Method and apparatus for utilizing the social usage learned from multi-user feedback to improve resource identity signifier mapping

• US 7,062,561 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: Richard Reisman
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Rupal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quang N.
• Application Number:
  US09/576,927
• Time in Patent Office: 2,212 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709223-227, 707 3- 5, 705/27, 715/513
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3329 Natural language query formulation or dialogue systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3331 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results

Abstract

An apparatus for finding resources on a network comprises a finder server having access to: (a) a database including: (i) an index of resources available on network of interconnected computers on which a plurality of resources reside; and (ii) information regarding user feedback gathered from previous operations of the apparatus by a user and plural previous users; and (b) a learning system operable to access and learn from information contained on the database. The finder server is operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a resource identity signifier, a single intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, from among a plurality of resources located on the network, by: receiving a resource identity signifier from the user; accessing the database to determine, based on the information in the database, which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource; and directing a computer of the user so as to cause that computer to connect the user to the address of the resource, if any, determined as likely to be the intended target resource.

Claims

1. A method of finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by a finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes an index of available resources on a network, wherein the network comprises a plurality of interconnected computers, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a resource is determined, at the determining step, as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, the method further comprises the step of:

presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

in a first user interface element;

causing a computer of the user to connect to a URL of an indexed resource having a highest confidence level; and

in a second user interface element;

presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of causing a computer of the user to display the determined intended target resource, if any.

7. A method of finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by a finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes an index of available resources on a network, wherein the network comprises a plurality of interconnected computers, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein a resource is determined as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level, and wherein, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level;

presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest;

enabling the user to select a link from the list of one or more links;

adding information regarding the selection of the link to the feedback information stored in the database;

soliciting user feedback with regard to the selected link; and

,

if the user indicates that the selected link is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase the confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the selected link, and, if the user indicates that the selected link is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the selected link.

8. A method of finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by a finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes an index of available resources on a network, wherein the network comprises a plurality of interconnected computers, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource;

causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any;

soliciting user feedback with regard to the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected in the directing step; and

,

if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase a confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected, and, if the user indicates that the resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected.

9. An apparatus comprising a finder server operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, by:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a resource is determined to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is operable to, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, present the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further operable to:

in a first user interface element;

cause a computer of the user to connect to a URL of an indexed resource having a highest confidence level; and

in a second user interface element;

present the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the finder server is further operable to cause a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the finder server is further operable to cause a computer of the user to display the determined intended target resource, if any.

15. An apparatus comprising a finder server operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, by:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein a resource is determined to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level, and wherein the apparatus is operable to, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, present the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest; and

wherein the apparatus is operable to;

enable the user to select a link from the list of one or more links;

add information regarding the selection of the link to the feedback information stored in the database;

solicit user feedback with regard to the selected link; and

,

if the user indicates that the selected link is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase the confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the selected link, and, if the user indicates that the selected link is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the selected link.

16. An apparatus comprising a finder server operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, by:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein the finder server is further operable to cause a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any, wherein the apparatus is further operable to;

solicit user feedback with regard to the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected; and

,

if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase a confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected, and, if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected.

17. A system for finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among a plurality of resources available on a network comprising a plurality of interconnected computers, the system comprising:

finder server means having access to;

(a) database means for storing database information including an index of the available resources and multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to the results of previous executions of the system; and

(b) learning system means for accessing and learning from the database information wherein the learning system means provides distinct weight to the multi-user feedback;

receiving means for receiving a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing means for accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning means for learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining means for determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein a resource is determined, by the access means, as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level.

19. A system according to claim 18, further comprising:

presenting means for, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

20. A system according to claim 18, further comprising:

means for, in a first user interface element, causing a computer of the user to connect to a URL of an indexed resource having a highest confidence level; and

means for, in a second user interface element, presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

21. A system according to claim 17, further comprising control means for causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any.

22. A system according to claim 17, further comprising control means for causing a computer of the user to display the determined intended target resource, if any.

