Patent ID: 8423323

Claim:
In a computer system comprising at least one input device, at least one output device, and at least one processor, a method for designing a new product, comprising: a) receiving through the at least one input device ratings of a first plurality of existing products in a product field according to a second plurality of attributes; b) assigning in the at least one processor each of said first plurality of existing products a location in a first space having said second plurality of dimensions, according to said existing product's ratings with respect to said second plurality of attributes; c) locating said first plurality of existing products in a second space of a third plurality of dimensions using multidimensional scaling; d) choosing a fourth plurality of reference products which sample said second space of said third plurality of dimensions, from among said first plurality of existing products; e) receiving through the at least one input device consumer responses to a consumer survey concerning said fourth plurality of reference products; f) creating in the at least one processor a map of consumer responses in said second space of said third plurality of dimensions; g) based on said map of consumer responses in said second space of said third plurality of dimensions, finding by means of the at least one processor at least one desirable location in said first space having said second plurality of dimensions; and h) outputting through the at least one output device an identification of said at least one desirable location, whereby said new product is designed based upon said map of consumer responses; wherein said second plurality of dimensions is equal in quantity to said second plurality of attributes and greater in quantity than said third plurality of dimensions.