Patent Application
20150302036
The invention relates to methods, systems and computer programs for information retrieval using content algebra. In particular, the invention enables searching documents or websites, and more particularly to retrieving, representing, integrating, and presenting search results in vector formats that enable efficient viewing, interpretation, synthesis, and storage, and subsequent search operations on stored search results and stored integrated search results.
Documents and websites stored within a network, an internetwork or on standalone computing devices are searchable using search tools and search engines. A variety of search algorithms have been developed to implement and achieve search capabilities within a computing device, as well as across networked devices. However, less attention has been afforded to presentation, storage, integration, and manipulation of search results. Typically, search results are presented to a searching user in the form of document surrogate lists—which comprises displaying search results as a vertical list of information summarizing and linking to the data, information, documents or files returned by the search. For the purposes of this background and also in describing the present invention, the term “search result(s)” shall be understood to include (i) identification of one or more occurrences of search term(s) or search string(s) within a single instance of a data record, document, data file, website or webpage, (ii) identification of one or more instances of data records, documents, data files, websites or webpages that are found to include occurrences of search term(s) or search string(s) and (iii) identification of one or more instances of data records, documents, data files, websites or webpages which do not include exact or literal occurrences of search term(s) or search string(s) but which include terms that are semantically or contextually relevant to or associated with search term(s) or search string(s).
There are certain problems with existing solutions for retrieval and presentation of search results. First, search results displayed by a search engine are displayed in order of pre-defined search algorithms, which search algorithms are defined to effectively cater to a wide population segment. This prevents search results from being tailored for each individual user or more specifically, tailored in response to each individual query.
Document surrogate lists often span multiple pages, requiring a user to visit several pages of search results, or to scroll through a large number of results before finding relevant search results.
Existing search tools also offer only limited capabilities for nested searching, with the large majority relying on complex arrangements of Boolean operators within an earlier executed search string to refine results. Such tools also do not provide solutions for searching in a time-phased manner, wherein a search-in-progress may be stored and iteratively modified, manually, or in a programmatic fashion.
Search results from existing search tools represent a “first-order” analysis of the network resources. Prior art tools do not enable a second-order analysis that would investigate patterns within the search results, or a higher-order analysis that would look for patterns within collections of search results.
Additionally, prior art search tools do not readily enable customization of search queries or refining of search results based on user specific context information.
Further, existing search tools do not offer capabilities for revisiting results of earlier searches to track changes that may have arisen as a consequence of changes to documents available within a computing device or network, or for conveniently sharing results of a search between devices or users.
There is accordingly a need to overcome these multiple deficiencies in the state of art.
The invention comprises systems, methods and computer programs for information retrieval using content algebra. The invention enables obtaining, selecting, displaying, storing and enabling subsequent operations on results of search.
In an embodiment, the invention comprises a processor implemented method for information retrieval.
The method comprises (i) receiving a first plurality of search results returned by the search engine in response to a first search query, (ii) generating a first plurality of search result vectors, wherein each of the first plurality of search result vectors may be generated based on a corresponding search result from among the first plurality of search results and may comprise data describing the corresponding search result, (iii) generating a first search result image vector based on data from the first plurality of search result vectors, and (iv) displaying information representative of the first plurality of search results on a display device such that visual configuration of the displayed information may be based on data within the first search result image vector.
In an embodiment of the method each of the first plurality of search result vectors may comprise a plurality of dimensions. Additionally, one or more of said plurality of dimensions may record parameter data descriptive of the corresponding search result.
At least one of the first plurality of search result vectors may comprise first, second and third dimensions. The first dimension may record identifier data related to the corresponding search result. The second dimension may record location of data that caused the search engine to return the corresponding search result. The third dimension may record any one or more of (i) a data summary of, or data extract from, the corresponding search result, (ii) one or more of strings, topics, concepts, sentiments or frequency of occurrence of specific data, within the corresponding search result, or (iii) a score indicating relevance of the corresponding search result.
In an embodiment of the method, the first search result image vector may comprise a fourth, fifth and sixth dimensions. The fourth dimension may record data corresponding to the first search query. The fifth dimension may record data identifying search results intended for display on the display device. The sixth dimension may record any one or more of (i) data corresponding to a search algorithm used by the search engine, (ii) one or more visual or textual identifiers used for display of a search result on the display device, (iii) one or more display attributes of visual or textual identifiers, (iv) relevance scores extracted from third dimensions corresponding to one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors (v) information enabling access to one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors (vi) information describing data recorded within dimensions of one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors, or (vii) predefined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of two or more of the first plurality of search result vectors.
In a further method embodiment, the visual configuration of the displayed information may be based on a comparison of relevance scores extracted from two or more of the first plurality of search result vectors.
The method may additionally comprise generating a second search query, wherein the second search query differs from the first search query in at least one search parameter or in at least one data source on which the second search query is intended to be executed. The second search query may be transmitted to the search engine.
The method may include receiving a second plurality of search results returned by the search engine in response to the second search query. A second plurality of search result vectors may be generated, wherein each of the second plurality of search result vectors is generated based on a corresponding search result from among the second plurality of search results and comprises data describing the corresponding search result. A second search result image vector may subsequently be generated based on data extracted from the second plurality of search result vectors, and information representative of the second plurality of search results may be displayed on a display device, such that a visual configuration of the displayed information is based on data extracted from the second search result image vector.
The method may further comprise implementing one or more data set operations based on a first data set comprising data from the first search result image vector and a second data set comprising data from the second search result image vector. A third search result image vector may be generated based on a third data set resulting from the one or more data set operations. The result of the one or more data set operations may be displayed on a display device, such that visual configuration of the displayed result is based on data extracted from the third search result image vector. At least one of the implemented one or more data operations may comprise a union operation, a difference operation or an intersection operation.
In a method embodiment, the second search query may comprise one or more contextual search parameters based on contextual data associated with a querying user.
The invention may additionally comprise a system configured for information retrieval. The system may include a processor, a search result vector generator, a search result image vector generator and a display controller.
The search result vector generator may be configured to receive a plurality of search results returned by a search engine in response to a first search query, and to generate a first plurality of search result vectors. Each of the first plurality of search result vectors may be generated based on a corresponding search result from among the first plurality of search results and may comprise data describing the corresponding search result.
The search image vector generator may be configured to generate a first search result image vector based on data from the first plurality of search result vectors.
The display controller may be configured to display information representative of the first plurality of search results on a display device, wherein visual configuration of the displayed information is based on data within the first search result image vector.
At least one of the first plurality of search result vectors may comprise first, second and third dimensions. The first dimension may record identifier data related to the corresponding search result. The second dimension may record location of data that caused the search engine to return the corresponding search result. The third dimension may record any one or more of (i) a data summary of or data extract from the corresponding search result, (ii) one or more of strings, topics, concepts, sentiments or frequency of occurrence of specific data, within the corresponding search result, or (iii) a score indicating relevance of the corresponding search result.
The first search result image vector may comprise fourth, fifth and sixth dimensions. The fourth dimension in the first search image vector may record data corresponding to the first search query. The fifth dimension in the first search image vector may record data identifying search results intended for display on the display device. The sixth dimension in the first search image vector may record any one or more of (i) data corresponding to a search algorithm used by the search engine, (ii) one or more visual or textual identifiers used for display of a search result on the display device, (iii) one or more display attributes of visual or textual identifiers, (iv) relevance scores extracted from third dimensions corresponding to one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors, (v) information enabling access to one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors, (vi) information describing data recorded within dimensions of one or more of the first plurality of search result vectors, or (vii) predefined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of two or more of the first plurality of search result vectors.
The search result generator of the system may be configured to generate a second search query, wherein the second search query differs from the first search query in at least one search parameter or in at least one data source on which the second search query is intended to be executed. The processor may be configured to transmit the second search query to the search engine.
The search result vector generator of the system may further be configured to respond to receipt of a second plurality of search results returned by the search engine in response to the second search query, by generating a second plurality of search result vectors. Each of the second plurality of search result vectors may be generated based on a corresponding search result from among the second plurality of search results and may comprise data describing the corresponding search result.
The search result image vector generator may additionally be configured to generate a second search result image vector based on data extracted from the second plurality of search result vectors.
The display controller of the system may be configured to display information representative of the second plurality of search results on a display device, wherein visual configuration of the displayed information is based on data extracted from the second search result image vector.
The system may additionally comprise an image vector comparator configured to implement one or more data set operations based on a first data set comprising data from the first search result image vector and a second data set comprising data from the second search result image vector. The implemented one or more data operations of the system may comprise any of a union operation, a difference operation or an intersection operation.
