Queryless search based on context

• US 9,977,835 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Schechter, Michael Austin, Malhotra, Nipoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Anh
• Application Number:
  US15/266,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20170068739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9536 Search customisation based on social or collaborative filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results

Abstract

Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices for initiating a queryless search is provided. In this regard, a search can be initiated without a user inputting a query. In one embodiment, the method includes recognizing a search indication provided by a user to indicate a desire to view one or more search results related to content being presented. Such a search indication can be performed without accessing a web page associated with a search engine. In accordance with the search indication, contextual information related to the content being presented can be automatically captured. Thereafter, the captured contextual information is provided to initiate a search for information corresponding with the contextual information. Search results corresponding with the contextual information are received and presented.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of facilitating a queryless search by generating a combined display of presented content and contextually-related search results, the method comprising:

under control of one or more processors configured with computer-executable instructions;

detecting an action performed by a user on a user device while the presented content is being presented on the user device, wherein the action comprises

a touch input on a touch screen, touch pad, or remote control,

a motion of a user input device,

a motion of a cursor controlled by the user input device,

a selection controlled by a user input device, or

a combination thereof;

responsive to detecting the user action, automatically initiating a search utilizing contextual information presented on the user device, wherein the contextual information is associated with the action performed by the user, wherein the contextual information comprises information related to two or more of the presented content, the user, the user device, or a behavior of a third-party deemed similar to the user;

receiving one or more search results corresponding with the contextual information; and

modifying the display on the user device, such that the one or more search results are presented with the presented content via the display on the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more search results are overlaid on the content being presented.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action performed by the user corresponds to an item of interest within the presented content.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more search results comprise one or more of text, images, video content, or audio content.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more search results comprise a user selectable option.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user selectable option comprises an option to view content, an option to make a purchase, an option to connect to a chat, or a combination thereof.

7. One or more computer-readable hardware storage devices storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to perform acts that generate a combined display of presented content and contextually-related search results, comprising:

detecting an action performed by a user on a user device, wherein the action is detected while the presented content is being presented via one or more of text or images on the user device, wherein the action performed by the user is associated with a portion of the content;

responsive to the action performed by the user, automatically obtaining contextual information related to the presented content, wherein the contextual information comprises information related to two or more of the presented content, the user, the user device, or a behavior of a third-party deemed similar to the user;

without receiving a search query via a search engine web page, automatically communicating the contextual information to a remote search service; and

receiving one or more search results related to the obtained contextual information; and

modifying a display of the presented content on the user device while the presented content is being presented, such that the modification of the display of the presented content comprises presenting the one or more search results on the user device with the presented content rather than on a search engine results page.

8. The devices of claim 7, wherein the contextual information comprises one or more of:

text associated with the presented content;

an identifier of the presented content;

a time associated with the action performed by the user;

metadata associated with the presented content;

a time associated with presentation of the presented content;

or

a channel presenting the presented content.

9. The devices of claim 7, wherein the contextual information comprises at least user activity associated with a remote user device.

10. The devices of claim 7, wherein the one or more search results comprise a link, web results, information associated with the presented content, a selectable option, a representation of a similar or related media object, or a combination thereof.

11. The devices of claim 7, wherein the action performed by the user corresponds to an item of interest within the content being presented.

12. The devices of claim 7, wherein the one or more search results comprise a user selectable option including an option to view content, an option to make a purchase, an option to connect to a chat, or a combination thereof.

13. A user device that generates a combined display of presented content and contextually-related search results, the user device comprising:

a processor;

memory communicatively coupled to the processor;

a display screen configured to display content;

a detector component to detect an action performed by a user on the user device while the content is being presented on the user device, to determine that the action is associated with a portion of the content being presented on the user device, and to automatically initiate a search corresponding to an item of interest within the content being presented, wherein the action performed by the user does not specify a search query for use in performing the search;

a context capturer component to automatically capture contextual information, including the item of interest, related to the content displayed on the user device in response to detecting the action performed by the user, wherein the contextual information comprises information related to two or more of the presented content, the user, the user device, or a behavior of a third-party deemed similar to the user; and

a presentation component to cause presentation of one or more search results that correspond with the contextual information related to the content, wherein the display of the content being presented on the user device is modified such that the one or more search results are presented in association with the displayed content.

14. The user device of claim 13, wherein the action performed by the user comprises:

a touch input on a touch screen, touch pad, or remote control,

a motion of a user input device,

a motion of a cursor controlled by the user input device,

a selection controlled by the user input device, or

a combination thereof.

15. The user device of claim 13, wherein the search is automatically initiated by providing the contextual information to a search service.

16. The user device of claim 13, wherein the one or more search results are identified based on only the contextual information.

17. The user device of claim 13, wherein a placement of the one or more search results is determined based on a predetermined location or an optimal location in accordance with the displayed content.

18. The user device of claim 13, wherein the one or more search results comprise a user selectable option.

19. The user device of claim 18, wherein the user selectable option comprises an option to view content, an option to make a purchase, an option to connect to a chat, or a combination thereof.