23. A system for finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among a plurality of resources available on a network comprising a plurality of interconnected computers, the system comprising:

finder server means for having access to;

(a) database means for storing database information including an index of the available resources and multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to the results of previous executions of the system; and

(b) learning system means for accessing and learning from the database information;

receiving means for receiving a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing means for accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning means for learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining means for determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource;

wherein a resource is determined, by the determining means, as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level;

presenting means for, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest;

selection means for enabling the user to select a link from the list of one or more links;

adding means for adding information regarding the selection of the link to the feedback information stored in the database;

soliciting means for soliciting user feedback with regard to the selected link; and

means for, if the user indicates that the selected link is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase the confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the selected link, and, if the user indicates that the selected link is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the selected link.

24. A system for finding, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among a plurality of resources available on a network comprising a plurality of interconnected computers, the system comprising:

finder server means for having access to;

(a) database means for storing database information including an index of the available resources and multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to the results of previous executions of the system; and

(b) learning system means for accessing and learning from the database information;

receiving means for receiving a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing means for accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning means for learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining means for determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource;

control means for causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any;

soliciting means for soliciting user feedback with regard to the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected by the control means; and

means for, if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase a confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected, and, if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected.

25. A computer-readable storage medium storing code for causing a processor-controlled finder server to perform a method of finding, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving means for receiving a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing means for accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning means for learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from the multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining means for determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource.

26. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein a resource is determined, in the accessing step, as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level.

27. A computer-readable medium according to claim 26, wherein, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, the method further comprises the step of:

presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

28. A computer-readable medium according to claim 26, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

in a first user interface element;

causing a computer of the user to connect to a URL of an indexed resource having a highest confidence level; and

in a second user interface element;

presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest.

29. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the method further comprises the step of causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any.

30. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the method further comprises the step of causing a computer of the user to display the determined intended target resource, if any.

31. A computer-readable storage medium storing code for causing a processor-controlled finder server to perform a method of finding, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein a resource is determined, in the accessing step, as likely to be the intended target resource if the database information indicates that a confidence level associated with that resource is of at least a predetermined level, and wherein, if none of the indexed resources has an associated confidence level of at least the predetermined level, presenting the user with a list of one or more links to possible resources, the list being ordered according to confidence level, with a resource having a highest confidence level being ranked highest;

enabling the user to select a link from the list of one or more links;

adding information regarding the selection of the link to the feedback information stored in the database;

soliciting user feedback with regard to the selected link; and

,

if the user indicates that the selected link is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase the confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the selected link, and, if the user indicates that the selected link is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the selected link.

32. A computer-readable storage medium storing code for causing a processor-controlled finder server to perform a method of finding, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource;

causing a computer of the user to connect to the determined intended target resource, if any;

soliciting user feedback with regard to the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected; and

,

if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to increase a confidence level associated with a mapping between the resource identity signifier and an address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected, and, if the user indicates that the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected is not the intended target resource of the resource identity signifier, updating the database information so as to decrease the confidence level associated with the mapping between the resource identity signifier and the address of the determined intended target resource to which the user'"'"'s computer was connected.

33. A system for finding resources on a network of interconnected computers on which a plurality of resources reside, the system comprising:

a client terminal operated by a user, the client terminal allowing the user to connect to resources located on the network; and

a finder server having access to;

(a) a database storing database information including;

(i) an index of a plurality of resources available on the network; and

(ii) multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to the results of previous operations of the system; and

(b) a learning system operable to access and learn from the database information,

wherein the finder server is operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a user input recognized as a resource identity signifier, a single, intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, among the available resources by;

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes the index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server;

determining which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource; and

directing a computer of the user so as to cause that computer to connect the user to an address of a resource, if any, determined as likely to be the intended target resource.

34. A method of identifying, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as an object identity signifier, a single, intended object to be acted upon, wherein the single, intended object to be acted upon is intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the object identity signifier, among a plurality of possible objects wherein the method comprises the steps of:

receiving a user input;

recognizing the user input as an object identity signifier, wherein the object identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in any registered naming system for object names;

accessing, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes an index of the possible objects;

learning a social usage of the resource identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the finder server; and

determining which, if any, of the indexed objects is likely to be the intended target object that uniquely corresponds to the recognized object identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized object identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized object identity signifier of registered elements in any registered naming system for object names corresponding to the object.