In an embodiment of the system, the search result image vector generator may be configured to generate a third search result image vector based on a third data set resulting from the one or more data set operations.
In another system embodiment, the display controller may be configured to display a result of the one or more data set operations on a display device, wherein visual configuration of the displayed result is based on data extracted from the third search result image vector.
The invention may additionally include a computer program product for information retrieval, which computer program product comprises computer readable instructions for implementing method embodiments of the present invention.
The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer programs for selecting, displaying, storing and enabling subsequent operations on results returned by a search, whether on stand alone computing devices or on networked devices. For the purposes of the invention, it would be understood that search results may comprise links to (or locations or extracts of) data, information, documents, webpages or websites that include the search terms (or related concepts) identified in a search query. Alternatively search results may include links to (or location(s) or extracts of) one or more search terms found within a specific item of data or information, document, webpage or website.
The invention retrieves search results and stores each search result as a search result vector having a plurality of dimensions. A dimension of a search result vector may record one or more parameters relevant to identifying or describing the corresponding search result, or which enables assessment of relevance of the corresponding search result. By way of example, dimensions of a search result vector may record one or more of (i) a search result identifier, (ii) a link to (or location of) data, information, file, document, webpage or website (or relevant portion(s) thereof) which caused a search result to be returned, (iii) a summary or extract corresponding to the search result, (iv) strings, topics, concepts, sentiments, and/or the frequency of their occurrences in the search result, or (v) a weight or score indicating relevance of the corresponding search result.
The invention may thereafter generate a search result image vector, which search result image vector defines a visual configuration for display of the search results (i.e. a search result image). A search result image vector may include a plurality of dimensions, each of which records a parameter for display of the search results. A dimension of a search result image vector may record one or more of (i) a search query used to generate the search result image, (ii) search algorithms used for the search, (iii) search result(s) represented within the search result image, (iv) visual or textual identifiers used to represent each search result within the search result image, (v) display attributes of the visual or textual identifiers or of the represented search results within the search result image,(vi) relevance scores corresponding to search result vectors within the search result image, (vii) information enabling access to search result vectors corresponding to each search result included within the search result image,(vii) descriptive information on the content of dimensions of a search result vector (such as whether a string represents a person or a location or the search query term itself), and (viii) pre-defined scoring criteria that may have been used for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors within the search result image.
Since a search result image comprises a display configuration for search results returned by a search, the search result image vector may include information retrieved from one or more dimensions of search result vectors corresponding to the displayed search results. In a particular embodiment, a search result image vector may comprise the entire set of search result image vectors corresponding to search results intended for display. In an embodiment, a search result image vector may be generated by combining search result image vectors corresponding to search results intended for display—which combination may be arrived at by a linear combination, or any other combination methods known in the art.
Consequently, display attributes of a search result within a search result image may be based on an assessment of one or more dimensions of the search result vector. In an embodiment of the invention, display attributes (such as representation and location) of each search result vector within the search result image may be based on a comparison of a relevance score for each search result vector. The relevance score for a search result vector may be determined by evaluating one or more vector dimensions of the search result vector, based on one or more pre-defined scoring criteria. Display of a search result vector within a search result image may therefore change in response to one or more of, modification of one or more dimensions of the search result vector, modification of a relevance score corresponding to the search result vector, and/or modification of a pre-defined scoring criteria for generating relevance scores. By appropriately positioning and sizing search result vectors within the search result image, the invention may be configured to provide a user with a consolidated single image capable of simultaneously displaying all search results returned in response to a search query. Simultaneously, by enabling a combination of data from individual search result vectors into a single search result image vector, the invention enables recording of results returned by a search within a discrete data structure, which data structure may be saved, and thereafter retrieved, shared, and manipulated in accordance with any of the embodiments discussed below.
A representation of a search result within a search result image may include a link to the data, information, document, webpage, or website corresponding to the vectorized search result. The link may be accessed using routine software applications such as browser applications, wherein clicking or selecting the representation of the search result vector displayed within the search result image causes the corresponding linked data, information, document, webpage or website to be displayed. In an embodiment of the invention, selection of a search result displayed within a search result image may cause an extract or a summary of the data, information, documents, webpages or websites corresponding to such search result to be added to a document or file, which document or file may be stored and/or communicated. In an embodiment, this may be achieved by accessing the selected search result based on link or location information obtained from the corresponding search result vector, and obtaining an extract or generating a summary thereof. By selecting multiple search results within an image, a user may add extracts or summaries corresponding to each search result to such document or file—thereby creating a document or file summarizing information that the user may have found relevant among search results displayed within the search result image.
