SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORDERED RECOMMENDATION OF HEALTHCARE OR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Abstract

A system and method rank search results based on bidding for search result rankings. The search result rankings can include healthcare products based on search terms of symptoms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a kiosk;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of the kiosk of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a persistent memory of a bid system of the network of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a persistent memory of the kiosk;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an “intent” graph;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying ranked healthcare products; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining highest bidders.

Claims

1. A computer-based method, comprising: receiving a symptom;determining healthcare products for treating the symptom;ranking the determined products based on bids; anddisplaying the determined products based on the ranking.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a constraint; andwherein the determining is further based on the received constraint.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the constraint is an allergy.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the constraint is an age restriction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining uses an ontological search method.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying displays the highest ranked product outside of a first position.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying displays a store brand product in a reserved position.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidding is restricted to a specified geography.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidding is time restricted.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidding is variable priced.

11. A system, comprising: a GUI capable of receiving a symptom;a search agent, communicatively coupled to the GUI, capable of determining healthcare products for treating the symptom;a ranking engine, communicatively coupled to the search agent, capable of ranking the determined products based on bids; andwherein the GUI is further capable of displaying the determined products based on the ranking.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein: the GUI is further capable of receiving a constraint; andthe search agent is further capable of determining based on the received constraint.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the constraint is an allergy.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the constraint is an age restriction.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the search agent uses an ontological search method.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the GUI displays the highest ranked product outside of a first position.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the GUI displays a store brand product in a reserved position.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidding is restricted to a specified geography.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidding is time restricted.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidding is variable priced.

21. A system, comprising: means for receiving a symptom;means for determining healthcare products for treating the symptom;means for ranking the determined products based on bids; andmeans for displaying the determined products based on the ranking.

22. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a computer to execute a method, the method comprising: receiving a symptom;determining healthcare products for treating the symptom;ranking the determined products based on bids; anddisplaying the determined products based on the ranking.