Patent Application
20150100581
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to providing search results and facilitating interactions between persons responding to a request and persons submitting a request.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a system wherein users may submit questions and receive responses the queries may be widely varying. Questions may be presented on any topic, and may require an answer which could be provided by almost any person while other questions may require factual data, research and expertise to respond appropriately.
A portion of queries received may be seeking subjective or opinion based answers. A response to an opinion query may not require specific knowledge, but may require a polite or appropriate answer. For example, it may require more effort by a responder to compose an answer to an opinion query than it does to determine a suitable answer due to the need to provide a complete sentence using a small screen device such as a cellphone. Some responders may not wish to respond to opinion-based requests, while other may prefer not to respond to factual requests.
Opinion based responses may be more likely to be offensive to a person submitting a request. For example, a responder may disagree with an expectation of a user, or may provide an answer which is intended to be humorous, but is instead found to be offensive. For example, a user may request a joke. A responder may not know a joke, or might have a different sense of humor than the requester. A request for an opinion might be answered by a one or two word response. While such a response is desirable for a responder, the experience for the asker or user may be unsatisfactory.
Because of these and other problems a method and system for assisting a responder to respond to opinion based requests would be greatly appreciated.
A system is implemented whereby a user may submit a request for information or query and receive an answer. A request may be received by a search system which may store the request, and determine how to respond to a request. A server associated with a search system may correct errors in, identify portions of, categorize, and/or associate various metadata with a request. A search system may determine whether an automated response is available for a request. A search system may determine whether a request is seeking subjective or objective information.
A search system may determine whether a request is to be distributed to a human assistant or “guide”. A guide may be a user. A guide may be associated with information which may be used to direct a request. For example, a guide or responder may select or be associated with a keyword, category, topic, named entity, geographic, demographic, affiliation, task type, etc., information which may be used to determine whether a request will be presented to a responder. A rating and/or ranking of a request for a responder and/or a responder for a request may be used to determine whether a responder will be notified of a request.
A toolset may be provided to a responder device. An interface provided to a responder device may be determined based on metadata associated with a request. A type associated with a request may determine response options presented to a responder. A responder may be able to select requests which are ranked based on metadata. If a responder is interested to answer opinion requests regarding a topic or category, requests which are highly ranked for being opinion requests regarding a category may be presented for a responder to review. A responder may indicate that a request is correctly or incorrectly classified, which may influence future classification of requests. A toolset may be determined based on an action of a responder.
A toolset provided to a responder may include features for facilitating a rapid response. For example if a request is seeking a prediction of an event, a responder interface may include a control which will generate a pre-determined response based on a random number and/or information of the responder. Likewise a number of automatically generated sentences which may be used to respond to a request may be presented to a responder, who may elect to send a response by activating a control associated with an automatically generated sentence. If a request is seeking humor, riddles, etc. a control which may provide possible responses may be presented to a responder. Responses may be selected based on information of a responder. A responder may be able to scroll through options for responses if a suitable response is not presented. Historical requests and/or responses of a user may be presented to a responder.
Aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments discussed herein. Examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the disclosed system and method by referring to the figures. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate. As used herein, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa unless specifically counter indicated.
A system is provided which includes a user system for submitting a query and receiving a response, a search server receiving the query, a database storing information of queries, search results, searchers, responders, users, resources and other information, a guide system receiving a query and providing a search result, and a resource system providing potential answers.
A system is implemented to allow a user to submit a query and receive a response. A response may include any type of media such as text, URL's, audio, video, etc. A response may be produced automatically and/or using the assistance of a person. A query may be submitted using any suitable device and/or communication service such as SMS, MMS, voice, Instant Messaging, VoIP, internet packet communication, email, an application or “app”, etc.
Processing of a query may be divided into various layers. A first layer may consist of automated processing of a query. Automated processing of a query may include comparison of a query to a database, analysis of a query using semantic techniques, pattern matching, etc. which may be used to determine a response to the query, associate a query with metadata, and/or determine a type of processing. Results of automated processing such as categorization, spelling correction, named entity extraction, location association, etc. may be stored for later use. Automated processing may include selection of a response based on natural language processing of a request and/or submission of a request to an automated resource selected based on a request.
A second layer of processing of a query may include a human assistant who analyzes the query or “expediter”. An expediter uses the human ability to recognize context in order to determine a response to a query. An expediter may be provided with relevant context of a query, and offered various options for responding to the query. In its simplest form, an expediter might be presented with a question and two or more options for responding to the question. An expediter may be provided with a rich toolset which provides a greater depth and breadth of responses which may be interactive. In at least one embodiment, an expediter may be provided with responses from a predetermined set of resources.
A third layer of processing of a query may include a human assistant who responds to the query or “searcher”. A searcher may receive an interpreted query, information of a source of the query, and be provided with resources for performing a search responsive to a query. A searcher may formulate a response based on an interpreted query, and submit the response for delivery to a user responsive to the query. In at least one embodiment, a searcher may receive information of resources which may be used to provide a response, and/or resources which are excluded from providing a response.
A resource may be characterized according to various parameters. A resource may be evaluated based on a number of responses obtained from and/or using the resource. A resource may be evaluated based on a number of times that a response obtained from the resource is reused. A resource may be evaluated based on an affiliate relationship between a provider of the resource and a provider of search services. A resource may include an information repository such as those associated with FaceBook, Twitter, eBay, Amazon, etc. which may have various levels of access rights.
As used herein, a “request” means a request for information, products, and/or services. A request or search request or query or question may include various types of media, and may be provided by any user system which may establish communication with a server and/or other devices associated with a search service. A request may be referred to as a “search request”, “search query”, “question” or “query”.
