Abstract:
A targeted search in the form of a fingerprint is generated utilizing audio-visual representations of the search parameters in a master plan so as to present the user with hypothetical vision parameters arrayed in a cascaded manner corresponding to the process individuals use when shopping, with the result being the generation of the parameters that converge on the ultimate fingerprint. In one embodiment a touch screen is utilized to present the hypothetical vision parameters, with the touching of the screen causing a parameter value to be entered into the fingerprint. On-screen vision parameters are kept in the one region of the screen to enable the user to go backwards from any level of the cascade back to any other prior level or even back to the original cascade, such that the cascaded vision parameters are retained on screen. A virtual consultant may be evoked at any point within the cascade to aid the user in making a choice between hypothetical vision parameters, with a zoom feature also being provided to zoom in on a feature in an on-screen vision parameter to be able to further define a parameter within a given category.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to internet search methods and more particularly to a non-textual audio/visual input mechanism for specifying fingerprint parameters associated with a master plan.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,417 issued to Patrick Y. De Le fevre on May 21, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference, a method is described for providing a rapid internet search involving the use of a fingerprint of information associated with a request made by an individual. The fingerprint is forwarded to a library that locates information related to the fingerprint from information submitted as a fingerprint by entrants who enter their data in accordance with a specialized master plan and format.  
         [0003]     While the internet search method described in the above-identified patent is exceedingly useful for providing rapid targeted searching, there is a requirement for those either not skilled in the use of computers or even those not able to type in requests to be able to search the internet by navigating through a master plan-defined series of parameters so as to be able to generate appropriate fingerprint requests.  
         [0004]     The requirement for an audio-visual presentation scheme for such a targeted internet search method revolves around providing individuals who may not be computer-literate or may not be literate at all with a non-verbal mechanism for getting targeted information. While most internet search methods require the entry of data into fields, this method of searching leaves out a large number of individuals who are either intimidated by the search method or who are unable to utilize it due to a lack of facility in the particular language.  
         [0005]     For instance, in underdeveloped countries there may be no ability at all to utilize current text-based internet search methods such as the case presently with the Middle Eastern countries in which less than 2% of the households are capable of searching the internet and in which Arabic does not use a 26-character alphabet. Note, Arabic language difficulties may provide a problem in terms of input devices for a system that was generally conceived for English and the Romance Languages using alpha-numeric characters. Also important are other individuals whose natural language does not have such an alphabet, such as Chinese and Japanese where the written form of the language includes a large number of characters, often exceeding 3,000.  
         [0006]     Thus in order for the maximum number of individuals to be able to utilize an internet search method and to be able to converge on an item or items they desire, one needs to be able to provide a system which is independent of the particular written language of the individual. The result of opening up the internet to a non-textual universe of users is indeed quite important to the universal utilization of the internet. Moreover, since key word searching and the like are used in textual-based searches to obtain information, it is therefore thought necessary to provide a non-textual basis for targeted searching so that even if the individual is not familiar with either computer language or the particular textual language involved, the individual many nonetheless provide himself or herself with specific desired information.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     Rather than relying on a textual internet search system in which alpha-numeric characters are entered into a field that is presented on-screen, in the subject system a so-called fingerprint of information is generated by presenting the individual with on-screen vision parameters, with the parameters being pictured in terms of hypothetical elements indicative of the particular parameter.  
         [0008]     For instance, if an individual is starting a search for a particular item, the individual is presented with a world view in which a rotating map of the world is presented. In a cascading fashion, the user then clicks on the particular region of the world that he wishes to have information about or at which he wishes to buy a particular item. Through a series of on-screen zoom features the individual can zoom in on a particular geographic area, at which point the individual may be provided with a vision parameter in terms of, for instance, a view of a particular city. The user may then zoom in on, for instance, a particular building, school, house or other related vision parameter, for instance, an office in an office building. If the individual is interested in, for instance, buying a chair for a desk, the individual can zoom in even further to hypothetical visual representations on the screen of an office room and then onto a particular chair in the room.  
         [0009]     Hypothetical vision parameters are then presented in a cascading fashion to the individual to indicate, for instance, the style of chair, the materials for the back and seat of the chair, the type of arm that the individual is seeking, all choices being visually presented to the individual in a natural cascading fashion so as to home in on the desired parameter.  
