US7165119B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Search enhancement system and method having rankings, explicitly specified by the user, based upon applicability and validity of search parameters in regard to a subject matter
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
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Filing: 2003-10-14
•
Granted: 2007-01-16
•
Expires: 2023-10-14
Abstract
Abstract The system and method comprises enhancement of results for a search engine, wherein the results from the search engine are refined or reorganized, based upon information from an identified secondary source. The results obtained using a conventional search are compared against the identified secondary source, e.g. a ratings service, and are filtered and/or sorted appropriately. In some embodiments, identification of the secondary source, such as a ratings service comprising information which may supplement the subject of a search query, is based upon information entered by the user. In alternate embodiments, the secondary source is associated with a user, as part of general user-specified search parameters, wherein one or more parameters are consulted automatically for searches for appropriate subject matter.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund J. Fish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/30; G06F16/33; G06F16/338; G06F16/3331; G06F16/3332; G06F16/3338; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/953; G06F16/9535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
A process, comprising the steps of: soliciting from a user a set of one or more general search parameters specified by the user; soliciting from the user at least one ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any of applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited general search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; associatively storing the set of solicited general search parameters and the rankings specified by the user for at least one future search initiated by the user; receiving a search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited general search parameters; determining the subject matter of the received search query; selecting one or more of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters based upon any of applicability and validity of the associatively stored solicited search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the rankings explicitly specified by the user; and providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of using the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters; and performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
A process, comprising the steps of: soliciting from a user a set of one or more general search parameters specified by the user; soliciting from the user at least one ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any of applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited general search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; associatively storing the set of solicited general search parameters and the rankings specified by the user for at least one future search initiated by the user; receiving a search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited general search parameters; determining the subject matter of the received search query; selecting one or more of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters based upon any of applicability and validity of the associatively stored solicited search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the rankings explicitly specified by the user; and providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of using the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters; and performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited general search parameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: returning results of the refined search to the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: sending results of the refined search to a recipient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 3 , wherein the recipient is selected by the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 3 , wherein the recipient is determined based on the results of the refined search.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3 , wherein the recipient is determined based on information input by the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving information from a recipient; and selectively sending results of the refined search to the recipient based upon any of the received information from the recipient and a selection of the recipient by the user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 , wherein the received information comprises an interest in the results of the refined search by the recipient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein the subject matter is explicitly indicated by the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein the subject matter is inferentially determined based upon user input.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein the user-specified search parameters comprise a selectable applicability based upon subject matter, further comprising the step of: determining the selected ones of the associatively stored solicited search parameters based upon the selectable applicability.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 3 , wherein the recipient is any of a selected peer, a friend, a family relative, a student, a neighbor, any of a person or entity within a zip code region, and a member of a network of people associated with the user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 12 , wherein the network of people comprises any of people with similar interests and a chain of friends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: soliciting the user to provide at least one parameter after receipt of the query at the time of the search.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 14 , wherein the solicited parameter is a missing parameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving at least one source selection from the user; and modifying the search query based upon information from the selected source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of soliciting the general search parameters from the user occurs any of before and after a particularized search.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
281 words
A process, comprising the steps of: soliciting from a user at least one user-specified search parameter; soliciting from the user at least one ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; associating the solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings with the user; storing the associated solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings for use in at least one future search initiated by the user; receiving a search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited user-specified search parameters; determining the subject matter of the received search query; selecting one or more of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters based on any of applicability and validity of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters having a ranking explicitly specified by the user; and providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of using the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters; and performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
281 words
