Abstract: There is provided a method for automatic evaluation of target files, comprising the steps of building a database of reference files; for each target file, forming a training set comprising files from the database of reference files and building a test set from features of the target file; dynamically generating a learning model from the training set; and applying the learning model to the test set, whereby a value corresponding to the target file is predicted.

Abstract: A system and method directed to a matching engine for finding the best match for an input string from among a group of predefined string patterns is disclosed. The predefined patterns may include one or more wildcard characters. A metric value is computed for every predefined string pattern. If the input string matches more than one predefined pattern, then the pattern with the highest metric value is determined as the best match to the input string. Additionally, information of different types may be attached to the predefined patterns and used for further processing of information, for example, to make routing decisions or to run a program module.

Abstract: Statistics for temporary tables are used in optimizing the execution of a database request. A first temporary table is created using data from a data source as the result of performing an operation while executing the request. A subset of the demographics of the data source is saved in a session level memory as the demographics of the first temporary table. The saved demographics are used in optimizing the execution of the portion of the request involving the first temporary table.

Abstract: Two or more interrelated hierarchies within a set of performance data may be integrated into a single hierarchy. The single hierarchy may be provided in a single user interface to allow a user to navigate the single hierarchy. By navigating through the single hierarchy, a user may view relationships between application elements, cumulative performance data for categories and elements, and other information. A single integrated hierarchy includes a sequence of node types. The node types for an integrated hierarchy may include categories, relationships and elements. The node types may repeat as a sequence within the hierarchy, and more than one node type may be combined into a single level of the hierarchy. Aggregated metrics such as response time may be displayed with the integrated hierarchy.

Abstract: In a QA (Question/Answer) system, candidate answers in response to a question received are ranked by probabilities estimated by a language model. The language model is created based on an ordered centroid created from the question and information learned from an information source such as the Internet.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes inferring labels for videos, users, advertisements, groups of users, and other entities included in a social network system. The inferred labels can be used to generate recommendations such as videos or advertisements in which a user may be interested. Inferred labels can be generated based on social or other relationships derived from, for example, profiles or activities of social network users. Inferred labels can be advantageous when explicit information about these entities is not available. For example, a particular user may not have clicked on any online advertisements, so the user is not explicitly linked to any advertisements.

Abstract: A system uses geo-location information associated with a user's interaction with a web site portal to deduce a context for the user's interaction and then uses the deduced context to influence the display of web site content that is provided in response to the user's interaction. The context is deduced by considering one or more of an industrial density for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, a current time for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, a weather condition for a locale the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction, and a regulation for a locale indicated by the geo-location information associated with the user's interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, methods and computer-readable media comprising program code for dynamically ranking links to items of audio content returned to a user in response to the execution of a query by a search engine. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention for dynamically ranking links to items of audio content returned to a user in response to the execution of a query by a search engine comprises receiving a query to identify links to one or more items of audio content; parsing the query into one or more logical units; determining an annotation for each of the one or more logical units; selecting a ranking heuristic according to the annotation for each of the one or more logical units and ranking a result set according to the selected ranking heuristic.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a wide area network fact information service method is disclosed. This method includes storing a plurality of canonical fact entries, storing one or more fact descriptor entries for each of the canonical fact entries, and ranking the canonical fact entries relative to each other based on the descriptor entries.

Abstract: A method of processing information and producing search response is performed at a server system. A search query is received from a client system or device. An Internet database is searched to identify a set of documents accessible via the Internet that match the search query, and a first response having information identifying at least a portion of the identified set of documents is generated. In addition, a determination is made as to whether the search query meets predefined criteria associated with current time inquiries. If the search query is determined to meet the predefined criteria associated with current time inquiries, a second response specifying a current time for at least one location is generated, and the first response and second response are returned to the client system or device for simultaneous display at the client system or device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for facilitating verification of an entity against a reference database. The entity is characterized by corresponding attributes. The method obtains a set of attributes from the attributes based on a set of predefined parameters. Further, the method selects a set of algorithms corresponding to each attribute belonging to the set of attributes. Thereafter, the method executes one or more algorithms belonging to a set of algorithms corresponding to each attribute.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of local search results and/or advertisements through endorsements of such local search results and/or ads. Local search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of local search results by offering a way for users to re-rank the results for themselves and for those who trust them.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for generating markup information to be displayed on a client computer system. A document (e.g. a web page) is selected for viewing via a web browser on the client system. Selected information relating to the document is parsed and analyzed using selected keyword information. In a specific implementation, the selected keyword information is provided by an entity other than the end user. Using the selected keyword information, specific context in the document is selected to be marked up. Markup operations may be implemented on at least a portion of the selected document context and displayed at the client system.

