QUERY DISAMBIGUATION
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for resolving a query, the method comprising:
- enabling display of an interface to solicit multiple search terms in a single query;
receiving, based on the interface, multiple search terms in a single query;
identifying multiple categories applicable to a first portion of the multiple search terms;
identifying multiple categories applicable to a second portion of the multiple search terms, the second portion of the multiple search terms being different than the first portion of the multiple search terms;
determining that a category is among each of the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the first portion of the multiple search terms and the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the second portion of the multiple search terms;
identifying the determined category as being applicable to the received single query;
in response to identifying the determined category as being applicable to the single received query, performing a search process that uses the determined category in identifying search results responsive to the single received query; and
storing, in electronic storage and using a processor, the identified search results.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A search query is resolved prior to being submitted to one or more search engines. The query is resolved such that the query unambiguously corresponds to a category included in a query ontology that relates search queries to query categories. The query may be resolved by supplementing the query with additional information corresponding to the category. For example, the query may be formatted into a canonical form of the query for the category. Alternatively or additionally, the query may be supplemented with one or more keywords that are associated with the category and that represent words or phrases that appear in a high percentage of search results for queries from the category. Resolving the query yields search results that more closely reflect search results desired by a user submitting the query.
170 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for resolving a query, the method comprising:
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enabling display of an interface to solicit multiple search terms in a single query; receiving, based on the interface, multiple search terms in a single query; identifying multiple categories applicable to a first portion of the multiple search terms; identifying multiple categories applicable to a second portion of the multiple search terms, the second portion of the multiple search terms being different than the first portion of the multiple search terms; determining that a category is among each of the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the first portion of the multiple search terms and the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the second portion of the multiple search terms; identifying the determined category as being applicable to the received single query; in response to identifying the determined category as being applicable to the single received query, performing a search process that uses the determined category in identifying search results responsive to the single received query; and storing, in electronic storage and using a processor, the identified search results. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A machine-accessible medium that when accessed, results in a machine performing operations for resolving a query, comprising:
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enabling display of an interface to solicit multiple search terms in a single query; receiving, based on the interface, multiple search terms in a single query; identifying multiple categories applicable to a first portion of the multiple search terms; identifying multiple categories applicable to a second portion of the multiple search terms, the second portion of the multiple search terms being different than the first portion of the multiple search terms; determining that a category is among each of the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the first portion of the multiple search terms and the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the second portion of the multiple search terms; identifying the determined category as being applicable to the received single query; in response to identifying the determined category as being applicable to the single received query, performing a search process that uses the determined category in identifying search results responsive to the single received query; and storing, in electronic storage and using a processor, the identified search results. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer system comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one machine-readable storage device encoded with machine readable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, operate to cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising; enabling display of an interface to solicit multiple search terms in a single query; receiving, based on the interface, multiple search terms in a single query; identifying multiple categories applicable to a first portion of the multiple search terms; identifying multiple categories applicable to a second portion of the multiple search terms, the second portion of the multiple search terms being different than the first portion of the multiple search terms; determining that a category is among each of the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the first portion of the multiple search terms and the multiple categories identified as being applicable to the second portion of the multiple search terms; identifying the determined category as being applicable to the received single query; in response to identifying the determined category as being applicable to the single received query, performing a search process that uses the determined category in identifying search results responsive to the single received query; and storing, in electronic storage and using a processor, the identified search results.
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Specification