Refining search query results

• US 10,255,363 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Schwab & Company Incorporated (Charles Schwab Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TD Ameritrade IP Company Incorporated (Charles Schwab Corporation)
• Inventors: Weeks, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Obisesan, Augustine K.
• Application Number:
  US13/964,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20150046423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

Systems and methods for refining search query results are provided. A first user input is received. A plurality of search categories for the first input are determined. The plurality of search categories are then associated with different segments of a first slider. The first slider allows a user to generate a search query for the first user input among the plurality of associated categories. The search query returns a set of search query results. A plurality of sub categories may be determined for each search category. The plurality of sub-categories are associated with different segments of a second slider. Movement of a slider button of a second slider to a first segment of the second slider may be detected. The search query results may be filtered based on the first segment of the second slider. The filtering adjusts a level of detail of the set of search query results.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

in response to receiving, by a client computing device, a first user input;

assigning, by the client computing device, relevance scores to a plurality of different search categories based on an analysis of a format and type of the first user input in relation to the plurality of different search categories;

retrieving, by the client computing device, a subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein the relevance scores assigned to each of the search categories of the subset of the plurality of different search categories exceed a pre-configured relevance threshold;

partitioning, by the client computing device, a first slider into a first plurality of separate segments based on the subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein a quantity of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider is greater than a quantity of the subset of the plurality of different search categories;

assigning each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories to at least one segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider, wherein the assigned search categories change based on different user inputs and wherein a first search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to a first segment of the first plurality of separate segments; and

displaying the first slider, including a first slider button initially positioned at a first default segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider;

in response to receiving, by the client computing device, a second user input that moves the first slider button from the first default segment to the first segment;

displaying a first set of search results based on (i) the first user input and (ii) the first search category;

determining, by the client computing device, a plurality of search sub-categories of the first search category;

partitioning, by the client computing device, a second slider into a second plurality of separate segments based on the plurality of search sub-categories, wherein a quantity of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider is greater than a quantity of the plurality of search sub-categories;

assigning each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories to at least one segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider, wherein a first search sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to a second segment of the second plurality of separate segments; and

displaying the second slider, including a second slider button initially positioned at a second default segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider; and

in response to receiving, by the client computing device, a third user input that moves the second slider button from the second default segment to the second segment, displaying a second set of search results based on (i) the first user input, (ii) the first search category, and (iii) the first search sub-category.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to receiving, by the client computing device, the second user input:

generating, by the client computing device, a search query for the first user input based on the second user input; and

receiving, by the client computing device, a set of search query results for the first user input based on the second user input.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising, in response to receiving, by the client computing device, one or more additional user inputs, wherein each additional user input comprises additional movements of the first slider button of the first slider to different separate segments of the first slider, updating the search query results for each additional user input based on searches of the subset of the plurality of different search categories associated with the different separate segments of the first slider.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a first user input comprises:

receiving, by the client computing device, one or more search terms; and

parsing, by the client computing device, the one or more search terms.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein retrieving a subset of the plurality of different search categories for the first user input comprises:

analyzing, by the client computing device, the parsed one or more search terms;

determining, by the client computing device, one or more category types for the parsed one or more search terms based on the analysis; and

retrieving, by the client computing device, the subset of the plurality of different search categories based on a match with the one or more category types.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein determining one or more category types comprises:

generating, by the client computing device, criteria for a model based on characteristics of the first user input, wherein the model assigns the relevance score to each of the search categories of the plurality of different search categories.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first user input comprises personal information.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first user input comprises user account information, customer identification number, first name, last name, a social security number, or a date of birth.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein assigning relevance scores is not based on the content of the first user input.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the search categories comprise a plurality of different databases and a plurality of different web servers.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to receiving the third user input, querying a database table associated with the first search sub-category.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the first default segment, and

for each segment in the first plurality of separate segments other than the first default segment, exactly one of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the segment.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the first default segment is positioned in the center of the first slider.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein:

the first plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the first plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the first default segment along the first slider.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the second default segment, and

for each segment in the second plurality of separate segments other than the second default segment, exactly one of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the segment.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the second default segment is positioned in the center of the second slider.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein:

the second plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the second plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the second default segment along the second slider.

18. A system, comprising:

a computing device comprising a processor and memory; and

a query module, implemented on the computing device, and configured to;

receive a first user input;

assign relevance scores to a plurality of different search categories based on an analysis of a format and type of the first user input in relation to the plurality of different search categories;

retrieve a subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein the relevance scores assigned to each of the search categories of the subset of the plurality of different search categories exceed a pre-configured relevance threshold;

partition a first slider into a first plurality of separate segments based on the subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein a quantity of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider is greater than a quantity of the subset of the plurality of different search categories;

assign each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories to at least one segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider, wherein the assigned search categories change based on different user inputs and wherein a first search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to a first segment of the first plurality of separate segments;

display the first slider, including a first slider button initially positioned at a first default segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider;

in response to receiving a second user input that moves the first slider button from the first default segment to the first segment;

display a first set of search results based on (i) the first user input and (ii) the first search category;

determine a plurality of search sub-categories of the first search category;

partition a second slider into a second plurality of separate segments based on the plurality of search sub-categories, wherein a quantity of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider is greater than a quantity of the plurality of search sub-categories;

assign each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories to at least one segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider, wherein a first search sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to a second segment of the second plurality of separate segments; and

