DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of computational systems.

Specifically, this invention relates to systems and methods for hierarchical, ontological, and self-referential product identifier codes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the Harmonized System (HS) of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify traded products. It allows participating countries to classify traded goods on a common basis for customs purposes. At the international level, the Harmonized System (HS) for classifying goods is a six-digit code system.

The HS is organized into 21 sections, which are subdivided into 99 chapters. The 99 HS chapters are further subdivided into 1,244 headings and 5224 subheadings.

According to some techniques, one can find the HS Code for a product with a Tariff Classification tool; using this tool, one needs to find a description that is the closest to the product.

There are over billions of HSN codes in the world.

In some scenarios, the HSN system is plagued with exact matching of product to a correct HSN code.

In some other scenarios, the HSN system is plagued with problems of language input, in cases where the input language is not English, in order to determine exact nature of product so that a correct HSN code may be applied.

There is a need to provide a technical solution to alleviate these problems, mentioned above.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to accurately determine HSN codes based merely on product information / category information.

Another object of the invention is to accurately determine HSN codes based on images of products.

Yet another object of the invention is to accurately determine HSN codes based merely on product information / category information; irrespective of language of product information / category information.

Still another object of the invention is to accurately determine tariff and associated customs duty based merely on product information / category information; irrespective of language of product information / category information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a system for hierarchical, ontological, and self-referential product identifier codes, said system comprising:
- a text reader, with an image scanner, configured to read text / description of a product in order to provide product-specific text data;
- an information mapper configured to map parameters extracted from said product-specific text data into various relevant databases;
- a HSN database configured to store HSN identities in a hierarchical, templatised, manner per product category per product sub-category, said HSN database being configured to be linked to one or more of said various relevant databases, said linkage being a self-referential multiple-link linkage such that any change in a product category and / or a product sub-category results in an effective change in a HSN code of said product; and
- a tariff database configured to store tariffs of products correlating to HSN identities, in a self-referential manner, linked with said HSN database;
- a HSN template configured with at least four portions, in that,
o a first portion,
o a second portion,
o a third portion, and
o a fourth portion;
? each of said field active field communicably coupled to an automated customs duty calculation module to output a customs duty amount associated the now HSN coded product; and
? each of said fields being empty text fields required to be filled using the system and method of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises a machine reader communicably coupled with said text reader to read text from a product description or from a product image in order to provide said product-specific text data.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises an image to text converter communicably coupled with said image scanner in order to convert read images into English text in instances where input is in the form of images in order to provide said product-specific text data.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises a machine translator communicably coupled with said text reader to convert read text into English language in instances where input text, to the text reader, is in a non-English language.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises an information extractor communicably coupled with said text reader to extract a plurality of parameters relating to each of the products of the catalogue, said parameters being selected from a group of parameters consisting of supplier parent SKU identity parameter, supplier SKU identity parameter, brand identity parameter, gender identity parameter, category identity parameter, sub-category identity parameter, product name parameter, suppler transfer price currency identity parameter, supplier transfer price identity parameter, product colour identity parameter, and product size identity parameter.

In at least an embodiment, said databases are selected from a group of databases consisting of product identity database, product category identifier database, product sub-category identifier database.

In at least an embodiment, said databases comprises a master database configured with a product identity database, a product category identifier database, a product sub-category identifier database, in that,
- said product identity database configured to store product identities;
- said product category identifier database configured to store product category identities; and
- said product sub-category identifier database configured to store product sub-category identities.

In at least an embodiment, said HSN database is linked to a product category identifier database and to a product sub-category identifier database in a self-referential manner database such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the HSN code of that product.

In at least an embodiment, said tariff database is configured to store tariffs of products correlating to HSN identities in a self-referential manner linked with the HSN database such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the tariff of that product.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises a product category determinator configured to determine a product category based on read text, from the text reader, and map the determined product category with at least a first portion and at least a second portion of the HSN template.

In at least an embodiment, said system comprises a product sub-category determinator is configured to determine a product sub-category based on read text, from the text reader, and map the determined product sub-category with at least a third portion of the HSN template.

In at least an embodiment, said databases comprises a master database configured with a product identity database, a product category identifier database, a product sub-category identifier database, in that,
- product categories, from the product identity database, and product sub-categories, from the product sub-category identifier database, are hierarchically mapped, in relation to each other, ontologically linked, in relation to each other, and self-referentially linked with the HSN database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a handkerchief is a product and for which a HSN code structure is shown, for India;
FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary output of the text reader; and
FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic of the system of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a system and method for hierarchical, ontological, and self-referential product identifier codes.

For the purposes of this specification, a computer network is a set of computers (or “hosts”) which are able to communicate electronically. In logical terms, the network can be viewed as a set of “nodes”, with each computer on the network being home for one or more nodes. Generally speaking, each host is assigned a numeric address, which the network uses to route information to that particular host.

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a handkerchief is a product (10) and for which a HSN code structure (100) is shown, for India.

In at least an embodiment, a text reader (12a) is configured to read text / description of a product (10). Either the text is input by a user or a machine reader (12b) is configured to read text from a product description or from a product image. A user may input a new catalogue comprising a plurality of products, with their SKU details or a user may merely change some products, and their SKU details, in a catalogue. All of this information can be fed into the text reader (12a).

