computer  36  is connected to the Internet  34  via a modem or router  38  to thereby operatively connect to the processor unit  30  of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention by logging onto a website used by the interactive expert system. It will be appreciated that the user computer  36  may be a laptop or desktop computer, a work station, a tablet, or a smartphone. 
     A program database  40  is operatively interconnected to the processor unit  30  to store software used by the interactive expert system and method that is not stored in firmware. A memory  42  is also operatively interconnected to the processor unit  30  to store transient information used by the interactive expert system and method. 
     A user interface module  44  that is operatively interconnected with the processor unit  30  is used to facilitate the entry of information by a user who has logged onto the website used by the interactive expert system. The interactive expert system and method of the present invention is configured to allow users to register on the website through the use of a registered user interaction module  46  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30  and to the user interface module  44 . Upon registration, basic user information (user logon name, user PIN, etc.) is stored in a user database  48  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 , and more detailed user (i.e., user name, address information, e-mail address, etc.) is stored in a user data database  50  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . 
     The user interface module  44  is operatively connected to a spec engine selection module  52  and a guide me query module  54 , which are key to the operational heart of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention. The spec engine selection module  52  is configured to prompt and facilitate users to enter key properties of chemical substances that they are attempting to identify through the use of the interactive expert system. The guide me query module  54  is configured to prompt and facilitate users to respond to an interactive series of questions that assist in the identification of chemical substances that they are attempting to identify through the use of the interactive expert system. 
     The spec engine selection module  52  is operatively connected to a property group database  56  that contains a number of different property categories and a properties database  58  that contains pluralities of properties associated with the various properties categories of the property group database  56 . An exemplary table listing a plurality of properties categories that may be contained in property group database  56  and the corresponding properties that may be contained in the properties database  58  for each property is printed below as TABLE 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PROPERTIES SEARCH GROUPS/PROPERTIES 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 GENERAL - MANUFACTURER [List of Manufacturers in the 
               
               
                   
                 Database] 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - APPLICATION TYPE (Adhesive, Sealant, 
               
               
                   
                 Coating, Conformal Coating, Pottant/Encapsulate, Anti- 
               
               
                   
                 Static, Casting/Moldmaking, Cleaner, Debonder/Remover, 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant, Masking, Other, Paint, Primer, Repair &amp; 
               
               
                   
                 Maintenance, Solder) 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - CHEMISTRY (Acrylic, Cationic, Cyanoacrylate, 
               
               
                   
                 Epoxy, Polyurethane, Silicone, Aliphatic (Hexane), 
               
               
                   
                 Butyl, Hot Melt, Isocyanate, Latex, Silyl Modified 
               
               
                   
                 Polymer (SMP), Solvent-Based, Solvent-Free, Water- 
               
               
                   
                 Based, Other) 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - INDUSTRY (Appliances, Construction, 
               
               
                   
                 Electronics, Food &amp; Drug, Furniture/Wood Working, 
               
               
                   
                 Industrial, Medical, Other, Packaging, 
               
               
                   
                 Sign/Printing/Graphics, Sporting Equipment, Textiles, 
               
               
                   
                 Transportation) 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - INDUSTRY (Floor Finish, Floor Preparation, 
               
               
                   
                 Electronics, Industrial, Medical, Packaging, 
               
               
                   
                 Transportation, Appliances, Construction, Food &amp; Drug, 
               
               
                   
                 Furniture/Wood-Working, Other, Sign Printing &amp; 
               
               
                   
                 Graphics, Sporting Equipment, Textiles) 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - KEY SPECIFICATIONS (FDA/CFIA, Mil-Spec, 
               
               
                   
                 RoHS, AAMA, UL (Underwriters Laboratory)/ULC/NFPA, ABS 
               
               
                   
                 (American Bureau of Shipping), ANSI, ASTM, CAN/CGSB, 
               
               
                   
                 Class VI, CSA Intl, DOD, IPC, ISO, NSF, Other, TSCA, 
               
               
                   
                 TT, USDA, WEEE) 
               
               
                   
                 GENERAL - Acrylic 
               
               
                   
                 MECHANICAL - BOND STRENGTH (Structural/Load-Bearing, 
               
               
                   
                 General Bond Strength, Peel Strength, Shear Strength, 
               
               
                   
                 Tensile Strength, Cleavage Strength, Cohesive 
               
               
                   
                 Strength, Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, 
               
               
                   
                 Green Strength, Impact Strength, Tear Strength) 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - COLOR (Black, Blue, Brown, 
               
               
                   
                 Clear/Transparent, Gray, Green, Low-Bloom, Off-White, 
               
               
                   
                 Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow, Other) 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - SUBSTRATE (Ceramic, Concrete, Glass, Metal, 
               
               
                   
                 Plastic, Rubber, Wood, Acrylic, Aluminum, Composites, 
               
               
                   
                 Copper, Fabric, Neoprene, Nylon, Paper, Polycarbonate, 
               
               
                   
                 Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyurethane, Polyvinyl 
               
               
                   
                 Chloride (PVC), Stainless Steel, Steel, 
               
               
                   
                 Stone/Construction, Other) 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - MATERIAL RESISTANCE (High Temperature 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance, Low Temperature Resistance, Chemical 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance, Other Resistance, Environmental 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance, Moisture/Humidity Resistance, Abrasion 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance, Impact Resistance, Relative Solvent 
               
               
                   
                 Resistance, UV Resistance, Vibration Resistance) 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - Density 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - Specific Volume 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - Specific Gravity 
               
               
                   
                 PHYSICAL - Glass Transition Temp (TG) 
               
               
                   
                 ELECTRICAL (Dissipation Factor, Volume Resistivity, 
               
               
                   
                 Surface Resistivity, Insulation Resistance, Dielectric 
               
               
                   
