Method and system for adaptive categorial presentation of search results

• US 20060031214A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Alexander, Zubin, Solaro, John A., Knapp, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,519,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting

Abstract

Search results are classified and presented by groups based on the type of each search result. Within the groups, the search results are ranked according to a rating, such as the relevancy of the result to the search request. The groups are also ordered, e.g., based upon the highest rated search result included in each group. The relative number of search results presented in the groups can vary, based upon the relative values of the highest rated search results in successive groups. When additional search results associated with a group are not initially presented for display, the group is selectively expandable to display additional search results. The expanded group, if not already first in the list, is moved to the first position, while other groups are displayed below the expanded group.

Claims

1. A method for presenting a plurality of search results, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving the plurality of search results, each of the search results having a type and a rating associated therewith;

(b) associating each of the search results with a group based on the type associated with each of the search results;

(c) placing the plurality of search results associated with each group into a search result order within the group based on the rating associated with each of the search results, the search results being ranked in descending order, starting from a highest rated result associated with the group;

(d) sequencing the groups into a group order, based on the highest rated result associated with each of the groups;

(e) presenting a list of the groups in the group order; and

(f) presenting in each group at least a portion of the search results associated with the group, the portion of the search results including at least the highest rated result associated with the group.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the portion of the search results presented in each group, by carrying out the steps of:

(a) determining the rating of a first selected result in a first group;

(b) determining the rating of a next selected result in a next group;

(c) comparing the rating of the first selected result with the rating of the next selected result; and

(d) increasing the portion of the search results in the first group presented when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined criteria.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first selected result in the first group includes a highest rated result in the first group, and wherein the next selected result includes a highest rated result in the next group.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the portion of the search results in the first group presented is increased to include one of:

(a) a predetermined maximum number; and

(b) all of the search results associated with the first group.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the portion of the search results in the first group presented is limited to a predetermined minimum when the rating of the first selected result group does not exceed the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined amount.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a multiplying factor, such that the portion of the search results presented is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least an amount achieved as a function of the multiplying factor.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a margin, such that the portion of the search results displayed is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least the margin.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the search results presented in each group is determined from a table that includes, for each group type, a maximum portion of the search results to be presented, and a minimum number of the search results to be presented.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of presenting in each group, a count of the search results that are associated with the group but are not included in the portion of the search results presented.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of presenting additional search results in excess of the portion of the search results for a selected group, by carrying out the steps of:

(a) determining when a user has indicated a desire to view the additional search results for the selected group;

(b) resequencing the selected group to be presented in a first position in the group order, if the selected group was not already in the first position in the group order; and

(c) increasing the portion of the search results presented in the selected group, up to a predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating availability of additional search results for the selected group not included in the expanded portion of the search results listed by including at least one one of:

(a) a number of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results; and

(b) a number of pages of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results, the number of pages being determinable by dividing the number of additional results available by the predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising listing linkable page numbers for at least a portion of the number of pages of additional results available such that the user can choose at least one of:

(a) a noncurrently presented page number to navigate to a page of search results associated with the noncurrently presented page number;

(b) a next page link to navigate to a next noncurrently presented page; and

(c) a previous page link to navigate to a last noncurrently presented page.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a user search request;

(b) performing a search of a body of data; and

(c) receiving the search results produced by performing the search.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

(a) parsing a search result to determine a principal content of the search result;

and

(b) assigning an appropriate type to the search result, based upon the principal content of the search result.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the search results are received from one of:

(a) the Internet;

(b) a body of data accessible over a network;

(c) a database accessible over a network; and

(d) a database residing on a computing system on which the search results are presented.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the database includes an encyclopedia.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the type associated with the search results includes a content type for the search result.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the content type includes one of

(a) an article;

(b) a map;

(c) a dictionary entry;

(d) a multimedia file comprising at least one of a motion video, a still image, and an audio file;

(e) a web resource; and

(f) a homework tool

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the rating includes a relevancy factor, the relevancy factor indicating a relevance of the search results.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of including among the groups an additional entry, the additional entry including other information than the search results.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the additional entry includes a sponsored link.

