Methods and apparatus for interactive searching techniques

• US 7,707,220 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telepathy Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Icosystem Corp.
• Inventors: Funes, Pablo, Bonabeau, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones; Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAO, PHUONG THAO
• Application Number:
  US11/537,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/1, 707/2, 707/4, 707/5, 706/13
• US Class Current: 707/758
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90324 using system suggestions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/126 Evolutionary algorithms, e.g. genetic algorithms or genetic programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested

Abstract

Methods and systems for searching comprise presenting a first information set to a user, receiving feedback, applying an evolutionary algorithm based on the feedback to generate a search query, causing the search query to be executed to generate a second information set, and presenting the second information set to the user. Then, in response to user input, the first information set is again presented to the user; feedback is again received, an evolutionary algorithm is again applied based on the feedback to generate a search query, and the new search query is caused to be executed to generate a third information set which is presented to the user.

Claims

1. A search method, comprising:

A) causing a first information set to be generated, comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) receiving a first feedback based upon the first presentation from a user;

D) applying an evolutionary algorithm to a plurality of characteristics associated with the first plurality of items to generate a first search query, wherein the evolutionary algorithm is based on the first feedback;

E) causing the first search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

F) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation;

G) in response to a user input, repeating step B and representing at least some of the first information set in the first presentation;

H) receiving a second feedback based upon the second presentation from a user;

I) applying an evolutionary algorithm to a plurality of characteristics associated with the second plurality of items to generate a second search query, wherein the evolutionary algorithm is based on the second feedback;

J) causing the second search query to be executed to generate a third information set comprising a third plurality of items, wherein each item of the third plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic; and

K) representing at least some of the third information set in a third presentation;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback comprises a subjective value for at least one item of the first plurality of items.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback comprises a subjective ranking for at least one item of the first plurality of items.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback comprises a selection of at least one item of the first plurality of items.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feedback comprises a rejection of at least one item of the first plurality of items.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information set, the second information set and the third information set each comprise a plurality of images or diagrams.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least some of the first information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the first presentation, at least some of the second information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the second presentation, and at least some of the third information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the third presentation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of items comprises a plurality of goods for purchase and/or a plurality of services for purchase.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first search query and the second search query each are executed by the search engine.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the search engine is independently provided.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first search query and the second search query each are executed by the web directory service.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the web directory service is independently provided.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a descriptor made available by the search engine or web directory service.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a tag.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the tag comprises at least one of a keyword, a comment, a URL link and XML information.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises:

a keyword;

a classification-oriented identifier;

a categorization-oriented identifier;

or

a semantic web-oriented identifier.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises:

a taxonomy-related identifier;

an ontology-related identifier;

or

a folksonomy-related identifier.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the evolutionary algorithm includes at least one of the following genetic operators:

a selection operator;

a mutation operator;

a recombination operator;

a crossover operator;

a directed operator;

a constraint operator;

or

a preservation operator.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the subjective value was selected from a range of possible subjective values.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the evolutionary algorithm comprises a mutation operator configured to delete at least one gene of a genetic string and/or to add at least one random gene to a genetic string, and wherein applying the evolutionary algorithm to generate a first search query comprises applying the mutation operator to a genetic string associated with at least one item of the first plurality of items to generate the first search query.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the first feedback comprises subjective values for at least two items of the first plurality of items, and the evolutionary algorithm generating the first search query is based on at least the said subjective values.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the evolutionary algorithm comprises a crossover operator configured to combine genes of two genetic strings to produce at least one offspring, and a mutation operator configured to delete at least one gene of a genetic string and/or add at least one random gene to a genetic string, and wherein applying the evolutionary algorithm to generate a first search query comprises:

applying the crossover operator to genetic strings respectively associated with at least two items of the first plurality of items to generate at least one offspring; and

applying the mutation operator to at least one genetic string associated with at least one of the at least two items of the first plurality of items, or to at least one offspring.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving from the user modifications of at least one of the first search query and the second search query prior to causing the said search query to be executed.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

L) receiving from the user a selection of a first desired item from one of the plurality of items;

M) receiving from the user a selection of a second desired item from another of the plurality of items; and

N) generating a fourth search query based on the first desired item and the second desired item.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the first desired item from the presentation in which it was represented having been dragged into the presentation in which the second desired item was represented, and having been dropped onto the said second desired item.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein generating a fourth search query based on the first desired item and the second desired item comprises applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string associated with the first desired item and a genetic string associated with the second desired item.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein causing a first information set comprising a first plurality of items to be generated comprises causing at least a portion of the first information set to be generated randomly.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein causing a first information set comprising a first plurality of items to be generated comprises causing a search query to be executed.

29. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable signals stored thereon that define instructions which, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a search method comprising:

A) causing a first information set to be generated, comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) receiving a first feedback based upon the first presentation from a user;

D) applying an evolutionary algorithm to a plurality of characteristics associated with the first plurality of items to generate a first search query, wherein the evolutionary algorithm is based on the first feedback;

E) causing the first search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

F) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation;

G) in response to a user input, repeating step B and representing at least some of the first information set in the first presentation;

H) receiving a second feedback based upon the second presentation from a user;

I) applying an evolutionary algorithm to a plurality of characteristics associated with the second plurality of items to generate a second search query, wherein the evolutionary algorithm is based on the second feedback;

J) causing the second search query to be executed to generate a third information set comprising a third plurality of items, wherein each item of the third plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic; and

K) representing at least some of the third information set in a third presentation;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.