Search results returned by an executed search query may accordingly be saved and shared between users or computing devices, by sharing (i) the generated search result image, (ii) a search result image vector corresponding to the search result image, or (iii) a document or file including extracts or summaries corresponding to search results within the search result image, that have been selected by a user.
It would be understood that a search result image may be generated subsequent to and based upon a generated search result image vector. Conversely in a specific embodiment, a search result image vector may be generated subsequent to and based upon a search result image displayed at a user interface.
Search result image vectors may be stored in a database, repository or other volatile or non-volatile storage, each stored search result image vector thereby creating an accessible record of search results returned in response to a particular search query.
Storage of a search result image vector enables a search query corresponding to the generated search result image vector to be extracted and thereafter modified for execution of a new search based on the modified search query. Modification of a search query may include execution of nested searches to refine search results returned in response to execution of the original search query. Search results returned based on a modified search query may be displayed as a new search result image. A stored search result image vector equally enables a second execution of the original search query associated with the search result image vector, to ascertain or track any changes in search results that may have arisen as a consequence of changes to documents or data available within the computing device or network. Yet further, by extracting from a search result image vector and thereafter modifying one or more of (i) search algorithms used, (ii) vector dimensions used to evaluate relevance scores of the vector image, and (iii) pre-defined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors—a user may execute a fresh search using the original search query associated with the search result image vector, with a view to generate a modified set of search results, which modified search results may be displayed as a new search result image.
In a particular embodiment, a user may identify specific information, data, files, websites or webpages (for example, by way of a data push or transmission of the information, data, files, websites or webpages, or by identifying links thereto or locations thereof) on which a search query extracted from a previously generated search result image vector is required to be executed. The results of the new search may thereafter be used to modify the search results of the original search result image vector and/or search result image. By way of illustration, assuming a user has generated a search result image vector corresponding to a search query for “coffee shops”, such user may subsequently “push” a link to online yellow pages to the previously generated search result image vector—causing the search query extracted from the original search result image vector to be re-run, including over the pushed online yellow pages, and resulting in generation of a new search result image vector which would include results corresponding to coffee shops found within the online yellow pages.
Generation and storage of a search result image vector corresponding to results returned by an executed search query additionally enables a user to generate narrower and more directed search results by implementing appropriate data set operations on (i) a first data set comprising search results within a first search result image vector and (ii) a second data set comprising search results within a second search result image vector. Search results returned in response to the implemented data set of operations may be displayed within a new search result image, and may be stored as a corresponding new search result image vector.
An illustrative example of a data set operation that may be implemented on a first data set comprising a first search result image vector and a second data set comprising a second search result image vector, comprises application of the union operator to said first and second data sets—which would result in a third data set comprising a union of the first and second data sets. The search results within this third data set may be displayed as a third search result image, and may be stored as a corresponding third search result image vector.
Similarly, an intersection operation or a difference operation may be implemented on a first data set comprising a first search result image vector and a second data set comprising a second search result image vector—and would result in a third data set comprising the intersection or difference respectively of the first and second data sets. The third data set comprising results of the intersection operation or the difference operation may be displayed as a third search result image, and may be stored as a corresponding third search result image vector.
In an embodiment of the invention, display attributes of search results within the third search result image (and corresponding to the third search result image vector) may be selected to convey meaningful information regarding the results themselves. For example, in a difference operation applied to a first search result image and a second search result image, the resulting third search result image may use black text characters to depict search results present more strongly in the first search result image than in the second search result image, and may use red text characters to depict search results present more strongly in the second search result image than in the first search result image. Other non-limiting examples of display attributes that may be used to convey information may include size, position within an image, shape and font attributes (e.g. underline, strikethrough etc.).
It would be understood that the above examples of union, intersection or difference operations are only illustrative, and that search result image vectors may be subjected to any other selected data set operations (or combinations thereof) such that the results returned by such data set operations may be displayed as a new search result image, and may be stored as a new search result image vector.
