Search engine system, method and device

• US 7,809,709 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Shelton E. Harrison Jr
• Inventors: Harrison, Jr., Shelton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Hosain T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yen, SyLing
• Application Number:
  US11/786,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 707/2, 707/3, 707/7, 707/8, 707/9, 707/10, 707/104.1, 707/610, 707/703, 707/706, 707/713, 707/722, 707/736, 707/758, 707/781, 707/702, 707/822, 707/999.003, 707/999.007, 707/999.009, 707/999.01, 709/219, 709/203
• US Class Current: 707/707
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A “Build-Your-Own-Search-Engine” system allows a user to define his own search algorithm(s) and deploy his own customized search engine using said custom algorithm. The system includes a ranking method whereby relevancy scores are assigned to ranked items according to user-submitted URLs, terms, and weights, thereby allowing a whole user community to maintain and further customize the search engine to reflect their own interests, opinions, and tastes. Revenue-sharing and other steps are also disclosed. Licensing information may be obtained through http://www.inventerprise.com.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a user to customize a search engine and to make said search engine available to others, said method comprising the following steps:

hosting a first submission form on a first computer, said first computer being under the control of a first entity and connected to a computer network, said first submission form comprising at least a first data entry field suitable for user entry of data;

receiving a first submission from a first user, said first user being different from said first entity, said first submission comprising at least a first user-specified piece of data, said first user-specified piece of data being selected from the group consisting of (i) a second user-specified piece of data, said second user-specified piece of data pertaining to weight, (ii) a third user-specified piece of data, said third user-specified piece of data pertaining to freshness, and (iii) a fourth user-specified piece of data, said fourth user-specified piece of data pertaining to tolerance;

providing markup language text to said first user, said markup language text being suitable for embedding in a second submission form, said second submission form comprising a second data entry field and being hosted on a second computer, said second data entry field being suitable for user entry of a first term, said second computer being different from said first computer and being connected to said computer network;

receiving a second submission, said second submission comprising said first term and being submitted by a second user from a third computer through said computer network by way of said second submission form, said second user being different from said first user and different from said first entity, said third computer being different from said first computer and different from said second computer;

ranking a first set of items in response to said second submission, said step of ranking being performed according to a ranking algorithm, said ranking algorithm being determined at least in part by said first user through said first submission, said first set of items comprising at least a first item and a second item;

providing a search engine results document to said second user, said search engine results document comprising at least some results of said step of ranking and being selected from the group consisting of a first search engine results page and a first search engine results email;

receiving a first URL;

receiving a first label, said first label comprising at least a first word;

receiving a first indication of a first strength of preference, said first strength of preference being associated with said first label;

receiving a first query via a third submission form;

comparing said first query to said first label;

ranking a second set of items, said second set of items comprising a third item and a fourth item, said third item being associated with said first URL, said step of ranking said plurality of items comprising a step of ranking said third item higher than said fourth item when said first strength of preference is higher than a second strength of preference;

establishing a first vendor account, a second vendor account, and first shopper account;

indicating that said first vendor account has been established;

providing an electronic shopping cart mechanism;

receiving by way of said electronic shopping cart mechanism information pertaining to a plurality of different purchases;

charging said first shopper account for said plurality of different purchases;

paying a plurality of different vendors for said plurality of different purchases;

instructing said plurality of different vendors to ship said purchases to a first shopper, said plurality of different vendors comprising a first vendor and a second vendor, said first vendor being associated with said first vendor account, said second vendor being associated with said second vendor account, and said first shopper being associated with said first shopper account, said first vendor being different from said second vendor and from said first shopper; and

wherein said first strength of preference comprises a first value, said first value being one among a range of possible values, said range of possible values comprising at least three different values.

2. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following steps:

providing first embeddable information;

determining whether said first embeddable information appears in a first resource; and

alternately providing or denying access to a first account function according to an outcome of said step of determining whether said first embeddable information appears in said first resource.

3. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a search query disambiguation function, said step of providing said search query disambiguation function comprising a step of providing a first plurality of alternate meanings, said first plurality of alternate meanings comprising at least a first meaning and a second meaning.

4. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following steps:

providing a first collective intelligence reference resource; and

receiving a first entry.

5. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following steps:

determining qualification, said qualification pertaining to (i) non-profit or charitable status or (ii) affiliation with or representation of an organization; and

alternately providing or denying access to a first account function according to an outcome of said step of determining qualification.

6. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a first mobile device query submission mechanism; and

receiving a second query from a first mobile device user.

7. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

providing a first management page to said first user, said first management page comprising information pertaining to a plurality of submissions that have been previously submitted by said first user;

providing a first resolution process, said first resolution process being selected from the group consisting of (i) a transaction dispute resolution process and (ii) a URL conflict resolution process;

or

normalizing a first score so as to make it more suitable for combining with a second score to produce a third score.

8. The method in claim 1 wherein said step of ranking further comprises the step of using at least a first methodology, said first methodology being selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a second methodology, said second methodology being at least partly based upon links or citations; and

(ii) a third methodology, said third methodology being at least partly based upon bidding or paying for placement in search results.

9. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a first toolbar customization selection; and

providing a first toolbar function according to said first toolbar customization selection.

10. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a first web browser toolbar function, said first web browser toolbar function being selected from the group consisting of (i) a newsfeed, (ii) a wish list, (iii) a user-to-user sale mechanism, (iv) an indication that a web site provider uses renewable energy, (v) an indication that a web site provider supports a charity, and (vi) an opportunity to choose a charity to support.

11. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following steps:

receiving a markup language document, said markup language document comprising instructions, said instructions describing at least one parameter for a custom search engine or custom search algorithm.

