Category searching
First Claim
1. A method for performing a category search to identify categories of items that relate to a search term, the method comprising:
- receiving at least one search term that includes at least one search term word;
comparing the search term word with one or more words in a hierarchy of category identifiers to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the words of the hierarchy of category identifiers;
accessing searchable terms related to each of several categories, where the searchable terms related to each of the several categories include names and descriptions of web sites within a corresponding category;
comparing the search term word with the searchable terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the searchable terms related to the categories;
displaying the at least one matching category identifier; and
when more than one matching category identifier is identified and displayed;
determining a relative ranking among categories corresponding to the matching category identifiers based on one or more of a relative location of the matches within the hierarchy of category identifiers, and whether the matches occur with the searchable terms related to one or more categories or with the hierarchy of category identifiers, and presenting the matching category identifiers with an indication of the corresponding relative rank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Performing a category search to identify categories of web sites that relate to a search term includes receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a hierarchy of category identifiers, and with terms related to one or more categories, to determine whether matches exist. A category identifier is selected based on the matches that are determined to exist within the hierarchy and the terms, and at least the category identifier is displayed. Performing a search to identify web sites and categories of web sites that relate to a search term also may include receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a list of recommended web sites, previously performed searches, a hierarchy of category identifiers, and terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist. Results based on matches that are determined to exist are displayed.
110 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for performing a category search to identify categories of items that relate to a search term, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one search term that includes at least one search term word;
comparing the search term word with one or more words in a hierarchy of category identifiers to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the words of the hierarchy of category identifiers;
accessing searchable terms related to each of several categories, where the searchable terms related to each of the several categories include names and descriptions of web sites within a corresponding category;
comparing the search term word with the searchable terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the searchable terms related to the categories;
displaying the at least one matching category identifier; and
when more than one matching category identifier is identified and displayed;
determining a relative ranking among categories corresponding to the matching category identifiers based on one or more of a relative location of the matches within the hierarchy of category identifiers, and whether the matches occur with the searchable terms related to one or more categories or with the hierarchy of category identifiers, and presenting the matching category identifiers with an indication of the corresponding relative rank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 33)
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3. (canceled)
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7. (canceled)
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8. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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14-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A computer program, stored on a computer readable medium for performing a category search to identify categories of items that relate to a search term, comprising instructions for:
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receiving at least one search term that includes at least one search term word;
comparing the search term word with one or more words in a hierarchy of category identifiers to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the words of the hierarchy of category identifiers;
accessing searchable terms related to each of several categories, where the searchable terms related to each of the several categories include names and descriptions of web sites within a corresponding category;
comparing the search term word with the searchable terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist;
identifying at least one matching category identifier based on the matches that are determined to exist between the search term word and the searchable terms related to the categories;
displaying the at least one matching category identifier; and
when more than one matching category identifier is identified and displayed;
determining a relative ranking among categories corresponding to the matching category identifiers based on one or more of a relative location of the matches within the hierarchy of category identifiers, and whether the matches occur with the searchable terms related to one or more categories or with the hierarchy of category identifiers, and presenting the matching category identifiers with an indication of the corresponding relative rank. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 34, 35)
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24-32. -32. (canceled)
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36. A method for performing a category search to identify categories of items that relate to a search term, the method comprising:
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comparing search terms against one or more of a hierarchical collection of category identifiers, and web page descriptors within categories that correspond to the category identifiers;
determining at least one matching category based on the comparison;
when more than one matching category is found to exist, determining a relative ranking of each respective matching category based on one or more of (1) a relative location of matched words, corresponding to each respective matching category, within the hierarchical collection of category identifiers, and (2) the relative occurrence of matched words, corresponding to each respective matching category, within the category identifiers and the web page descriptors; and
presenting the matching categories in accordance with the determined relative rankings associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification