Methods and systems for providing personalized contextual search results

• US 20070260598A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rateze Remote Mgmt. L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Rateze Remote Mgmt. L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Odom, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,165,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3326 using relevance feedback from the user, e.g. relevance feedback on documents, documents sets, document terms or passages

Abstract

The present invention provides search engine methods and systems for generating highly personalized and relevant search results based on the context of a user'"'"'s search constraint and user characteristics. In an embodiment, upon receipt of a user'"'"'s search constraint, the method determines all semantic variations for each word within the user search constraint. Additionally, topics can be determined within the user constraint. For each unique word and topic within the user search constraint, possible contexts are determined. A matrix of feasible context scenarios is established. Each context scenario is ranked to determine the most likely context scenario for which the user search constraint relates based on user characteristics. In one embodiment, the weighting used to rank the contexts is based on previous user searches and/or knowledge of their interests. Search results associated with the highest ranking context are provided to the user, along with topics associated with lower ranked contexts.

Claims

1. A method for displaying search results, comprising:

(a) receiving a search constraint from a user;

(b) determining unique words within the search constraint;

(c) determining possible contexts for each unique word;

(d) establishing feasible context scenarios based on the possible contexts for each unique word;

(e) ranking the feasible context scenarios; and

(f) displaying search results for the highest ranked context scenario.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating search results for unique words within the search constraint.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining semantic variations for each unique word within the search constraint.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising eliminating stop words from the search constraint.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing feasible context scenarios includes eliminating possible context scenarios that are not logically feasible.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing feasible context scenarios is based upon tendencies of the user entering the search constraint.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein ranking the feasible context scenarios is based upon previous searches of the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein ranking the feasible context scenarios is based upon the interests of the user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(g) receiving a user selection of a search result;

(h) updating a knowledge base for the user that is used to rank relevancy of context scenarios based on the user selection of the search result.

10. A method for displaying search results, comprising:

(a) receiving a search constraint from a user;

(b) determining unique words and topics within the search constraint;

(c) determining possible contexts for each unique word and topic;

(d) establishing feasible context scenarios based on the possible contexts for each unique word and topic;

(e) ranking the feasible context scenarios; and

(f) displaying search results for the highest ranked context scenario.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating search results for unique words and topics within the search constraint.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining semantic variations for each unique word and topic within the search constraint.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising eliminating stop words from the search constraint.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing feasible context scenarios includes eliminating possible context scenarios that are not logically feasible.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing feasible context scenarios is based upon tendencies of the user entering the search constraint.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein ranking the feasible context scenarios is based upon previous searches of the user.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein ranking the feasible context scenarios is based upon the interests of the user.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(i) receiving a user selection of a search result;

(j) updating a knowledge base for the user that is used to rank relevancy of context scenarios based on the user selection of the search result.