In at least an embodiment, an image to text converter (12c) is employed to convert read images into English text in instances where input is in the form of images.

In at least an embodiment, a machine translator (12d) is employed to convert read text into English language in instances where input text, to the text reader, is in a non-English language.

In at least an embodiment, from the catalogue input to the text reader (12a), an information extractor (14) is configured to extract a plurality of parameters relating to each of the products of the catalogue. These parameters may comprise supplier parent SKU identity, supplier SKU identity, brand identity, gender identity, category identity, sub-category identity, product name, suppler transfer price currency identity, supplier transfer price identity, product colour identity, product size identity, and the like.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary output of the text reader (12a).

FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic of the system of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, an information mapper (16) is configured to map parameters extracted from the text reader (12a) into various databases (product identity database (22), product category identifier database (24), product sub-category identifier database (26), and the like databases).

In at least an embodiment, a master database is configured with a product identity database (22), a product category identifier database (24), a product sub-category identifier database (26). Typically, the product identity database (22) is configured to store product identities. Typically, the product category identifier database (24) is configured to store product category identities. Typically, the product sub-category identifier database (26) is configured to store product sub-category identities.

In at least an embodiment, a HSN database (30) is configured to store HSN identities in a hierarchical, templatised, manner per product category per product sub-category. Typically, the HSN database (30) is linked to the product category identifier database (24) and to the product sub-category identifier database (26); in a self-referential manner database such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the HSN code of that product.

In at least an embodiment, a tariff database (40) is configured to store tariffs of products correlating to HSN identities in a self-referential manner linked with the HSN database (30) such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the tariff (200) of that product.

In at least an embodiment, a HSN template (100) is configured with at least four portions; a first portion (100a), a second portion (100b), a third portion (100c), and a fourth portion (100d); all of which are empty text fields required to be filled using the system and method of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, a product category determinator is configured to determine a product category based on read text, from the text reader (11a), and map the determined product category with at least a first portion (100a) and at least a second portion (100b) of the HSN template (100).

In at least an embodiment, a product sub-category determinator is configured to determine a product sub-category based on read text, from the text reader (12a), and map the determined product sub-category with at least a third portion (100c) of the HSN template (100).

Typically, product categories, from the product category identifier database (22), and product sub-categories, from the product sub-category identifier database (24), are hierarchically mapped, in relation to each other, ontologically linked, in relation to each other, and self-referentially linked with the HSN database (30).

A server is configured to transmit signals from the product identity database, the product category database, the product sub-category database; all to a remote server computer to enable the remote server computer to use these signals to access the corresponding database comprising corresponding identifiers, and to further populate the HSN template with the identified identifiers from the respective databases.

In at least an embodiment, each portion of the HSN template is an active field which is communicably coupled to an automated customs duty calculation module to output a customs duty amount associated the now HSN coded product.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing an automated, easily updateable, HSN code generation system taking into account a multitude of factors, languages, and / or input mechanisms; where was previously not possible.

It is to be appreciated that combinations of the different implementation environments are contemplated as being within the scope of embodiments of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize alternative implementations given the illustrative teachings provided herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of stated values, features, steps, operations, modules, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of another value, feature, step, operation, module, element, component, and/or group thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to any order by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another; where there are “second” or higher ordinals, there merely must be that many number of elements, without necessarily any difference or other relationship. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments or methods. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The use of “etc.” is defined as “et cetera” and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items, in any “and/or” combinations.

The data, in each of the components of the system and method may be ‘encrypted’ and suitably ‘decrypted’ when required.

The systems described herein can be made accessible through a portal or an interface which is a part of, or may be connected to, an internal network or an external network, such as the Internet or any similar portal. The portals or interfaces are accessed by one or more of users through an electronic device, whereby the user may send and receive data to the portal or interface which gets stored in at least one memory device or at least one data storage device or at least one server, and utilises at least one processing unit. The portal or interface in combination with one or more of memory device, data storage device, processing unit and serves, form an embedded computing setup, and may be used by, or used in, one or more of a non-transitory, computer readable medium. In at least one embodiment, the embedded computing setup and optionally one or more of a non- transitory, computer readable medium, in relation with, and in combination with the said portal or interface forms one of the systems of the invention. Typical examples of a portal or interface may be selected from but is not limited to a website, an executable software program or a software application.

The systems and methods may simultaneously involve more than one user or more than one data storage device or more than one host server or any combination thereof.

A user may provide user input through any suitable input device or input mechanism such as but not limited to a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touchpad, a virtual keyboard, a virtual data entry user interface, a virtual dial pad, a software or a program, a scanner, a remote device, a microphone, a webcam, a camera, a fingerprint scanner, a cave, pointing stick

The systems and methods can be practiced using any electronic device which may be connected to one or more of other electronic device with wires or wirelessly which may use technologies such as but not limited to, Bluetooth, WiFi, Wimax. This will also extend to use of the aforesaid technologies to provide an authentication key or access key or electronic device based unique key or any combination thereof.