         [0010]     During any of the user&#39;s choices the user may invoke a consultant to assist him in the choice, which may be pre-recorded audio-visual advice to assist the person in selecting the appropriate vision parameter. Also, provision is made for multiple consultants, again indicated on-screen or audibly so that the individual does not have to type in any characters into a field.  
         [0011]     As a feature of the subject invention, the various levels of categories are presented on-screen at all times in terms of vision parameters. This enables the individual, cascading down through a series of choices, to be able to backtrack and go back to other choices by merely clicking on a prior vision parameter which is presented. As a result, one does not have to lose one&#39;s order in order to backtrack through the various choices that the individual has made, with the individual being able to access any given level in the cascading process. The result is that an individual, for instance, having decided that he does not know what type of arm he wants, can go back and change the type of chair by clicking on a prior vision parameter so that one, for instance, could go from a Queen Anne chair to, for instance, a contemporary chair by merely clicking back onto the vision parameter presented priorly and maintained on-screen, in one embodiment to the right of the screen.  
         [0012]     All of the vision parameters are keyed to the aforementioned master plan described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,417. The master plan dictates categories and subcategories and is initially generated through information provided by Entrants into the particular Library at which a fingerprint is matched to a fingerprint from an Entrant. Thus the vision parameters in one embodiment are generated by information supplied by each of the Entrants when the Entrants sign up and provide the information in accordance with the basic master plan.  
         [0013]     It will be appreciated that all vision parameters present hypothetical situations which are presented to each of the users so that the user can generate his own set of parameters which are automatically incorporated into his search fingerprint. Likewise, information from the Entrants can be generated in a non-textual context by entering information into the Library which is accessed by the users, and to this end the Entrant may be provided with his own touch-screen input mechanism to enter data of his particular fingerprint.  
         [0014]     The touch screen audio-visual non-textual system automatically generates fingerprints, be they User fingerprints or Entrant fingerprints, with the touch-screen device either being integral to the user&#39;s computer or more likely an auxiliary device which is either hard-wired to the computer or which utilizes an RF or IR interface to the computer. RF and IF signaling are commonplace as indicated, for instance, by the 802.11b protocol as well as several infrared protocols.  
         [0015]     What is provided, therefore, is a user-friendly, non-textual input mechanism for a fingerprint-based internet search method. While the subject invention will be described in terms of non-textual input, textual input in combination with the non-textual input is considered to be part of the subject invention.  
         [0016]     In summary, a targeted search in the form of a fingerprint is generated utilizing audio-visual representations of the search parameters in a master plan so as to present the user with hypothetical vision parameters arrayed in a cascaded manner corresponding to the process individuals use when shopping, with the result being the generation of the parameters that converge on the ultimate fingerprint. In one embodiment a touch screen is utilized to present the hypothetical vision parameters, with the touching of the screen causing a parameter value to be entered into the fingerprint. On-screen vision parameters are kept in the one region of the screen to enable the user to go backwards from any level of the cascade back to any other prior level or even back to the original cascade, such that the cascaded vision parameters are retained on screen. A virtual consultant may be evoked at any point within the cascade to aid the user in making a choice between hypothetical vision parameters, with a zoom feature also being provided to zoom in on a feature in an on-screen vision parameter to be able to further define a parameter within a given category. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     These and other features of the subject invention will be better understood in connection with a Detailed Description, in conjunction with the Drawings, of which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an internet search method showing the generation of a fingerprint which is transmitted to a library having information from a number of information entrants stored therein;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a table of master plan parameters;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic illustration of the input mechanism for a user into a fingerprint-based search method;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic illustration of the entrant input mechanism for the fingerprint-based internet search method of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of an individual subcone within a master cone;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrammatic flowcharts for hypothetical vision parameters cascaded to go from a world view down to the selection of a chair back and its color;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic illustration of a screen shot showing a number of vision parameters maintained on-screen to permit going backwards to any level of a cascade;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic illustration of a screen shot showing a zoom feature to facilitate encountering new objects as one zooms;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating the ability to have a home search zone or another search zone in which the home search zone permits access to various categories and