                 Constant, Electrical Conductivity, Dielectric 
               
               
                   
                 Strength) 
               
               
                   
                 OPTICAL (Light Refractive Index (RI)) 
               
               
                   
                 THERMAL - (Thermal Conductivity, Coefficient of 
               
               
                   
                 Thermal Expansion) 
               
               
                   
                 HARDNESS (Shore A Hardness, Shore D Hardness, 
               
               
                   
                 Elasticity, Elongation, Flexibility, Modulus, Shore OO 
               
               
                   
                 Hardness) 
               
               
                   
                 PROCESSING - MATERIAL FORM (Aerosol, Liquid, Gel, 
               
               
                   
                 Paste, Tape, Bulk, Dot, Film, Flakes, Flux, Foam, Gas, 
               
               
                   
                 Grease, Other, Pad, Pellets, Powder, Stick, Strip, 
               
               
                   
                 Towel, Wipe, Wire) 
               
               
                   
                 PROCESSING - 1 Part or 2 Part 
               
               
                   
                 PROCESSING - APPLICATION METHOD (Brush, Dispenser, 
               
               
                   
                 Spray, Trowel, Contact, Dip, Flow, Other, Roll, Screen 
               
               
                   
                 Print, Spin-On) 
               
               
                   
                 PROCESSING - CURE METHOD (Heat, Moisture, 2 Part Cure, 
               
               
                   
                 UV/Visible Light, Air Dry, Anaerobic, Hotmelt, 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure Sensitive, RTV, Solvent, Other) 
               
               
                   
                 PROCESSING - Other (Thixotropic, Viscosity, Work/Pot 
               
               
                   
                 Time, Application Temperature, Fixture or Handling 
               
               
                   
                 Strength Time, Linear Shrinkage, Green Strength, Set 
               
               
                   
                 Time, Mix Ratio, Softening Point, Tack-Free Time, Cure 
               
               
                   
                 Temperature, Cure Time) 
               
               
                   
                 CONDUCTIVITY (Filler, Filler Concentration) 
               
               
                   
                 OTHER PROPERTIES (% Solids, Flash Point, Outgassing) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The guide me query module  54  is operatively connected to an interactive question database  60  that contains a number of different categories that are associated with various questions that may be posed to the user based upon either properties selected using the spec engine selection module  52  and/or the response to questions posed by the guide me query module  54 . An exemplary table listing a plurality of question categories that may be contained in the interactive question database  60  and the corresponding properties that may be contained in the properties database  58  for each property is printed below as TABLE 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 WIZARD CATEGORIES 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 SEARCH BY APPLICATION TYPE (Adhesive, Instant Bonding, 
               
               
                 Sealant, Conformal Coating, Pottant/Encapsulant, 
               
               
                 Dielectric Isolation, Electrically Conductive, Light 
               
               
                 Management, Thermal Management, Anti-Static, 
               
               
                 Casting/Moldmaking, Cleaner, Coating, Gel, Lubricant, 
               
               
                 Debonder/Remover, Masking, Paint, Primer, Repair &amp; 
               
               
                 Maintenance, Solder) 
               
               
                 SEARCH BY CHEMISTRY (Acrylic, Cyanoacrylate (CA), 
               
               
                 Epoxy, Hotmelt, Polyurethane, Silicone, Solvent-based, 
               
               
                 Solvent-free, UV Cure, Water-based, Aliphatic 
               
               
                 (Hexane), Butyl, Cationic, Isocyanate, Latex, Silyl- 
               
               
                 Modified Polymer (SMP)) 
               
               
                 SEARCH BY SUBSTRATE (Ceramic, Glass, Metal, Plastic, 
               
               
                 Rubber, Wood, Acrylic, Aluminum, Composites, Concrete, 
               
               
                 Copper, Fabric, Neoprene, Nylon, Paper, Polycarbonate, 
               
               
                 Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyurethane, Polyvinyl 
               
               
                 Chloride (PVC), Steel, Stainless Steel) 
               
               
                 SEARCH BY MANUFACTURER (3M, ACL Staticide, Armstrong, 
               
               
                 Bondmaster, Bostik, Camie Campbell, Cytec, Dow 
               
               
                 Corning, Dynaloy, Dymax, Eclectic Products, Emerson &amp; 
               
               
                 Cuming, Flamemaster, FPC Corporation, Glue Dots, The 
               
               
                 Glue Factory, GS Polymer, Hardman, Heartland Adhesive, 
               
               
                 HB Fuller, Henkel Loctite, Humiseal, Identco, ITW 
               
               
                 Devcon, Lord, Microcare, Permabond, Resinlab, Resin 
               
               
                 Designs, Resin Technology Group, Ruscoe Pliobond, 
               
               
                 Schnee-Morehead, SCIGRIP (formerly Weld-On), Sherwin 
               
               
                 Williams, Sika, Techspray) 
               
               
                 SEARCH BY END-PRODUCT (Electronics, Industrial, 
               
               
                 Medical, Transportation, Packaging, Appliances, 
               
               
                 Automotive, Construction, Disk Drive, Food &amp; Drug, 
               
               
                 Furniture/Wood Working, Lighting, LED (Light-emitting 
               
               
                 diodes), Marine, Sign, Printing and Graphics, Solar, 
               
               
                 Sporting Equipment, Textiles) 
               
               
                 SEARCH BY FOOD TEMPERATURE 
               
               
                 BOND (Substrates, Cure Time, Material Exposure 
               
               
                 Criteria, 1 or 2 Part) 
               
               
                 SEAL (Substrates, Material Exposure Criteria, Color) 
               
               
                 COAT (Cure Time, Material Exposure Criteria, Cure 
               
               
                 Method, Key Specifications) 
               
               
                 CONFORMAL COAT (Cure Time, Material Exposure Criteria, 
               
               
                 Cure Method, Key Specifications) 
               
               
                 POT/ENCAPSULATE (Substrates, Cure Time, Material 
               
               
                 Exposure Criteria, 1 or 2 Part, UL Listed?) 
               
