Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems or apparatuses relating to data processing and more particularly to methods, systems, and/or apparatuses for use in searching for information are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for guiding a search for information is presented. The system comprises a user interface that accepts a phrase and receives at least one suggestion based at least in part on the phrase. The system also includes a phrase suggestion engine that matches the phrase with the at least one suggestion. Methods of using the system are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving social network messages and/or web pages in response to search queries are described. One embodiment of the invention includes generating a word list from at least a portion of the content of the web page using a web and message server system, generating an initial list of relevant terms based upon the word list using the web and message server system, identifying additional relevant terms using messages posted to at least one social network based upon the initial list of relevant terms, and creating an updated list of relevant terms by using the web and server system to combine terms in the initial list of relevant terms with the additional relevant terms identified using messages posted to at least one social network.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including a theme setting unit that sets a theme to generate an item list including one or more items, an item list editing unit that adds an item designated for the theme by at least a user irrelevant to a setting of the theme to the item list in which the theme is set, and an output control unit that controls an output of the item list.

Abstract: A ranking component refines an initial document ranking in which the initial ranking is based on a scoring criterion. The ranking component generates or receive a set of documents that are related to a document. The set of documents may be related in a number of ways, such as similarity in authorship or publisher. The ranking component then applies the scoring criterion to the set of related documents to generate a related set score. The related set score is used to refine the initial rankings.

Abstract: A system provides a connection between education administration, particularly as such administration assigns or selects books, and the marketing and use of those books. Such marketing and use of those books and information related to those books can include, without limitation, consumer product information, the publishing industry and specifically book publishing, and market analysis, analysis of data, markets, demand and supply chain and inventory management.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for providing the search results. The method comprises receiving a query from a client device. The method further comprises responsive to the query, identifying, using one or more processors, search results including one or more resources. The method further comprises for at least one resource of search results, determining, using the one or more processors, a size of a data transfer required to access the one resource. The method further comprises providing the search results to the client device including providing a label associated with the one resource indicative of the size.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for searching and retrieving records from a database and in particular to capturing a user's preferences to facilitate retrieval of records from the database in accordance with those preferences. The invention is suitable for use in applications in which the records retrieved from the database correspond to books, films, music or the like and it will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that exemplary, but non-limiting, application.

Abstract: A system and method of presentation of an extracted artifact based on an indexing technique are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes indexing a database of a captured network characteristic data using a processor and a memory to form an indexed capture data. The method includes enhancing a query response time with the indexed capture data. The method further includes searching the indexed capture data to generate a capture query result. The capture query result includes an extracted artifact. The method also includes graphically presenting the capture query result as at least one of an artifact list and an artifact image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a display of document clusters is described. Clusters of documents are presented in a multi-dimensional concept space. At least one document is selected from a collection of documents to be clusters. An angle ? of the document relative to a common origin of the multi-dimensional concept space is computed. The selected document is compared with each of the clusters. An angle ? from the common origin is determined for each cluster. A difference between the angle ? for the document and the angle ? for the cluster is determined. The difference is compared to the variance, and a new cluster is created when the difference exceeds the variance for all the clusters.

Abstract: A system for finding and presenting content items in response to keystrokes entered by a user on an input device having a known layout of overloaded keys selected from a set of key layouts. The system includes a database containing content items and terms characterizing the content items; input logic for receiving keystrokes from the user and building a string corresponding to incremental entries by the user, each item in the string having the set of alphanumeric symbols associated with a corresponding keystroke; mapping logic to map the string to the database to find the most likely content items corresponding to the incremental entries, the mapping logic operating in accordance with a defined error model corresponding to the known layout of overloaded keys; and presentation logic for ordering the most likely content items identified by the mapping logic and for presenting the most likely content items.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a search manager included in a mobile computing device. The search manager receives search text and a selection of one or more data sources and determines whether the selected data source include data matching, or similar to, the received search text. The search manager may dynamically modify a search database identifying data sources to be searched as data is received from a data source. Additionally, the search manager may communicate received search text to one or more applications stored by the mobile computing device, allowing an application to initiate an action using the search text. The search manager may also receive data from external sources identifying alternate search terms based on received search text.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for ranking of products related to a product category in online shopping. A search query for one or more products is received from a user. A set of attributes and features of each attribute are extracted related to a product category for each of the one or more products. A score of each attribute is calculated based on the features. Further, the weights are assigned to each of the one or more attributes and a product rank is generated for each of the one or more products based on assigned weights and the score by using a predefined relevancy-ranking algorithm.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for content categorization, which aims at reducing the processing burthen of the content categorization as well as the network transmission traffic. The method comprises: transmitting, by a content categorization requester, a content digest of a content to be categorized to a content categorization provider; and performing, by the content categorization provider, content categorization according to the content digest.