12. A method for enabling a user to create his or her own custom search engine, said method comprising the following steps:

hosting a first submission form on a first computer, said first computer being under the control of a first entity and connected to a computer network, said first submission form comprising at least a first data entry field suitable for user entry of data;

receiving a first submission from a first user, said first user being different from said first entity, said first submission comprising at least a first user-specified piece of data, said first user-specified piece of data being selected from the group consisting of (i) a second user-specified piece of data, said second user-specified piece of data pertaining to weight, (ii) a third user-specified piece of data, said third user-specified piece of data pertaining to freshness, and (iii) a fourth user-specified piece of data, said fourth user-specified piece of data pertaining to tolerance;

providing markup language text to said first user, said markup language text being suitable for embedding in a second submission form, said second submission form comprising a second data entry field and being hosted on a second computer, said second data entry field being suitable for user entry of a first term, said second computer being different from said first computer and being connected to said computer network;

receiving a second submission, said second submission comprising said first term and being submitted by a second user from a third computer through said computer network by way of said second submission form, said second user being different from said first user and different from said first entity, said third computer being different from said first computer and different from said second computer;

ranking a first set of items in response to said second submission, said step of ranking said first set of items being performed according to a ranking algorithm, said ranking algorithm being determined at least in part by said first user through said first submission, said first set of items comprising at least a first item and a second item;

providing a search engine results document to said second user, said search engine results document comprising at least some results of said step of ranking and being selected from the group consisting of a first search engine results page and a first search engine results email;

receiving a first URL at said first computer via said first computer network;

receiving a first label, said first label comprising at least a first word;

associating said first label with said first URL;

receiving a first query via a first query submission form;

comparing said first query to said first label;

ranking a second set of items, said second set of items comprising a third item and a fourth item, said third item being associated with said first URL, said step of ranking said second set of items being performed according to an outcome of said step of comparing said first query to said first label;

establishing a first vendor account, a second vendor account, and first shopper account;

indicating that said first vendor account has been established;

providing an electronic shopping cart mechanism;

receiving by way of said electronic shopping cart mechanism information pertaining to a plurality of different purchases;

charging said first shopper account for said plurality of different purchases;

paying a plurality of different vendors for said plurality of different purchases; and

instructing said plurality of different vendors to ship said purchases to a first shopper, said plurality of different vendors comprising a first vendor and a second vendor, said first vendor being associated with said first vendor account, said second vendor being associated with said second vendor account, and said first shopper being associated with said first shopper account, said first vendor being different from said second vendor and from said first shopper.

13. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

providing a first newsfeed;

receiving a first news item from a first news submitter;

receiving a first approval or disapproval; and

indicating popularity, said popularity being based in part upon said first approval or disapproval.

14. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following steps:

providing first embeddable information;

determining whether said first embeddable information appears in a first resource; and

alternately providing or denying access to a first account function according to an outcome of said step of determining whether said first embeddable information appears in said first resource.

15. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following steps:

providing a first phone interface; and

receiving a second query via said first phone interface.

16. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following steps:

providing a first markup language standard;

determining whether a first text submission conforms to said first markup language standard; and

providing a first custom search engine or algorithm according to said first text submission.

17. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a first toolbar icon, said first toolbar icon indicating that a first web site provider meets a first organizational, legal or environmental criterion.

18. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following step:

providing a first web browser toolbar function, said first web browser toolbar function being selected from the group consisting of (i) a newsfeed, (ii) a wish list, (iii) a user-to-user sale mechanism, (iv) an indication that a web site provider uses renewable energy, (v) an indication that a web site provider supports a charity, and (vi) an opportunity to choose a charity to support.

19. The method in claim 12 additionally comprising the following steps:

participating in a first semantic web environment, said step of participating in said first semantic web environment comprising a step of parsing a first markup resource, said first markup resource conforming to a first standard, said first standard pertaining to tagging text in a manner that indicates at least in part the meaning of said text.

20. A method for allowing a user to customize and generate revenue through a search engine, said method comprising the following steps:

receiving a first submission from a first user;

providing a first set of embeddable information to said first user;

receiving a second submission from a second user via a first submission form, said first submission form being under the control of said first user;

ranking a first set of items in response to said second submission and according to said first submission, said first set of items comprising at least a first item and a second item;

receiving payment from at least a first advertiser for at least a first paid result;

sharing revenue with at least said first user;

providing results to said second user, said results comprising said first paid result;

determining whether said first embeddable information appears in a first resource;

providing access to a first account function according to an outcome of said step of determining whether said first embeddable information appears in said first resource;

receiving a first URL;

receiving a first label, said first label comprising at least a first word;

receiving a first indication of a first strength of preference, said first strength of preference being associated with said first label;

receiving a first query via a third submission form;

comparing said first query to said first label;

ranking a second set of items, said second set of items comprising a third item and a fourth item, said third item being associated with said first URL, said step of ranking said plurality of items comprising a step of ranking said third item higher than said fourth item when said first strength of preference is higher than a second strength of preference;

establishing a first vendor account, a second vendor account, and first shopper account;

indicating that said first vendor account has been established;

providing an electronic shopping cart mechanism;

receiving by way of said electronic shopping cart mechanism information pertaining to a plurality of different purchases;

charging said first shopper account for said plurality of different purchases;

paying a plurality of different vendors for said plurality of different purchases;

instructing said plurality of different vendors to ship said purchases to a first shopper, said plurality of different vendors comprising a first vendor and a second vendor, said first vendor being associated with said first vendor account, said second vendor being associated with said second vendor account, and said first shopper being associated with said first shopper account, said first vendor being different from said second vendor and from said first shopper; and

wherein said first strength of preference comprises a first value, said first value being one among a range of possible values, said range of possible values comprising at least three different values.