Search method and system and system using the same
First Claim
1. A method for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category;
receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user;
determining for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category;
for each of one or more records, performing a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises;
for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, andfor each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category; and
as a response to the search query, selecting records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Information regarding the structure of information in a content database is maintained in a structure database. The structure database is used to correlate the data structure of a query to the structure of the content database, in order to determine that information in the content database which needs to be provided to a searcher in response to the query. In one embodiment, this search method is used in an online forum, and the forum maintains a reputation score for users with respect to given subject matter. The reputation score is dependent upon the quality of a user'"'"'s participation in the forum. A user'"'"'s reputation score depends upon the evaluation by others of information he posts and upon the user evaluating information posted by others.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category; receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user; determining for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category; for each of one or more records, performing a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises; for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category; and as a response to the search query, selecting records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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4. A system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the system comprising:
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a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category; a receiver for receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user; a determining device for determining, for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category; a correlation device for performing, for each of one or more records, a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises; for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category; and a response unit for responding to the search query by selecting and providing records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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9. In an online user forum of the type permitting communication among a plurality of users and also permitting users to post information content for access by users, the improvement comprising a reputation module storing a reputation rating for a user in association with information content, a user'"'"'s reputation being a function of the degree of his participation in the forum, said reputation module being included within a system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the system further comprising:
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a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category; a receiver for receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user; a determining device for determining, for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category; a correlation device for performing, for each of one or more records, a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises; for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category; and a response unit for responding to the search query by selecting and providing records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification