Systems and methods for collaborative searching

• US 20060242133A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knapp Investment Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Denny, Michael S., Topfl, Lou
• Granted Patent: US 7,472,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3325 Reformulation based on results of preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9536 Search customisation based on social or collaborative filtering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access

Abstract

Systems and methods for collaborative searching are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a database stores previously executed queries and corresponding results. An application server compares an entered query with the previously executed queries. If the application server finds a query that is substantially similar to the entered query, the application server returns the results corresponding to the previously executed query. If no substantially similar result is found, the query is executed against one or more data sources. When results are returned, an embodiment provides the user with the ability to rate them. The ratings are used to determine the similarity of various queries.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for searching information network-based content, comprising:

receiving a first query;

searching a database for a second query, wherein the second query bears a predetermined substantial similarity to the first query;

upon finding the second query, retrieving the second query and a corresponding result of the second query from the database and presenting the corresponding acceptable result and the second query; and

upon failing to find a second query, executing the first query in an information network and presenting an original result of the first query.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first query comprises a voice query.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second query is identical to said second query.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the corresponding result is acceptable; and

if the corresponding result is not acceptable, executing the first query in an information network and presenting a new result based on the execution of the first query.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

accepting a rating of the new result; and

storing the rating in the database.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the original result in said database.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting a rating of the original result; and

storing the rating in the database.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting a rating of the corresponding result; and

storing the rating in the database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring an evolution of the second query.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a natural language engine to compare the first query and the second query.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising recommending a search strategy in response to receiving the first query.

12-18. -18. (canceled)