22. A memory medium having machine executable instructions stored for carrying out the steps of claim 1.

23. A method for presenting a plurality of search results, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving the plurality of search results, each of the search results having a type and a rating associated therewith;

(b) associating each of the search results with a group based on the type associated with each of the search results;

(c) placing the search results into a search result order based on the rating associated with each of the search results, the search results being ranked in descending order from a highest rated result;

(d) sequencing the groups into a group order based on the highest rated result in each of the groups;

(e) creating a list of the groups in the group order;

(f) determining the portion of the search results presented in each group, by carrying out the steps of;

(i) determining the rating of a first selected result in a first group;

(ii) determining the rating of a next selected result in a next group;

(iii) comparing the rating of the first selected result with the rating of the next selected result; and

(iv) increasing the portion of the search results in the first group presented when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined criteria; and

(g) presenting the list of groups with the portion of the search results for each group.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first selected result in the first group includes a highest rated result in the first group, and wherein the next selected result includes a highest rated result in the next group.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the portion of the search results in the first group presented is increased to one of:

(a) a predetermined maximum number; and

(b) all of the search results associated with the first group.

26. The method of claim 23, the portion of the search results in the first group presented is limited to a predetermined minimum when the rating of the first selected result does not exceed the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined amount.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a multiplying factor, such that the portion of the search results presented is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least an amount achieved as a function of the multiplying factor.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a margin, such that the portion of the search results displayed is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least the margin.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the portion of the search results presented in each group is determined from a table that lists a maximum portion of the search results to be displayed, and a minimum number of the search results to be displayed, for each group type.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of presenting in each group, a count of the search results that are associated with the group but are not included in the portion of the search results displayed.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of presenting additional search results in excess of the portion of the search results presented, for a selected group, by carrying out the steps of:

(a) determining when a user has indicated a desire to view additional search results for the selected group;

(b) resequencing the selected group to a first position in the group order, if the selected group was not already in the first position in the group order; and

(c) increasing the portion of the search results presented in the selected group up to a predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising indicating availability of additional search results for the selected group not included in the expanded portion of the search results listed by including at least one one of:

(a) a number of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results; and

(b) a number of pages of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results, the number of pages being determinable by dividing the number of additional results available by the predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising listing linkable page numbers for at least a portion of the number of pages of additional results available such that the user can choose at least one of:

(a) a noncurrently presented page number to navigate to a page of search results associated with the noncurrently presented page number;

(b) a next page link to navigate to a next noncurrently presented page; and

(c) a previous page link to navigate to a last noncurrently presented page.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a user search request;

(b) performing a search of a body of data; and

(c) receiving the search results resulting from performing the search.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein the search results are received from one of:

(a) the Internet;

(b) a body of data accessible over a network;

(c) a database accessible over a network; and

(d) a database residing on a computing system on which the search results are presented.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the database includes an encyclopedia.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein the type associated with the search results includes a content type.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the content type includes one of

(a) an article;

(b) a map;

(c) a dictionary entry;

(d) a multimedia file comprising at least one of a motion video, a still image, and an audio file;

(e) a web resource; and

(f) a homework tool

40. The method of claim 23, wherein the rating includes a relevancy factor, the relevancy factor indicating a relevance of the search results to a search request.

41. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of including among the groups an additional entry, the additional entry including other information than the search results.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the additional entry includes a sponsored link.

43. A memory medium having machine executable instructions for carrying out the steps of claim 23.

35. The method of 23, further comprising the steps of

(a) parsing a search result to determine a principal content of the search result;

and

(b) assigning an appropriate type to the search result.

44. A system for presenting a plurality of search results, comprising:

(a) at least one user input device;

(b) a display screen;

(c) a processor in communication with the input device and the display screen; and

(d) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;

(i) receiving the plurality of search results, each of the search results having a type and a rating associated therewith;

(ii) associating each of the search results with a group based on the type associated with each of the search results;

(iii) placing the plurality of search results associated with each group into a search result order within the group, based on the rating associated with each of the search results, the search results being ranked in descending order, starting from a highest rated result associated with the group;

(iv) sequencing the groups into a group order, based on the highest rated result in each of the groups;

(v) presenting a list of the groups in the group order, on the display; and

(vi) presenting in each group on the display, at least a portion of the search results associated with the group, the portion of the search results including at least the highest rated result associated with the group.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to determine the portion of the search results presented in each group.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to:

(a) determine the rating of a first selected result in a first group;

(b) determine the rating of a next selected result in a next group;

(c) compare the rating of the first selected result with the rating of the next selected result; and

(d) increase the portion of the search results in the first group presented on the display, when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined criteria.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the first selected result in the first group includes a highest rated result in the first group, and wherein the next selected result includes a highest rated result in the next group.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the portion of the search results in the first group presented on the display is increased to:

(a) one of a predetermined maximum number; and

(b) all of the search results associated with the first group.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the portion of the search results in the first group displayed is limited to a predetermined minimum when the rating of the first selected result does not exceed the rating of the next selected result by at least a predetermined amount.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a multiplying factor, such that the portion of the search results presented on the display is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least an amount achieved as a function of the multiplying factor.

51. The system of claim 45, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a margin, such that the portion of the search results displayed is increased when the rating of the first selected result exceeds the rating of the next selected result by at least the margin.

52. The system of claim 44, wherein the portion of the search results presented in each group is determined from a table in the memory that includes, for each group type, a maximum portion of the search results to be displayed, and a minimum number of the search results to be presented on the display.

53. The system of claim 44, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to present on the display, in each group, a count of the search results that are associated with the group but not included in the portion of the search results presented on the display.

54. The system of claim 44, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to present on the display, additional search results in excess of the portion of the search results associated with a selected group.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to:

(a) determine when a user has indicated a desire to view additional search results for the selected group;

(b) resequence the selected group to a first position in the group order, if the selected group was not already in the first position in the group order; and

(c) increase the portion of the search results presented on the display, in the selected group, up to a predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

56. The system of claim 55, further comprising indicating availability of additional search results for the selected group not included in the expanded portion of the search results listed by including at least one one of:

(a) a number of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results; and

(b) a number of pages of additional results available not included in the expanded portion of the search results, the number of pages being determinable by dividing the number of additional results available by the predetermined expanded portion of the search results.

57. The system of claim 56, further comprising listing linkable page numbers for at least a portion of the number of pages of additional results available such that the user can choose at least one of:

(a) a noncurrently presented page number to navigate to a page of search results associated with the noncurrently presented page number;

(b) a next page link to navigate to a next noncurrently presented page; and

(c) a previous page link to navigate to a last noncurrently presented page.

58. The system of claim 44, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to:

(a) receive a user search request;

(b) perform a search of a body of data; and

(c) receive the search results produced by performing the search.

59. The system of claim 44, further comprising a search result parser, the search result parser parsing a search result to determine a principal content of the search result, and assigning an appropriate type to the search result.

60. The system of claim 44, wherein the search results are received from one of

(a) the Internet;

(b) a body of data accessible over a network;

(c) a database accessible over a network; and

(d) a database residing on the system.

61. The system of claim 54, wherein the database includes an encyclopedia.

62. The system of claim 44, wherein the type associated with the search results includes a content type for the search result.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the content type includes one of

(a) an article;

(b) a map;

(c) a dictionary entry;

(d) a multimedia file comprising at least one of a motion video, a still image, and an audio file;

(e) a web resource; and

(f) a homework tool.

64. The system of claim 44, wherein the rating includes a relevancy factor, the relevancy factor indicating a relevance of the search results.

65. The system of claim 44, wherein the machine instructions stored in the memory further cause the processor to include an additional entry among the groups, the additional entry including information other than the search results.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the additional entry includes a sponsored link.