Search method and system and system using the same

• US 20060149708A1
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transparensee Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Transparensee Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Lavine, Steven David
• Granted Patent: US 7,461,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2455 Query execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access

Abstract

Information regarding the structure of information in a content database is maintained in a structure database. The structure database is used to correlate the data structure of a query to the structure of the content database, in order to determine that information in the content database which needs to be provided to a searcher in response to the query. In one embodiment, this search method is used in an online forum, and the forum maintains a reputation score for users with respect to given subject matter. The reputation score is dependent upon the quality of a user'"'"'s participation in the forum. A user'"'"'s reputation score depends upon the evaluation by others of information he posts and upon the user evaluating information posted by others.

Claims

1. A method for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into a plurality of categories containing multiple fields of information, each category having at least one sub-category, the sub-categories being structured in at least one sub-level based upon a relationship between the information in sub-categories, the structure database containing category structure information defining the data structure of each category;

receiving a search query containing a subset of the categories contained in a record, which subset may include all of the categories, the query containing selection information indicating those sub-categories that should be present in records being sought by the query;

for categories present in the query subset, performing a correlation between the selection information and information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a record; and

as a response to the query, selecting information from records in the content database based upon the relevance value of the records.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the correlation step is performed by correlating selection information for a chosen category with information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure of the same category in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for the chosen category in each record of the subset, this correlating step being performed for a plurality of chosen categories;

and, for a record, combining the relevance values of the plurality of chosen categories to produce a relevance value for the record.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the correlating step is different for two categories that have different data structures.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a correlation includes assigning a weight to a sub-category in a record depending on whether that sub-category is present in the selection information, and using the assigned weight in the correlating step.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a correlation includes assigning a weight to a sub-category in a record depending upon its level, and using the assigned weight in the correlating step.

6. A system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising:

a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into a plurality of categories containing multiple fields of information, each category having at least one sub-category, the sub-categories being structured in at least one sub-level based upon a relationship between the information in sub-categories, the structure database containing category structure information defining the data structure of each category;

a receiver for a search query containing a subset of the categories contained in a record, which subset may include all of the categories, the query containing selection information indicating those sub-categories that should be present in records being sought by the query;

a correlation device set performing a correlation between the selection information, for categories present in the query subset, and information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a record; and

a unit responding to the query by selecting and providing information from records in the content database based upon the relevance value of the records.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the correlation device correlates selection information for a chosen category with information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure of the same category in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a chosen category in each record of the subset, this correlation being performed for a plurality of chosen categories;

and, a correlation device including a component combining the relevance values of the plurality of chosen categories to produce a relevance value for the record.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the correlation device is performs a different operation for two categories that have different data structures.

9. The system of any of claims 6 wherein the correlation device includes a component which assigns a weight to a sub-category in a record depending on whether that sub-category is present in the selection information, and the correlation unit uses the assigned weight in performing the correlation.

10. The system of any of claims 6 wherein the correlation unit includes a component which assigns a weight to a sub-category in a record depending upon its level, and the correlation unit uses the assigned weight in performing the correlation.

11. The system of claim 6 provided with access to a network, the content database being accessible from the network, the receiver and responding unit communicating over the network.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the content database is accessed through the network.

13. In an online user forum of the type permitting communication among a plurality of users and also permitting users to post information content for access by users, the improvement comprising a reputation module storing a reputation rating for a user in association with information content, a user'"'"'s reputation being a function of the degree his participation in the forum.

14. The forum of claim 13 wherein the reputation module is constructed so that a first user'"'"'s reputation rating is dependent upon the evaluation by other users of the information posted by the first user.

15. The forum of claim 13 wherein the reputation module is constructed so that a first user'"'"'s reputation rating is dependent upon his evaluation of information posted by other users.

16. The forum of claim 13 wherein the reputation module is constructed so that a first user'"'"'s reputation rating is dependent more the evaluation by other users of the information posted by the first user than upon the first user'"'"'s evaluation of information posted by other users.

17. The forum of claim 13, a system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising:

a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into a plurality of categories containing multiple fields of information, each category having at least one sub-category, the sub-categories being structured in at least one sub-level based upon a relationship between the information in sub-categories, the structure database containing category structure information defining the data structure of each category;

a receiver for a search query containing a subset of the categories contained in a record, which subset may include all of the categories, the query containing selection information indicating those sub-categories that should be present in records being sought by the query;

a correlation device set performing a correlation between the selection information, for categories present in the query subset, and information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a record; and

a unit responding to the query by selecting and providing information from records in the content database based upon the relevance value of the records.

18. The forum of claim 17 wherein the correlation device correlates selection information for a chosen category with information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure of the same category in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a chosen category in each record of the subset, this correlation being performed for a plurality of chosen categories;

and, a correlation device including a component combining the relevance values of the plurality of chosen categories to produce a relevance value for the record.

19. The forum of claim 18 wherein the correlation device is performs a different operation for two categories that have different data structures.

20. The forum of claim 19 wherein the correlation device includes a component which assigns a weight to a sub-category in a record depending on whether that sub-category is present in the selection information, and the correlation unit uses the assigned weight in performing the correlation.

21. The forum of claim 20 wherein the correlation unit includes a component which assigns a weight to a sub-category in a record depending upon its level, and the correlation unit uses the assigned weight in performing the correlation.

22. The forum of claim 13 provided with access to a network, the content database being accessible from the network, the receiver and responding unit communicating over the network.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the content database is accessed through the network.

24-58. -58. (canceled)