Indexing and ranking processes for directory assistance services

• US 20080172376A1
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ju, Yun-Cheng, Yu, Dong, Acero, Alejandro, Wang, Ye-Yi
• Granted Patent: US 7,580,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3334 Selection or weighting of terms from queries, including natural language queries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing a directory assistance service. The method includes generating an indexing file that is a representation of information associated with a collection of listings stored in an index. The indexing file is utilized as a basis for ranking listings in an index based on the strength of association with a query. Based at least in part on the ranking, an output is provided and is indicative of listings in the index that are likely correspond to the query. At least one particular listing in the index is excluded from the output without there ever being a comparison of features in the query with features in the one particular listing.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a directory assistance service, the method comprising:

generating an indexing file that is a representation of information associated with a collection of listings stored in an index;

utilizing the indexing file as a basis for ranking listings in the index based on the strength of association with a query; and

providing, based at least in part on the ranking, an output indicative of listings in the index that are likely correspond to the query, wherein at least one particular listing in the index is excluded from the output without there ever being a comparison of features in the query with features in the one particular listing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an indexing file comprises generating an indexing file that contains a representation of individual features of the listings in the index, wherein each individual feature is represented in the indexing file by a feature identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an indexing file comprises generating an indexing file that contains a collection of listing identifiers that each correspond to a listing in the index that embodies a particular characteristic.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein generating an indexing file that contains a collection of listing identifiers comprises generating an indexing file that contains a collection of listing identifiers that are each associated with a score.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating an indexing file that contains a collection of listing identifiers that are each associated with a score comprises generating an indexing file that contains a collection of listing identifiers that are each associated with a score that is indicative of a strength of association to the particular characteristic.

6. An indexing file comprising a collection of pairs associated with a listing feature, wherein each pair includes a listing identifier and a score.

7. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein the score is indicative of the strength of association to the feature.

8. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein the collection of pairs does not include a listing identifier that corresponds to a listing that does not include the listing feature.

9. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein the collection of pairs is organized in descending or ascending order based on the score associated with each pair.

10. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein the listing feature is a category.

11. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein the collection of pairs is organized in an order that is based at least in part on the score associated with each pair.

12. The indexing file of claim 6, wherein each listing identifier is indicative of a listing in an index that embodies the listing feature.

13. The indexing file of claim 12, wherein the collection includes a pair for each listing in the index that embodies the listing feature.

14. A computer-implemented method for providing a directory assistance service, the method comprising:

identifying a first feature associated with a query;

locating a first collection of listing identifiers,

wherein each listing identifier in the first collection embodies the first feature and is indicative of a listing in an index of listings;

identifying a second feature associated with a query;

locating a second collection of listing identifiers,

wherein each listing identifier in the second collection embodies the second feature and is indicative of a listing in the index of listings;

ranking at least some of the listings in the index based at least in part on the listing identifiers in the first and second collection, and based at least in part on a score associated with each listing identifier in the first and second collection; and

providing, based at least in part on the ranking, an output indicative of listings in the index that are likely correspond to the query.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying a first feature comprises identifying a particular word.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying a first feature comprises identifying a feature other than a particular word or set of words.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein locating a first collection of listing identifiers comprises determining a feature identifier associated with the first feature.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein locating a first collection of listing identifiers comprises cross referencing a feature identifier associated with the first feature.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising excluding from the output at least one listing associated with a listing identifier included in one of the first and second collections of listing identifiers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein excluding comprises excluding based at least in part on calculation of a numeric score.