               
                 ACCELERATE 
               
               
                 ANTI-STATIC (Type of Anti-Static Material Required) 
               
               
                 CASTING/MOLDMAKING 
               
               
                 CLEAN (Substrates) 
               
               
                 DEBOND OR REMOVE (Substrates) 
               
               
                 LUBRICATE (Type of Lubricant Required) 
               
               
                 MASK 
               
               
                 MEDICAL DEVICES (Item to be Bonded, Implanted?, 
               
               
                 Sterilization Required?) 
               
               
                 PAINT (Substrate) 
               
               
                 PRIME (Substrate) 
               
               
                 REPAIR &amp; MAINTAIN (Substrate) 
               
               
                 SOLDER (Solder Material Required) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and the responses to questions in the guide me query module  54  are integrated by a product identification module  62 , which is operatively connected to the spec engine selection module  52  and the guide me query module  54 . The product identification module  62  is also operatively connected to a product information database  64  that contains highly detailed information indexed into a large number of fields for a large number of different chemical products representing at least in part a significant portion of the available universe of chemical products that the interactive expert system and method of the present invention is arranged and configured to be capable of recommending. The product identification module  62  thus takes the user&#39;s selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and responses to questions in the guide me query module  54  and searches the product information database  64  to match chemical products that meet the criteria entered by the user. 
     Since it is entirely possible (and may even be highly likely) that even with the user&#39;s selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and responses to questions in the guide me query module  54  there may be a large number of recommended chemicals from the product information database  64  that are identified by the product identification module  62  as meeting the user&#39;s criteria, a ranking module  66  is operatively connected to the product identification module  62  and is used by the interactive expert system and method of the present invention to select the order in which the recommended chemicals identified by the product identification module  62  will be displayed to users (and particularly which recommended chemicals will be selected in the highest positions). 
     The recommended chemicals in the highest positions represent a most recommended organization of the chemicals identified by the product identification module  62  as meeting the user&#39;s requirements based upon the user&#39;s selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and responses to questions in the guide me query module  54 . The criteria that are used by the interactive expert system and method of the present invention to arrange the ranking of recommended chemicals fitting the user&#39;s requirements as well as the relative weighting of these criteria are established by a ranking criteria database  68  that is operatively connected to the ranking module  66 . These ranking criteria will be elaborated upon in conjunction with the discussion of  FIG. 8  below. 
     Information (values) for each of the criteria for each of the chemicals identified by the product identification module  62  as meeting the user&#39;s requirements is provided by ranking criteria information databases  70 , which is operatively connected to the ranking module  66 . The ranking criteria information databases  70  contains some of the information used to rank the chemicals identified by the product identification module  62  as meeting the user&#39;s requirements from the product information database  64 , to which the ranking criteria information databases  70  is operatively connected. In a preferred embodiment, a user feedback module  72  is also operatively connected to the processor unit  30  and the ranking criteria information databases  70  to provide user feedback information to the ranking criteria information databases  70 , which can also be provided to the ranking module  66  to affect in part the ranking chemicals identified by the product identification module  62  as meeting the user&#39;s requirements. 
     The recommended chemicals fitting the user&#39;s requirements based upon the user&#39;s selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and responses to questions in the guide me query module  54  as ranked by the ranking module  64  are then displayed to users in ranked order on the user computer  36  through the use of an output display module  74 , which is operatively connected to the ranking module  66  and the processor unit  30 . The output display module  74  displays information regarding the ranked recommended chemicals fitting the user&#39;s requirements which it obtains from the product information database  64 , to which it is also operatively connected. The output display module  74  displays information regarding vendors of the ranked recommended chemicals, which it obtains from a vendor information database  76  to which it is also operatively connected. 
     Optionally, a user can save information regarding the ranked recommended chemicals fitting the user&#39;s requirements, so long as the user is a registered user. The information regarding each search based upon the user&#39;s interaction with the interactive expert system (including searches for particular chemicals) and the user&#39;s selection of property groups and properties in the spec engine selection module  52  and responses to questions in the guide me query module  54  as ranked by the ranking module  64  may be saved as a project in a project database  78  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, information regarding selected ones of the ranked recommended chemicals identified in a search can be either printed by a user on a printer (not shown) connected to the user computer  36 , or e-mailed or mailed to the user or another person identified by the user through the use of a literature shipment module  80  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the user can also request a quote on selected ones of the ranked recommended chemicals identified in the search, with the quote being either printed by the user or e-mailed or mailed through the use of a quote processing module  82  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . 
     In an optional embodiment, a sample of a selected one of the ranked recommended chemicals identified in the search can be shipped to the user or another person identified by the user through the use of a sample shipment module  84  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . In another optional embodiment, a sales call from a representative of the company operating the interactive expert system and method or a representative of the manufacturer can be arranged through the use of a sales call initiation module  86  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . 
     In yet another optional embodiment, information regarding a search may be forwarded to an expert for further assistance in selection of a product through the use of an expert initiation module  88  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . An example of the use of such an expert in research and technical consulting in the field of consumer and industrial glue and adhesive applications is the “Ask The Glue Doctor” program operated by the assignee of the present patent application. In still another optional embodiment, a demonstration of a selected one of the ranked recommended chemicals identified in the search can be arranged for the user through the use of a demo initiation module  90  that is operatively connected to the processor unit  30 . 
     There are three additional optional modules that may be used to expand the capabilities of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention. First, in a criteria values entry module  92 , the opportunity is afforded the user of the interactive expert system and method to provide values or ranges of values in the various properties of the material that the user is searching for. For example, ranges of times or temperatures may be entered, with specific numbers for the values or ranges of values being established in the interactive expert system and method by the user. 
     Second, in a priority data input module  94 , the opportunity is afforded the user of the interactive expert system and method of the present invention to make a specified property either required, optional, or excluded. Without the priority data input module  94 , a specified property would always be required. This option enables a user to indicate that a specified property is desirable but not mandatory (optional), or that a specified property must be avoided. 
     Third, in a similar properties module  96 , the interactive expert system and method of the present invention is given the additional capability of providing alternatives to a selected material. By selecting this option, the interactive expert system and method will search for and identify one or more alternative materials having the same properties as those of the selected material. In this feature, the alternative materials are selected using criteria specified by the interactive expert system rather than by the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an overview of a method that may be used to implement the interactive expert system illustrated in  FIG. 1  is shown. The process shown in  FIG. 2  begins with a process initiation step  100 , and then moves to one of three alternative steps associated with the user interface module  44  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and potentially the registered user interaction module  46  (shown in FIG.  1 ). The first of these alternative steps is a begin without logging on or registering step  102 , in which a user accesses the interactive expert system through the user interface module  44  and chooses not to log on or register, in which case the process moves to a search process initiation step  104 . 
     The second of these alternative steps is a register as new user step  106 , in which a user elects to register as a new user, in which case the user will register on the website through the use of the registered user interaction module  46  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and user information (i.e., user name, address information, e mail address, etc.) will be stored in the user database  48 , following which the process moves to the search process initiation step  104 . The third of these alternative steps is a log onto website step  108  in which a registered user logs onto the interactive expert system through the use of the registered user interaction module  46 , whereupon the process moves to a display saved applications step  110  in which information regarding the user&#39;s stored projects (if any) for particular chemicals searched will be retrieved from the project database  78  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). If the user is not interested in such prior searches, the process them moves to the search process initiation step  104 . 
     From the search process initiation step  104 , the process next moves to a select spec engine or guide me search decision step  112  from which a user selects either a spec engine search step  114  (using the spec engine selection module  52  shown in  FIG. 1 ) or a guide me search step  116  (using the guide me query module  54  shown in  FIG. 1 ). From the spec engine search step  114 , the process moves to an enter spec engine criteria step  118  where the user can enter key properties of chemical substances that they are attempting to identify using the spec engine selection module  52  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). This is a two-step process, in which the user initially selects a property category (shown in all capital letters in TABLE 1 above) and then selects a property from the property category (shown following most of the property categories in an entry in TABLE 1). For example, the user can select “APPLICATION TYPE” as a property category, and then select “Bond” as the specific property type. 
     The process then moves to a display and/or update results step  120  in which results are displayed on the user computer  36  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) by the output display module  74  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ). It will be appreciated that if only a single property has been entered, a large number of results will be produced. At this point, for some properties, the user will have the option, in an enter criteria values option step  122 , to enter values or ranges of values in the various properties of the material that the user is searching for. For example, for a property such as cure time a range of minutes (e.g., 10-30 minutes) may be entered; for a property such as low temperature resistance a range of temperatures (−40 to 0 degrees C.) may be entered; and for a property such as 1 part or 2 part material either choice may be made. 
     The process then moves to an enter priority value step  124 , in which the user will have the option, for some properties, to indicate whether the selected property is required, optional, or excluded. Without the function of this enter priority value step  124 , a selected property would always be a required property. This option enables a user to indicate that a specified property is desirable but not mandatory (optional), or that a specified property must be avoided. The indication that a specified property is optional will make the specified property less of a factor in the operation of the interactive expert system and method to identify recommended materials. The indication that a specified property is excluded will ensure that the interactive expert system and method will not provide any recommended materials that have this specified property. 
     The process then moves to a select more spec engine entries inquiry step  126  in which the user decides whether or not to enter further spec engine entries into the search. If the user decides to enter an additional spec engine entry, the process returns to the enter spec engine criteria step  118 . 
     For example consider the user selecting “SUBSTRATE” as a spec engine category, and then selecting “Glass” as the specific spec engine entry type, and subsequently selecting “CURE DETAILS” as a spec engine category, and then selecting “Cure Time” as the specific spec engine entry type and further entering a range of 10 to 30 minutes, and subsequently selecting “Industry” as a spec engine category, and then selecting “Medical” as the specific spec engine entry type. Each of these questions further narrows the results of the search. 
     If, on the other hand, the user decides not to enter an additional spec engine entry in the select more spec engine entries inquiry step  126 , the process then moves to an enter guide me entries inquiry step  128 . In the enter guide me entries inquiry step  128 , if the user decides not to respond to questions in the wizard mode, the process moves to a review results step  130  in which the user will review the results of the search process (which includes ranked results). If, on the other hand, the user decides to respond to questions in the guide me mode, the process moves to the guide me search step  116 . 
     From the guide me search step  116 , the process moves to a respond to guide me question step  132  where the user can enter key properties of chemical substances that the user is attempting to identify using the guide me query module  54  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). This is a process of the user responding to questions provided by the interactive expert system, in which a series of questions are posed to the user. The questions provided to the user vary according to information previously entered by the user, and can include questions relating to some of the properties included in TABLE 1. An exemplary list of general topics for questions is provided in TABLE 2 above. For example, an introductory question could be a response to any one of a selection of Application Type, the Chemistry, the Substrate, a selected Manufacturer, or an End-Product category as a first response in using the guide me engine to search for the chemical substances that the user is attempting to identify. 
     The process then moves to a display and/or update results step  134  in which results are displayed on the user computer  36  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) by the output display module  74  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ). It will be appreciated that if only a single question has been responded to, a large number of results will be produced. At this point, for some properties, the user will have the option, in an enter criteria values option step  136 , to enter values or ranges of values in the various properties of the material that the user is searching for. For example, for a property such as cure time a range of minutes (e.g., 10-30 minutes) may be entered; for a property such as low temperature resistance a range of temperatures (−40 to 0 degrees C.) may be entered; and for a property such as 1 part or 2 part material either choice may be made. 
     The process then moves to an enter priority value step  138 , in which the user will have the option, for some properties, to indicate whether the selected property is required, optional, or excluded. Without the function of this enter priority value step  138 , a selected property would always be a required property. This option enables a user to indicate that a specified property is desirable but not mandatory (optional), or that a specified property must be avoided. The indication that a specified property is optional will make the specified property less of a factor in the operation of the interactive expert system and method to identify recommended materials. The indication that a specified property is excluded will ensure that the interactive expert system and method will not provide any recommended materials that have this specified property. 
     The process then moves to a select more guide me questions inquiry step  140  in which the user decides whether or not to respond to further questions in the search. Generally, there will be between four and ten or more questions that may be responded to in order to narrow the search. 
     If the user decides to respond to an additional question, the process returns to the respond to guide me question step  132 . For additional examples of guide me questions consider the items listed in Table 2, with questions potentially being formulated by the interactive expert system for each of these items. The new questions that will be asked by the interactive expert system and method depend upon both the response(s) to the previous questions(s), with the order of questions having an almost limitless number of different sequences depending upon the user&#39;s particular earlier response(s). One such example of a question may be “Will the material be subjected to” and the responses to the question could be “High Temperature,” “Low Temperature,” “Environmental Conditions,” “High Moisture/Humidity,” and “Chemicals.” The user can select any one (or for some questions more than one) response. 
     If, on the other hand, the user decides not to respond to an additional question in the select more guide me questions inquiry step  140 , the process then moves to an enter spec engine entries inquiry step  142 . In the enter spec engine properties inquiry step  142 , if the user decides not to enter information into the spec engine mode, the process moves to the review results step  130  in which the user will review the results of the search process (which includes ranked results). If, on the other hand, the user decides to enter information into the spec engine mode, the process moves to the spec engine search step  114 . 
     From reviewing the search results in the review results step  130 , the process next moves to a display similar properties option step  144  which is implemented by the similar properties module  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). If the display similar properties option step  144  is elected, the interactive expert system and method of the present invention will search for and identify one or more alternatives to the material for which the user has selected the display similar materials option, which alternative materials have the same properties as those of the selected material. It should be understood that the displayed alternative materials are selected using criteria specified by the interactive expert system rather than by the user, and thus will likely display different materials than those displayed as a result of the user&#39;s initial search. 
     The process next moves to a select interactions mode step  146 , in which the user can request any of the options of the literature shipment module  80 , the quote processing module  82 , the sample shipment module  84 , the sales call initiation module  86 , the expert initiation module  88 , and the demo initiation module  90 , all of which are shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Following the select interactions mode step  146 , the process then moves to a save results option step  148  (which will only be available if the user is registered and has logged into the interactive expert system). From the save results option  148 , the process next moves to a logoff/end session step  150  (which also will only be available if the user is registered and has logged into the interactive expert system), to allow the user to end the session by logging off of the interactive expert system. The interactive expert method then ends with a process termination step  152 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a screenshot produced according to the interactive expert system and method of the present invention is illustrated in the spec engine search mode (the spec engine search step  114 , the enter spec engine criteria step  118 , the display and/or update results step  120 , the enter criteria values option step  122 , the enter priority value option step  124 , and the select more spec engine entries inquiry step  126  all shown in  FIG. 2 ). There are a total of five columns shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , with the left-most column being for the entry of spec engine categories (General, Mechanical, Physical, Electrical, Optical, Thermal, Hardness, Processing, Conductivity, and Other Properties are shown) and properties (Under the General property category, Manufacturer, Application Type, Chemistry, Industry, and Key Specification are shown). 
     The second column from the left shows the search criteria that have been specified, namely Application Type: Adhesive; Chemistry: Water Based; 1 Part or 2 Part: 2 Part Required; and Substrate: Rubber. The next three columns show the three results, with the chemical name, manufacturer, and summary information being located at the top of each of the three columns, and information for each of the four criteria for each result being shown on lines corresponding to the search criteria. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C, a screenshot produced according to the interactive expert system and method of the present invention is illustrated in the guide me search mode (the guide me search step  116 , the respond to guide me question step  132 , the display and/or update results step  134 , the enter criteria values option  136 , the enter priority value option step  138 , and the select more guide me questions inquiry step  140  all shown in  FIG. 2 ). The screenshot of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C includes different criteria from those selected in the screenshot of  FIG. 3 , and has a response to the guide me questions. There are a total of only four columns shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C, with the left-most column being for the entry of responses to one of the guide me questions (Would you consider Heat Cure) with potential response being (Required, Optional, Exclude). 
     The second column from the left shows the responses to seven guide me questions that have been specified, including the selected response to the last guide me question (Would you consider Heat Cure). The next two columns show the only results with the chemical name, manufacturer, and summary information being located at the top of the two columns, and information for each of the responses to the seven guide me questions for the results being shown on lines corresponding to the search criteria. 
     The operation of the criteria values entry module  92  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), in either of the enter criteria values option step  122  and the enter criteria values option  136  (both shown in  FIG. 2 ), may be described with reference to both  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4B  in the search property “1 Part or 2 Part” where the user may limit the material being sought to 1 part materials or 2 part materials. Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a cure time range can be specified (10 minutes to 30 minutes is shown in  FIG. 4A ). Also in  FIG. 4A , if desired the user could specify the temperature range that would be acceptable in the Material Resistance: Low Temperature Resistance search property (although no temperature range is entered therein in  FIG. 4A ). 