A “user” is a person who submits a request and may receive any type of information responsive to a request. A user may be any person or entity. A “guide” is a person who assists in processing a request. A guide may be referred to as a “provider”, “searcher”, “human searcher”, “human assistant”, “expediter”, “transcriber”, “specialist” or “generalist”. Guides may be assigned various roles. A guide who transcribes a user request from one form to another may be referred to as a transcriber. A guide who reviews a query, determines a most likely response, and may modify a query may be referred to as an expediter or “ambassador”. A guide who performs a search for queries associated with a specific category may be referred to as a specialist. A guide who performs a search for queries regardless of category may be referred to as a generalist. Any guide may perform any role.
A human assistant such as an expediter may select a search result associated with a previous query and/or an automated resource. A search result selected by a human assistant may be indicated as a sponsored result and/or an organic result. A human assistant may be presented with sponsored results, organic results, and/or a mixture of organic and sponsored results. An expediter may be associated with a sponsor, and may be presented with sponsored results associated with the sponsor. A “sponsored result” may be any media which is presented responsive to a request which has been provided by a party interested in influencing whether a result is presented. An “organic” result may be any result which is produced based solely on a probability that the response will meet a user's request without regard to influence by a provider of a result.
The terms voice and speech are used interchangeably herein. A user, a guide and/or a search system may establish a communication session using a voice service, a messaging service such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS), Instant Messaging (IM), email, an internet portal or web page, an application, regular mail and/or any other suitable type of communication. A connection or communication session may be established using any device which is capable of utilizing a communication service. For example, a wireless device such as a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc., might be used to establish a communication session using voice, SMS, IM, email and/or internet protocols. A desktop, laptop, tablet or server system might be used to establish a communication session using IM, email, SMS, MMS, etc. A landline phone, a specialized communication terminal, and/or any other communication device might be used to establish a communication session.
Communication between a user, a guide and/or a search system may include conversion of text to speech and speech to text. Any type of media which can be sent and/or received using a communication system may be part of a communication session. A communication session may be conducted using any or all communication services associated with a user, a guide, a resource and/or a search system. Any communication session may include communication via multiple services and/or devices. For example, a request may be submitted as a voice query, which might indicate an image located on a resource accessible to a user. A voice query might be converted to a text message, the image might be processed in order to associate a tag and/or other images with the image, and a response might be provided as a spoken reply to a mobile phone associated with a user, and a video presentation which is accessible via a high-speed connection that might be delivered to a browser functionality of a different or the same user device.
As illustrated in
While only a few systems associated with a user, a resource, and a guide are depicted in
Any user system (e.g. the user system 105) can be used, to submit a request to the search system 130 and/or receive a result and/or other information. Any user system may receive a response, and/or may provide compensation to the search system 130.
The network 115 may be a global public network of networks (i.e., the Internet) and/or may consist in whole or in part of one or more private networks and communicatively couples the user systems 105, 110, the guide systems 135, 140, and the resource systems 145, 150 with the other components of the system such as the search system 130, and the database 120. The network 115 may include one or more wireless networks which may enable wireless communication between the various elements of the system 100. For example, the search system 130 may receive messages which may be routed via a wireless network controlled by a wireless service to the user systems 105, 110. A wireless service may receive messages from the guide systems 135, 140 via a wireless network which is a part of the network 115, and provide the messages to the search system 130 via an internet connection which is part of the network 115. Similarly a voice communication via wired and/or wireless communication might be established between any elements of the system 100.
The search system 130 allows interaction to occur among the user systems 105, 110, the guide systems 135, 140 and the resource systems 145, 150. For example, a request can be transmitted from the user system 105 to the search system 130, which may provide information obtained from the database 120, which may include an advertisement provided by the resource system 150 to the user system 105. Similarly, a search result from a searcher operating the guide system 135 and/or the resource system 145 might be routed to the search system 130, which might process the search result, formulate a response and provide a message to the user system 105. Any type of communication between users, resources and/or guides may be mediated and/or facilitated by the search system 130 and/or other elements of the system 100.
The search system 130 is communicatively coupled with the database 120. As will be described herein in further detail below, the database 120 includes data that is processed in association with operation of the embodiments. Although
The user systems 105, 110, the guide systems 135, 140, the resource systems 145, 150 and the search system 130 may include equipment, software, systems and personnel required to send and/or receive messages between a user system 105, 110, the guide systems 135, 140, the resource systems 145, 150 and/or the search system 130 using the network 115. The database 120 includes information which may allow the search system 130 to establish communication between any or all of the elements of the system 100.
A user system, a guide system, a resource system and/or a search system may be a desktop, portable, or tablet PC or Mac®, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a server system, a landline phone, a specialized communication terminal, a terminal connected to a mainframe, or any other communication hardware and/or system. The search system 130 may include one or more servers, computers, etc. For example, servers such as the PowerEdge® 2900 by Dell, or the BladeCenterJS22 by IBM, or equivalent systems might be used to implement elements of the search system 130. The search system 130 may utilize an operating system (OS) such as Microsoft Windows XP, or Linux, etc. Voice routing and packet switching may be accomplished using well established technologies such as those provided by Cisco, or other networking companies. After being presented with the disclosure herein, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will immediately realize that any viable computer systems or communication devices known in the art may be used as user systems, guide systems, sponsor systems and/or to implement the search system 130.
A user may be identified by the search system 130. When a user system, such as the user system 105, establishes a communication session with the search system 130, an identifier of a user system is determined. An identifier of a user system may be associated with other information regarding a user. A user system may be identified using an email address, a telephone number, an IM credential, a username, an app ID, and/or any other identifier which may be used to associate information with a user. Multiple identifiers of a user may be associated with each other. Using information of communication services associated with a user, a communication session may be established between a user system such as the user system 105 and a resource system, a guide system and/or the search system 130. Information such as a keyword, a category, a user profile, a request, a result, etc., may be associated with a user. A user may be required to provide profile information to the search system 130. A user may elect to receive requests from the search system 130. Parameters and/or attributes may be associated with a user as will be further described herein below. Information of a user may be stored in the database 120.
A guide may be required to register with the search system 130. As part of a registration process, at least one communication method is associated with a guide. In at least one embodiment, a guide may register with the search system 130 and establish a username and password which are associated with the guide. A guide may login to the search system 130 using a web browser functionality of the guide system 135 in order to communicate with the search system 130. Multiple communication services may be associated with a guide and may allow a communication session to be established between a guide system such as the guide system 135 and a user system, a resource system and/or the search system 130. Multiple identifiers of a guide may be associated with each other. Information such as IM credentials, an email address, a phone number, a URL, a username, etc., of a guide may be identified which may allow the search system 130 to establish a communication session between a guide system and a user system, a resource system and/or the search system 130.
When a guide registers with the search system 130 the guide may be associated with one or more keywords, categories, profiles, and/or other information. Information associated with a guide may be stored in the database 120 and may be used for various purposes. Information associated with a guide may be used to rank requests, resources, results, advertisements, sponsors and/or other information which may be presented to the guide. In at least one embodiment, payment information is associated with a guide. In at least one embodiment, a guide may be required to undergo testing to determine whether a guide is able to perform any tasks which may be required by the search system 130. For example, a guide may be assigned to a role such as translator, transcriber, expediter, generalist, specialist, auditor, etc. A guide may be registered by a sponsor. A sponsor may provide compensation to a guide.
A resource may be required to register with the search system 130. As part of a registration process, at least one communication method is associated with a resource. In at least one embodiment, a resource may register with the search system 130 and establish a username and password which are associated with the resource. A resource may login to the search system 130 using a web browser functionality of the resource system 145 in order to communicate with the search system 130. Multiple communication services may be associated with a resource and may allow a communication session to be established between a resource system such as the resource system 145 and a user system, a guide system, and/or the search system 130. Multiple identifiers of a resource may be associated with each other. Information such as IM credentials, an email address, a phone number, a URL, a username, etc., of a resource may be identified which may allow the search system 130 to establish a communication session between a resource system and a user system, a guide system and/or the search system 130.
When a resource is registered with and/or detected by the search system 130 the resource may be associated with one or more keywords, categories, profiles, and/or other information. Information associated with a resource may be stored in the database 120 and may be used for various purposes. Information associated with a resource may be used to rank requests, resources, results, advertisements, guides and/or other information which may be presented to the resource. In at least one embodiment, payment information is associated with a resource. A resource may provide payment information which may be used to compensate the search system 130 for advertisements and/or sponsored answers provided to a user. A resource may designate a guide associated with a resource, and may provide registration information associated with the guide. A resource may designate conditions for accessing a resource.
Records may be maintained in the database 120 which may be used to record the status of various items. Such records may be used to aid the processing of requests and production of responses or answers. For example, a user may submit a request, which may describe a desired response, and provide access to information and/or materials needed to produce the response. Information indicated in a record may be combined with information in other records, and may be used to produce tables, as further described herein.
As illustrated in
The request ID field 205 includes an identifier of a request which is preferably unique and is preferably used consistently. A request ID serves to distinguish a request record associated with a request from a request record associated with other requests. Any number of characters, numbers, and/or other indicators may be used to indicate a request ID. In at least one embodiment, a request ID associated with a request is included in the request ID field 205. In at least one embodiment, a random number is indicated in the request ID field 205. Using the example in
The request category field 210 may include information of a category associated with a request. Information indicated in the request category field 210 may be used to select an item associated with a request. For example, a category associated with a request may be used to determine who a request may be sent to such as a responder and/or an expert. Likewise, a category associated with a request may be used to rank requests which may be presented to a guide or responder. A category associated with a request may be determined based on factors such as keywords of a query, a profile of a user, a selection of a guide, a user history, etc. A category associated with a system taxonomy may be indicated in the request category field 210. A category may be associated with a request automatically and/or using the assistance of a person. Using the example in Fig. example in
The request guide ID field 215 may include information of a number of guides and/or responders associated with a request. Content of the request guide ID field 215 may be used to obtain information of a guide. If a person is selected for a request, elects to receive a request, provides a response to a request, reviews a result of a request and/or completes a request, an identifier of the person may be indicated in the request guide ID field 215. Using the example in
The request user ID field 220 may include information of a number of users associated with a request. Content of the request user ID field 220 may be used to obtain information of a user associated with a request. For example, if a request is submitted by a user, an identifier of the user may be indicated in the request user ID field 220. A request may not be associated with a user request. For example, the search system 130 (
The request input field 225 may include information of a request. Content of the request input field 225 may be provided to a person who accepts a request. Content of the request input field 225 may include any type of information. For example, a pointer to audio, video, text, and/or other media may be indicated in the request input field 225. As illustrated in
The request answer ID field 230 may include information of a response associated with a request. Content of the request answer ID field 230 may be provided responsive to a request. Content of the request answer ID field 230 may be stored in the database 120 (