Abstract: Information may be presented to a user by receiving a selection of one or more terms passively displayed in a document, loading the terms to a search configuration, generating first results responsive to a user's predicted interest as expressed in the search configuration, and enabling display of the first results.

Abstract: Sorting inquiry results includes, based on extracted inquiry results matching search conditions of a user, collecting features of the inquiry results. The collected features may be used as features of a respective inquiry result and feature fitting may be conducted based on a support vector machine (SVM) regression model to obtain a feature fitting value of the respective inquiry result. The inquiry results may be sorted based on relevancy values of the inquiry results, and, for inquiry results having a same relevancy level, the inquiry results may be sorted in a top-down manner based on feature fitting values of the inquiry results.

Abstract: Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A system sends a search query to a search engine and receives from the search engine, responsive to the search query, a document comprising a first search result item and a second search result item. The system visually renders a portion that includes less than an entirety of the first search result item and includes the second search result item, where the portion is visually rendered in a region of the document. The system receives a selection of the first search result item from a user and visually expands the region of the document to a size sufficient to render an entirety of the first search result item based on the selection. The system visually renders the entirety of the first search result item within the expanded region of the document.

Abstract: A server is configured to receive a search query from a client device; identify documents as search results relevant to the search query, where each of the search results has a respective first score; rank the search results, based on the respective first scores, to form a ranked list of search results, where each of the search results has a respective position, within the ranked list, that is based on the ranking; determine a selection rate corresponding to each of the positions in the ranked list; identify categories with which the search results are associated; generate second scores for the categories based on the selection rates; select search results for the selected categories; generate a search result document that includes information regarding the selected categories and information regarding the selected search results; and provide the search result document for display on the client device.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for assisting a user to search for documents or other file objects includes receiving a query comprising a queried term from a user, wherein the queried term comprises a sequence of characters entered by the user, obtaining a first context term list comprising a first context term semantically related to the queried term, obtaining and displaying a first search result, dynamically displaying the first context term list in response to each character being entered in the query, allowing the user to select the first context term in the first context term list, obtaining a second context term list comprising a second context term semantically related to the queried term and the first context term, and displaying a second search result and the second context term list in a user interface in response to the selection of the first context term in the first context term list.

Abstract: Information may be presented to a user by receiving a selection of one or more terms passively displayed in a document, loading the terms to a search configuration, generating first results responsive to a user's predicted interest as expressed in the search configuration, and enabling display of the first results.

Abstract: A system determines whether text of a document includes a document identifier and uses the document identifier to locate metadata in a database when the text of the document includes the document identifier. The system compares the metadata to the text of the document and associates the metadata with the text of the document when at least some of the metadata matches the text of the document.

Abstract: A method of searching for Personal Information Management information of a handheld electronic device includes accepting input of one or more search criteria, such as text search criteria and/or name search criteria; accepting input of a representation of a plurality of different databases or applications of the handheld electronic device including Personal Information Management information to be searched; and conducting a search of the different databases or applications based upon the one or more search criteria and the representation of different databases or applications. The method determines one or more search results from the search and displays those search results.

Abstract: Method and system for merging two objects in a business intelligence system. A first member is selected in the business intelligence system, the business intelligence system includes a user space, a content space, a data space, a master-data space and a metadata space. A relationship between the first member and a plurality of members selected from the group consisting of the user space, the content space, the data space, the master-data space, the metadata space is determined, which results in determined relationships for every member in the business intelligence system. Two members in the content space are then selected. Relationships between the two members in the plurality of determined relationships are traversed to determine the members in the traversed relationships. A preference is assigned to the members in the traversed relationships with close or exact relationships; and the members with the preference are merged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a subset of proposals from a set of proposals submitted via a web site, including defining proposal attributes for the selecting, formulating selection requirements for the subset, establishing metrics for comparing proposals according to the proposal attributes and the selection requirements, evaluating each of the set of proposals according the established metrics, distributing the results of evaluating each of the set of proposals to the submitter of each proposal, formulating an optimization problem for determining the subset of proposals, determining the subset of proposals by solving the optimization problem, and accepting feedback about the determining including changing the optimization problem based on the feedback.

