System and method for providing preferred language ordering of search results

• US 7,451,129 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Singhal, Amit, Lamping, John, Gomes, Ben, McGrath, Mizuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Khanh B
• Application Number:
  US10/407,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,049 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 715/703, 704/1, 704/3, 704/8, 709/219, 705/4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• 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 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A system and method for providing preferred language ordering of search results is described. A search query describing potentially retrievable information provided in a plurality of search result languages is received. A search is executed by evaluating the search query against information characteristics maintained in a searchable data repository. At least one preferred language applicable to search results generated responsive to the executed search is dynamically determined. At least some of the search results are ordered in consideration of the at least one preferred language.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, from a user, a search query;

performing a search based on the search query to identify search results in a plurality of search result languages;

identifying a particular language for the search results based on characteristics of the search query, characteristics of a user interface via which the search query is received, and characteristics of the search results;

ordering the search results to create an ordered list of search results;

determining whether the search results in the ordered list of search results are in the particular language;

adjusting the ordering of one of the search results among other ones of the search results to create an adjusted list of search results when the one of the search results is in the particular language;

presenting the adjusted list of search results; and

permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the adjusted list of search results and the ordered list of search results.

2. A method according to claim 1, where identifying the particular language includes:

determining the particular language based on the search query by evaluating at least one of a language used in the search query or a character encoding used in the search query.

3. A method according to claim 1, where identifying the particular language includes:

determining the particular language using the characteristics of the user interface when the particular language cannot be determined based on the search query.

4. A method according to claim 3, where identifying the particular language using the characteristics of the user interface includes:

evaluating, to identify the particular language, at least one of a predetermined language specified as a stored preference independent of the search query, a language specified by the user interface, a character encoding specified by the user interface, or a network address of a client application from which the search query was submitted.

5. A method according to claim 1 where identifying the particular language includes:

determining the particular language using at least some of the search results when the characteristics of the user interface identify the particular language as a predetermined language.

6. A method according to claim 5, where identifying the particular language includes:

evaluating a language used in a majority of the search results to identify the particular language.

7. A method according to claim 1, where adjusting the ordering of the one of the search results includes at least one of:

demoting each search result in a language other than the particular language and promoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position within the ordered list of search results;

or

promoting each search result in a language other than the particular language and demoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position within the ordered list of search results.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a numerical score to the search results; and

adjusting the numerical score of at least some of the search results in the particular language.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising at least one of:

increasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language;

or

decreasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language.

10. A method according to claim 8, where adjusting the ordering of the at least one of the search results includes:

sorting the at least some of the search results with the adjusted numerical scores.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a second language that is different than the particular language;

determining whether the search results in the ordered list of search results are in the second language; and

adjusting the ordering of a particular one of the search results among other ones of the search results when the particular one of the search results is in the second language.

12. A system implemented within a computing device, comprising:

a memory to store instructions for implementing;

a parser receiving a search query from a user;

an indexer;

executing a search based on the search query, and

identifying search results in a plurality of languages based on the search; and

a language promoter;

identifying a particular language applicable to the search results based on characteristics of the search query, characteristics of a user interface from which the search query is received, and characteristics of the search results,

ordering the search results to create an ordered list of search results, and

adjusting the ordering of at least one of the search results among other ones of the search results to create an adjusted list of search results based on whether the at least one of the search results is in the particular language; and

a presenter permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the adjusted list of search results and the ordered list of search results; and

a processor to execute the instructions in the memory.

13. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search query characterizer determining at least one of a character encoding or a language used in the search query; and

a language selector selecting at least one language corresponding to the at least one of the character encoding or the language as the particular language.

14. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a user interface characterizer determining a language used by the user interface; and

a language selector selecting the language used by the user interface as the particular language.

15. A system according to claim 14, where:

the user interface characterizer determines the language used by the user interface based on at least one of the network address of a client from which the search query was submitted, at least one of an accepted language or a character set of the client, or a predetermined language specified as a stored preference independent of the search query.

16. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a user interface characterizer determining a default language used by the user interface; and

a language selector selecting a language other than the default language as the particular language, and selecting the default language as a second language.

17. A system according to claim 16, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search results characterizer determining at least one search result language for at least one search result; and

the language selector selecting the at least one search result language as the particular language.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one search result language is used in a majority of the search results.

19. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer ordering the search results based on a match of a language of the search results to the particular language.

20. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer ordering the search results by degree of match of a language of the search results to the particular language.

21. A system according to claim 20, where:

the search result orderer demotes the search results in a language other than the particular language by a predefined shifting factor.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the predefined shifting factor substantially equals two (2.0).

23. A system according to claim 20, where:

the search result orderer promotes the search results in a language other than the particular language by a predefined shifting factor.

24. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a scorer ordering each of the search results by a degree of match to the information in the searchable data repository.

25. A system according to claim 12, wherein the search results are assigned a numerical score, the memory further storing instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer increasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the particular language.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the numerical score is adjusted in accordance with the formula:

$s_i=\frac{s_i+1}{2}$

where s_i comprises the numerical score for each search result i.

27. A system according to claim 25, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a language selector determining a second language that is different from the particular language; and

the search result orderer increasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the second language.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the numerical score is adjusted in accordance with the formula:

$<br><br>s_i=\frac{\left(s_i\times <br><br>2\right)+1}{3}$

where s_i comprises the numerical score for each search result i.

29. A system according to claim 12, wherein the search results are assigned a numerical score, the memory further storing instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer decreasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the particular language.

30. A system according to claim 29, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a language selector determining a second language that is different from the particular language; and

where the search result orderer decreases the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the second language.

31. A system according to claim 12, where:

the presenter presents the search results in the adjusted order.

32. A system according to claim 31, where:

the presenter performs at least one of controlling enablement of presentation of at least some of the search results in the particular language, grouping together at least some of the search results in the particular language, or arranging at least some of the search results in the particular language next to at least some of the search results in at least one language other than the particular language prior to presenting the search results.

33. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a language selector selecting a second language that is different from the particular language.

34. A system according to claim 12, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a language selector including one or more related languages with the particular language.

35. A method, comprising:

receiving, from a user, a search query;

executing a search to create a list of search results by evaluating the search query against information in a plurality of search result languages that is maintained in a searchable data repository;

determining a particular language applicable to the search results generated responsive to the executed search based on characteristics of the search query, characteristics of a user interface from which the search query is received, and characteristics of the search results;

determining whether each of the search results are in the particular language;

ordering one of the search results among other ones of the search results based on whether the one of the search results is in the particular language; and

permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the list of search results with the one of the search results ordered among the other ones of the search results based on whether the one of the search results is in the particular language, and presentation of the list of search results without the one of the search results ordered among the other ones of the search results based on whether the one of the search results is in the particular language.

36. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

determining at least one of a character encoding or a language used in the search query; and

selecting at least one language corresponding to the at least one of a character encoding or the language as the particular language.

37. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

determining at least one language used by the user interface; and

selecting the at least one language used by the user interface as the particular language.

38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising:

determining the at least one language used by the user interface based on at least one of the network address of a client application from which the search query was submitted, at least one of an accepted language or a character set of the client application, or a predetermined language specified as a stored preference independent of the search query.

39. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

determining a default language used by the user interface from which the search query is received;

selecting a language other than the default language as the particular language;

selecting the default language as another language; and

further ordering a search result among other ones of the search results based on whether the search result is in the other language.

40. A method according to claim 35, where determining the particular language includes:

determining at least one search result language for at least one of the search results; and

selecting the at least one search result language as the particular language.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one search result language is used in a majority of the search results.

42. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

ordering the search results based on a match of a language of such search results to the particular language.

43. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

ordering the search results by a degree of match of a language of such search results to the particular language.

44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising:

demoting the search results in a language other than the particular language by a predefined shifting factor.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the predefined shifting factor substantially equals two (2.0).

46. A method according to claim 43, further comprising:

promoting the search results in a language other than the particular language by a predefined shifting factor.

47. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

ordering each of the search results by a degree of match of terms of the search query to contents of the search results.

48. A method according to claim 35, wherein the search results are assigned a numerical score, the method further comprising:

increasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the particular language.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the numerical score is adjusted in accordance with the formula:

$s_i=\frac{s_i+1}{2}$

where s_i comprises the numerical score for each search result i.

50. A method according to claim 48, further comprising:

determining a second language that is different from the particular language; and

increasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the second language.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein the numerical score is adjusted in accordance with the formula:

$<br><br>s_i=\frac{\left(s_i\times <br><br>2\right)+1}{3}$

where s_i comprises the numerical score for each search result i.

52. A method according to claim 35, wherein the search results are assigned a numerical score, the method further comprising:

decreasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the particular language.

53. A method according to claim 52, further comprising:

determining a second language that is different from the particular language; and

decreasing the numerical score assigned to at least some of the search results in the second language.

54. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

presenting the search results.

55. A method according to claim 54, further comprising:

performing at least one of controlling enablement of presentation of at least some of the search results in the particular language, grouping together at least some of the search results in the particular language, or arranging at least some of the search results in the particular language next to at least some of the search results in at least one language other than the particular language prior to presenting the search results.

56. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

selecting a second language that is different from the particular language.

57. A method according to claim 35, further comprising:

including one or more related languages with the particular language.

58. A system implemented within a computing device, comprising:

a memory to store instructions for implementing;

a parser receiving a search query request message from a user, and parsing at least one of terms or attributes from the search query request message to identify Web content provided in a plurality of search result languages;

an indexer executing a search by evaluating the at least one of terms or attributes against information maintained in a searchable data repository and generating search results responsive to the executed search;

a language promoter identifying a particular language, comprising;

a language determiner evaluating characteristics of the search query request message and characteristics of the search results, and selecting the particular language based on the evaluated characteristics of the search query request message and the evaluated characteristics of the search results; and

a language orderer determining an order for at least some of the search results among other ones of the search results based on whether the at least some of the search results are in the particular language; and

a presenter presenting the search results in the determined order, the presenter permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the search results in the determined order and presentation of the search results in another order that is independent of whether the at least some of the search results are in the particular language; and

a processor to execute the instructions in the memory.

59. A system according to claim 58, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search query characterizer for at least one of determining at least one language used in the search query request message, or determining at least one character encoding used in the search query request message.

60. A system according to claim 58, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a user interface characterizer for at least one of determining at least one predetermined language specified as a stored preference independent of the search query request message, determining at least one language accepted by a user interface, determining at least one character encoding accepted by the user interface, or determining a network address of a client application from which the search query request message was submitted.

61. A system according to claim 58, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a search results characterizer determining at least one language used in one or more of the search results.

62. A system according to claim 61, where the at least one language used in a majority of the search results is chosen as the particular language.

63. A system according to claim 58, where the search results are generated in a ranked order, the memory further storing instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer ordering at least some of the search results in the particular language by a predefined shifting factor, comprising at least one of demoting each search result in a language other than the particular language by the predefined shifting factor and promoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position, or promoting each search result in a language other than the particular language by the predefined shifting factor and demoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position.

64. A system according to claim 63, where:

the search result orderer adjusts the predefined shifting factor based on available context in the search query request message and the search results.

65. A system according to claim 58, where the search results are generated in a ranked order by numerical score, the memory further storing instructions for implementing:

a search result orderer adjusting the numerical score of at least some of the search results by a predetermined weighting factor, comprising at least one of increasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language, or decreasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language.

66. A system according to claim 65, where:

the search result orderer adjusts the predetermined weighting factor based on available context in the search query request message and the search results.

67. A system according to claim 58, where the memory further stores instructions for implementing:

a language selector selecting a second language that is different from the particular language, comprising a default language accepted by a user interface from which the search query request message is received.

68. A system according to claim 67, where:

the language selector maintains the particular language and the second language independent of any such search query request message.

69. A system according to claim 58, wherein the search query request message and each search result response message is HTTP-compliant.