display the second slider, including a second slider button initially positioned at a second default segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider; and

in response to receiving a third user input that moves the second slider button from the second default segment to the second segment, display a second set of search results based on (i) the first user input, (ii) the first search category, and (iii) the first search sub-category.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the query module is further configured to:

generate a search query for the first user input based on the second user input; and

receive a set of search query results for the first user input based on the second user input.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the query module is further configured to:

receive one or more additional user inputs, wherein each additional user input comprises additional movements of the first slider button of the first slider to different separate segments of the first slider; and

update the search query results for each additional user input based on searches of the search categories associated with the different separate segments of the first slider.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the query module is further configured to:

receive one or more search terms; and

parse the one or more search terms.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the query module is further configured to:

analyze the parsed one or more search terms;

determine one or more category types for the parsed one or more search terms based on the analysis; and

retrieve the subset of the plurality of different search categories based on a match with the one or more category types.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the query module is further configured to:

generate criteria for a model based on characteristics of the first user input, wherein the model assigns the relevance score to each of the plurality of different search categories.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by one or more computers which, upon execution, cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:

in response to receiving a first user input;

assigning relevance scores to a plurality of different search categories based on an analysis of a format and type of the first user input in relation to the plurality of different search categories;

retrieving a subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein the relevance scores assigned to each of the search categories of the subset of the plurality of different search categories exceed a pre-configured relevance threshold;

partitioning a first slider into a first plurality of separate segments based on the subset of the plurality of different search categories, such that a quantity of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider is greater than a quantity of the subset of the plurality of different search categories;

assigning each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories to at least one segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider, wherein the assigned search categories change based on different user inputs and wherein a first search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to a first segment of the first plurality of separate segments; and

displaying the first slider, including a first slider button initially positioned at a first default segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider;

in response to receiving a second user input that moves the first slider button from the first default segment to the first segment;

displaying a first set of search results based on (i) the first user input and (ii) the first search category;

determining a plurality of search sub-categories of the first search category;

partitioning a second slider into a second plurality of separate segments based on the plurality of search sub-categories, wherein a quantity of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider is greater than a quantity of the plurality of search sub-categories;

assigning each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories to at least one segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider, wherein a first search sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to a second segment of the second plurality of separate segments; and

displaying the second slider, including a second slider button initially positioned at a second default segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider; and

in response to receiving a third user input that moves the second slider button from the second default segment to the second segment, displaying a second set of search results based on (i) the first user input, (ii) the first search category, and (iii) the first search sub-category.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, the operations further comprising:

generating a search query for the first user input based on the second user input; and

receiving a set of search query results for the first user input based on the second user input.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, the operations further comprising:

receiving one or more additional user inputs, each additional user input comprising additional movements of the first slider button of the first slider to different segments of the first slider; and

updating the search query results for each additional user input based on searches of the search categories associated with the different segments of the first slider.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein:

each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the first default segment, and

for each segment in the first plurality of separate segments other than the first default segment, exactly one of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the segment.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the first default segment is positioned in the center of the first slider.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein:

the first plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the first plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the first default segment along the first slider.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein:

each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the second default segment, and

for each segment in the second plurality of separate segments other than the second default segment, exactly one of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the segment.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the second default segment is positioned in the center of the second slider.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein:

the second plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the second plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the second default segment along the second slider.

33. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory; and

a processing device coupled to the memory, wherein the processing device is configured to;

receive a first user input;

assign relevance scores to a plurality of different search categories based on an analysis of a format and type of the first user input in relation to the plurality of different search categories;

retrieve a subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein the relevance scores assigned to each of the search categories of the subset of the plurality of different search categories exceed a pre-configured relevance threshold;

partition a first slider into a first plurality of separate segments based on the subset of the plurality of different search categories, wherein a quantity of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider is greater than a quantity of the subset of the plurality of different search categories;

assign each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories to at least one segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider, wherein the assigned search categories change based on different user inputs and wherein a first search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to a first segment of the first plurality of separate segments;

display the first slider, including a first slider button initially positioned at a first default segment of the first plurality of separate segments of the first slider;

receive a second user input that moves the first slider button from the first default segment to the first segment;

display a first set of search results based on (i) the first user input and (ii) the first search category;

determine a plurality of search sub-categories of the first search category;

partition a second slider into a second plurality of separate segments based on the plurality of search sub-categories, wherein a quantity of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider is greater than the quantity of the plurality of search sub-categories;

assign each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories to at least one segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider, wherein a first search sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to a second segment of the second plurality of separate segments;

display the second slider, including a second slider button initially positioned at a second default segment of the second plurality of separate segments of the second slider;

receive a third user input that moves the second slider button from the second default segment to the second segment; and

display a second set of search results based on (i) the first user input, (ii) the first search category, and (iii) the first search sub-category.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein:

each search category of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the first default segment, and

for each segment in the first plurality of separate segments other than the first default segment, exactly one of the subset of the plurality of different search categories is assigned to the segment.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first default segment is positioned in the center of the first slider.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein:

the first plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the first plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the first default segment along the first slider.

37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein:

each sub-category of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the second default segment, and

for each segment in the second plurality of separate segments other than the second default segment, exactly one of the plurality of search sub-categories is assigned to the segment.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the second default segment is positioned in the center of the second slider.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein:

the second plurality of separate segments is an odd number, and

an equal number of the second plurality of separate segments is positioned on either side of the second default segment along the second slider.