subcategories, whereas the other search zone permits access only through the entering of a PIN number;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the ability to access a consultant or to be able to skip a consulting step;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic illustration of a cone of several classes of parameters, including description, location, price, consultant, payment, shipment, insurance/warranty and maintenance, showing an order of priority from description down to maintenance;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic illustration of the cascading of parameters in terms of pages, including description, location, price, consultant, payment, shipment, insurance/warranty and maintenance, related to the cascaded levels of the cone of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating for the selection of a monolithic chair or a composite chair, illustrating in separate slides the composite chair, a support, a seat, an arm, and a back, also indicating the ability to enter special features;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating that a fingerprint is made up of the sum of the choices made through the viewing of hypothetical slides, with, in one example, each slide having a different upholstered look, non-upholstered look or partially-upholstered look;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a chair, and selection from a number of separate items: arms, backs, seats, and supports for a chair, based on the selection of a number of slides corresponding to hypothetical vision parameters, also illustrating the type of finish for the arm, namely chrome; the back of the chair, namely leather; the seat of the chair, namely leather; and the pedestal for the chair, namely a matt chrome finish;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic illustration of the ability for descriptions, locations, price, consultant, payment, shipment, insurance/warranty and maintenance, that certain parameters may be entered in via typing of alphanumeric characters when such is desired.  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic illustration of a search initiation from a vision parameter input device or a text input device, showing the ability of the system to search the library of  FIG. 1  for matching fingerprints which are the sum of all of the parameters, whether generated by vision parameters or text input; and,  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing the transmission of a fingerprint to the net from whence it goes to a server which performs the matching operation, the results of which are transmitted back after the matching operation through either e-mails, regular mail, or telephonic communication, from which query results can be provided to the individual. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a fingerprint-based internet search method includes a step, as illustrated at  10 , of creating a fingerprint for the requester. This fingerprint is a specific request for information and has within it specific information about the requesting party in terms of a master plan format. In one embodiment, a fingerprint is a series of numerals, numbers or codes which are transmitted to a library  12  which has pre-stored therein parameters from a large number of information entrants indicated at  14 . These parameters are master plan parameters and include description, location, price, customer feedback, payment, shipment and time, insurance/warrant, and maintenance parameters. It will be appreciated that other parameters may be useful for the master plan but it is important that the entrants provide, in addition to their parameters, their website address so that, upon a query, library  12  is searched and matches are provided between the fingerprint from a requester and the fingerprint or fingerprints from the entrants.  
         [0037]     Thereafter, upon obtaining one or more matches, the method includes the step of locating the entrant and its websites by virtue of the coordinates associated with the fingerprint. The result is the entrant&#39;s website transmitted back to the requester.  
         [0038]     It is important that the information entrants and the requesters have a common set of parameters, in this case referred to as a master plan. This is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in which eight parameters are specified. In one embodiment, the parameters are as indicated above, namely the description, location, price, customer feedback, payment, shipment and time, insurance/warranty, and maintenance. Other parameters may be useful as well. The only requirement for the parameters is that they be used in creation of the fingerprint and used in the information entered from the entrants into the library.  
         [0039]     It is possible, though means to be described, that a master cone can be generated which is a combination of all of the different parameters, with each of the subcones that are possible relating to information concerning a given parameter. The master cone thus includes all of the master plan parameters, with convergence towards a fingerprint resulting from various choices that are made at each level of the convergence.  
         [0040]     How the information is entered is shown in  FIG. 3  from the user&#39;s point of view in which a computer  5  is provided with a tablet  7  which may include a touch-screen display  9 , with the tablet being either hard-wired to the computer via a hard-wire  11 , or optionally being coupled through an RF link as illustrated by antenna  13 . It is noted that computer  5  is coupled to the internet as illustrated at  15 .  
         [0041]     Likewise, referring to  FIG. 4 , the entrants are provided with a computer  5 ′ having a tablet  7 ′ connected to computer  5 ′ by hard wire  11 ′, with this tablet also being provided with an optional RF link, the antenna  13 ′ of which is shown as illustrated. In this case, tablet  7 ′ is provided with a touch screen display  9 ′. It will be appreciated that the entrants provide their information through tablet  7  so that the same inputting system can be used to generate fingerprints.  