The request answer resource field 235 may include information of a resource associated with a request. Content of the request answer resource field may be used to access a resource. A request answer resource may provide a response directly to a user. A request answer resource may provide a suggested response to a responder. Using the example in
The request suggested answers field 240 may include information of suggested answers or responses. Content of the request suggested answers field 240 may include information obtained from a resource selected based on a request and/or information associated with a request such as a type, category, user, profile, keyword, affiliation, source, etc. Content of the request suggested answers field 240 may be rated and/or ranked based on an action of a responder. For example if an answer is selected by a responder a ranking of the answer may be increased, which may cause the answer to be more likely to be presented responsive to a request. Similarly if an answer is presented to a responder and is not selected, a ranking or rating of an answer may be reduced. A ranking of a resource which provides an answer may be affected by content of the request suggested answer field 240. For example, if a resource produces an answer which is selected by a responder a ranking or rating of a resource may be increased, which may make a resource more likely to be used to obtain suggested answers. A ranking or rating of a resource and/or an answer may be associated with any item such as a category, type, profile data, location, user, responder, keyword, and/or other information available to the search system 130 (
As illustrated in
The user ID field 305 includes an identifier of a user which is preferably unique and is preferably used consistently. A user ID serves to distinguish a user record associated with a user from a user record associated with other users. Any number of characters, numbers, and/or other indicators may be used to indicate a user ID. In at least one embodiment, a random number is indicated in the user ID field 305. Using the example in
The user request ID field 310 may include information of a number of requests associated with a user. A user request ID may be for example a pointer to a request record associated with a request submitted by a user. If a user submits a request, a request ID may be added to the user request ID field 310. Using the example illustrated in
The user request category field 315 may include information regarding a category or type associated with a user request. For example, if a request is directed to a type of processing or a category, etc. a type and/or category associated with the processing may be indicated in the user request category field 315. In at least one embodiment, the user request ID field 310 and the user request category field 315 are linked by for example a pointer. In at least one embodiment, a category associated with a request of a user may affect whether a responder answer will be provided. An affiliation of a user may affect a category associated with a request of a user. For example, if a user is a trusted user, requests may receive a human assisted response, or may be directed to a group of responders and/or guides based on an affiliation of a user. If a user has submitted queries categorized as ‘Relationships’ a user may be sent queries regarding ‘Opinion>Relationships’.
The user communication information field 320 may include information of a number of communication services associated with a user. Any information which may be used to establish communication with a user may be indicated in the user communication information field 320. For example, a telephone number, an email address, an IM credential, a URL, a username, a password, and/or other communication information may be indicated in the user communication information field 320. Using the example in
The user profile field 325 may include information of a profile associated with a user. For example, demographic, geographic, affiliation, personality, and/or other types of anthropic and/or other characteristic information may be associated with a user. A user may provide profile information as part of a registration process. User profile information may be obtained from a database provided by a third party. User profile information may be determined based on test, polling, query history, peer review, and/or other information associated with a user. Using the example illustrated in
The user responder topics field 330 may include information of query topics to which a user may respond. Content of the user responder topics field 330 may be used to determine whether a responder receives a particular query. For example, a user such as ‘User2’ may select the topics ‘Politics’ and ‘Entertainment>Celebrities’ as indicated in user request record 300b. This may indicate ‘User2’ is interested in responding to questions regarding ‘Politics’ and ‘Entertainment>Celebrities’ and queries pertaining to these topics may be more likely to be directed to ‘User2’.
As illustrated in
The responder ID field 405 includes an identifier of a responder which is preferably unique and is preferably used consistently. A responder ID serves to distinguish a responder record associated with a responder from a responder record associated with other responders. Any number of characters, numbers, and/or other indicators may be used to indicate a responder ID. In at least one embodiment, a random number is indicated in the responder ID field 405. In at least one embodiment, a pseudonym selected by a guide may be indicated in the responder ID field 405. Using the example in
The responder request ID field 410 may include information of a number of requests associated with a responder. Content of the responder request ID field 410 may be used to obtain information of a request. For example, if a responder request has been determined to require a number of requests to be performed, the search system 130 (
The responder request type field 415 may include information of a number of types of requests which may be processed by a responder. For example, a category and/or keyword associated with a request, a type of request, temporal information associated with a request, etc., which may be used to determine if a responder is to be presented with a request may be indicated in the responder request type field 415. In at least one embodiment, a responder may be assigned to a particular type of request as part of a registration process. A responder may select a type of request which the responder may perform. A responder may be required to pass a test in order to be associated with a type of request. A responder may be assigned to a role such as expert, searcher, expediter, etc., which may be indicated in the responder request type field 415. A request indicating a keyword may be directed to a responder based on a ranking of a responder for a keyword. Using the example in
The responder rating field 420 may include information of a number of ratings associated with a responder. For example, quality, speed, peer review, availability, number of answers, frequency of answers, etc., may be used to determine a rating of a responder. A rating of a responder may be used for purposes such as determining compensation for the responder, selecting a responder to respond to a request, matching a request to a responder, etc. In at least one embodiment, the responder request type field 415 and the responder rating field 420 may be linked by, for example, a pointer. Using the example in
The responder communication information field 425 may include information of a number of communication services associated with a responder. For example, a user name and password, an email address, an IM credential, a phone number, a web page, a physical address, etc., may be indicated in the responder communication information field 425. Using the example illustrated in
The responder payment information field 430 may include information of a payment method associated with a responder. For example, banking information, a PayPal® account, a Western Union® account, etc., may be indicated in the responder payment information field 430. Content of the responder payment information field 430 may be used to provide compensation to a responder. For example, payment may be made by Automated Clearing House (ACH), wire transfer, etc., using information indicated in the responder payment information field 430. As indicated in
As illustrated in
The resource ID field 505 includes an identifier of a resource which is preferably unique and is preferably used consistently. A resource ID serves to distinguish a resource record associated with a resource from a resource record associated with other resources. Any number of characters, numbers, and/or other indicators may be used to indicate a resource ID. Using the example in