A process, comprising the steps of: soliciting from a user at least one user-specified search parameter; soliciting from the user at least one ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; associating the solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings with the user; storing the associated solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings for use in at least one future search initiated by the user; receiving a search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited user-specified search parameters; determining the subject matter of the received search query; selecting one or more of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters based on any of applicability and validity of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters having a ranking explicitly specified by the user; and providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of using the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters; and performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 18 , further comprising the step of: returning results of the refined search to the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 18 , further comprising the step of: sending results of the refined search to a recipient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 20 , wherein the recipient is selected by the user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 20 , wherein the recipient is determined based on the results of the refined search.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 20 , wherein the recipient is determined based on information input by the user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: receiving information from a recipient; and selectively sending results of the refined search to the recipient based upon any of the received information from the recipient and a selection of the recipient by the user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 24 , wherein the received information comprises an interest in the results of the refined search by the recipient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 18 , wherein the subject matter is explicitly indicated by the user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 18 , wherein the subject matter is inferentially determined based upon user input.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 18 , wherein the user-specified search parameters comprise a selectable applicability based upon subject matter, and further comprising the step of: determining the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters based upon the selectable applicability.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 20 , wherein the recipient is any of a selected peer, a friend, a family relative, a student, a neighbor, any of a person or entity within a zip code region, and a member of a network of people associated with the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 29 , wherein the network of people comprises any of people with similar interests and a chain of friends.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: soliciting the user to provide at least one parameter after receipt of the query at the time of the search.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 31 , wherein the solicited parameter is a missing parameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: receiving at least one source selection from the user; and modifying the search query based upon information from the selected source.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 18 , wherein the step of soliciting the user-specified search parameters from the user occurs any of before and after a particularized search.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
304 words
A system, comprising: means for soliciting from a user at least one user-specified search parameter; means for soliciting from the user one or more rankings ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any of applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; means for associating the solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings with the user; means for storing the associated solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings for use in at least one future search initiated by the user; means for receiving an initial search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited user-specified search parameters; means for determining the subject matter of the received initial search query; means for selection of one or more of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters based on any of applicability and validity of the stored associated solicited search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters having a ranking explicitly specified by the user; and means for providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of means for using the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; means for performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters; and means for performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
304 words
A system, comprising: means for soliciting from a user at least one user-specified search parameter; means for soliciting from the user one or more rankings ranking explicitly specified by the user, the rankings based on any of applicability and validity of at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters in regard to at least one subject matter; means for associating the solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings with the user; means for storing the associated solicited user-specified search parameters and the explicitly specified rankings for use in at least one future search initiated by the user; means for receiving an initial search query from the user, the search query comprising one or more query parameters other than the previously solicited user-specified search parameters; means for determining the subject matter of the received initial search query; means for selection of one or more of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters based on any of applicability and validity of the stored associated solicited search parameters with the determined subject matter of the received search query, wherein the selection is at least partially based on at least one of the solicited user-specified search parameters having a ranking explicitly specified by the user; and means for providing a refined search, wherein the refinement comprises any of means for using the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters in conjunction with the received query parameters to perform the search; means for performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently refining search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters; and means for performing the search with the received query parameters and subsequently providing any of organizing and sorting of the search results with the selected ones of the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein results of the refined search are sent to the user.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein results of the refined search are sent to a recipient.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 37 , wherein the recipient is selectable by the user.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 37 , wherein the recipient is based on the results of the refined search.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 37 , wherein the recipient is based on information input by the user.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 35 , further comprising: information received from a recipient; and a selective transmission of the results of the refined search to the recipient based upon any of the received information and a selection of the recipient by the user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the received information comprises an interest in the results of the refined search.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the determination of the subject matter is explicitly indicated by the user.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the determination of the subject matter is inferentially determined based upon user input.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system or claim 35 , wherein the stored associated solicited user-specified search parameters comprise a selectable applicability based upon subject matter, and wherein the means for selection is based upon the selectable applicability.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 37 , wherein the recipient is any of a selected peer, a friend, a family relative, a student, a neighbor, any of a person or entity within a zip code region, and a member of a network of people associated with the user.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the network of people comprises any of people with similar interests and a chain of friends.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 35 , further comprising: means for soliciting the user to provide at least one additional parameter after receipt of the query at the time of the search.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 48 , wherein the solicited additional parameter is a missing parameter.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 35 , further comprising: means for receiving at least one source selection from the user; and means for modifying the search query based upon information from the selected source.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the means for soliciting the user-specified search parameters corresponds to any of before and after a particularized search.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-15 | 2014-07-17 | 2015-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-15 | 2018-07-17 | 2019-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |