Negative associations for search results ranking and refinement
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- constructing an association graph that includes one or more terms as vertices linked by edges, which edges have respective edge scores that represent respective strengths of association of the respective vertices linked thereby;
receiving from a user a search query that comprises one or more of the terms of the association graph;
responsively to the search query, generating, using the association graph, refinement options that comprise respective terms of the association graph, and presenting information to the user, including the refinement options for optional addition to the search query;
identifying a portion of the refinement options, and corresponding terms, that the user did not select;
using the association graph, assigning respective ranking scores to search results generated responsively to the search query, including lowering one or more of the ranking scores of the respective search results that are characterized by the non-selected portion of the refinement options, by damping the edge score of an edge of the association graph between two of the vertices respectively representing two of the non-selected terms;
ranking the search results according to the ranking scores; and
presenting the ranked search results to the user.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method is provided, including receiving a search query from a user during a search session, and presenting information to the user responsively to the search query. After an indication that the user takes an action related to the search session is received, a portion of the presented information is identified that the user did not select prior to taking the action, and respective scores are assigned to search results generated responsively to the search query, including lowering one or more of the scores of the respective search results that are characterized by the non-selected portion of the presented information. The search results are ranked according to the scores, and presented to the user. Other embodiments are also described.
233 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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constructing an association graph that includes one or more terms as vertices linked by edges, which edges have respective edge scores that represent respective strengths of association of the respective vertices linked thereby; receiving from a user a search query that comprises one or more of the terms of the association graph; responsively to the search query, generating, using the association graph, refinement options that comprise respective terms of the association graph, and presenting information to the user, including the refinement options for optional addition to the search query; identifying a portion of the refinement options, and corresponding terms, that the user did not select; using the association graph, assigning respective ranking scores to search results generated responsively to the search query, including lowering one or more of the ranking scores of the respective search results that are characterized by the non-selected portion of the refinement options, by damping the edge score of an edge of the association graph between two of the vertices respectively representing two of the non-selected terms; ranking the search results according to the ranking scores; and presenting the ranked search results to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus comprising:
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an interface; and a processor, which is configured to construct an association graph that includes one or more terms as vertices linked by edges, which edges have respective edge scores that represent respective strengths of association of the respective vertices linked thereby;
receive from a user, via the interface, a search query that comprises one or more of the terms of the association graph;
responsively to the search query, generate, using the association graph, refinement options that comprise respective terms of the association graph, and present, via the interface, information to the user, including refinement options for optional addition to the search query;
identify a portion of the refinement options, and corresponding terms, that the user did not select;
using the association graph, assign respective ranking scores to search results generated responsively to the search query, including lowering one or more of the ranking scores of the respective search results that are characterized by the non-selected portion of the refinement options, by damping the edge score of an edge of the association graph between two of the vertices respectively representing two of the non-selected terms;
rank the search results according to the ranking scores; and
present the ranked search results to the user, via the interface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer software product, comprising a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to construct an association graph that includes one or more terms as vertices linked by edges, which edges have respective edge scores that represent respective strengths of association of the respective vertices linked thereby;
- receive from a user a search query that comprises one or more of the terms of the association graph;
responsively to the search query, generate, using the association graph, refinement options that comprise respective terms of the association graph, and present information to the user, including refinement options for optional addition to the search query;
identify a portion of the refinement options, and corresponding terms, that the user did not select;
using the association graph, assign respective ranking scores to search results generated responsively to the search query, including lowering one or more of the ranking scores of the respective search results that are characterized by the non-selected portion of the refinement options, by damping the score of an edge of the association graph between two of the vertices respectively representing two of the non-selected terms;
rank the search results according to the ranking scores; and
present the ranked search results to the user. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
- receive from a user a search query that comprises one or more of the terms of the association graph;
Specification