Information search and retrieval system
First Claim
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1. A method of searching a database, the method comprising:
- providing an individual user profile containing individual profile characteristics about an individual user;
providing an aggregate user profile of a plurality of users containing aggregate user profile characteristics;
providing at least one search term from the individual user; and
conducting a search of the database using search criteria, the search criteria including at least one common individual profile characteristic and aggregate profile characteristic.
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Abstract
Improved systems and methods are described for accessing information over a distributed network, including the World Wide Web of the Internet and local area networks. The system and methods provide users a quick, efficient, and effective way to gather information of interest to them. Notably, the invention permits the gathering of information using not just entered queries, but also the characteristics of the user and the user'"'"'s real-time opinion of the search results as they are displayed. In doing so, the user is given information that is tailored to that individual, and which reflects the individual'"'"'s specific opinion of the relevancy of the search results.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of searching a database, the method comprising:
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providing an individual user profile containing individual profile characteristics about an individual user;
providing an aggregate user profile of a plurality of users containing aggregate user profile characteristics;
providing at least one search term from the individual user; and
conducting a search of the database using search criteria, the search criteria including at least one common individual profile characteristic and aggregate profile characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A data signal embodied in a transmission medium, the signal:
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rating a record currently displayed; and
identifying a record to display. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method in a computer system for displaying search and retrieval information, the method comprising:
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conducting a search of records within at least one database;
simultaneously displaying a first record identified from the search and a list of records identified from the search; and
subsequently displaying a second record identified from the search by selecting the second record from the list of records. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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12. A method in a computer system for displaying search and retrieval information, the method comprising:
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conducting a search of records within at least one database;
displaying a first record identified from the search;
displaying a list of the search results, the list identifying selected records and an evaluation input associated with each of the records; and
selecting a second record identified from the search by selecting the evaluation input associated with the record; and
wherein the evaluation input provides a rating of the first record.
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25. A rating method for evaluating networked information sources, the rating system suitable for use in dynamically searching the information sources, the method comprising:
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a) providing individual ratings of a plurality of information sources, each individual rating including an evaluation of the information source by a single individual reviewing the source; and
b) providing aggregate ratings of a plurality of information sources, each aggregate rating including an evaluation of the information source by multiple individuals reviewing the source;
wherein the aggregate ratings include identifying characteristics of each reviewer.
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31. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, the data signal comprising:
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a first portion identifying the results of a search of multiple records within at least one database;
a second portion identifying a first record located by the search;
a third portion identifying a list of the search results, the list indicating selected records and an evaluation input associated with each of the records; and
wherein each evaluation input provides a rating of the first record.
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32. A method of searching and displaying search results, the method comprising:
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searching at least one networked database of information-containing records;
identifying a plurality of relevant information-containing records;
compiling a list of the information-containing records; and
displaying the list concurrently with displaying at least one of the information-containing records;
wherein display of other information-containing records is initiated by selecting from the list of the information-containing records. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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36. A method in a computer system for evaluating search results, the method comprising:
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searching at least one networked database of information-containing records;
displaying at least one search result in a first window;
displaying a second window containing rating requests; and
rating the search result in the first window by selecting a rating request in the second window.
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Specification