System and method for sharing of search query information across organizational boundaries

• US 20080263009A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hybrid Knowledge LLC
• Original Assignee: Hybrid Knowledge LLC
• Inventors: Buettner, Raymond R., Donald, Stephen D., McMillen, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/788,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20080263009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90335 Query processing

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for capturing and reporting information relating to an organization'"'"'s queries, such as Internet search queries generated by particular groups within an organization, and making such information available to others to support various decisions organizations must make. The search activity of search-level users may be constantly tracked, and search event data records (including query terms and an identification of the search-level user) are collected and analyzed. An analytics engine receives and analyzes the search event data and determines when predefined organization-specific relationships exist between queries of distinct users. When such a relationship is identified, a notification message or alert may be generated indicating the existence of such relationship, and directed to a person in the organization other than the search-level users whose queries were found as relating to one another, thus allowing such person receiving the notification to take action in response to the related activity.

Claims

1. A method of identifying correlations among search queries by disparate users within a structured organization, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving from a first user data identifying said user and at least one query generated by said user;

(b) comparing said query of said first user with at least one search term of interest to determine whether a predefined organization-specific relationship exists between said query and said search term of interest; and

(c) if a predefined organization-specific relationship exists, notifying a third party user distinct from said first user of the existence of said relationship.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one search term of interest further comprises a query generated by at least one second user.

3. The method of claim 2, said step of comparing said query further comprising:

(i) identifying all first user query search terms in said query received from said first user;

(ii) searching a data collection for occurrences of query search terms that are similar or identical to said first user query search terms, wherein said data collection further comprises data records comprising second user query search terms and data identifying said second user; and

(iii) determining whether said predefined organization-specific relationship exists between similar or identical first user and second user query search terms located in said searching step.

4. The method of claim 3, said determining step further comprising determining whether said first user and second user query search terms fulfill a query relationship profile that has been selected by said third party user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said data identifying said user further comprises data identifying said user'"'"'s role within the structure of said organization.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of notifying a third party user further comprises disclosing a level of detail of information that is determined by said third party user'"'"'s role within the structure of said organization.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said level of detail is determined by an administrative user authorized to designate collections of users whose queries may be accessed by said third party user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said query comprises a search query entered by said user in a web browser application.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said query comprises a search query entered by said user in a computer software application having a search function capable of initiating a search of electronic data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said method of identification of predefined organization-specific relationships is carried out without interaction from said user other than input of said search query.

11. A system for identifying and reporting correlations among search queries by disparate users within a structured organization, said system comprising:

a plurality of search event data records from a plurality of search users stored in at least one database, said search event data records further comprising a timestamp, one or more query search terms, and an identification of the search user generating said query search terms;

one or more search user client devices in data communication with said database configured to transfer search event data records to said database; and

a computer processor in data communication with said one or more search user client devices and said database, said computer processor having executable computer code adapted to;

(a) provide a user interface allowing an administrative user access to said search event data records in said database;

(b) compare a plurality of search event data records in said database to determine whether a predefined organization-specific relationship exists between query search terms in said plurality of search event data records, and generate an electronic notification of the existence of any predefined organization-specific relationships determined to exist; and

(c) forward said electronic notification to one or more administrative users, wherein said electronic notification is customized for said administrative user based upon a role of said administrative user within said structured organization.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each said search user client device further comprises a search collector module having executable computer code adapted to collect a search user'"'"'s search query data, a timestamp indicating a time at which said search user generated said search query data, and an identification of said search user.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said identification of said search user includes an identification of said search user'"'"'s role with said structured organization.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein collection of said search user'"'"'s search query data proceeds without interaction from said user other than input of said search query data.

15. The system of claim 12, said computer processor further having computer executable code adapted to receive search event data records from said search collection modules of a plurality of search user client devices.

16. The system of claim 11, said computer processor further comprising executable computer code adapted to:

(d) present a user interface screen to said administrative user configured to solicit designations of another user'"'"'s access to search event data records.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said designation is made based upon said other user'"'"'s role within said structured organization.