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: Systems and methods automatically determine responses to intention-focused content based on semantic analysis, natural language analysis, token analysis, social network analysis and influence ratings. The systems and methods identify relevant queries for product support, purchase or advocacy from multiple communications channels and further separate the high-value conversations and individuals from the low value conversations and individuals in an efficient manner. Described herein is a system and method to use the identification of important individuals and the context of their conversations to appropriately route content items and messages and subsequent responses in such a way as to allow an efficient interaction to occur.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and machine-readable media for matching a question with an expert are provided herein. Information regarding a plurality of experts may be received. The received information may be analyzed and processed and an expertise cloud may be generated for each expert of the plurality of experts using the received information and results of the analysis and processing. In some cases feedback regarding an expert may be received and associated with the expert. Also disclosed herein is a system, method, apparatus, and machine-readable media for matching an expert with a requested area of expertise.

Abstract: A data feed engine allows a user to create a data feed without protocol and/or formatting knowledge for the data source. The data feed engine dynamically selects a connector for any one of a variety of different types of data sources. The date feed engine can then build a search command with search parameters and a data source identity based on the automatically selected data source connector. The data feed engine publishes a reference to the generated data feed definition in a catalog of data feeds. A framework that utilizes such functionality allows creation of a mashup to with a combination of data feeds from different types of data sources.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing categorical analysis of user interactions within a social media environment. Social media interactions are monitored, collected, and processed to generate social network advocacy (SNA) analyses, which are in turn processed to categorize associated SNA data into predetermined SNA categories. Analysis operations are then performed on the resulting categorized SNA data to generate an SNA value for each of the SNA categories, along with associated statistical analyses, which are then used to provide the basis for proactive marketing response responses within one or more social media environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices, and more particularly, to a system, an apparatus and a method configured to generate arrangements of data, including data catalogs, to facilitate discovery of items via an interface depicting item representations based on similarity of one or more attributes. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a request to transmit data; executing instructions at a processor to determine the relationships of the item representations to the principal item representation for records stored in a memory, associating the item representations to positions of a data arrangement based on the relationships of the item representations.

Abstract: A receiving unit (101) receives a seed string. A search unit (102) obtains snippets of documents containing the seed string. A segment acquisition unit (103) obtains segments by partitioning those snippets using a segment partition string. A segment component acquisition unit (104) obtains segment components by partitioning the segments using a segment component partition string. A segment score computation unit (105) computes a segment score for a segment from the standard deviation of the lengths of the segment components. A segment component score computation unit (106) computes a segment component score for a segment component from the segment score and the distance between the position of the seed string and the position of the segment component. A selection unit (107) selects any of the segment components as candidates for instances contained in the expanded set of the seed string based on the segment component scores.

Abstract: Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for providing an enhanced directory service includes providing a supplemental layer between a user and a reference layer, the supplemental layer providing the user with any directory functionality provided by the reference layer as well as additional directory functionality.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for promoting item listings that satisfy a query based on the item listings being assigned to certain categories. A query to identify a set of item listings is processed where each item listing associated with an item or service being offered for sale and assigned to a leaf-level category. The scope of the query is determined based on a dictionary of queries or a length of the query when the query is not found in the dictionary. One or more categories are identified based on the scope of the query. A search results page is presented with the item listings from the identified one or more categories.

Abstract: A system and method for generating cluster spines is provided. Clusters of documents are maintained. Each document is associated with a document concept that is formed from one or more terms extracted from that document. At least one cluster concept is determined for each cluster. The document concepts are ranked and at least one of the document concepts that is highly ranked is selected as the cluster concept. One or more spines are formed. Each spine includes two or more clusters that share at least one of the cluster concepts. The shared cluster concept is identified as a spine concept. One or more of the remaining clusters is assigned to the spines based on a similarity between the cluster concepts for the remaining clusters and the spine concepts for the formed spines.

Abstract: A system and method linking one or more disparate datasets with one or more spatial layers to create linked datasets. One or more data attributes common to the dataset and the spatial layer are identified, and the linkage is defined between the dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked data set then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked dataset that match the query are generated for display.