Abstract: An album creating apparatus for creating an album with an appropriate layout based on an image classification information and an image capturing time.

Abstract: A search engine stores different taxonomies that each specifies categories and relationships between the categories. When the search engine receives a request having a search query, the search engine determines which taxonomy, if any, it should use to generate a search engine results page. The search engine bases this determination upon information provided to it in the request, in one embodiment. For example, the search engine might select a taxonomy based on the particular environment from which the search query originated. However, the search engine can select the taxonomy based on other information, such as a role of the user. Thus, a medical researcher and a financial analyst for a particular corporation could receive search engine results pages that were generated with appropriate taxonomies for each of them.

Abstract: A plurality of jukeboxes each having a display, input component, audio output, and controller are connected over a network. The controller is configured to play music data sets selected by a user and to store local affinity data uploadable to the network. The controller is further configured to store network popularity and affinity data received from the network. The controller causes the display to present menus and screens based on the data received from the network. The controller is also configured to perform searches over multiple identification categories and store collections of music data sets based on multiple identification categories.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for generating markup information to be displayed on a client computer system. A document (e.g. a web page) is selected for viewing via a web browser on the client system. Selected information relating to the document is parsed and analyzed using selected keyword information. In a specific implementation, the selected keyword information is provided by an entity other than the end user. Using the selected keyword information, specific context in the document is selected to be marked up. Markup operations may be implemented on at least a portion of the selected document context and displayed at the client system.

Abstract: A method for processing documents in a document database includes determining vocabulary words for each document, and determining a respective relevancy for each vocabulary word based upon occurrences thereof in all of the documents. Similarities are determined between the documents based upon the vocabulary words and their respective relevancies. At least one domain identification is determined for the documents based upon the determined similarities.

Abstract: Queries describe users' search needs and therefore they play a role in the context of learning to rank for information retrieval and Web search. However, most existing approaches for learning to rank do not explicitly take into consideration the fact that queries vary significantly along several dimensions and require different objectives for the ranking models. The technique described herein incorporates query difference into learning to rank by introducing query-dependent loss functions. Specifically, the technique employs query categorization to represent query differences and employs specific query-dependent loss functions based on such kind of query differences. The technique employs two learning methods. One learns ranking functions with pre-defined query difference, while the other one learns both of them simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for visually coding or sorting search results based on the similarity of the search results to one or more concepts. A search query containing search terms is used to conduct a web search and obtain search results comprising a number of document surrogates describing the located web pages. Concepts are obtained using the search terms and the similarities between the obtained concepts and the search results are evaluated. The search results are then displayed in a manner that indicates the relative similarity of search results to one or more of the determined concepts, such as by sorting the search results based on the level of similarity of the search results to one or more concepts or by providing an accordance indicator with each displayed search result, the accordance indicators indicating the similarity of the corresponding search result with one or more of the concepts.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate expansion, disambiguation, and optimization of search queries over a network wherein an original query received from a user is parsed to obtain at least one query term. A plurality of keywords related contextually to one or more query terms are further retrieved from a database. Finally, a set of modified queries is generated, each modified query further comprising at least one query term and at least one retrieved keyword.

Abstract: An improved human user computer interface system, wherein a user characteristic or set of characteristics, such as demographic profile or societal “role”, is employed to define a scope or domain of operation. The operation itself may be a database search, to interactively define a taxonomic context for the operation, a business negotiation, or other activity. After retrieval of results, a scoring or ranking may be applied according to user define criteria, which are, for example, commensurate with the relevance to the context, but may be, for example, by date, source, or other secondary criteria. A user profile is preferably stored in a computer accessible form, and may be used to provide a history of use, persistent customization, collaborative filtering and demographic information for the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a search service system and a method thereof, and more particularly, relates to a search service system capable of providing an input order of a keyword which is input into the search service system, according to a category to which the keyword belongs, and a method thereof.

Abstract: Media content search results ranked by popularity is described. In embodiment(s), a search request for television media content can be initiated by a viewer, and television media content that is relevant to the search request can be identified. The relevant television media content can then be ranked based on a popularity rating such that the relevant television media content can be displayed in an ordered list that is ordered by popularity rankings.

Abstract: A system determines a freshness of a first document. The system determines whether a freshness attribute is associated with the first document. The system identifies, based on the determination, a set of second documents that each contain a link to the first document. The system assigns a freshness score to the first document based on a freshness attribute associated with each document of the set of second documents or the freshness attribute associated with the first document.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a document set (202, 420) are provided. The method includes determining a set of terms (312) from the terms of the document set that minimizes a distance measurement (405) from the given set of documents (420). The method includes using a greedy algorithm to build the set of terms incrementally, at each stage finding a single word that is closest to the document set (202, 420). The set of terms is evaluated to assess the ability to find the document set (202, 420). The set of terms are compared with expected terms to evaluate the ability to find the document set (202, 420). A measure of the ability to find a document set (202, 420) is provided by computing a distance measure (403) between a document set and an entire collection.