35. An apparatus for identifying, in response to entry by a user of a user input recognized as an object identity signifier, a single, intended object to be acted upon, wherein the single, intended object to be acted upon is intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the object identity signifier, among a plurality of possible objects, the apparatus comprising:

a computer having access to;

(a) a database storing database information including (i) an index of the possible objects; and

(ii) multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to the results of previous operations of the apparatus; and

(b) a learning system structured to access and learn from the database information,

wherein the apparatus is operable to;

receive a user input;

recognize the user input as an object identity signifier, wherein the object identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in any registered naming system for object names;

access, by the finder server responsive to the user input, database information that includes an index of the possible objects;

learn a social usage of the object identity signifier from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results by the apparatus; and

determine which, if any, of the indexed objects is likely to be the intended target object that uniquely corresponds to the recognized object identity signifier based on the social usage of the recognized object identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized object identity signifier of registered elements in any registered naming system for object names corresponding to the object.

36. A method of finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on a network, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a user input;

accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network; and

utilizing feedback information stored in a database to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results of the method.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the feedback information is gathered from a plurality of previous users of the method.

38. A method according to claim 36, further comprising the step of obtaining feedback from the user regarding the resource determined in the utilizing step.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the feedback information stored in the database is updated with the feedback obtained from the user.

40. An apparatus for finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on a network, the apparatus comprising:

input means for enabling a user to enter a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network;

accessing means for accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements; and

determination means for using feedback information stored in a database to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous operations of the apparatus.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the feedback information is gathered from a plurality of previous users of the method.

42. An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising update means for updating the feedback information stored in the database with feedback obtained from the user regarding the resource determined by the determination means.

43. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on a network, the method comprising the steps of:

prompting a user to enter a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on the network; and

accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

utilizing feedback information stored in a database to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results of the method.

44. A computer-readable medium according to claim 43, wherein the feedback information is gathered from a plurality of previous users of the method.

45. A computer-readable medium according to claim 43, wherein the method further comprises the step of obtaining feedback from the user regarding the resource determined in the utilizing step.

46. A computer-readable medium according to claim 45, wherein the feedback information stored in the database is updated with the feedback obtained from the user.

47. A method of finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on the Internet, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on a network; and

accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

utilizing feedback information stored in a database to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, the feedback information relating to a result of the method, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results of the method.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from the result of a system inquiry of a user.

49. A method according to claim 47, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from clickstream data.

50. An apparatus for finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on the Internet, the apparatus comprising:

input means for enabling a user to enter a user input;

recognizing means for recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on a network; and

means for accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

determination means for using multi-user feedback information stored in a database, to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, the feedback information relating to a result of the operation of the apparatus, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous operations of the apparatus.

51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from a result of a system inquiry of a user.

52. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from clickstream data.

53. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of finding a single, intended target resource among a plurality of resources available on the Internet, the method comprising the steps of:

prompting a user to enter a user input;

recognizing the user input as a resource identity signifier, wherein the resource identity signifier is independent of registered elements contained in a resource locator identifying at least one of a plurality of resources available on a network; and

accessing an index of available resources on a network, wherein some of the plurality of resources are identified by resource locators containing registered elements;

utilizing multi-user feedback information stored in a database, to determine a resource likely to be the single, intended target resource that uniquely corresponds to the recognized resource identity signifier based on a social usage of the recognized resource identity signifier without regard to identification in the recognized resource identity signifier of registered elements in any resource locator corresponding to the resource, the feedback information relating to a result of the method, wherein the social usage of the resource identity signifier is learned from multi-user feedback gathered from a plurality of users with respect to previous results of the method.

54. A medium according to claim 53, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from a result of a system inquiry of a user.

55. A medium according to claim 53, wherein the multi-user feedback information is obtained from clickstream data.