Query analysis for geographic-based listing service

• US 8,447,661 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Atherton, Mark, Wiseman, Garry R
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian, Mila
• Application Number:
  US13/307,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20120078754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A unique system and method facilitates analyzes searches or queries that are geographic based. In particular, a user can submit a geo-tag based search for items posted on a listing service according to the item'"'"'s location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. Geo-tag information is analyzed to facilitate determining item matches. In addition, users that post items can employ query results to analyze the quality of their items such as from the buyer'"'"'s perspective.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates improved efficiency when searching for items for sale on an online classifieds site comprising;

a processing unit for executing computer-executable instructions; and

memory, in communication with the processing unit, containing computer-executable instructions for a system comprising;

a query component that processes a query that is related to a search for an item posted on the classifieds site across a set of geo-tagged items and returns at least a subset of items in response to the query as a function of item location for a user to view;

a discard monitor that examines user historical behavior and activity with respect to at least one of previous searches, purchases, selected items, and expressly discarded items for the user;

a discard component that marks one or more items that are suitable for discard based at least in part on data collected by the discard monitor, and

a feedback component that provides implicit user feedback by collecting data relating to discarded items and communicating at least a portion of the collected data to one or more owners of such items.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data comprises the discarded item and at least one of the following:

username or email address of the user that discarded the item and a rate at which the item was explicitly discarded by users.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprises an AI component that learns one or more factors for discarding items for a particular user in party by comparing characteristics of the discarded items with those of any non-discarded items.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback component further comprises a messaging component that allows an owner to communicate with a user that discarded the item without revealing the username or email address of the user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the message includes a request for direct feedback from the user as to why the user discarded the first item from the search results.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an unopened-item monitor that collects information regarding which items were not opened by the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more items comprise any good, service, personal ad, event or employment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each item in the subset of items comprises the item location or geo-tag, a description of the item, and information to contact the item owner or seller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the item location comprises at least one of a city, state, street address, or zip code.

10. A method that facilitates improved efficiency when searching for items for sale on an online classifieds site comprising;

processing a query that is related to a search for an item posted on the classifieds site across a set of geo-tagged items and returns at least a subset of items in response to the query as a function of item location for a user to view;

examining, by a discard monitor, user historical behavior and activity with respect to at least one of previous searches, purchases, selected items, and expressly discarded items for the user;

marking one or more items in the at least a subset of items that are suitable for discard based at least in part on data collected by the discard monitor;

collecting data relating to discarded items; and

communicating at least a portion of the collected data relating to discarded items to one or more owners of such items.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the collected data comprises the discarded item and at least one of the following:

username or email address of the user that discarded the item and a rate at which the item was explicitly discarded by users.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising learning, by an AI component, one or more factors for discarding items for a particular user in party by comparing characteristics of the discarded items with those of any non-discarded items.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising communicating a message from the owner to a user that discarded the item without revealing the username or email address of the user.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the message includes a request for direct feedback from the user as to why the user discarded the item from the search results.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising monitoring which items were not opened by the user.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein each item in the subset of items comprises the item location or geo-tag, a description of the item, and information to contact the item owner or seller.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the item location comprises at least one of a city, state, street address, or zip code.

11. A system that facilitates improved efficiency when searching for items for sale on an online classifieds site comprising;

a processing unit for executing computer-executable instructions; and

memory, in communication with the processing unit, containing computer-executable instructions for a system comprising;

a query component that processes a query that is related to a search for an item posted on the classifieds site across a set of geo-tagged items and returns at least a subset of items in response to the query as a function of item location for a user to view;

a discard monitor that examines user historical behavior and activity with respect to at least one of previous searches, purchases, selected items, and expressly discarded items for the user;

a discard component that marks one or more items that are suitable for discard based at least in part on data collected by the discard monitor; and

a feedback component that provides implicit user feedback by collecting data relating to discarded items and communicating this data to one or more relevant owners of such items and that allows the owner of the first item to send a message to the user while hiding an email address associated with the user from the owner of the first item, wherein the message includes a request for direct feedback from the user as to why the user deleted the first item from the search results.