The resource request ID field 510 may include information of a number of requests associated with a resource. Content of the resource request ID field 510 may be used to obtain information of a request. For example, if a resource has been used to respond to a request, an identifier of the request may be indicated in the resource request ID field 510. Using the example in
The resource request category ID field 515 may include information of a number of categories of requests which may be processed by a resource. For example, a category and/or keyword associated with a request, a type of request, profile, etc., which may be used to determine if a resource is to be presented to a guide for a request may be indicated in the resource request category ID field 515. In at least one embodiment, a resource may be assigned to a category of request as part of a registration process. A resource may be associated with a user, a group of users, an access right, an advertiser or sponsor, etc. A provider of a resource may select a type and/or category of request for which the resource may be used and/or required. A resource may be associated with a category based on a selection by an administrator, based on success rates of obtaining or providing answers, etc. Using the example in
The resource rating field 520 may include information of a number of ratings associated with a resource. For example, a rating of a resource may be based on ratings of answers produced using the resource, a contractual agreement, an affiliation, temporal information such as time spent by guides, a number of answers selected by responders, etc. A rating of a resource may be used to select a resource which is provided to a searcher or guide, to rank a response associated with a resource, to determine whether to submit a request to a resource, etc. In at least one embodiment, the resource request category ID field 515 and the resource rating field 520 may be linked by, for example, a pointer. Using the example in
The resource communication information field 525 may include information of a number of communication services associated with a resource. For example, a user name and password, an email address, an IM credential, a phone number, a web page, a physical address, etc., may be indicated in the resource communication information field 525. A communication service indicated in the resource communication information field 525 may for example be used to indicate a service by which a resource may be accessed. Using the example illustrated in
The resource keyword field 530 may include information of a number of keywords, images, media and/or content associated with a resource. A match to information indicated in the resource keyword field 530 may affect a probability that a request will receive a response associated with a resource. The resource keyword field 530 may include keywords, media and/or a pointer to information. For example, ‘obscenities’ and ‘sex organs’ are indicated in the resource record 500c, which may point to a list of keywords, Regular Expressions (RegEx), phrases, pseudonyms, etc., which may trigger a classification of query as inappropriate for a type of responder and/or user. A match to information indicated in the resource keyword field 530 may prohibit a query from receiving a result from a resource, may increase a ranking of a resource, may be used to associate a category with a request, may identify a resource to be provided to a guide, etc. In at least one embodiment, keywords included in requests for which a resource has provided an answer may be more highly ranked for a category associated with the query and the resource. A URL associated with a resource may be compared to a URL of a result.
The resource type field 535 may include information of a number of types or characteristics associated with a resource. A type may include an indication of an access right, a commercial arrangement, a preference, quality of content, source of content, classification or category, etc. A searcher may elect to associate a resource with a type. A system administrator may associate a type with a resource. A provider of a resource may designate a type associated with the resource as part of a registration process and/or other activity. Using the example in
As illustrated in
In operation 605 (
The determination in operation 605 may be made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment, if a message is received at a system associated with the search system 130 (
In operation 610 (
The determination in operation 610 may be made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment, if a message is received which requires a known factual response it may be determined that a query is factual. For example, queries regarding dates, geography, etc., may require a factual response whereas at other times a user may want an opinion to a query. For example, a user may want advice on a relationship, a comparison of two things, etc., which require a person's opinion on a topic rather than a factual response. A filter such as a Bayesian detector may be applied to a request to determine whether a request is subjective and/or objective. Various types of algorithms may be more likely to produce a false negative, and thus a detector of an objective and a subjective type query may be applied. If an automated system is unable to determine whether a query is factual, the query may be routed to a number of human assistants, who may provide an input as to whether a query is factual.
In operation 615 an objective answer is obtained. An objective answer may be obtained for a query seeking factual information. A user may be seeking information which is either stored in the database and/or which may be obtained by a responder. For example, a user may want to know a date for a sporting event, a past quote for a security, etc., which is a verifiable fact rather than a subjective answer. Control is passed to operation 625 and process 600 continues.
In operation 620 a subjective answer is obtained. A subjective answer may be an automated answer stored in a database in response to a user request for a joke, a riddle, advice, etc. A subjective answer may be provided by a responder expressing an opinion about a topic and/or may be obtained from information matching a named entity of a query within a database and/or other media or resource. A response to a subjective query may not require specific knowledge, but may require a polite and/or appropriate answer based on a set of criteria. Criteria for a subjective response may be determined based on information of a source of a request. Demographic criteria such as age, ethnicity, income, education, affiliation, religion, etc., may influence and/or determine a criterion for a subjective response. Historical information associated with a source of a request may be used to determine a criterion of a subjective response. A process of responding to a subjective query is further described herein with respect to
In operation 625, an answer is provided. Any number of answers may be provided. A highest ranking answer may be provided. An answer may be provided in an order based on rank of the answer. An answer may be subjective and/or objective. Control is passed to operation 630 and process 600 continues.
In operation 630, process information is recorded. Information of a request, a sponsored answer or ancillary content, an answer, a resource, a user, a sponsor, a guide, a rating, a ranking, etc., may be recorded. A stored response may be rated, ranked, or deleted. Usage and compensation associated with content obtained from a provider may be recorded. In at least one embodiment, process information is recorded in the database 120 (
As illustrated in
In operation 705 (
The determination in operation 705 may be made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment, if a message is requesting information which is unknowable, an opinion, an opinion supported by fact, etc., it may be considered to be a subjective query. For example, if an email message, an SMS, EMS, and/or MMS message, an IM, an IP message, and/or a voice message is received at an address associated with the search system 130, it may be determined that a request for a subjective answer is received. If a message is received at a server associated with the search system 130, it may be determined that a subjective answer request is received. A subjective request may be received by a device such as the guide system 135 rather than or in addition to being received by the search system 130.