     The operation of the priority data input module  94  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), in either of the enter priority value option step  124  and the enter priority value option step  138  (both shown in  FIG. 2 ), may be described with reference to both  FIG. 3A  and  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in the priority modification of the search property. For each of the selected search criteria, the user will have the option to indicate whether the selected property is “Required,” or “Optional,” or “Excluded.” This represents a significant improvement since otherwise the selected property is always “Required.” Using the priority option, the user may thus use the “Exclude” priority option to specify that the material being sought does not have the named property. Further, if the “Optional” priority option is used by the user, the importance of the named property for the material that the user is searching for may be diminished from its importance if it was “Required.” 
     It should also be understood that a user may use both the spec engine mode discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  and the guide me mode discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C to provide information used to identify a chemical substance that the user is attempting to ascertain. The user may start with either mode to enter information and then move to the other mode to enter information, thereby using the features of both modes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5A , the first of three screenshots for a selected material located in the searches performed by a user is provided in which summary information for the chosen material is provided to the user by the review results step  130  (also shown in  FIG. 2 ). Referring now to  FIG. 5B , the second of three screenshots for a selected material located in the searches performed by a user is provided in which technical data information is provided to the user by the review results step  130  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , the third of three screenshots for a selected material located in the searches performed by a user is provided in which similar materials is provided to the user through the operation of the similar properties module  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the display similar properties option step  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The similar materials shown are selected using criteria specified by the interactive expert system rather than the criteria that were provided by the user in locating the material for which similar materials are being sought. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , the review results step  130 , the display similar properties option step  144 , and the select interactions mode step  146  of  FIG. 2  are shown in somewhat expanded detail. The review results step  130  begins with a process initiation step  160  from which the process moves to a display results of spec engine and guide me selections step  162  in which the user views the ranked displayed results regarding the recommended chemicals fitting the user&#39;s requirements. The process next moves to an edit search logic or enter further search criteria decision step  164 , from which the user has the option of further revising the search criteria by selecting additional properties or responding to additional questions. If the user elects to do so, the process moves to the select spec engine or guide me search decision step  112  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ). On the other hand, if the user does not choose to do so, the process moves instead to an optional search within these results step  166 . 
     In the search within these results step  166 , the user may add an additional search term that will be applied to all of the products identified as meeting the search results, excluding those that do not meet this additional criteria. Referring for the moment to  FIG. 3A , this place to enter an additional criteria can be seen on the top center of the screen. Additionally, it may be seen that above the right-most of the five columns shown is a “Next” button which can be used to view additional results meeting the search criteria. While in  FIG. 3  there are only three results, it is possible that there are more results than could be shown in the screen without using the “Next” button to view the additional search results (and also using a “Previous” button to move to the more relevant results once the “Next” button has been so used). 
     By checking executing a search within the existing search results, the user will return the process to the display results of spec engine and guide me selections step  162 . If, on the other hand, the user does not execute a search within the existing search results, the process instead moves to a process termination step  168 . 
     From the process termination step  158  completing the review results step  126 , the process moves next to a process initiation step  170  in the display similar properties option step  144 . From there, the user may optionally select one of the products included in the search results and elect to display products that are similar to the product from the search results in a display results of similar products determination step  172 . While the initial search results are based upon user input consisting essentially of specific characteristics of the products, the identification of similar products is based upon criteria established by the interactive expert system and method which are performed by the similar properties module  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Similar products are then displayed in a review properties of similar products step  176 . The process then moves to a process termination step  178 . 
     From the process termination step  178  completing the display similar properties option step  144 , the process moves to a process initiation step  180  in the select interactions mode step  146 . From there, the user may select any of six options, namely: request that selected ones of the search results be e-mailed or mailed to the user or the user&#39;s designee in a request literature step  182  (that is performed by the literature shipment module  80  shown in  FIG. 1 , and is identified as a “Share” function in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ); request that a quote on selected ones of the search results either be printed or e-mailed or mailed to the user or the user&#39;s designee in a request quote step  184  (that is performed by the quote processing module shown in  FIG. 1 ); request that a sample of a selected one of the search results be shipped to the user or the user&#39;s designee in a request sample step  186  (that is performed by the sample shipment module  84  shown in  FIG. 1 ); request that a sales call from a representative of the operator of the interactive expert system or a representative of the chemical manufacturer call on the user or the user&#39;s designee in a request sales call step  188  (that is performed by the sales call initiation module  86  shown in  FIG. 1 ); request expert assistance from an expert employed by the operator of the interactive expert system be provided to the user in a request expert assistance step  190  (that is performed by the expert initiation module  88  shown in  FIG. 1 ); or request a product demonstration from a representative of the operator of the interactive expert system or a representative of the chemical manufacturer in a request demonstration step  192  (that is performed by the demo initiation module  90  shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Following the performance of any of these steps, the process then moves to a request other interactions decision step  194  where the user can either terminate the select interactions mode step  136  in a process termination step  196 , or decide to request other interactions. If the user requests other interactions in the request other interactions decision step  194 , the process then would return to a point just after the process initiation step  180 , from which any of the other interactions may be initiated. 
     Turning next to  FIG. 7 , an overview of a process that may be used by the ranking module  66  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the interactive expert system prior to displaying the search results is shown. From a process initiation step  200 , the process moves to a calculate results based upon user entries step  202  in which the user&#39;s key desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements for the desired chemical product are used to produce a subgroup of the chemical products that meet these user criteria (this is performed by the product identification module  62  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Depending upon the criteria entered by the user, there may be a larger number of chemical products that would make review of the results difficult or time-consuming. 
