Method, system, and computer readable storage for affiliate group searching
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for performing an information search, comprising:
- associating human searchers with a keyword;
designating less than all the human searchers associated with the keyword as an affiliate group;
selecting a human searcher;
selecting the human searcher from the affiliate group when a request is authorized;
selecting the human searcher from the human searchers associated with the keyword excluding the affiliate group when the request is not authorized;
providing a search result of the human searcher;
providing the search result using a search resource of the affiliate group when the request is authorized;
obtaining the search result using a resource selected by the human searcher when the request is not authorized;
obtaining an identifier of the human searcher;
determining access rights of the human searcher based on the identifier;
providing access to the search resource of the affiliate group when the access rights do not include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is authorized; and
providing access to public search resources selected by the keyword when the access rights include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is not authorized;
aggregating ratings of members of the affiliate group as a rating of the affiliate group;
determining indicators of affiliate groups associated with the keyword in an order based on respective aggregate ratings of the members of the respective affiliate groups; and
selecting the human searcher based on the rating.
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Abstract
A method for allowing an information seeker to utilize affiliate group searching involving human searchers who are members of particular information affiliate groups. Each affiliate group has an area of expertise in which they are particularly skilled. In at least one embodiment, the method includes accepting designation of an affiliate group for providing information searching and presenting search results produced by a member of the affiliate group to an information seeker.
120 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for performing an information search, comprising:
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associating human searchers with a keyword; designating less than all the human searchers associated with the keyword as an affiliate group; selecting a human searcher; selecting the human searcher from the affiliate group when a request is authorized; selecting the human searcher from the human searchers associated with the keyword excluding the affiliate group when the request is not authorized; providing a search result of the human searcher; providing the search result using a search resource of the affiliate group when the request is authorized; obtaining the search result using a resource selected by the human searcher when the request is not authorized; obtaining an identifier of the human searcher; determining access rights of the human searcher based on the identifier; providing access to the search resource of the affiliate group when the access rights do not include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is authorized; and providing access to public search resources selected by the keyword when the access rights include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is not authorized; aggregating ratings of members of the affiliate group as a rating of the affiliate group; determining indicators of affiliate groups associated with the keyword in an order based on respective aggregate ratings of the members of the respective affiliate groups; and selecting the human searcher based on the rating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A search system utilizing human searchers, comprising:
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a processor; a memory; a searcher device performing a search responsive to a request; a search system server receiving the request indicating a search is requested;
associating human searchers with a keyword;designating less than all the human searchers associated with the keyword as an affiliate group; selecting a human searcher; selecting the human searcher from the affiliate group when a request is authorized; selecting the human searcher from the human searchers associated with the keyword excluding the affiliate group when the request is not authorized; providing a search result of the human searcher, providing the search result using a search resource of the affiliate group when the request is authorized; obtaining the search result using a resource selected by the human searcher when the request is not authorized; obtaining an identifier of the human searcher; determining access rights of the human searcher based on the identifier; providing access to the search resource of the affiliate group when the access rights do not include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is authorized; and providing access to public search resources selected by the keyword when the access rights include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is not authorized; aggregating ratings of members of the affiliate group as a rating of the affiliate group; determining indicators of affiliate groups associated with the keyword in an order based on respective aggregate ratings of the members of the respective affiliate groups; and selecting the human searcher based on the rating.
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing therein a program for causing a computer to execute an operation including providing human assisted searching, comprising:
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associating human searchers with a keyword; designating less than all the human searchers associated with the keyword as an affiliate group; selecting a human searcher; selecting the human searcher from the affiliate group when a request is authorized; selecting the human searcher from the human searchers associated with the keyword excluding the affiliate group when the request is not authorized; providing a search result of the human searcher; providing the search result using a search resource of the affiliate group when the request is authorized; obtaining the search result using a resource selected by the human searcher when the request is not authorized; obtaining an identifier of the human searcher; determining access rights of the human searcher based on the identifier; providing access to the search resource of the affiliate group when the access rights do not include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is authorized; and providing access to public search resources selected by the keyword when the access rights include the search resource of the affiliate group and the request is not authorized; aggregating ratings of members of the affiliate group as a rating of the affiliate group; determining indicators of affiliate groups associated with the keyword in an order based on respective aggregate ratings of the members of the respective affiliate groups; and selecting the human searcher based on the rating.
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Specification