SEARCH TOOL PROVIDING OPTIONAL USE OF HUMAN SEARCH GUIDES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- allowing a user to enter a query and select between a human assisted search and an automated search; and
initiating a search responsive to the selection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system providing optional use of human search guides to allow a user to select between a human guide assisted search and an automated search. The user is provided with an option of submitting a query requesting assistance of one or more human guides, initiating a search without requesting assistance from human guide(s) using automated results, or a combination of both.
167 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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allowing a user to enter a query and select between a human assisted search and an automated search; and initiating a search responsive to the selection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of searching, comprising:
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submitting a query to a human guide to conduct a search for a user requesting assistance with the search; and enabling the user to initiate the search without assistance of the human guide when the user does not request assistance with the search.
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12. A method of providing optional use of a human guide for a search, comprising:
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determining whether a query is requested to be submitted to the human guide; and generating a first result based on a real-time search conducted by the human guide or a second result based on stored information in accordance with said determining.
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13. A method of submitting a query, comprising:
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providing selectable options for submitting a query; and directing the query to a human guide for a search upon selection of a first of the selectable options and executing the search without requiring the human guide upon selection of a second of the selectable options.
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14. An interface, comprising:
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a query field for entering a query to be searched; and a selection control indicating whether the query is to be searched by one of a human or automatically. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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a user machine allowing a user to enter a query and select one of an automated and human assisted search; and a system initiating a search responsive to the selection.
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18. A method, comprising:
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allowing a user to enter a query and select between a human assisted search, an automated search and both the human assisted search and the automated search; and initiating a search responsive to the selection.
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19. A search apparatus for providing optional use of human search guides, comprising:
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a storage device maintaining a record of default or previously used resources in association with a keyword and at least one resource selected by a system administrator, said maintaining including resources used and selected by human search guides; a user device providing a first option for submitting a request to one or more of the human search guides and a second option for initiating a search without said submitting; a server processing the search request using the recorded default or previously used resources based on a keyword of the search request and without said submitting, where the user device enables resubmission of the search request using the first option when the second option is initially selected.
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20. A search method, comprising:
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receiving a query; and providing a first option of submitting the query to request a human guide assistance for a search and a second option of conducting the search without requesting said human guide assistance. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method, comprising:
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receiving a query for a search; and returning results from information maintained by at least one search engine upon determining that a user has selected an automated search from selectable search options including a human guide assistance for the search. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method, comprising:
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allowing a user to enter a query in an interface linked to a first destination; and redirecting the query to a second destination when designated by the user. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification