Patent ID: 7797203

Claim:
A method of using a communications network coupled to a manufactured computing system, the method comprising: sending a first set of attributes and values for a product to the manufactured computing system through the communications network, the first set of attributes representing quantifiable properties of the product and the first set of values representing numerical quantities of the respective properties; posting the first set of attributes and values to a collaborative environment through the communications network; sending a second set of attributes and values through the communications network to the manufactured computing system in response to the posted first set of attributes and values, the second set of attributes representing quantifiable properties of the product and the second set of values representing numerical quantities of the respective properties, wherein there is at least one difference between the first and second sets of attributes and values; forming a taxonomy instantiation comprising a union of distinct attributes and values of the first and second sets, wherein the manufactured computing system forms the taxonomy instantiation; assigning an identifier to the taxonomy instantiation; distributing the identifier through the communications network to a plurality of entities to link the identifier to specific products of the entities having the attributes and values in the taxonomy instantiation; and responsive to a subsequent request to identify products with specific attributes and values, searching computing systems of the entities for products having a matching linked identifier associated with the specific attributes and values.