The invention additionally enables contextual refining of search results. This is achieved by collecting data from personal data sources corresponding to or associated with a user, and representing collected contextual data within at least one contextual data vector having one or more dimensions. A contextual data vector dimension may comprise one or more parameters relevant to identifying or describing the corresponding item of contextual data. In executing a search query within a collection of data, information, documents, webpages or websites, the invention may add one or more parameters extracted from a contextual data vector to a search query or search string, to restrict or refine results to search results that are contextually relevant to the user. In another embodiment, a user may refine search results within a search result image vector by ascertaining an intersection between (i) a first data set comprising search results within the search result image vector, and (ii) a second data set comprising returned search results based on execution of search terms extracted from a contextual data vector.
A user may also modify one or more parameters of a search result image vector (such as for example, a search query used to generate the vector image, display attributes of search result vectors within the vector image, relevance scores corresponding to search result vectors within the vector image, vector dimensions used to evaluate relevance scores of the vector image or pre-defined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors) based on contextual data extracted from a contextual data vector corresponding to the user.
The contextualized search results generated in accordance with any of the above may be displayed as a new search result image.
In another embodiment of the invention, a user may identify specific information, data, files, websites or webpages (for example, by way of a data push or transmission of the information, data, files, websites or webpages, or by identifying links thereto or locations thereof) for storage within a searchable data source. By doing so, a user adds the selected information, data, files, websites or webpages to the searchable data sources—so that future search queries can be executed on such data or information.
In an alternative embodiment, a user may identify specific information, data, files, documents, websites or webpages for generation of vectors and display images based thereon. The step of identification may be implemented in any one of several ways, including for example by way of a data push or transmission of the information, data files, websites or webpages, or by identifying links thereto or locations thereof. Responsive to accessing the identified data, information, data file, document, website or webpage, a summary vector having a plurality of dimensions is generated. A dimension of the summary vector may record one or more parameters relevant to identifying or describing the corresponding item data, information, file, document, website or webpage, or which enables assessment of contents thereof. By way of example, dimensions of a summary vector may record one or more of (i) an identifier, (ii) a link to (or location of) data, information, file, document, webpage or website (or relevant portion(s) thereof) which caused the summary vector to be generated, (iii) a summary or extract of content from item of data or information or (iv) strings, topics, concepts, sentiments, and/or the frequency of their occurrences within the item of data or information. The summary vector may be stored in a database—which in an embodiment may be the same repository or database used to store search result image vectors.
The invention may thereafter generate a summary image based on information within the summary vector. The generated summary image may visually present one or more of (i) a summary or extract of content from the data, information, file, document, website or webpage corresponding to the summary vector and (ii) strings, topics, concepts, sentiments, and/or the frequency of their occurrences within said data, information, file, document, website or webpage corresponding to the summary vector. Content for visual presentation within the summary image may be extracted from one or more dimensions of the corresponding summary vector. Additionally display attributes selected for specific items of content within the summary vector may depend on the relative prominence or weight accorded to said items of content within the originating data, information, file, document, website or webpage that was used to generate the summary vector and summary image.
It would be understood that summary images and summary image vectors may be combined with search result images and search result vectors in any of the ways discussed previously or hereinbelow, and may be used for implementation of data set operations in the same manner as has been discussed previously in connection with search result images and search result image vectors.
For the purposes of this invention, in generating one or more of summaries or extracts of content from an item or information or data, file, document, website or webpage, any one or more known methods and systems may be used to parse data and generate the desired summary or extract. In a specific implementation of this invention, generating a summary or extract may comprise the steps of (i) parsing an item of data or information into a collection of discrete words, (ii) creating groups of successive discrete words, wherein each succeeding word is included in the same group as the preceding word unless the succeeding word is a pre-defined stop word, in which case no more words are added to the present group and a new group is started with the first non-stop word that occurs thereafter, (iii) treating each group which includes a pre-defined number or range of numbers of discrete successive words, as a phrase for inclusion within the extract or summary of content.
In the above embodiment, the invention may provide a pre-defined list of stop words which are treated as delimiters for creation of new word groups. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of pre-defined limiters may include the words “a”, “and”, “the”, “are”, “his” and “her”. In an embodiment of the invention, any group of words comprising at least two successive words that are not separated by a stop word may be included within the extract or summary.
At step 104, the search engine executes the search query based on search terms or search string(s) therewithin, by searching for matches or hits within the one or more searchable data sources.