Abstract: Systems and methods that improve search rankings for a search query by using data associated with queries related to the search query are described. In one aspect, a search query is received, a related query related to the search query is determined, an article (such as a web page) associated with the search query is determined, and a ranking score for the article based at least in part on data associated with the related query is determined. Several algorithms and types of data associated with related queries useful in carrying out such systems and methods are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recommendation of items to a user for providing items more satisfying a user's request on the basis of new association. The present invention provides a data display server connected to a user terminal, which includes a posting database for storing posting data posted through the user terminal, a reference data base for storing reference data, relational metadata generating means which generates relational metadata making association between two pieces of reference data, and a relational database for storing the relational metadata. According to the arrangement, tight linking between reference data is made possible so that items more suitable for a user's preference can be recommended.

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 system receives a search query from a user and searches a group of repositories, based on the search query, to identify, for each of the repositories, a set of search results. The system also identifies one of the repositories based on a likelihood that the user desires information from the identified repository and presents the set of search results associated with the identified repository.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an approach for reusing information/knowledge. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for retrieving previously stored data to satisfy queries (e.g., jobs/tickets) for solutions to problems while maintaining privacy/security of the data as well as ensuring the quality of the results. In a typical embodiment, a query for a solution to a problem is received and details are extracted therefrom. Using the details, a search is performed on a set of data stored in at least one computer storage device. Based on the search, a set of results will be generated and classified into a set of categories. In any event, the quality of each of the set of results will be assessed based on the usefulness of the set of results.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for classifying a search query. A first group of query classifiers can be used to evaluate a query relative to various subject matter domains. The evaluation results from the first group of domain classifiers can then be used by a second group of meta-classifiers. The meta-classifiers are associated with meta-classifier categories that may correspond to a domain or that may correspond to a plurality of domains. The assigned meta-classifier category for a query can be used in any convenient manner, such as by triggering additional uses of the search query to match images or other alternative types of documents, or such as by allowing a subject matter domain to be assigned to the query.

Abstract: A device receives, from a management server, an optimal number of threads, generates a dynamic thread based on the optimal number of threads, and retrieves, from a message store, a message based on the dynamic thread and when the message store is not empty. The device receives a binding from a voicemail server associated with a voicemail user, generates a notification based on the retrieved message and based on the binding, and provides the notification to a user device associated with the voicemail user.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a search unit configured to search for an object, a selection unit configured to select a plurality of objects from among objects searched for by the search unit based on an instruction by a user, a creation unit configured to create a new document using the plurality of objects selected by the selection unit, and a storage unit configured to store the plurality of objects used in creating the new document by the creation unit as a group, associated with information about the group. The search unit searches for an object related to an object searched for based on a keyword, using information about the group.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for discovering topics in a document includes the steps of calculating a term prominence value for a token, selecting tokens based on the term prominence values of the respective tokens, and outputting topic terms comprising the selected tokens to represent the topics in the document.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatically generating tag terms (or tags) for objects in databases of a web site. The metadata of the objects (or data) of the web site are processed and parsed to automatically generate tag terms for the corresponding objects. Information (or data, or content) downloaded from the Internet often comes with metadata, which can exist in titles, description, sources, and authors of the information, etc. The metadata of downloaded information can be process and parsed to generate tag terms for the corresponding objects. The system can automatically generate tag terms for the data, which are stored as objects in the databases, and make the data (or objects) searchable. In addition, the automatically generated tag terms allow associated data to maintain their relationship. For example, data from the same sources, same authors, or same subjects can be identified based on the common tag terms.

Abstract: To construct a classifier, a data structure correlating queries to items identified by the queries is received, where the data structure contains initial labeled queries that have been labeled with respect to predetermined classes, and unlabeled queries that have not been labeled with respect to the predetermined classes. The data structure is used to label at least some of the unlabeled queries with respect to the predetermined classes. Queries in the data structure that have been labeled with respect to the predetermined classes are used as training data to train the classifier.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a document and an initial score for the document; determining that there has been a decrease in a rate or quantity of new links that point to the document over time; classifying the document as stale in response to the determining; decreasing the initial score for the document, resulting in an updated score; and ranking the document with regard to at least one other document based, at least in part, on the score.

Abstract: A search query is received from a single input field of a user interface. A keyword search is performed based on the search query to generate keyword search results. A natural language search is performed of a frequently-asked question (FAQ) database based on the search query to generate FAQ search results. The keyword search results and the FAQ search results are combined in a display page.