In operation 710 an automation check is performed. A query may be compared to previous queries when running an automation check. An automation check may provide information as to whether an automated answer may exist. An automation check may provide information as to whether a subjective user query is unknowable, supportable by fact, conversational, associated with a category, a type, etc. A profile associated with a user may be used to determine whether an automated response is available responsive to a subjective request or question. Automation checking may be affected by a number of requests submitted by a user, historical information of a user, compensation offered by a user, a demographic, geographic and/or other attribute of a user. Automation may include use of programmatically generated sentences which are based on a request and/or a user. For example, an automated response may be differentiated based on age, gender, topic, location, type, etc., associated with a subjective request. Control is passed to operation 715 and process 700 continues.
In operation 715 (
The determination in operation 715 is made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment, if a query has been previously received, and/or is stored in a resource or database a query may be answered using an automated answer. An answer provided by a responder responsive to a type of question may be stored in a database and provided automatically based on keywords, profile information, etc. An automated answer may also be used to provide information regarding opinion questions which may be supported by facts. For example, if a stored response to a question regarding a prediction regarding a future event has not become obsolete and is found to match a user request, a stored response may be provided. An automated answer may always be provided to some types of questions. An automated answer may not be provided to some types of questions.
In operation 720 a query is classified. A subjective query may be classified using the assistance of a person and/or automatically. For example a classifier such as Bayesian filter, RegEx filtering, and/or semantic filtering may be used to automatically classify a subjective request. A person may classify a request. For example, if a request is offered as a particular type of request, acceptance or rejection of that type by a person such as a user and/or a responder or guide may be used to classify a request. Classification of a request may be performed based on implicit actions of persons such as responders. Control is passed to operation 725 and process 700 continues.
In operation 725 a user interface is chosen. A user interface may be chosen to be presented to a responder and/or a guide based on a classification or type assigned to a subjective request. A responder may choose a user interface to determine which response may be provided. A user interface may include information of multiple resources and responses from which a responder may choose to send to a user a response. A user interface may be directed to a category or type of information assigned to a request. Control is passed to operation 730 and process 700 continues.
In operation 730 (
The determination in operation 730 may be made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment a response may be sent to a peer if control of content of a response is not necessary. A peer answerer may be excluded if it is necessary to control content, etc., which is provided to a user. For example, if content is required to be age-appropriate, free of images, or filtered to comply with a guideline associated with a user, a peer answerer may be excluded from responding. A guide may be chosen if a peer is unavailable, takes longer than a prescribed amount of time, provides an incorrect and/or unsuitable answer, etc. A peer may be selected for a query which is selected by a peer, associated with a keyword of a peer or responder, does not require advertising or response control, for an opinion query for which a peer has registered, etc. A request may be sent to a peer based on a type of a request, an attribute of a user, a number of peers available, an amount of time which has elapsed, etc. A request may be directed to any number of peers and/or guides.
In operation 735 a request is directed to a peer answerer. A request may be directed to a peer answerer who may be interested in a topic. A responder may be a peer answerer if the responder signs up for topics, categories and named entities to which the responder may be interested in responding which match a request. A peer responder may be likely to provide a good answer but may not be compensated for such an answer. A responder may not be a specialist or person with domain specific knowledge regarding a request. Control is passed to operation 745 and process 700 continues.
In operation 740 a request is directed to a guide. A request may be directed to a guide who may be trained to respond to requests associated with a group of topics. A guide may be trained to respond to a particular category, topic and/or named entity associated with a request. A guide may be provided payment for services. A guide may be used if a peer answerer is unavailable. A guide may be provided with a toolset based on a type of device a guide is operating. A guide may be a generalist who may respond to all types of requests. Control is passed to operation 745 and process 700 continues.
In operation 745 (
The determination in operation 745 may be based on various factors. An answer may not be provided if a user is satisfied with a previous answer. An answer may not be provided if the answer is not an appropriate response to a request and/or is not a timely response. For example, if a peer answer includes a word from an exclusion list, is rejected by a user, is delivered after a pre-determined time period, etc., it may be determined that an answer is not provided. If a user does not approve a response, another response may be obtained automatically and/or by a peer and/or a guide.
In operation 750, an answer is provided. Any number of answers may be provided. A highest ranking answer may be provided. A sponsored answer may be provided. Content not directly related to a request may be provided as a portion and/or the entirety of an answer. An answer may include any suitable media which may be utilized by a user device. Automated and/or human-assisted answers, content, etc., may be provided in any order and/or timing. Control is passed to operation 755 and process 700 continues.
In operation 755, process information is recorded. Information of a request, an answer, a category, a keyword, a resource, a resource, a toolset, a user, a sponsor, a guide, a responder, a rating, a ranking, etc. may be recorded. A stored response may be rated, ranked, and/or deleted. Information of a type associated with a request may be stored. For example, if a responder responds using a user interface associated with a type, a probability associated with the type and information of a request may be adjusted to reflect that similar requests may be more likely to be associated with the type. For example, a filtering algorithm, a hashing function, etc., may be adjusted based on a type assigned to a request or query and/or interactions with persons such as responders, users and guides. In at least one embodiment, process information is recorded in the database 120 (
As illustrated in
In operation 805 (
The determination in operation 805 may be made using various criteria. In at least one embodiment, a request is distributed if it is sent to a peer or a guide. A request may be distributed to any party determined to be capable of responding to a query. For example, if a system implements an API associated with answering a type of request, the system may be determined to be capable of responding to requests of that type.