At step 106, each search result returned by the search engine is represented as a search result vector having a plurality of dimensions. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one dimension of a search result vector may comprise one or parameters or items of information which record one or more of (i) a search result identifier, (ii) a link to (or location of) data, information, file, document, webpage or website (or relevant portion(s) thereof) which caused a search result to be returned, (iii) a summary or extract corresponding to the search result, (iv) strings, topics, concepts, sentiments, and/or the frequency of their occurrences in the search result, or (v) a weight or score indicating relevance of the corresponding search result.
In a more particular embodiment, at least one dimension of the search result vector comprises a descriptor of or link to the corresponding search result or relevant part thereof, and at least a second dimension of the search result vector comprises information describing or reproducing at least a part of the relevant content of the corresponding search result, or indicating absolute or relative relevance of the search result. In another embodiment, one dimension of the search result vector may comprise a string, while another dimension may comprise information representing frequency of occurrence of the string in the search result. Relevance scores for a search vector may be determined by evaluation of one or more vector dimensions of each search result vector, based on one or more pre-defined scoring criteria.
It would be understood that search result vector may be implemented by way of any data structure capable of storing data or information corresponding to each dimension of the search result vector. Illustrative examples of appropriate data structures include tables, arrays, matrices, and records.
Thereafter at step 202 of
Dimensions describing display attributes of each search result (including one or more of display location, size, shape, font attributes, and color) may be selected based on a determined relevance of the specific search result—which relevance may be assessed based on comparison of one or more dimensions of each search result vector, or based on properties of the search results themselves. In a specific embodiment, display attributes of each search result within the search result image are selected such that search results that are determined to be of higher relevance are displayed more prominently than search results that are determined to be of lower relevance.
Dimensions of a search result image vector may additionally include information corresponding to one or more of (i) a search query used to generate the vector image, (ii) search algorithms used for the search, (iii) relevance scores corresponding to search result vectors within the vector image (vi) vector dimensions used to evaluate relevance scores of the vector image and (vii) pre-defined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors.
Search result image vectors may be implemented by way of any data structure capable of storing data or information corresponding to each dimension of the search result vector. Illustrative examples of appropriate data structures include tables, matrices, and records.
At step 204, a search result image is displayed based on or corresponding to the generated search result image vector. The displayed search result image comprises representations of a plurality of search results, wherein content and attributes of a displayed representation of a search result are based on dimensions of the search result image vector which correspond to such search result. Additionally, each displayed search result may comprise a link to the respective data or information item, document, webpage or website based on which said search result was originally generated. By selecting or clicking on a link corresponding to a search result, a user may be directed to the actual search result or presented the relevant part thereof.
It would be understood that steps 202 and 204 are chronologically interchangeable, or alternatively may be executed simultaneously.
While not specifically illustrated in
At step 206, the generated search result image vector may be stored in a database, repository or other volatile or non-volatile storage provided for search result image vectors.
The method of generating a search result image vector and displaying a search result image corresponding to information within the search result image vector enables a flexible approach to displaying search results—and departs from the prior art approach of a vertical linear list of document surrogates. It is known that the human brain understands and learns in a non-linear manner, and is capable of scanning images and picking out surprising or unusual elements, including through peripheral vision. The invention accordingly permits for configurable or customizable display configurations for optimally presenting search results, including display configurations that are non-linear.
An example of a non-linear display configuration is provided in
Generation of search result image vectors enables non-transitory storage of search queries and corresponding results returned by such search queries. Such generation and storage inter alia enables (i) modification of earlier search queries for execution of new searches, (ii) execution of nested searches for refining search results, (iii) a further execution of a previously executed search query to ascertain or to track any changes in search results that may have arisen as a consequence of changes to documents, data or information within the searchable data sources and (iv) modification of one or more of previously used search algorithms, vector dimensions used to evaluate relevance scores of the vector image and pre-defined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors—any and all of which would result in generation of a modified set of search results.
Re-execution of a previously executed search query through new or modified searchable data sources provides multiple advantages. Such re-execution enables a user to improve earlier search results as additional data sources or search databases become available, without having to recall and re-create the entire set of search terms and/or search parameters from memory. The method additionally allows a user to ascertain or track evolution of search results corresponding to changes occurring to data/information within a searchable data sources over time. For example, it is well understood that data and information resources available on the internet are likely to evolve over time—by way of addition, deletion or modification of available data, information, documents, webpages, websites and files. Extracting search parameters from a previously generated search result image vector and re-executing the original search query over the internet would enable generation of a new search result image which accounts for the data and information changes that may have occurred in the time period between the original search and the re-executed search.