Abstract: Every presence has needs. A need could be consumer electronics, loans, autos, or knowledge, etc. The presence uses search engines to become knowledgeable about the need. The current search engines are not intelligent. The idea of the invention is to provide more accurate results and semantically linked results through an intelligent index. The invention uses results from known, semantic and unknown indexes with Guiding Information to return the most relevant results to the users.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates management and navigation of various data objects by making use of a unique time-line based navigation tool. In particular, objects can organized into a plurality of bands based on their respective subject matter. Each band can be created to designate a particular topic. Objects are organized within the appropriate bands based in part on a time parameter such as a time or date that the object was created, for example. The navigation tool allows a user to navigate or browse through the bands and objects according to a desired time parameter or range of time. Zooming and other browsing options are available to the user to view objects of interest at varying levels of detail. The objects are represented as ASCII thumbnails that are operational. Thus, the content of any object can be modified directly via the thumbnail.

Abstract: Determining a relevancy ranking score is disclosed. A query is received that includes one or more constraints. One of the one or more constraints includes an operator. A search result based on the query is received. The relevancy ranking score for the received search result is determined based at least in part on the operator associated with the one or more constraints of the query.

Abstract: Determining a relevancy ranking score is disclosed. An indication is received that a relevancy ranking score algorithm is to be tuned to a selected preference. The relevancy ranking score algorithm is updated based at least in part on the selected preference, wherein the relevancy ranking score of a search result resulting from a search query is based at least in part on one or more constraints of the search query.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are disclosed that are capable of refining the order and/or content of a list of items. In one embodiment, user activity associated with each item displayed to users in a given context is monitored, and is used together with item exposure data to generate context-specific item weights. The weights for the same item in different contexts may be different. The selection of items included in a list presented to users, and/or the order in which the items in the list are displayed, may be adjusted over time based upon the relative weights associated with the items.

Abstract: A search system finds an order to provide an item. The search system includes a repository including a plurality of records identifying a corresponding plurality of items for order. A record of an individual item for order includes a plurality of related text terms describing order related parameters. A search processor searches the plurality of records to find candidate items for order corresponding to a user entered search term by: identifying and prioritizing candidate items for order in response to a relative frequency of occurrence of the user entered search term in corresponding records of the candidate items for order; and ranking the identified and prioritized candidate items for order in response to a relative frequency of ordering of the identified and prioritized candidate items for use by users. An output processor provides search result data representing the ranked, identified and prioritized candidate items.

Abstract: A method of selecting and presenting content based on learned user preferences is provided. The method includes providing a content system including a set of content items organized by genre characterizing the content items, and wherein the set of content items contains microgenre metadata further characterizing the content items. The method also includes receiving search input from the user for identifying desired content items and, in response, presenting a subset of content items to the user. The method further includes receiving content item selection actions from the user and analyzing the microgenre metadata within the selected content items to learn the preferred microgenres of the user. The method includes, in response to receiving subsequent user search input, selecting and presenting content items in an order that portrays as relatively more relevant those content items containing microgenre metadata that more closely match the learned microgenre preferences of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for browsing a document repository are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, one or more hierarchies of categories are generated. For each category in each hierarchy, a search query is generated and assigned to the respective category. The search queries are executed against documents in a document repository and, based on the results of the search queries, a category-to-documents mapping table is updated to indicate the documents that are associated with each category. The categories for which there are associated documents are displayed to a user via a visual interface. As the user selects one or more categories to browse, the hierarchical categories displayed to the user are automatically and dynamically updated to reflect the number of documents associated with the category, based on the user's category selection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing context information in a web portal or enterprise portal comprising a hierarchical structure of portal pages and portlets for accessing web content or enterprise content accessible via the portal.

Abstract: Search results of a search query on a network are ranked according to an additional click distance property associated with each of the documents on the network. The click distance is measurement of the number clicks or user navigations from a page or pages on the network designated as highest authority or root pages on the network. The precision of the results is increased by the addition of the click distance term when the site or intranet where the search query takes place is hierarchically structured.

Abstract: A method and system of visually coding search results is provided. Using a search query containing a plurality of search terms, a web search is conducted and a set of search results is obtained. Occurrence frequencies of the search terms in the returned document are tallied and used to formulate a number of occurrence indicators having color shades based on the occurrence frequencies of the search terms. The search results are then displayed in two levels of detail with a first portion of the search results displayed in a first format and a second portion displayed in a second format. The occurrence indicators for the search terms are displayed beside each returned document to indicate to a user the frequency of the search terms in the search results.

