Social based search engine, system and method

• US 8,463,764 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2009
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fuhu Holdings, Inc
• Inventors: Fujioka, Robb, Okimoto, Daryl
• Primary Examiner(s): GIRMA, ANTENEH B
• Application Number:
  US12/381,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search

Abstract

A social based search apparatus, system and method. The apparatus, system and method may include receiving, from a user, at least one search keyword, comparing the search keyword to a plurality of keywords having one or more experts associated therewith, and producing a first search result including at least one expert and information associated with the at least one expert, wherein the at least one expert and the information are at least substantially related to the at least one search keyword. The present invention may additionally include applying at least one filter to the first search result, wherein the at least one filter includes a broadening of the at least one search keyword.

Claims

1. A computer-based method of performing a social based search, comprising the steps:

providing a computer;

wherein said computer is comprised of a display and a social based search program;

receiving, from a user, by said social based search program, at least one search keyword;

comparing, by said social based search program, said at least one search keyword to a plurality of keywords;

wherein said plurality of keywords are associated with one or more experts;

producing by said social based search program a first search result;

wherein said first search result includes at least one of said one or more experts and a plurality of information associated with the at least one of said one or more experts, wherein said at least one expert of said one or more experts and said plurality of information are substantially related to said at least one search keyword;

wherein said expert is ranked with an expertise ranking,

wherein said expertise ranking is based at least partially on a plurality of positive feedback from a computing community;

applying at least one filter to said first search result, wherein said at least one filter provides a broadening of said at least one search keyword.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said expert is presented to said user as an avatar.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said avatar is accessible to said user via a widget.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said avatar is located at a wiki page.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said avatar is presented as a virtual trading card.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said virtual trading card is multi-sided.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said virtual trading card is viewed on said display via at least one selection of the group selections consisting of:

selection of a drop-down menu, selection of a link, and a double click.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said plurality of positive feedback from said computing community is a searchable wiki and is attributable to said expertise ranking.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising one or more expert filters;

wherein said one or more expert filters are provided by said expert.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said first search result is at least partially restricted to a social community.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of information associated with the expert includes an advertisement for said expert.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of information associated with said expert includes a blog.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of information associated with said expert comprises a wiki page.