Computer Method and Apparatus for Using Social Information to Guide Display of Search Results and Other Information

• US 20090240676A1
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gruen, Daniel M., Wattenberg, Martin M., Kriss, Jesse H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system presents search result or other data generated in response to a request by a user. The search results are formed of one or more items. The invention system corresponds each item to a respective person. A screen view is generated showing a hierarchy of people including the people corresponding to the items of the search results. Indicated in the screen view is the extent of connectedness between the user and the people corresponding to the items of the search results. The invention system displays indications of the items of the search results in the screen view in a manner illustrating the items in context of the shown hierarchy. This enables a user to (i) easily and readily assign respective confidence levels to items of the search results, and to (ii) determine relationships among people without explicitly requesting the information from others.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of presenting search result data, comprising:

given search results generated in response to a request by a user, the search results being formed of one or more items, corresponding each item to a respective person;

providing a screen view showing a hierarchy of people including the people corresponding to the items of the search results;

indicating in the screen view extent of connectedness between the user and the people corresponding to the items of the search results; and

displaying indications of the items of the search results in the screen view in a manner illustrating the items in context of the shown hierarchy.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 where the shown hierarchy is based on organization of a company or reporting hierarchy of people.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein extent of connectedness to the user is indicated by shading.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein indications of the items of the search results have a certain geometric shape in the screen view.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the screen view utilizes respective sets of rectangles for showing different people in the hierarchy;

and

the indications of the items of the search results are circular in shape.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the indications of items of the search results are color coded.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of displaying presents the items of the search results in context of the shown hierarchy and enables the user to:

determine a level of confidence in the items,

determine relationship to other people who authored respective items, and

discover relationships among people without explicitly requesting such.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen view shows the hierarchy of people using a tree-like structure, a linked list or a nested outline.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

in response to user interaction, displaying in the screen view any one or combination of live awareness information, live links and related search results information.

10. Computer apparatus for presenting search results comprising:

a source of search results generated in response to a request by a user, the search results being formed of one or more items, each item corresponding to a respective person; and

a processor responsive to the source and generating a screen view showing a hierarchy of people including the people corresponding to the items of the search results, the processor indicating in the screen view extent of connectedness between the user and the people corresponding to the items of the search results, and the screen view illustrating the items in context of the hierarchy, the processor providing the screen view as output for display to the user.

11. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the shown hierarchy is based on organization of a company, or a reporting hierarchy of people.

12. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein extent of connectedness to the user is indicated by shading in the screen view.

13. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the screen view illustrates the items of the search results using a certain geometric shape.

14. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the screen view utilizes respective sets of rectangles for showing different people in the hierarchy;

and the indications of the items of the search results are circular in shape.

15. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the screen view illustrates the items of the search results using a color coding.

16. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the screen view enables the user to:

determine a level of confidence in the items,

determine relationship to other people who authored respective items, and

discover relationships among people without explicitly requesting such.

17. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the screen view shows the hierarchy of people using a tree-like structure, a linked list or a nested outline.

18. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein in response to user interaction with the screen view, the processor outputs for display any one or combination of live awareness information, live links and related search result information.

19. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the source of search results includes feeds from discussion data stores, shared book marking systems and email systems.

20. A computer system for presenting search results data, comprising:

given information generated for a user, the information being formed of one or more items, means for corresponding each item to a respective person,

screen display means for visualizing a hierarchy of people including people corresponding to the information items,

means for indicating in the visualization (i) extent of connectivity of the user to people corresponding to the information items, and (ii) the information items in context of the hierarchy,

such that the user is able to;

determine a level of confidence in the items,

determine relationship to other people who authored respective items, and

discover relationships among people without explicitly requesting such.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed by a computer system causes:

given information generated in response to a request by a user, the information being formed of one or more items, corresponding each item to a respective person;

providing a screen view showing a hierarchy of people including the people corresponding to the items of the information;

indicating in the screen view extent of connectedness between the user and the people corresponding to the items of the information; and

displaying indications of the items in the screen view in a manner illustrating the items in context of the shown hierarchy.