     Accordingly, after the calculate results based upon user entries step  202  is performed, the process moves to a rank results step  204  in which the interactive expert system uses an algorithm to organize the search results in a priority from most relevant to least relevant. After the search results are ranked in the rank results step  204 , the process moves to a display results step  206  in which the ranked results of the search are displayed (this is performed by the output display module  74  shown in  FIG. 1 ). From there, the process shown in  FIG. 6  moves to a process termination step  208 , where it ends. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an overview of an exemplary implementation of a ranking algorithm utilizing a number of ranking factors and a correlating number of weight factors to rank the search results based upon the user&#39;s key desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements for the desired chemical product. From a process initiation step  210 , the process moves to a determination of a plurality of ranking factors for each of the chemical products identified by the user&#39;s search criteria, with each factor being multiplied by a weighting factor remaining the same for all of the chemical products identified by the user&#39;s search criteria. The results are added for each of the chemical products identified by the user&#39;s search criteria to produce a single number, and the chemical products identified by the user&#39;s search criteria are ranked from the highest sum (highest ranked) to the lowest sum (lowest ranked). 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the ranking algorithm shown in  FIG. 8  each chemical product has fifteen ranking factors with unique individualized values for each of these ranking factors being established for each of tens of thousands of chemical products. It will be appreciated that fewer or more ranking factors could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These ranking factures include: a manufacturer promoting? ranking factor  212 , a random sort factor ranking factor  214 , a distributor promoting? ranking factor  216 , first, second, third, fourth, and fifth material criteria ranking factors  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively, a supplier rating ranking factor  228 , an availability rating ranking factor  230 , a property match rating(s) ranking factor  232 , a market success rating ranking factor  234 , a market failure rating ranking factor  236 , a market uncertainty ranking factor  238 , and a market current/previous rating ranking factor  240 . 
     A brief summary of each of these ranking factors, which in a preferred embodiment can have a value from zero to ten, will be provided in the following paragraphs. The manufacturer promoting? ranking factor  212  is an indication of whether or not a manufacturer is actively promoting a product; for example, a discontinued product would have a value of zero and a highly promoted product would have a value of ten. The random sort factor ranking factor  214  is a random sorting value from zero to ten that is randomly assigned to chemical products in order to prevent two chemical products having identical values for all of their other ranking factors from having an identical total score. The distributor promoting? ranking factor  216  is an indication of whether or not the distributor operating the interactive expert system is actively promoting a product; for example, a product that is very difficult to source could have a value of zero and a popular, readily available, highly promoted product could have a value of ten. 
     The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth material criteria ranking factors  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively, are criteria that are based upon each chemical material&#39;s popularity in the interactive expert system. For example, the first material criteria ranking factor  218  could be based upon the number of page clicks that each chemical product has; the second material criteria ranking factor  220  could be based upon the number of times each chemical product&#39;s literature is printed or requested to be e-mailed or mailed to a user; the third material criteria ranking factor  222  could be based upon the number of times each chemical product&#39;s literature is requested to be e mailed or mailed to another person identified by the user (shared); the fourth material criteria ranking factor  224  could be based upon the number of times a sample is requested of each chemical product; and the fifth material criteria ranking factor  226  could be based upon the number of times a quote is requested for each chemical product. 
     The supplier rating ranking factor  228  is an indication of the quality or reputation of the supplier of each chemical product. The availability rating ranking factor  230  is an indication of the ease and speed of obtaining a patent; for example, a product that is in stock could have a value of ten and a back-ordered product could have a substantially lower value. 
     The property match rating(s) ranking factor  232  is an indication of the chemical product exactly matching key desired chemical product characteristics and/or specific application requirements that have been specified by a user. This is the only one of the ranking factors that can have a value of over ten, since each chemical product characteristic or specific application requirement that is exactly matched will be given a ten, so a chemical product matching three characteristics or requirements would have a value of thirty, while a chemical product matching no characteristic or requirement would have a value of zero. The property match rating(s) ranking factor  232  thus has a different effect on the numerical score of each of the chemical products than the other ranking factors which are preset for each of the chemical products in the product information database  64  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The market success rating ranking factor  234 , the market failure rating ranking factor  236 , the market uncertainty ranking factor  238 , and the market current/previous rating ranking factor  240  are indications of a chemical product&#39;s market success, market failure, uncertainty (such as a brand new product), and an upward or downward trend in a chemical product&#39;s rating, respectively. Desirable or positive scores are ten at the high end, while undesirable scores for these market-related ranking factors are zero at the low end. These four ranking factors, like the property match rating(s) ranking factor  232 , have different effects on the numerical score of each of the chemical products than the other ranking factors, and like any of the other ranking factors, are optional, but are included in the exemplary embodiment. 
     The manufacturer promoting? ranking factor  212 , the random sort factor ranking factor  214 , the distributor promoting? ranking factor  216 , the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth material criteria ranking factors  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively, the supplier rating ranking factor  228 , the availability rating ranking factor  230 , the property match rating(s) ranking factor  232 , the market success rating ranking factor  234 , the market failure rating ranking factor  236 , the market uncertainty ranking factor  238 , and the market current/previous rating ranking factor  240  are each associated with relative weighting factors  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 , or  270 , respectively. The relative weighting factors  242 ,  244 , and  246  may be, for example, 0.5, 3, and 1, respectively. Each of the relative weighting factors  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254 , and  256  may be, for example, 0.2. The relative weighting factors  258 ,  260 , and  262  may be, for example, 0.5, 1, and 2, respectively. The relative weighting factors  264 ,  266 ,  268 , and  270  may each be, for example, 0.25. Obviously, each of these relative weighting factors can be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Once each of the manufacturer promoting? ranking factor  212 , the random sort factor ranking factor  214 , the distributor promoting? ranking factor  216 , the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth material criteria ranking factors  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively, the supplier rating ranking factor  228 , the availability rating ranking factor  230 , the property match rating(s) ranking factor  232 , the market success rating ranking factor  234 , the market failure rating ranking factor  236 , the market uncertainty ranking factor  238 , and the market current/previous rating ranking factor  240  have been multiplied by the relative weighting factors  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 , or  270 , respectively, the totals will be provided to a ranking factor integrator  272 , which will add them for each chemical product, and rank the chemical products from the highest total to the lowest total. From there, the process shown in  FIG. 8  moves to a process termination step  274 , where it ends. 