In operation 810 (
In operation 815 (
The determination in operation 815 may be based on various factors. If a responder indicates that an answer is suitable, it may be determined that an answer is provided. If a responder selects a different user interface, it may be determined that an answer is not provided. If a responder does not respond within a time interval, it may be determined that an answers is not provided. Any suitable criteria may be used to determine whether an answer is provided.
In operation 835, process information is recorded. Information of a request, an answer, a category, a keyword, a resource, a toolset, a user, a sponsor, a guide, a responder, a rating, a ranking, etc. may be recorded. A stored response may be rated, ranked, or deleted. Information of a type may be stored. For example, if a responder responds using a user interface associated with a type a probability associated with the type and information of a request may be adjusted. If a responder selects a response from a resource, a ranking of a resource associated with a type and/or content of a request may be increased. Content of an answer may be stored for responding to future requests. In at least one embodiment, process information is recorded in the database 120 (
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The request entry area 1010 may be used to indicate information of a request. The user identifier 1015 may be used to indicate information of a user submitting a request. The factual query indicator 1020 may be used to indicate that a request is a request for factual information. The opinion query indicator 1025 may be used to indicate that a request is a request for subjective information. Additional indicators may be provided based on a category, type, etc. of a request. The responder indicator 1030 may be used to indicate a source of a response. The response indicator 1035 may be used to indicate a response associated with a request indicated in the request indicator 1010. For example, the request entry area may include a query such as ‘Should I break up with my boyfriend?’ which may be answered with an answer indicated in the response indicator 1035. The responder indicator 1030 may indicate a source of a response. A response may be an automated response, a stored response, and/or a response provided using a human assistant. The user input control 1040 may be used to submit a request. While a keypad is used for purposes of illustration, any input device which is well known in the art may be used to implement the user input control 1040. Any elements of the GUI 1000 may be suppressed as required by an embodiment. For example, the factual query indicator 1020 and the Opinion query indicator 1025 might be suppressed and/or combined if an embodiment is targeted only for subjective requests.
As illustrated in
The user interface selectors 1105a, 1105b may be used to select alternate user interfaces which may be more suitable for responding to a request. The query indicator 1110 may indicate information of a request such as ‘Should I break up with my boyfriend?’ The user identifier 1115 may include information of a user submitting a request, which may be useful when selecting an appropriate response. The user indicator 1115 may provide demographic, geographic, etc., information of a user. The query type indicators 1120a, 1120b may be used to indicate categories, topics, etc. associated with a query. A type or category may be associated with a query automatically and/or using the assistance of a person such as a user and/or responder. The responder indicator 1125 may be used to indicate information of a responder associated with an answer. For example, the responder ‘Abbie’ as indicated by the responder indicator 1125 may have provided the answer “You know in your heart.” as indicated by the response indicator 1130. A responder may be provided with a number of suggested answers matching a user request. For example, the responses “Do you still love him?” and “Dump him and move on” are indicated by the response indicators 1145a, and 1145b respectively. Activation of a response indicator may cause content indicated by a response indicator to be provided to a user submitting a request. For example, activation of the response indicator 1145a may cause the answer and the responder avatar 1140a to be provided to a user. A responder avatar may indicate a current responder and/or may indicate a source of an answer. A responder may elect to provide a free-form response using the responder input control 1150, which may cause a responder identifier and an answer associated with a responder to be provided to a user when the response submission control 1155 is activated.
As illustrated in
The request entry area 1210 may be used to indicate information of a request. The user identifier 1215 may be used to indicate information of a user submitting a request. The factual query indicator 1220 may be used to indicate that a request is a request for factual information. The opinion query indicator 1225 may be used to indicate that a request is a request for subjective information. The responder indicators 1230a-1230c may be used to indicate a source of a response. For example, the response indicator 1230a indicates that ‘Nular’ has submitted the response indicated in the response indicator 1235a. The response indicators 1235a-1235c may be used to indicate a response associated with a request indicated in the request indicator 1210. For example, the responder indicator 1230b may indicate that ‘R1’ provided the response ‘George Bush waged the Global War on Terror after 9/11.’ as indicated in the response indicator 1235b. An automated answer may be used when an answer is one which may be unknown, but for which a general response would be appropriate. For example, the responder ‘Nular’ indicated by the responder indicator 1230a may be an automated system which has selected information based on an index, spidering, and/or other form of automated selection of an answer based on a query. The conversation indicators 1240a-1240c may be used to initiate a real time two-way communication with a respective responder. The user input control 1245 may be used to submit a request. While a keypad is used for purposes of illustration, any user input device which is well known in the art may be used to implement the user input control 1245.