         [0042]     While the subject invention will be described in terms of a separate touch screen display tablet, it is possible to provide each of the computers either at the user&#39;s end or the entrant&#39;s end-with touch-screen displays.  
         [0043]     As will be seen, various vision parameters  17  and  17 ′ are displayed both on the computer monitors and likewise on the respective tablets as illustrated.  
         [0044]     It is through this input modality that a textless fingerprint entry system is provided so that rapid matching and delivery of results to a user may be accomplished without the requirement of the user having to enter alpha-numerics into a particular field on a computer screen.  
         [0045]     As mentioned before, a master cone which houses layers or levels of parameters, may include a particular subcone here as illustrated at  20 ′ having a number of cross-sectional planes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Decisions on each of these planes further defines the information which is selected to be included in the fingerprint. It will be appreciated that, that which is contained at a given cross-sectional plane is information related to that particular parameter.  
         [0046]     Assuming, for instance, that subcone  20 ′ represents the location parameter, plane  26  relates to an address information, then branches within that plane towards a central axis  42  to define, for instance, acceptable locations of the unit requested in the query. For instance, if the requester is seeking shoes, he may decide that the only source of the shoe he is interested in is to be located in the northeastern states. This particular parameter is specified at plane  26  by virtue of providing a numbering system that is described in the aforementioned patent.  
         [0047]     In addition to specifying that the shoe is required to be available in the northeastern states, the individual may want to specify an address for the main office, addresses for technical support, an address for payment for the shoes, where the shoes are to be returned, and all types of address-based information. In addition, as a branching operation for each of these elements, for instance, the main office, one may wish to specify the continent, country, state, city, street, building, floor, apartment, zip code, post office box, telephone number, email address, or other information.  
         [0048]     This information is added to the fingerprint by specifying it at this first plane. It will be appreciated that if the requester does not want to provide this information, it need not be provided. The important point is that the master plan permits this level of information to be added to the fingerprint at the time of requesting of information.  
         [0049]     By way of an example, plane  28  may specify a limit on the amount of distance that the shoe is to travel between the shipping point and the recipient point. Furthermore, this plane may specify by what mode the shipment is to be made, e.g., either by air, truck, train or by ship.  
         [0050]     One further position plane such as plane  30  may specify the routing of the unit from the shipping site to the requester site. Moreover, it may be important to the requester that the shoe be available for viewing at a particular location. Additionally, this plane may be one requiring the output of instructions to the requester as to how to get to a viewing site, for instance, at a shopping mall.  
         [0051]     A further plane such as illustrated at  32  may be utilized to specify the types of transportation available for the requester to go to the viewing site. At this plane, the requester can specify whether this transportation is to be either paid or courtesy.  
         [0052]     At plane  34 , a further type of requester-specified information may be, for instance, are samples available and if so, are they free or for a charge. The requester may also specify whether he requires a professional sample or a production sample. Moreover, the requester can specify whether the sample may be kept for an indefinite period of time or what the return policy is on the sample.  
         [0053]     Position plane  36  may, for instance, be used for indicating whether any special permits are required to view the item or to purchase the item. Moreover, any other prerequisites for the viewing and purchasing of the item may be specified at this plane. Finally, plane  38  may be utilized for any other information that is location-sensitive.  
         [0054]     What will be appreciated is that the above has described the fingerprint search method of the above-mentioned patent. What will be appreciated is that what is necessary is to be able to enter this type of information, not with a text-based system, but rather with a system that utilizes hypothetical vision parameters which are displayed to the individual making the query.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIG. 6A , for instance, starting with a rotating globe  50 , one may want to click on the globe to indicate a position parameter such as, for instance, a particular city in a particular country. Having clicked on a position  52  one can then be directed in a cascade to a picture, for instance, of the city which exists at position  52 . This city is illustrated at  54  and may comprise a number of features, including mountains  56 , houses  58 , an office building  60 , a community center  62 , and a garage  64 . Assuming that one is interested in furnishing a room in office building  60 , cascading from this element by clicking on  66  can result in the portrayal of a hypothetical room  70  having a desk  72  and a chair  74 .  
