Similarity matching of products based on multiple classification schemes

Abstract

Improved capabilities are described for identifying a first classification scheme associated with product attributes of a first grouping of products, identifying a second classification scheme associated with product attributes of a second grouping of products, and receiving a record of data relating to an item, the classification of which is uncertain. It may also involve receiving a dictionary of attributes associated with products and assigning the item to at least one of the classification schemes based on probabilistic matching among the attributes in the classification schemes, the attributes in the dictionary of attributes and the known attributes of the item.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A computer program product for placing a new item within a number of product hierarchies, the computer program product comprising computer executable embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computing devices, performs the steps of:
 identifying a first hierarchy of products, the first hierarchy providing a first classification scheme associated with product attributes of a first grouping of products in a first category, wherein each product in the first hierarchy is included in a block of the first hierarchy having known block attributes, and each product in the first hierarchy has known match attributes;   identifying a second hierarchy of products, the second hierarchy providing a second classification scheme associated with product attributes of a second grouping of products in a second category that classifies a different type of product than the first hierarchy of products, wherein each product is included in a block of the second hierarchy having known block attributes, and each product in the second hierarchy has known match attributes;   using a computer, receiving a record of attributes of an unclassified item;   assigning the item to a location in at least one of the first or second hierarchies based on probabilistic matching among the attributes of products in the hierarchies, and known attributes of the item, thereby classifying the item in a location in the first hierarchy or the second hierarchy; and   after assigning the item to the location, generating new attribute data based on a product type corresponding to the location of the item and existing attribute data and associating the new attribute data with the item.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further comprising code that performs the step of iterating the probabilistic matching until a statistical criterion is met. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the known attributes of the item include a nutritional level. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the attributes of the item include a brand. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the attributes of the item include product category. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the attributes of the item include an attribute based at least in part on a SKU. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the attributes of the item include physical attribute. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the physical attribute is a flavor. 
     
     
         21 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the physical attribute is a scent. 
     
     
         22 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the physical attribute is packaging type. 
     
     
         23 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the physical attribute is a product launch date. 
     
     
         24 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the physical attribute is a display location. 
     
     
         25 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein assigning the item to one of the hierarchies includes assigning the item to one of the hierarchies based upon probabilistic matching to the attributes in a dictionary of attributes for one of the hierarchies. 
     
     
         26 . A system comprising:
 a database storing a first hierarchy, the first hierarchy providing a first classification scheme associated with product attributes of a first grouping of products in a first category, wherein each product in the first hierarchy is included in a block of the first hierarchy having known block attributes, and each product in the first hierarchy has known match attributes of products, and a second hierarchy of products, the second hierarchy providing a second classification scheme associated with product attributes of a second grouping of products in a second category that classifies a different type of product than the first hierarchy of products, wherein each product is included in a block of the second hierarchy having known block attributes, and each product in the second hierarchy has known match attributes;   a memory; and   a processor configured by code stored in the memory to perform the steps of:
 receiving a record of attributes of an unclassified item; 
 assigning the item to a location in at least one of the first or second hierarchies based on probabilistic matching among the attributes of products in the hierarchies, and known attributes of the item, thereby classifying the item in a location in the first hierarchy or the second hierarchy; and 
 after assigning the item to the location, generating new attribute data based on a product type corresponding to the location of the item and existing attribute data and associating the new attribute data with the item. 
   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the known attributes of the item include a nutritional level. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attributes of the item include a brand. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attributes of the item include product category. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attributes of the item include an attribute based at least in part on a SKU. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attributes of the item include a physical attribute. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the physical attribute is at least one of a flavor, a scent, a packaging type, a product launch date, and a display location.