In an embodiment of the invention described in connection with
At steps 502 and 504 of
The at least one data set operation may comprise any one or more data set operations, and may include one or more of union, intersection or difference operations.
In an embodiment of the invention, execution of a data set operation as described in connection with
By way of example, assuming a user is searching for information on aircraft, data mining one or more personal data sources corresponding to such user (such as his Facebook account and his email accounts) may establish that he is a model aircraft hobbyist. This contextual information may be used to accordingly weight and highlight search results that relate to local model aircraft clubs or necessary municipal permissions for flying model aircraft, such that search results relating to these two topics are displayed more prominently within the search result image.
At step 604, search terms or a search string is received. The search terms or search string may be received from a user or may be extracted from an existing search result image vector. The received search terms or search string(s) may be modified at step 606 by including, removing or altering one or more search terms, wherein a decision regarding such inclusion, removal or alteration is based on an evaluation of the contextual data obtained at step 602. At step 608 the modified search terms or search string is used to execute a fresh search through searchable data sources. Each search result returned by the fresh search may be used to generate a corresponding search result vector. Thereafter, the method may revert to steps 202 to 206 of
In another method embodiment illustrated in
Step 702 of the method embodiment comprises obtaining a first search result image vector. The first search result image vector may be generated in accordance with the methods more fully discussed in connection with
At step 704 contextual data may be obtained from personal data sources relevant to or associated with a searching user. Step 706 comprises execution of a search through searchable data sources including further personal data sources, based on search terms or search string(s) generated using the obtained contextual data. The results returned by this search are represented within a second search result image vector. At step 708, an intersection between the first search result image vector and second search result image vector is obtained. The search results returned by the intersection operation may be represented as a third search result image vector at step 710, and may be displayed as a corresponding search result image at step 712.
The invention also enables modification of one or more parameters of a search result image vector based on contextual data corresponding to the user. Examples of modifiable parameters include the search query used to generate the vector image, display attributes of search result vectors within the vector image, relevance scores corresponding to search result vectors within the vector image, vector dimensions used to evaluate relevance scores of the vector image or pre-defined scoring criteria for comparing relevance scores of search result vectors.
At step 804, the method identifies at least one new search term that is not included in the search query corresponding to the first search result image vector, but that is contextually related to said search query. For example, the search query may have included the term “baseball”, and contextually related terms may have been found to include “bat”, “glove”, “pitcher”, “ outfield”, “diamond”, “curve ball”, “short stop” etc. Methods for identification of contextually related terms are known in the art and any one or more such methods may be implemented.
At step 806 an additional search query is generated, based on the identified contextually related search term(s). In one embodiment, the additional search query may consist solely of one or more of the identified contextually related search terms, which are not also included in the search query corresponding to the first search result image vector.
At step 808, a search result image is generated based on the first search result image vector, which search result image may include a selectable link representing at least one search result returned by the additional search query. Responsive to selection of the selectable link at step 810, selected or predefined one or more data set operations are executed upon a first data set comprising the first search result image vector and a second data set comprising the at least one search result represented by the selectable link. The results returned by said data set operations may be used to generate a second search result image for display, and/or a corresponding second search result image vector.
One or more generated search result vectors may be communicated to display controller 908, which can generate a search result image based on the search result vectors, for display on user interface 914. One or more generated search result vectors may alternatively be communicated to search result image vector generator 906, which is configured to generate a search result image vector. The search result image vector may comprise a plurality of vector dimensions, one or more of which may identify the search results for display and display attributes of each search result. In an embodiment of the invention, the vector dimension(s) corresponding to a description of search results to be displayed may include identifiers of or links to search result vectors corresponding to each search result that is to be displayed. The vector dimension(s) describing display attributes of each search result may include one or more of (i) descriptor or content corresponding to the search result that is intended to be displayed (ii) display location, (iii) size, (iv) shape, (v) color, and (vi) any other display attributes specific to rendering the search result on a display.
Search result image vectors generated by search result image vector generator 906 may be communicated to display controller 908 for display of a corresponding search result image on user interface 914. Generated search result image vectors may be stored in database 912.
System 900 may include search parameter extractor 916 configured to (i) retrieve from database 912, or to otherwise receive, a search result image vector and (ii) extract from said search result image vector, one or more search terms or search queries based on which the corresponding search result image vector was generated. The extracted search terms or search queries may be further communicated to search parameter modifier 918, which is configured to modify said search terms or search queries and may route the modified search terms or search queries to search engine 902 for execution of search.
System 900 may also include an image vector comparator 920 configured to retrieve from database 912, or to otherwise receive, first and second search result image vectors and to execute at least one data set operation based upon a first data set comprising the first image result image vector and a second data set comprising the second image result image vector. Results returned by the executed at least one data set operation may be communicated to search result image vector generator 906 for generation of a corresponding search result image vector.
System 900 may in an embodiment include contextual data vector generator 922 configured to obtain or receive context specific data relevant to a user, from personal data sources 924 relevant to or associated with such user. Context specific data received by contextual data vector generator may be communicated to search engine 902 for contextualizing a user's search terms or search queries. Alternatively, contextual data relevant to a user may be used to generate a contextual data vector, which may thereafter by used in accordance with any of the method embodiments discussed previously.
It would be understood that system 900 may be implemented using one or more processors or processing devices. Additionally, search engine 902, search result vector generator 904, search result image vector generator 906, display controller 908, user interface 914, search parameter extractor 916, search parameter modifier 918, image vector comparator 920, and contextual data vector generator 922 may be implemented using one or more individual processors. In an embodiment two or more of above system elements 902 to 924 may be implemented using a common set of processors. Database 912, searchable data sources 910, and personal data sources may each comprise of non-transitory computer readable memory.
Although not shown in
The system 1002 comprises at least one processor 1004 and at least one memory 1006. The processor 1004 executes program instructions and may be a real processor. The processor 1004 may also be a virtual processor. The computer system 1002 is not intended to suggest any limitation as to scope of use or functionality of described embodiments. For example, the computer system 1002 may include, but not limited to, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, an integrated circuit, and other devices or arrangements of devices that are capable of implementing the steps that constitute the method of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 1006 may store software for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. The computer system 1002 may have additional components. For example, the computer system 1002 includes one or more communication channels 1008, one or more input devices 1010, one or more output devices 1012, and storage 1014. An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network, interconnects the components of the computer system 1002. In various embodiments of the present invention, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for various softwares executing in the computer system 1002, and manages different functionalities of the components of the computer system 1002.
The communication channel(s) 1008 allow communication over a communication medium to various other computing entities. The communication medium provides information such as program instructions, or other data in a communication media. The communication media includes, but not limited to, wired or wireless methodologies implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, microwave, bluetooth or other transmission media.
The input device(s) 1010 may include, but not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, mouse, pen, joystick, trackball, a voice device, a scanning device, or any another device that is capable of providing input to the computer system 1002. In an embodiment of the present invention, the input device(s) 1010 may be a sound card or similar device that accepts audio input in analog or digital form. The output device(s) 1012 may include, but not limited to, a user interface on CRT or LCD, printer, speaker, CD/DVD writer, or any other device that provides output from the computer system 1002.
The storage 1014 may include, but not limited to, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, DVDs, any types of computer memory, magnetic stripes, smart cards, printed barcodes or any other transitory or non-transitory medium which can be used to store information and can be accessed by the computer system 1002. In various embodiments of the present invention, the storage 1014 contains program instructions for implementing the described embodiments.
While not illustrated in
The present invention may be implemented in numerous ways including as a system, a method, or a computer program product such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network wherein programming instructions are communicated from a remote location.
The present invention may suitably be embodied as a computer program product for use with the computer system 1002. The method described herein is typically implemented as a computer program product, comprising a set of program instructions which is executed by the computer system 1002 or any other similar device. The set of program instructions may be a series of computer readable codes stored on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable storage medium (storage 1004), for example, diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, flash drives or hard disk, or transmittable to the computer system 1002, via a modem or other interface device, over either a tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue communications channel(s) 1008. The implementation of the invention as a computer program product may be in an intangible form using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave, infrared, bluetooth or other transmission techniques. These instructions can be preloaded into a system or recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or made available for downloading over a network such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network. The series of computer readable instructions may embody all or part of the functionality previously described herein.
While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/981,304, filed Apr. 18, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61981304 | Apr 2014 | US |