     This controls the display order of the ranked chemical products matching the search criteria selected by a user as displayed by the output display module  74  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), with the highest ranked chemical products being displayed first (to the left as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , and in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C). Optionally, the numerical score of each of the chemical products matching the search criteria could also be displayed by the output display module  74  to users of the system and method to assist users in the selection of chemical products. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 9 , an overview of a process that may be used by the similar properties module  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the interactive expert system to determine and display the similar materials is shown. From a process initiation step  280 , the process moves to a determine similar products based upon similar properties and conditions step  282  in which the similar products are identified by the interactive expert system and method. The similar materials so identified are then ranked in a apply product characteristics algorithm step  284 . The top-ranked similar materials are then displayed to the user (as shown in  FIG. 5C ) in a display results step  286 . The process then terminates in a process termination step  288 . 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 10 , an overview of an exemplary implementation of an algorithm utilizing a number of ranking factors and a correlating number of weight factors to select and rank similar materials based upon the material located by and selected for an identification of similar products by the user. From a process initiation step  290 , the process moves to a determination of a plurality of material properties and a plurality of material conditions for the chemical products selected by the user, with each factor being multiplied by a weighting factor remaining the same for all of the potential similar products identified by the interactive expert system and method. The results are added for each of the chemical products identified as a potential similar product to produce a single number, and the chemical products identified by this process are ranked from the highest sum (highest ranked similar product) to the lowest sum (lowest ranked similar product). 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the similar product algorithm shown in  FIG. 10  each chemical product has N material properties with unique individualized values for each of these material properties and M material conditions with unique individualized values for each of tens of thousands of chemical products. The material properties include: a first material property ranking factor  292 , a second material property ranking factor  294 , a third material property ranking factor  296 , a fourth material property ranking factor  298 , a fifth material property ranking factor  300 , a sixth material property ranking factor  302 , up to an Nth material property ranking factor  304 . In a preferred embodiment, each of the material properties can have a value from zero to ten. The particular material properties used by the interactive expert system and method are chosen by the provider of the interactive expert system and method. 
     Each of the particular material properties is associated with a relative weighting factor. Thus, the first material property ranking factor  292 , the second material property ranking factor  294 , the third material property ranking factor  296 , the fourth material property ranking factor  298 , the fifth material property ranking factor  300 , the sixth material property ranking factor  302 , up to the Nth material property ranking factor  304  are respectively associated with a first weighting factor  306 , a second weighting factor  308 , a third weighting factor  310 , a fourth weighting factor  312 , a fifth weighting factor  314 , a sixth weighting factor  316 , and an Nth weighting factor  318 . The relative weighting factors  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 , and  318  may be, for example, any value between 0. and 1. Obviously, each of these relative weighting factors can be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The material conditions include: a first material condition ranking factor  320 , a second material condition ranking factor  322 , a third material condition ranking factor  324 , a fourth material condition ranking factor  326 , a fifth material condition ranking factor  328 , a sixth material condition ranking factor  330 , and an Nth material condition ranking factor  332 . In a preferred embodiment, each of the material conditions can have a value from zero to ten. The particular material conditions used by the interactive expert system and method are chosen by the provider of the interactive expert system and method. 
     Each of the particular material conditions is also associated with a relative weighting factor. Thus, the first material condition ranking factor  320 , the second material condition ranking factor  322 , the third material condition ranking factor  324 , the fourth material condition ranking factor  326 , the fifth material condition ranking factor  328 , the sixth material condition ranking factor  330 , and the Nth material condition ranking factor  332  are respectively associated with a first′ weighting factor  334 , a second′ weighting factor  336 , a third′ weighting factor  338 , a fourth′ weighting factor  340 , a fifth′ weighting factor  342 , a sixth′ weighting factor  344 , and an Mth weighting factor  346 . The relative weighting factors  334 ,  336 ,  338 ,  340 ,  342 ,  344 , and  346  may be, for example, any value between 0. and 1. Obviously, each of these relative weighting factors can be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Once each of the material property ranking factors  292 ,  294 ,  296 ,  298 ,  300 ,  302 , and  304 , and the material condition ranking factors  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328 ,  330 , and  332  have been multiplied by the relative weighting factors  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338 ,  340 ,  342 ,  344 , and  346 , respectively, the totals will be provided to a characteristics factor integrator  348 , which will add them for each similar product, and rank the similar products from the highest total to the lowest total. From there, the process shown in  FIG. 10  moves to a process termination step  350 , where it ends. 
     It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention that it provides a system and method to assist users in the selection of chemical products from the extremely large number of chemical products that are available on the market based upon key desired chemical product characteristics and specific application requirements for the desired chemical product that are provided by the users. The interactive expert system and method of the present invention are both easy to use and relatively quick to identify appropriate candidates for the product sought by a user. The interactive expert system and method of the present invention utilize a ranking system that intelligently ranks the results of searching based upon the desired chemical product characteristics and the specific application requirements to order the search results depending on the specific requirements that have been entered by the user. Finally, the interactive expert system and method of the present invention achieves numerous advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
     Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 
     While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.