In at least one embodiment, one or more user can be blocked or denied access to one or more of the aspects of the invention.

Encryption can be accomplished using any encryption technology, such as the process of converting digital information into a new form using a key or a code or a program, wherein the new form is unintelligible or indecipherable to a user or a thief or a hacker or a spammer. The term ‘encryption’ includes encoding, compressing, or any other translating of the digital content. The encryption of the digital media content can be performed in accordance with any technology including utilizing an encryption algorithm. The encryption algorithm utilized is not hardware dependent and may change depending on the digital content. For example, a different algorithm may be utilized for different websites or programs. The term ‘encryption’ further includes one or more aspects of authentication, entitlement, data integrity, access control, confidentiality, segmentation, information control, and combinations thereof.

The described embodiments may be implemented as a system, method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques related to software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. The described operations may be implemented as code maintained in a “non- transitory, computer readable medium”, where a processor may read and execute the code from the non-transitory, computer readable medium. A non-transitory, computer readable medium may comprise media such as magnetic storage medium (e.g., hard disk drives, floppy disks, tape, etc.), optical storage (CD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disks, etc.), volatile and non-volatile memory devices (e.g., EEPROMs, ROMs, PROMs, RAMs, DRAMs, SRAMs, Flash Memory, firmware, programmable logic, etc.), etc. The code implementing the described operations may further be implemented in hardware logic (e.g., an integrated circuit chip, Programmable Gate Array (PGA), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.).

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments may include tangible computer readable media that store software instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, are configured for and capable of performing and executing one or more of the methods, operations, and the like consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Also, aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be performed by one or more processors that are configured as special-purpose processor(s) based on software instructions that are programmed with logic and instructions that perform, when executed, one or more operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

CLAIMS:

WE CLAIM

1. A system for hierarchical, ontological, and self-referential product identifier codes, said system comprising:
- a text reader (12a), with an image scanner, configured to read text / description of a product (10) in order to provide product-specific text data;
- an information mapper (16) configured to map parameters extracted from said product-specific text data into various relevant databases;
- a HSN database (30) configured to store HSN identities in a hierarchical, templatised, manner per product category per product sub-category, said HSN database (30) being configured to be linked to one or more of said various relevant databases, said linkage being a self-referential multiple-link linkage such that any change in a product category and / or a product sub-category results in an effective change in a HSN code of said product; and
- a tariff database (40) configured to store tariffs of products correlating to HSN identities, in a self-referential manner, linked with said HSN database (30);
- a HSN template (100) configured with at least four portions, in that,
o a first portion (100a),
o a second portion (100b),
o a third portion (100c), and
o a fourth portion (100d);
? each of said field active field communicably coupled to an automated customs duty calculation module to output a customs duty amount associated the now HSN coded product; and
? each of said fields being empty text fields required to be filled using the system and method of this invention.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising a machine reader (12b) communicably coupled with said text reader (12) to read text from a product description or from a product image in order to provide said product-specific text data.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising an image to text converter (12c) communicably coupled with said image scanner in order to convert read images into English text in instances where input is in the form of images in order to provide said product-specific text data.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising a machine translator (12d) communicably coupled with said text reader (12) to convert read text into English language in instances where input text, to the text reader, is in a non-English language.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising an information extractor (14) communicably coupled with said text reader (12) to extract a plurality of parameters relating to each of the products of the catalogue, said parameters being selected from a group of parameters consisting of supplier parent SKU identity parameter, supplier SKU identity parameter, brand identity parameter, gender identity parameter, category identity parameter, sub-category identity parameter, product name parameter, suppler transfer price currency identity parameter, supplier transfer price identity parameter, product colour identity parameter, and product size identity parameter.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said databases being selected from a group of databases consisting of product identity database (22), product category identifier database (24), product sub-category identifier database (26).

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said databases comprising a master database configured with a product identity database (22), a product category identifier database (24), a product sub-category identifier database (26), in that,
- said product identity database (22) configured to store product identities;
- said product category identifier database (24) configured to store product category identities; and
- said product sub-category identifier database (26) configured to store product sub-category identities.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said HSN database (30) being linked to a product category identifier database (24) and to a product sub-category identifier database (26) in a self-referential manner database such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the HSN code of that product.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said tariff database (40) configured to store tariffs of products correlating to HSN identities in a self-referential manner linked with the HSN database (30) such that any change in the product category and / or the product sub-category results in an effective change in the tariff (200) of that product.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising a product category determinator configured to determine a product category based on read text, from the text reader (11a), and map the determined product category with at least a first portion (100a) and at least a second portion (100b) of the HSN template (100).

11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising a product sub-category determinator is configured to determine a product sub-category based on read text, from the text reader (12a), and map the determined product sub-category with at least a third portion (100c) of the HSN template (100).

12. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said databases comprising a master database configured with a product identity database (22), a product category identifier database (24), a product sub-category identifier database (26), in that,
- product categories, from the product identity database (22), and product sub-categories, from the product sub-category identifier database (24), are hierarchically mapped, in relation to each other, ontologically linked, in relation to each other, and self-referentially linked with the HSN database (30).