Abstract: Recommendation of related assets based on user search behavior is provided. Relevance classifications assigned to search results in association with search strings that produced the search results may be used for providing a list of one or more searchable assets that may be relevant to a given search query. All pairings of two acceptable assets contained in a given search session may be marked as “See Also” candidates. If a given pairing appears in a search session more than a configurable threshold, the assets in the pairing may be established as “See Also” relationships. Subsequently, when a user conducts a search that produces a search result that is a member of a pairing established as a “See Also” relationship, the other asset in the pairing may be recommended to the searching user within the destination search result page after the user selects the search result for viewing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system, and computer-readable recoding medium for sharing a result related to contents. The method for sharing a result related to contents includes the steps of assigning different identifications (IDs) to communities in which the contents are primarily and/or secondarily posted if a user requests to directly scrap and post the contents of a server, and collectively providing a result created in relation to the contents belonging to communities having a common ID if the result is created in relation to the primarily and/or secondarily posted contents.

Abstract: The concept of variability pertains to whether users exhibit consistent search interaction patterns, for example, in terms of interaction flow or information targeted. Methods are provided for analyzing variability, and then adapting search-related functionality (e.g., processes and/or interfaces) to account for variability characteristics, for example, to account for predictable search interaction behavior.

Abstract: A method for identifying a result responsive to a current location of a client device includes receiving, form a client device and at a host, a search query that includes a point of interest and a current location of the client device. The method also includes automatically updating the search query as the current location of the client device changes and instructing the host to identify a potential location associated with the point of interest and located within a user-defined proximity from the current location of the client device.

Abstract: A method includes submitting a query to multiple search engines. The method also includes receiving a ranked list of search results from each search engine based on the query. The method includes determining a search engine weighting value for each search engine, where each search engine weighting value indicates a degree of relevance of a category of specialization of a particular search engine to a category of the query.

Abstract: Advertisers are permitted to put targeted ads on page on the web (or some other document of any media type). The present invention may do so by (i) obtaining content that includes available spots for ads, (ii) determining ads relevant to content, and/or (iii) combining content with ads determined to be relevant to the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating discovery of information of interest in a document collection. A document model is proposed in which important terms and their semantic roles are represented. This document model is then used to facilitate searching and/or browsing of the document collection.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a database of categorized web feeds for facilitating web feed organization is disclosed. One exemplary method includes ascertaining a web feed identifier and searching a categorized collection of websites to determine a hierarchical folder path for the web feed identifier. For example, the Open Directory Project may be searched to determine an appropriate hierarchical folder path for the web feed identifier. The web feed identifier is placed in a corresponding hierarchical folder path within the database of categorized web feeds. The database of categorized web feeds can then be used as a tool for organizing web feeds on a client computer.

Abstract: An intelligent query system and method used in a search and retrieval system provides an end-user the most relevant, meaningful, up-to-date, and precise search results. The system and method allows an end-user to benefit from an experienced recommendation that is tailored to a specific industry. The system and method recognizes that the phrases “strike outs” and “home run” are much more strongly correlated with “BASE” as opposed to “EQUITIES.” When a search is conducted or a lookup is done in a map, the system and method recommends the strongest correlation as “BASE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for searching data, grouping search results into categories that are ordered according to search relevance, and reviewing the search results via text messaging. In one embodiment, a search term is submitted via a search request text message to a short code for a search service. The search service searches for content based on the search term and context data, such as location of a submitting client device. The search results are clustered into categories and ranked by relevance to the search term and context within each category. The categories are also ranked relative to each other. The most relevant search result from the most relevant category is transmitted in an initial result text message, which also includes instructions to access additional results via subsequent text messages. Each result text message also includes a link to a web page of categorized search results for display in a browser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ranking implicit search queries are described. In one embodiment a method comprising receiving an event, the event comprising user interaction with an article on a client device, wherein the article is capable of being associated with at least one of a plurality of client applications, extracting at least one keyword from the event, generating a query based at least in part on the at least one keyword, performing a search based at least in part on the query to determine a result set, wherein the result set comprises one or more article identifiers associated with articles comprising the at least one keyword, and determining a ranking for each of the one or more article identifiers comprising the result set is described.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining and deriving medical data related to patient inspiratory and cxpiratory flows and for displaying the data. A data acquisition processor acquires patient medical data related to inspiratory and expiratory volume from a ventilator. A data processor maps the data related to inspiratory and expiratory flow onto a flow data object. A display displays the flow data object comprising inspiratory objects for displaying information representative of the inspiratory flow and expiratory objects for displaying information representative of the expiratory flow.