70. A method, comprising:

receiving a search query request message from a user, and parsing at least one of terms or attributes from the search query request message to identify Web content provided in a plurality of search result languages;

executing a search by evaluating the at least one of terms or attributes against information maintained in a searchable data repository and generating search results responsive to the executed search;

determining a particular language, comprising;

evaluating characteristics of the search query request message and characteristics of the search results; and

selecting the particular language based on the evaluated characteristics of the search query request message and the evaluated characteristics of the search results;

determining an order for the search results among other ones of the search results based on whether the search results are in the particular language;

presenting the search results in the determined order; and

permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the search results in the determined order and presentation of the search results in another order that is independent of whether the search results are in the particular language.

71. A method according to claim 70, wherein evaluating the at least one of the terms or attributes further comprises at least one of:

determining at least one language used in the search query request message;

or

determining at least one character encoding used in the search query request message.

72. A method according to claim 70, wherein determining the particular language further comprises at least one of:

determining at least one predetermined language specified as a stored preference independent of the search query request message;

determining at least one language accepted by the user interface;

determining at least one character encoding accepted by the user interface;

or

determining a network address of a client application from which the search query request message was submitted.

73. A method according to claim 70, wherein evaluating the search results characteristics further comprises:

determining at least one language used in one or more of the search results.

74. A method according to claim 73, further comprising:

choosing the at least one language used in a majority of the search results.

75. A method according to claim 70, wherein the search results are generated in a ranked order, the method further comprising:

ordering at least some of the search results in the particular language by a predefined shifting factor, comprising at least one of;

demoting each search result in a language other than the particular language by the predefined shifting factor and promoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position;

or

promoting each search result in a language other than the particular language by the predefined shifting factor and demoting each search result in the particular language by at least one position.

76. A method according to claim 75, further comprising:

adjusting the predefined shifting factor based on available context in the search query request message and the search results.

77. A method according to claim 70, wherein the search results are generated in a ranked order by numerical score, the method further comprising:

adjusting the numerical score of at least some of the search results by a predetermined weighting factor, comprising at least one of;

increasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language;

or

decreasing the numerical score assigned to the search results in the particular language and maintaining the numerical score assigned to the search results in a language other than the particular language.

78. A method according to claim 77, further comprising:

adjusting the predefined weighting factor based on available context in the search query request message and the search results.

79. A method according to claim 70, further comprising:

selecting a second language, that is different from the particular language, comprising a default language accepted by the user interface.

80. A method according to claim 79, further comprising:

maintaining the particular language and the second language independent of any such search query request message.

81. A method according to claim 70, wherein the search query request message and each search result response message is HTTP-compliant.

82. A method, comprising:

receiving a search query from a user;

performing a search, based on the search query, to identify a group of search results;

ordering the group of search results to form a first ordered list of search results;

identifying a language for the group of search results based on characteristics of the search query, characteristics of a user interface via which the search query is received, and characteristics of the group of search results;

determining whether each search result in the first ordered list of search results is in the identified language;

adjusting, for each of the search results that is in the identified language, a position of the search result within the first ordered list of search results to create a second ordered list of search results, where the second ordered list of search results is different from the first ordered list of search results;

presenting the second ordered list of search results; and

permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the first ordered list of search results and the second ordered list of search results.

83. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving, from a user, a search query via a user interface;

one or more instructions for executing a search to generate search results in a plurality of languages;

one or more instructions for determining a particular language, comprising;

one or more instructions for evaluating characteristics of the search query and characteristics of the user interface, where the characteristics of the search query differ from the characteristics of the user interface; and

one or more instructions for selecting the particular language based on the evaluated characteristics of the search query and the evaluated characteristics of the user interface;

one or more instructions for ordering at least some of the search results among other ones of the search results based on whether the at least some of the search results are in the particular language;

one or more instructions for presenting the ordered search results; and

one or more instructions for permitting the user to toggle between presentation of the ordered search results and presentation of the search results in another order that is independent of whether the at least some of the search results are in the particular language.