Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing a rich search experience utilizing entity-type characterization are provided. A search query is received and an entity type is determined for the query. A Web search is then performed for the query against a predefined list of sources determined to be authoritative for the determined entity type. The results of the source-specific searches are filtered based upon the entity type providing a filtered list of results that each pertains to an entity of the entity type determined to be associated with the query. The filtered list are then compared to a list of resolved entities to determine equivalent entities identified by different searched sources, the equivalent entities being combined into a single potential search result. The consolidated search results are then ordered based upon rank values. At least a portion of the results may then be presented to the user.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices method of facilitating presentation of actions and providers associated with entities. The method includes determining a query intent of a received query. Entity sets having an entity that matches the determined query intent are recognized. Each entity set includes an entity, an action, and a provider. Actions and/or providers associated with the entity that matches the determined query intent are identified. The actions and/or the corresponding providers associated with the entity are provided for integration with a representation of the associated entity on a search results page.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for performing entity-based aggregation of endorsement data are provided. Entity-endorsement data is received from a plurality of different sources, e.g., websites, web pages, database records, files, data feeds, or networks. Entity resolution is then performed to identify like entities. Once the entities are resolved, the relevant endorsement data from each appropriate source is aggregated. The aggregated endorsement data may then be presented with or without an identification of the sources from which the data was aggregated. In this way, sparseness and fragmentation of endorsement data are mitigated and a more complete picture of an entity's endorsement status may be seen.

Abstract: A user of a social network may submit a search query relating to one or more topics to a search engine indexing a set of data items, but the search results, while authoritative and informative, may be highly impersonal with respect to the user. Conversely, the user may search for social data items within the social network relating to the topics, and such social data items may be more highly personalized to the user, but may also be inaccurate or incomplete. Instead, the search query may be applied to both the search engine and the social network, and the selected search results and social data items may be integrated into a presentation featuring both authoritative and personalized information about the topics associated with the search query.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing a rich search experience utilizing entity-type characterization are provided. A search query is received and an entity type is determined for the query. A Web search is then performed for the query against a predefined list of sources determined to be authoritative for the determined entity type. The results of the source-specific searches are filtered based upon the entity type providing a filtered list of results that each pertains to an entity of the entity type determined to be associated with the query. The filtered list are then compared to a list of resolved entities to determine equivalent entities identified by different searched sources, the equivalent entities being combined into a single potential search result. The consolidated search results are then ordered based upon rank values. At least a portion of the results may then be presented to the user.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices method of facilitating presentation of actions and providers associated with entities. The method includes determining a query intent of a received query. Entity sets having an entity that matches the determined query intent are recognized. Each entity set includes an entity, an action, and a provider. Actions and/or providers associated with the entity that matches the determined query intent are identified. The actions and/or the corresponding providers associated with the entity are provided for integration with a representation of the associated entity on a search results page.

Abstract: Conversations about products and product areas arise among users who also participate in social networks. These conversations often occur over generalized communications channels, such as email or social network messages, which may be unstructured and ephemeral. Such conversations may be promoted among the users of a social group (such as a highly interconnected set of users), and may be restricted to the members of the social group in order to promote reliable discussion and personalized recommendations. The social network may also store such conversations as a product review database that is searchable by members of the social group, evaluate the conversation to identify a consensus recommendation of a product in a product area or a consensus opinion of the social group about a product or recommendation, and compute an aggregated user rating of a product based on the user ratings of the product by various members of the social group.

Abstract: A user of a social network may submit a search query relating to one or more topics to a search engine indexing a set of data items, but the search results, while authoritative and informative, may be highly impersonal with respect to the user. Conversely, the user may search for social data items within the social network relating to the topics, and such social data items may be more highly personalized to the user, but may also be inaccurate or incomplete. Instead, the search query may be applied to both the search engine and the social network, and the selected search results and social data items may be integrated into a presentation featuring both authoritative and personalized information about the topics associated with the search query.

Abstract: Many contemporary computing scenarios involve the submission by a user of a search query to be applied to a data set (such as a set of web pages indexed by a web search engine.) Additionally, many users participate in social networking and have generated a social profile, including demographic information, interests, and associations with other users who also have social profiles. It may be advantageous to improve the presentation of search results from search queries by adjusting the search queries according to a prediction of user interest of the user in the topics associated with respective search results, based on the information in the social profile of the user. For example, search results relating to topics in which the user or the user's friends have expressed an interest within the social network may be presented before other search results, thereby improving the relevance of the search results to the user.

Abstract: A two-dimensional storage system having two dimensional access is described which offers advantages of speed and effective utilization of available storage area. The system is comprised of a plurality of bubble domain storage arrays, each of which has means therein for moving bubble domains in two dimensions. For instance, in each storage array bubbles can be moved either right-left or up-down. A functional area is provided between adjacent storage arrays to accommodate bubble movement to perform read, write, and clear functions and possibly logic functions. In one embodiment, the functional areas are comprised of sensors which simultaneously function as translation elements to map the information in one storage array into an adjacent array. Magnetic bubble domain sensors are provided for detecting bubble domains moved in one or two dimensions. For example, one sensor can be used to detect bubble domains moving right-left while another sensor is used to detect bubble domains moving up-down.

Abstract: A bubble lattice file has plural access channels, each access channel providing access to a bubble column aligned therewith for reading and/or writing in the aligned column. At least some of the access channels are spaced from a common reference by distances which for adjacent channels have substantially constant ratio, i.e., at least some adjacent access channels are spaced in a substantially geometric progression.