         [0056]     Assuming the individual wants to furnish his office and more particularly, assuming that the individual wants to select a chair for his office, then via hypothetical vision parameters illustrated at  80 , a chair may be presented. This particular type of chair may be one selected from a number of slides to be described hereinafter. However, if one is interested in selecting the back of the chair as illustrated at  82 , and more particularly the color of the back of the chair as illustrated at  82 ,  86 ,  88  or  90 , then one in the subject hypothetical vision parameter selection process may select, for instance, a green backing for his chair. Once having selected the chair, the backing and the color, one can be directed towards a priorities level to indicate whatever priority should be attached to this particular item.  
         [0057]     What will be appreciated in this cascaded visual layering context is that choices can be given to an individual by presenting him with slides or pictographs of a hypothetical object and have the individual further define the object. In doing each of his or her selections, a number for the fingerprint is developed such that when all of the selections are made, in this case by a non-textual route, the fingerprint described in this inputting system is one which is easily obtained by an individual having little or no computer training or specific knowledge of a language.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , what is seen is a screen  92  which has an office building  94  pictured thereon, having been a building that has been pre-selected through a prior parameter selection process. However, as can be seen to the right of the screen, a number of different edifices such as a hospital  96 , a home  98 , a school  100  or a library  102 , are presented so that if the individual wishes to select a different edifice other than an office building, all of the prior edifices are stored and displayed at a portion of the computer screen. What this means is that prior categories of items, one of which has been previously selected, may be displayed to the user so that the user can go back in the cascaded ordered context in order to change his or her mind without losing his or her place.  
         [0059]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , computer screen  92  may be provided with a zoom function  110  so that as one encounters items in the hypothetical space, as illustrated at  112 , one can, as one zooms in on a particular area, encounter new, previously unseen objects.  
         [0060]     One way to understand this is to understand that if one is flying above a terrain, one first may see clouds which obscure the ground. As one zooms into the clouds, one may be presented with ground artifacts such as buildings. If one is presented with a building, then one can zoom through the building to, for instance, the aforementioned chair in an office.  
         [0061]     The ability to zoom not only to magnify what one is looking at but also to encounter objects which are subsets of the object displayed permits a rapid convergence on what the user wishes to add to his or her fingerprint.  
         [0062]     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , assuming an individual wants to search a home search zone  114 , he may do so, which may lead him to certain categories  116  and certain subcategories  118 . Alternatively, at the selection step  120 , the user may want to search another search zone  122  and may further be allowed access to the categories within their search zone only through the entry of a PIN number as illustrated at  124 .  
         [0063]     As mentioned hereinbefore and referring to  FIG. 10 , a search request  130  may require the assistance of a consultant  132  along with a decision block  134 , which is under the control of the user, to continue to query a consultant. At  136  the user may make a decision to skip the consulting process altogether, whereas if a consultant is required by the user, the decision block  132  can indicate “yes” as illustrated at  138 , that a particular consultant should be queried or, as illustrated at  140 , the consultant is placed on standby. As illustrated  142 , the user, once having decided that he wants a consultant, may indicate that he no longer wants one.  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , cone  20  is shown as having a number of levels or planes  1 - 8 . These correspond to, in descending order, description, location, price, consultant, payment, shipping, insurance/warranty or maintenance. When passing through these filters the fingerprint which exits at  150  takes into account all of these parameters.  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , for instance, for the description level, level  1  of cone  20 , each of the levels has its own page here illustrated at  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164  and  166 . Each of these levels may be viewed as to its status  170 ,  3 D views as illustrated  172 , components as illustrated  174 , physical properties as illustrated  176 , feedback from a provider  178  and other properties  180 . All of this information can be presented to the user utilizing the hypothetical visual parameters or it may be presented in some type of textual graphic.  
         [0066]     All of this can be presented in an information tree atop a description atop the master plan as illustrated at  182 ,  184  and  186 .  
         [0067]     Thus, the user may be able to view his or her selections with all of the relevant information, with the sum of all of the pages presented contributing to the aforementioned fingerprint  150 .  