30. A method, comprising:

A) causing a first search query to be executed to generate a first information set comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) causing a second search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

D) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation;

E) receiving from a user a selection of a first desired item from the first plurality items;

F) receiving from a user a selection of a second desired item from the second plurality of items; and

G) generating a third search query based on the combination of the first desired item and the second desired item;

wherein generating a third search query based on the first desired item and the second desired item comprises applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the first desired item and applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the second desired item;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the first desired item having been dragged from the first presentation into the second presentation, and dropped onto the second desired item in the second presentation.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the first search query and the second search query each are executed by the search engine.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the first search query and the second search query each are executed by the web directory service.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the first plurality of items and the second plurality of items comprise a plurality of goods for purchase and/or a plurality of services for purchase.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the first information set and the second information set each comprise a plurality of images or diagrams.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein at least some of the first information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the first presentation, and at least some of the second information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the second presentation.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a descriptor made available by the search engine or web directory service.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a tag.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein the evolutionary algorithm comprises a crossover operator configured to combine genes of two genetic strings to produce at least one offspring, and a mutation operator configured to delete at least one gene of a genetic string and/or add at least one random gene to a genetic string, and wherein applying the evolutionary algorithm to generate a third search query comprises:

applying the crossover operator to genetic strings respectively comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the first desired item and the second desired item to generate at least one offspring; and

applying the mutation operator to at least one of the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the first desired item, the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the second desired item, and the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one offspring.

40. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable signals stored thereon that define instructions which, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method comprising:

A) causing a first search query to be executed to generate a first information set comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) causing a second search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

D) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation.

E) receiving from a user a selection of a first desired item from the first plurality items;

F) receiving from a user a selection of a second desired item from the second plurality of items; and

G) generating a third search query based on the combination of the first desired item and the second desired item;

wherein generating a third search query based on the first desired item and the second desired item comprises applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the first desired item and applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the second desired item;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.

41. A method, comprising:

A) causing a first search query to be executed to generate a first information set comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) in response to a user input, saving at least one item of the first plurality of items in a location specified by the user;

D) causing a second search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

E) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation;

F) in response to a user input, retrieving at least one saved item of the first plurality of items; and

G) generating a third search query based on a combination of the at least one saved item of the first plurality of items and at least one of the second plurality of items;

wherein generating a third search query based on the combination of the at least one saved item and the at least one of the second plurality of items comprises applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one saved item and applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one of the second plurality of items;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the at least one saved item having been dragged from the first presentation into the specified location, and dropped onto the specified location.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the first search query, the second search query and the third search query each are executed by the search engine.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the first search query, the second search query and the third search query each are executed by the web directory service.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the first plurality of items and the second plurality of items comprise a plurality of goods for purchase and/or a plurality of services for purchase.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the first information set and the second information set each comprise a plurality of images or diagrams.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein at least some of the first information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the first presentation, and at least some of the second information set is displayed graphically as a grid of images and/or diagrams in the second presentation.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a descriptor made available by the search engine or web directory service.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with at least one item of at least one plurality of items comprises a tag.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein the evolutionary algorithm comprises a crossover operator configured to combine genes of two genetic strings to produce at least one offspring, and a mutation operator configured to delete at least one gene of a genetic string and/or add at least one random gene to a genetic string, and wherein applying the evolutionary algorithm to generate a third search query comprises:

applying the crossover operator to genetic strings respectively comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one saved item and at least one of the second plurality of items to generate at least one offspring; and

applying the mutation operator to at least one of the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one saved item, the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with at least one of the second plurality of items, and the genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one offspring.

51. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable signals stored thereon that define instructions which, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method comprising:

A) causing a first search query to be executed to generate a first information set comprising a first plurality of items, wherein each item of the first plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

B) representing at least some of the first information set in a first presentation;

C) in response to a user input, saving at least one item of the first plurality of items in a location specified by the user;

D) causing a second search query to be executed to generate a second information set comprising a second plurality of items, wherein each item of the second plurality of items is associated with at least one characteristic;

E) representing at least some of the second information set in a second presentation;

F) in response to a user input, retrieving at least one saved item of the first plurality of items; and

G) generating a third search query based on a combination of the at least one saved item of the first plurality of items and at least one of the second plurality of items;

wherein generating a third search query based on the combination of the at least one saved item and the at least one of the second plurality of items comprises applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one saved item and applying an evolutionary algorithm to a genetic string comprising a plurality of characteristics associated with the at least one of the second plurality of items;

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is chosen from a group comprising;

at least one descriptor made available by a search engine or web directory service;

at least one tag;

at least one keyword;

at least one classification-oriented identifier;

at least one categorization-oriented identifier; and

at least one semantic web-oriented identifier; and

wherein at least one characteristic associated with each item is not a word or phrase selected from text displayed as part of the item.