Method, system and apparatus for routing a query to one or more providers
First Claim
1. A system for routing a query to one or more providers, the system comprising:
- a service recognizer for a particular provider configured to receive and analyze the query to determine if the particular provider is a match for the query;
a search processor configured to receive and parse the query, break the query into a one or more terms, stem each of the one or more terms, spell check each of the one or more terms, and generate context for the query based on an origin of the query;
a query router configured to route the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined to be a match, and to block the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined not to be a match; and
a results interface configured to present results of the query to a user in context within an application program, wherein the application program is selected from the group consisting of a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, and an email program, and wherein the results interface is configured to suggest a provider that is different from a selected provider selected by the user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for routing a query to one or more providers. The system may include a search interface for presenting a service list including one or more services offered by the one or more providers, permitting selection of one or more of the one or more services, and a query entry for receiving input of the query. A search processor is capable of receiving and parsing the query. A service recognizer for a particular provider is capable of receiving and analyzing one or more terms of the query to determine if the particular provider is a match for the query. A query router can route the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined to be a match and block the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined not to be a match. A results interface presents results of the query.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for routing a query to one or more providers, the system comprising:
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a service recognizer for a particular provider configured to receive and analyze the query to determine if the particular provider is a match for the query; a search processor configured to receive and parse the query, break the query into a one or more terms, stem each of the one or more terms, spell check each of the one or more terms, and generate context for the query based on an origin of the query; a query router configured to route the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined to be a match, and to block the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined not to be a match; and a results interface configured to present results of the query to a user in context within an application program, wherein the application program is selected from the group consisting of a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, and an email program, and wherein the results interface is configured to suggest a provider that is different from a selected provider selected by the user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for routing a query to one or more providers, the method comprising steps of:
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receiving the query from a user; parsing the query; breaking the query into one or more terms; stemming each of the one or more terms; spell checking each of the one or more terms; generating context for the query based on an origin of the query; determining which of the one or more providers are a match for the query; sending the query to one or more particular providers of the one or more providers that are determined to be matches for the query; blocking the query to specific providers of the one or more providers that are determined not to be matches for the query; and suggesting a provider from the one or more providers that was not selected by the user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for communication between a client and one or more providers, the system comprising:
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a search processor configured to receive and parse a query, break the query into a one or more terms, stem each of the one or more terms, spell check each of the one or more terms, generate context for the query based on an origin of the query, and generate a standardized query; a query router configured to route the standardized query to one or more of the one or more providers; and a results processor configured to receive results from one or more of the one or more providers, and present the results to a user in context within an application program, wherein the application program is selected from the group consisting of a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, and an email program, and wherein the results interface is configured to suggest a provider that was not selected by the user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for routing a query to one or more providers, the method comprising steps of:
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receiving the query; parsing the query; breaking the query into one or more terms; stemming each of the one or more terms; spell checking each of the one or more terms; generating context for the query based on an origin of the query; determining which of the one or more providers that are selected by a user are a match for the query by comparing the one or more terms of the query to a keyword list; sending the query to one or more particular providers of the one or more providers that are determined to be matches for the query; blocking the query to specific providers of the one or more providers that are determined not to be matches for the query; presenting results of the query; and suggesting a provider from the one or more providers that was not selected by the user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A system for routing a query to one or more providers, the system comprising:
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a search interface configured to present a service list including one or more services offered by the one or more providers, and receive selection of one or more of the one or more services, and including a query entry configured to receive input of the query, wherein the service list is categorized according to one or more research categories, each of the one or more research categories including at least one service from the one or more services; a search processor configured to receive and parse the query, break the query into one or more terms, stem each of the one or more terms, spell check each of the one or more terms, and generate context for the query based on an origin of the query; a service recognizer for a particular provider configured to receive and compare each of the one or more terms of the query to a keyword list to determine if the particular provider is a match for the query; a query router configured to route the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined to be a match and block the query to the particular provider if the particular provider is determined not to be a match; and a results interface configured to present results of the query in context within an application program, and suggest a provider from the one or more services that was not selected by a user and that is determined to be a match for the query, the provider including a database of information upon which the query is configured to be run.
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Specification