Process for improving search engine efficiency using feedback

• US 7,072,888 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Triogo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Triogo Incorporated
• Inventors: Perkins, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pardo, Thuy N.
• Application Number:
  US09/334,327
• Time in Patent Office: 2,575 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/5, 707/1, 707/6, 707/10, 707/7, 707/104, 705/27, 341/20
• US Class Current: 707/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9536 Search customisation based on social or collaborative filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A process for refining the results of a query to an internet search engine database by the use of user feedback is disclosed. It is a method to allow a user to rate the relevancy of URLs returned for a specific query. The relevancy ratings for a specific query are combined by the internet search engine with data from a user profile of personal information defined by the user. The internet search engine can determine which items of data in the profile are common between users who have rated a query result highly. The search engine can then modify the search algorithm to return those URLs rated highly by users with common profile attributes. The benefit to the internet is more efficient searching and retrieval of information for users.

Claims

1. A method for refining the calculation of relevance of a resource on an Internet, based on a query for relevant resources, through the user of user ratings, comprising the steps of:

implementing a particular user query;

displaying the results of user query to a user;

permitting a user to review said results of said user query;

terminating display of said results to the user;

upon said termination of said display of results, subsequently providing to the user a questionnaire with at least one script using at least one form requesting active user feedback input from the user, and then,

calculating the relevancy of a resource based on a particular query;

rating, by multiple users, said calculation of relevancy of the resource;

collecting said ratings from said multiple users; and

incorporating said collected ratings into calculation of relevancy of the resource so that traditional calculation methods are refined and more accurate.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

creating multiple profiles per user and incorporating said multiple profiles per user into said calculation of relevancy of the resource.

3. A method for refining the calculation of the relevance of a resource on an Internet, based on a query for relevant resources, through the use of user ratings, comprisings the steps of:

(a) executing a particular query from a user;

(b) providing said user with a result, including at least said resource, from said query;

(c) providing said user with a form generated by a script to enable said user to rate the relevance for said resource in relation to said query;

(d) receiving from said user the rating of said resource;

(e) subsequently, calculating the relevancy of said resource based on said rating;

(f) repeating steps (a) to (e) for additional users and incorporating the ratings of said additional users into calculations of relevancy of said resource;

whereby, traditional calculation methods of relevancy are refined and more accurate;

further comprising the step of;

calculating the relevancy of said resource further comprises the steps of;

providing an internet search engine to each of said users, with said search engine performing said calculation of relevancy, said calculating based on traditional methods;

formulating, through the use of said search engine calculated relevancy, a query result list of proposed resources to visit in response to the particular query;

the step of rating the relevancy of a resource further comprises supplying said query result list to the said users;

prompting each of said users to visit resources on said query result list and rate the respective resources visited in response to the particular query;

the step of collecting said ratings further comprises gathering a set evaluations from each of said users who have rated said visited resources; and

the step of incorporating said collected ratings further comprises modifying said calculation of said search engine relevancy for said visited resources particular query based on said set of evaluations.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

providing each of said users, a means for creating multiple profiles including demographic and psycho graphic data;

creating, by each of said users, said multiple profiles;

providing, to each of said users, a means of selecting one profiles including demographic and psycho graphic data;

creating, by each of said users, said multiple profiles;

providing, to each of said users, a means of selecting one profile from said multiple profiles; and

,

selecting, by each of said users, said one profile prior to submitting a query.

5. The method of claim 4, said one profile comprises data for related searches made by respective users.

6. The method of claim 4, said one profile comprises data for business related searches.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

combining said set of evaluations from users with said selected profiles of said users so that the relevancy rating system is further refined.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of modifying said multiple profiles for the purpose of updating information in said profiles.

9. The method of claim 8, said modifying step further comprises deleting said multiple profiles for the purpose of removing a selected user.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of modifying said one profile for the purpose of updating information in said profile.

11. The method of claim 10, said modifying step further comprises deleting said one profile for the purpose of removing one multiple profiles created by one of said users.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of recalculating, by said search engine, the relevancy of the resource in response to said modifying said multiple profiles.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of calculating, by said search engine, a new relevancy of the resource in response to said deleting said multiple profiles.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of recalculating, by said search engine, the relevancy of the resource in response to said modifying said one profile.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of calculating, by said search engine, a new relevancy of the resource in response to said deleting said one profile.

16. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of implementing anti-spamming measures to prevent rogue feedback from adversely affecting said search engine relevancy rating system.

17. The method of claim 3, said step of gathering a set of evaluations from each of the multiple users who have rated said visited resources further comprises

providing a web browser modified to accept user evaluations;

and transmitting gathered evaluations to said search engine.

18. The method of claim 3, said step of gathering a set of evaluations from each of the multiple users who have rated said visited resources further comprises

providing a first web form on the search engine home page;

providing a second web form on the search engine results page; and

transmitting to said search engine, via said first web form and via said second web form, said gathered evaluations.