Two-level internet search service system

• US 20010039563A1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Published: 11/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taoofsearch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Taoofsearch Incorporated
• Inventors: Tian, Yunqi
• Granted Patent: US 7,020,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results

Abstract

A two-level Internet search service system. Within the platform of the two-level Internet search service system, Web site builders or Webmasters will have better control on correctly presenting indexes of their contents; Web users will have better control to clarify what they are looking for, can give feedback on service improvement, and can give their opinion for which Web site is more relevant to their query. In the two-level Internet search service system the searches are distinguished into search service provider (SSP) level and in-site level. The objective of SSP level search is to bring Web users to the right Web destination. The objective of in-site level is to find exact information Web users are seeking.

Claims

1. A system for conducting an Internet search service comprising:

a personal directory for recording Web units or Web pages visited;

a personal search agent for conducting a further search;

an in-site search engine tool kit.

2. The system of

claim 1

further including software means which automatically updates said personal directory to reflect changes in Web units and in directory structure and for informing Web users of the changes immediately.

3. The system of

claim 1

further including software means to analyze individual'"'"'s search pattern and give Web users search improvement suggestions and recommend new Web units/sites based on the analysis.

4. The system of

claim 1

further including a user feedback form for users to rate the Web units under certain quality criteria, to report any erroneous Web unit submission, and to suggest improvement on search quality.

5. The system of

claim 4

further including means to transmit said feedback forms to Web unit builders or Webmasters.

6. The system of

claim 1

further including a Web unit to post any unsolved search query for the Internet community to provide a solution.

7. The system of

claim 1

further including means to allow communication between said search agent and said personal directory wherein said search agent can carry search requests to the Web units in the said personal directory to initiate said in-site search engine tool kit for a more specific search or act as a Web robot to search a Web unit following the navigation structure built into the Web unit.

8. The system of

claim 1

further including a software means to let said in-site search engine tool kit perform communication with said personal search agent regarding Web users'"'"' search needs.

9. The system of

claim 1

further including an authoring tool for Web unit builders or Webmasters to create metadata for in-site search.

10. A system for inputting data into an Internet search service system comprising:

a search service provider server for guiding Web unit builders or Webmasters through an input process;

a downloadable software means containing forms for self-submission by a Web unit builder or Webmaster.

11. The system of

claim 10

wherein said software means includes:

an electronic index form for Web unit builders or Webmasters to fill in the necessary items to describe the content in their Web units;

an electronic multi-directory entry form for Web unit builders or Webmasters to locate the branches and nodes for their Web units;

12. The system of

claim 11

wherein said software means includes means for generating a standard data format from entries in said electronic index and said electronic multi-directory and transmitting the data back to said search service provider server.

13. The system of

claim 11

wherein said software means further includes an electronic form for letting Web unit builders or Webmasters suggest new branches and nodes in multi-directory structure.

14. The system of

claim 11

wherein said software includes a tutorial explaining the Web unit concept.

15. The system of

claim 11

wherein said software includes means for reminding Web unit builders or Webmasters to submit the new information immediately.

16. The system of

claim 11

wherein said server includes means for detecting any update or change in registered Web sites.

17. A system for organizing data into a search service provider server comprising:

a database to store Web unit indices and other search related information;

a multi-directory data structure to host categorized Web unit entries according to a subject classification scheme; and

a software means to process input information from Web unit builders or Webmasters.

18. The system of

claim 17

wherein said software means includes means for detecting errors in input from Web unit builders or Webmasters.

19. The system of

claim 17

further including an e-mail means for sending feedback to Web unit builders or Webmasters regarding errors in their input.

20. The system of

claim 17

further including a sorting means for automatically transforming input data to said database or said multi-directory structure.

21. A method for facilitating an Internet search comprising:

providing a personal directory for recording Web units or Web pages visited;

providing a personal search agent for conducting a further search;

providing an in-site search engine tool kit.

22. The method of

claim 21

further including providing means to automatically update the personal directory to reflect changes in Web units and in directory structure and for informing Web users of the changes immediately.

23. The method of

claim 21

further including providing a software means to analyze individual'"'"'s search pattern and give Web users search improvement suggestions and recommend new Web units/sites based on the analysis.

24. The method of

claim 21

further including providing a user feedback form for users to rate the Web units under certain quality criteria, to report any erroneous Web unit submission, and to suggest improvement on search quality.

25. The method of

claim 24

further providing including means to transmit the feedback forms to Web unit builders or Webmasters.

26. The method of

claim 21

further providing including a Web unit to post any unsolved search query for the Internet community to provide a solution.

27. The method of

claim 21

further providing a means to facilitate communication between the search agent and the personal directory, wherein the search agent can carry search requests to the Web units in the personal directory to initiate the in-site search engine tool kit for a more specific search or act as a Web robot to search a Web unit following the navigation structure built into the Web unit.

28. The method of

claim 21

further providing a software means to let the in-site search engine tool kit perform communication with the personal search agent regarding Web users'"'"'search needs.

29. The method of

claim 21

further providing an authoring tool for Web unit builders or Webmasters to create metadata for in-site search.