As illustrated in
The user interface selectors 1305a, 1305b may be used to select alternate user interfaces which may be more suitable for responding to a request. The query indicator 1310 may indicate information of a request such as ‘Who is a better President Obama or Bush?’ The user identifier 1315 may include information of a user submitting a request, which may be useful when selecting an appropriate response. Affiliation, demographic, etc., information of a user may be provided by activating the user identifier 1315 which may assist in selecting a suitable response. The response controls 1320 may be used to select a response. For example, if a query is a binary choice, the response control 1320 may identify named entities in a request, which may be indicated in a number of response indicators such as the response indicators 1325a, 1325b. Activation of a response indicator may affect information provided in the suggested response indicators 1355a-1355c. For example, activation of the “Obama” response indicator 1325a may cause responses which include “Obama” to be added or removed from the suggested response indicators 1350a-1350c and/or may select responses associated with a demographic, affiliation, etc., associated with the response indicator 1325a. The response indicators 1335a, 1335b may indicate responses which have already been provided for a request. The responder indicators 1330a, 1330b may indicate a responder associated with a response. The Conversation indicators 1340a, 1340b may be used to establish bidirectional communication with a responder associated with the respective response indicators. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The query indicator 1410 may be used to provide information of a request. The user indicator 1415 may be used to provide information of a user associated with a request. The category indicators 1420a-1420b may be used to provide information of keywords, categories, types, etc. associated with a request, which may be used to select a request, a responder, a resource, etc. The responder indicators 1430a, 1430b may be used to indicate information of a responder associated with a response indicated in the response indicators 1435a, 1435b. The conversation indicators 1440a, 1440b may be used to indicate whether a responder is accepting communications regarding a response. Activation of the conversation indicator 1440a may permit ‘Uzer’ as indicated by the user indicator 1415 to establish a two-way communication with ‘Bill’ as indicated by the responder indicator 1430a. While a keypad is used for purposes of illustration, any user input device which is well known in the art may be used to implement the user input control 1445.
As illustrated in
The user interface selectors 1505a, 1505b may be used to select alternate user interfaces which may be more suitable for responding to a request. Activation of the user interface selectors 1505a, 1505b may cause a type assigned to a request to be modified. The query indicator 1510 may be used to provide information of a request, such as the request ‘What are you wearing?’ submitted by ‘Uzer’ as indicated in the user indicator 1515. Information of a user may be provided by the user information indicator 1525. Activation of the user indicator 1515 may cause the user profile indicator 1525 to be presented. The category indicators 1520a, 1520b may indicate a type assigned to a request. A responder may modify a category indicator by activating a category indicator. The response indicator 1535 may indicate that the responder ‘Bill’ as indicated by the responder indicator 1530 has responded to ‘Uzer’ with ‘What are you wearing?’ The conversation indicator 1540 may indicate that responder ‘Bill’ is available for a conversation with ‘Uzer’. Alternate responses which may be selected by the search system 130 (
While a limited number of controls have been included in the user interfaces described herein, any number of controls as may be required to operate the embodiments may be employed. Any types of user interface elements which are well known in the art which may be used to implement equivalent functionality may be used within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.
Using the method and systems described herein assistance is provided to a human responder who is responding to a request for subjective information. An enhanced communication between users of a messaging service is provided. If a request is received, the request is classified according to a type of information which is sought by a user. A type may be assigned to a request for subjective information. When a responder receives a query, a user interface and information relevant to the query may be presented in a format adapted based on a most likely type which has been associated with the query. A responder may select a response from a predetermined group of responses. A responder may select a suggested response, edit a suggested response, may create a free-form response, or may find related information.
A user interface may be presented which is intended to respond to a subjective request which is seeking an undeterminable event. A responder may be provided with a list of responses in an order based on previous responses delivered to a user. A request may be directed to an automated system based on historical information of a user. An automated response may be provided based on a type associated with a request. A user may indicate a type associated with a request. Potential responses may be obtained from media content based on a request. Potential responses may be provided to a responder based on content of a request. A responder may filter potential responses based on a keyword, category, location, age, etc.
A suggested response may be provided to a responder based on information associated with a request. Profile information associated with a request such as a profile of a user, a responder, a guide, etc. may be used to select suggested responses to a request, which may be provided to a responder. Actions of a responder may affect suggested questions provided to a responder. A responder may be selected based on a type associated with a request. If a request is determined to be of high importance, the request may be directed to a guide or paid responder instead of a peer responder.
A type may be assigned to a request based on various factors. A type may be assigned based on characteristics of a user such as gender, age, location, personality, affiliation, query and/or response history, etc. A responder may assign a type to a request. A responder may indicate a type associated with a request by selecting a different user interface for responding to a request. A probability that a request is assigned to a type may be affected by actions of a responder and/or a user. A responder may be able to obtain various types of suggested responses. A responder may be provided with profile information of a user based on a type associated with a request. A responder may elect to accept requests associated with a type. A responder may elect to block requests associated with a type. Use of interfaces and systems described herein may enhance user experience and facilitate more effective and efficient communication between users and reduce time and computing power required for such interactions.
Any or all of the operations described herein may be implemented via one or more hardware components. However, the present invention is not limited to any specific implementation of an operation. For example, one or more operations discussed herein may be implemented via software executed on a device while others may be executed via a specific hardware device.
The present invention may be implemented using a program stored, for example, in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, etc., or using one or more specialized terminals, devices or systems that is enabled to execute operation(s) described herein. The storage or recording medium used in an embodiment can be selected from among various computer-readable media including, a disk, a DVD, an internal storage device (memory such as RAM or ROM) in a computer, etc.
The embodiments can be implemented in computing hardware (computing apparatus) and/or software, such as (in a non-limiting example) any computer that can store, retrieve, process and/or output data and/or communicate with other computers. The results produced can be displayed on a display of the computing hardware. A program/software implementing the embodiments may be recorded on computer-readable media comprising computer-readable recording media. The program/software implementing the embodiments may also be transmitted over transmission communication media. Examples of the computer-readable recording media include a magnetic recording apparatus, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and/or a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM, ROM, etc.). Examples of the magnetic recording apparatus include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable)/RW. An example of communication media includes a carrier-wave signal.
Further, according to an aspect of the embodiments, any combinations of the described features, functions and/or operations can be provided.
The many features and advantages of the claimed invention are apparent from the detailed specification and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the claimed invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described for the disclosed embodiments, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claimed invention. It will further be understood that the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” may be used herein as an alternative expression that means “one or more of A, B and C.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61888366 | Oct 2013 | US |