         [0068]     In one example how this is accomplished and presented is shown in  FIG. 13 . From an input device, for instance, for chairs, a user may select either monolith-type chairs as illustrated at  200 , which category includes a number of slides  202 ,  204  and  206 . The user may also select a composite chair such as is illustrated at  210 , which chair is depicted in a slide  212  or may be disassembled in a slide  214  presented to the user. Here the disassembled chair is disassembled into its various components, namely a back  216 , a seat  218 , a support  220  and an arm  222 . Special features  222  may be added so that when the user clicks on a particular slide, the slide may be modified by adding special features that are custom-made.  
         [0069]     In the selection of a chair, and referring now to  FIG. 14 , if one wants that the chair be completely upholstered, then slides  230 ,  232 ,  234  and  236  are presented for hypothetical upholstered chairs. If the individual decides to select unupholstered chairs, he may be directed towards slides  238 ,  240 ,  242  or  244 . For partly upholstered chairs, he may be directed to slides  246 ,  248 ,  250  and  252 .  
         [0070]     Through this mechanism of presenting hypothetical choices to the user in a visual and/or audible format, the user can be led down through a cascade of choices so as to derive a fingerprint for his ultimate choice.  
         [0071]     For even further refining of the particular query, and referring now to  FIG. 15 , assuming for instance that one has chosen a partly-upholstered chair, then one could specify, for instance, in terms of slides  254 ,  256  and  258  various different-style arms for the chair. Likewise, through slides  260 ,  262  and  264 , one can specify upholstered backs with borders as opposed to backs of any of a variety of different configurations, as indicated by the slides.  
         [0072]     Likewise, one could specify the seat as being upholstered as illustrated at slide  270  or in any other configuration  272  of  274 , whereas for a support, one may be looking at a metal pedestal support  276  amongst other slides  278  and  280 . Given, for instance, that one wants a metal arm for one&#39;s chair, one can select from a number of finishes, namely that shown at slide  282  to be chrome-polished finished, whereas other finishes could be depicted in slides  284  and  286 . For upholstered chairs with borders, one may want to select the type of material and here a slide  288  indicates leather. For an upholstered seat, likewise slide  290  indicates that leather is preferred, whereas for a metal pedestal, the finish is a chrome matte finish as illustrated by slide  292 .  
         [0073]     While all of the above entries for the fingerprint are done on a hypothetical visual parameter basis, referring to  FIG. 16 , in the subject invention it is also possible to type in alpha-numerics to describe the parameters. Here it can be seen that various levels in the cone can be filled in alpha-numerically such that for location, consultants, shipment, and maintenance, there are no entries whereas for price a range of $100-150 this is typed in, whereas payments are indicated as requiring two installments; and whereas the warranty is to be a one-year warranty.  
         [0074]     The purpose of showing the configuration of  FIG. 16  is to indicate that while it is desirable to have a system in which one presents parameters visually and/or orally as opposed to in alpha-numeric form, the system is not limited thereto.  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , whether the input is from an input device such as described as illustrated at  300  or from a text input as illustrated at  302 , the fingerprint is the sum of all of the entries as illustrated at  304  such that a string of numbers is provided as a sum of  306 , whereupon this string may be stored at  308  or utilized as illustrated diagrammatically in a fuzzy-logic search process as illustrated by graphic  310 . Here the scouts are looking through the library of  FIG. 1  for fingerprint matches whereas, in this case, the wagon  312  is indicative of the fingerprint, whereas scouts  314  are there to indicate priorities which are set during the search matching process.  
         [0076]     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , once one has developed a fingerprint such as illustrated at  320 , the sum total of all of the parameters and priorities that make the fingerprint are sent via the internet  322  to initiate a search. The results of the search are sent via the internet at  324  to the library of  FIG. 1  to provide matching results  326 , which are in turn sent at  328 , either in terms of, for instance, email addresses  330 , as physically mailed as illustrated at  332 , or the information is telephoned to a particular telephone number as illustrated at  334 . If the information is in the form of an emailed website, then this information is stored at the recipient&#39;s site at  336 .  
         [0077]     What is now presented is an example of generating a fingerprint using the selection of hypothetical vision parameters. Note that the asterisked hypothetical vision parameters are the selected hypothetical vision parameters.  
                                                                                   Positions &amp; Sub Positions       Of the Flow Diagram of universal way to shop            Position #   Numbers   Description                     1 st     .0                           No information           .1*                           Information about selecting                                       the way               .01*                       Audio visual non textual               .02                       Audio textual selection               .03                       Audio others “keyword”                                       etc        2 nd     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about Which                                       part of universe               .01                       Sea               .02*                       Land               .03                       Space        3 rd     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       encountering hypothetical                                       objects in clouds        4 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       Selection of object seen in                                       position # 3               .01                       Clouds               .02                       Airplanes               .03                       Birds               .04                       Gliders               .05                       Balloons               .06                       Parachutes               .07                       Hand glider               .08                       Air force               .09                       Rockets               .0n                       Others        5 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about which                                       position of land               .01*                       North America               .02                       Central America               .03                       South America Europe               .04                       Europe               .05                       Africa               .06                       Middle East               .07                       Asia               .08                       Australia               .09                       North Pole               .010                       South Pole        6 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about which                                       zooming (+), (−) and                                       dragging of land               .01*                       Slide 1               .02                       Slide 2               .03                       Slide 3               .04                       Slide 4               .05                       Slide 5               .06                       Slide 6        7 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       continue zooming to land                                       after clouds        8 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       hypothetical cities/towns               .01*                       Home               .0n                       Others        9 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about selecting                                       hypothetical city any                                       city/town       10 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       selected item               .01*                       Building               .02                       People               .03                       Cars               .04                       Airplanes               .05                       Ships               .06                       Zoo               .07                       School               .08                       Nature               .0n                       Others       11 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about which                                       zooming (+) (−) and                                       dragging to sea               .01                       Slide 1               .02                       Slide 2               .03                       Slide 3               .04                       Slide 4       12 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       continue zooming to sea                                       after clouds       13 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about objects                                       in the sea       14 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about selecting                                       from position                                       # 13               .01                       Cruiser ship               .02                       Boat               .03                       Fish               .04                       Navy               .05                       Jet skies               .06                       Tankers               .07                       Divers               .08                       Oil rings               .0n                       Others       15 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       zooming (+) (−) dragging                                       in space               .01                       Slide 1               .02                       Slide 2               .03                       Slide 3       16 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       encounter objects as you                                       zoom in space       17 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about objects                                       in space       18 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       selecting from position                                       # 17               .01                       Satellite               .02                       Space craft               .03                       Rockets               .04                       Planets               .0n                       Others       19 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about display                                       selected item and similar                                       items       20 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about final                                       selection of item/similar               .01*                       Office building               .02                       Houses               .03                       Hospitals               .04                       Schools               .05                       Hotels               .06                       Airports               .07                       Public building               .0n                       Others       21 st     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about sub                                       category of position # 20               .01*                       High rise               .02                       Garden office               .03                       Mixed function               .04                       One story               .0n                       Others       22 nd     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about type of                                       enquiry               .01*                       Inside of the item               .02                       Outside of the item               .03                       General information of the                                       item       23 rd     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       hypothetical interiors of                                       the selected item               .01*                       Slide 1               .02                       Slide 2               .03                       Slide 3               .04                       Slide 4       24 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about display                                       selected category and                                       similar categories       25 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about final                                       selection of category               .01*                       Office chair               .02                       Dinning chair               .03                       Relax chair               .04                       Comfort chair               .05                       Banquet chair               .06                       Outdoor chair               .0n                       Others chair       26 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       selecting general                                       categories from library               .01               .0n                   .001                   .00n                       .0001                       .000n       27 th     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about final                                       category       28 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about typing                                       the category       29 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       location of user               .01*                       Home Boston                   .001*                   Password               .02                       Others                   .002                   Pin number       30 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about search                                       zone and location               .01*                       Home Boston               .02                       Others       31 st     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about virtual                                       consultant               .01*                       Continue                   .001                   Refresh                   .002*                   Continue                       .0001*               Default                       .0002               Standby                       .0003               Consumer subjects                       .0004               No               .02                       Skip       32 nd     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       choosing consultant               .01                       Refresh               .02*                       Continue                   .001*                   Consultant # 1                   .002                   Consultant # 2                   .003                   Consultant # 3                   .004                   Consultant # 4                   .00n                   Consultant # n       33 rd     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       demonstration               .01                       Refresh               .02*                       Continue       34 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about status for                                       virtual consultant               .01*                       Save               .02                       Temporary saving               .03                       Exit       35 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       demonstration to create                                       E-QPrint               .01*                       Audio visual non textual               .02                       Audio textual selection               .03                       Audio others “Keyword”                                       etc       36 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about control                                       board               .01*                       Start               .02*                       Stop               .03*                       Pause               .04*                       Forward               .05*                       Rewind       37 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       parameters               .01*                       Description                   .001*                   Status                       .0001               Monolit                       .0002*               Composite                   .002                   View &amp; 3D                   .003*                   Physical properties                       .0001               All upholstered                       .0002*               Partly upholstered                       .0003               Not upholstered                   .004*                   Components                       .0001*               Arm                           .00001*           Metal                               .000001*       Chrome polish                               .00000n                       .0002*               Back                           .00001*           Upholstered border                               .000001*       Leather                               .00000n                       .0003*               Seat                           .00001*           Upholstered                               .000001*       Leather                               .00000n                       .0004*               Support                           .00001*           Pedestal metal                               .000001*       Chrome mat                               .00000n                                   .0000001*   Plummatic                   .005                   Feed back by provider                   .006                   Other properties               .02                       Location               .03*                       Price                   .001                   $0-100                   .002*                   $100-150               .04                       Consultant               .05*                       Payment                   .001                   1 payment                   .002*                   2 payments               .06*                       Shipment                   .001*                   1 week                   .002                   2 weeks                   .003                   3 weeks               .07*                       Insurance/Warranty                   .001*                   1 year                   .002                   2 years               .08                       Maintenance               .0n                       Others       38 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about universal                                       master plan               .01*                       Master plan of selected                                       category               .0n                       Others       39 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about creation                                       of fingerprint E-QPrint                                       from parameters       40 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about creation                                       of fingerprint E-QPrint                                       from priorities               .01*                       Description                   .001                   No priority                   .002*                   1 st  priority                   .003*                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority               .02*                       Location                   .001*                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority               .03*                       Price                   .001                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .004*                   3 rd  priority ($100-150)                   .00n                   n th  priority               .04*                       Consultant                   .001*                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority               .05*                       Payment                   .001                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003*                   2 nd  priority (2 installments)                   .00n                   n th  priority               .06*                       Shipment                   .001*                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority               .07*                       Insurance/Warranty                   .001                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003*                   2 nd  priority (1 year)                   .00n                   n th  priority               .08*                       Maintenance                   .001*                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority               .0n                       Others                   .001                   No priority                   .002                   1 st  priority                   .003                   2 nd  priority                   .00n                   n th  priority       41 st     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       creating your E_QPrint                                       parameters and priorities       42 nd     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about input                                       format by textual selection                                       for parameters and                                       priorities       43 rd     Σ .0*                           No information           Σ .1                           Information about                                       creation of E-QPrint by                                       parameters and priorities                                       from textual selection       44 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about string of                                       numbers       45 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about storing                                       information E-QPrint       46 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about search                                       to match       47 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       matching results       48 th     Σ .0                           No information           Σ .1*                           Information about                                       sending results               .01*                       e-mail                   .001*                   Address               .02*                       Mail                   .001*                   Address               .03*                       Telephone                   .001*                   Telephone #                 *Reference # of example office chair             
 
         [0078]     The following is an example of a targeted search for a chrome chair: 
        Office chair with chrome polish arm, upholstered back with leather and border, seat leather black and plummatic pedestal support chrome matt.     Price between $100 and $150, payment in 2 installments with one-year guarantee and delivery in one week.     0.1.01.1.02.0.0.1.01.1.01.1.1.01.1.1.01.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.1.01.1.01.1. 01.1.01.1.1.01.0.0.0.1.01.001.1.01.1.01.002.0001.1.02.001.1.02.1. 01.1.01.1.01.02.03.04.05.1.01.001.0002.003.0002.004.0001.00001. 000001.0002.00001.000001.0003.00001.000001.0004.00001. 000001.0000001.03.002.05.002.06.001.07.001.1.01.1.1.01.001.002. 02.001.03.004.04.001.05.003.06.001.07.003.08.001.1.0.0.1.1.1.1.1.0 1.001.02.001.03.001        
 
         [0082]     While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications or additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.