Abstract: Computer processes are disclosed for automatically refining the order and/or content of context-specific lists of items (e.g., products) based on monitored actions of users. One such process involves outputting context-specific lists of items to users together with selectable controls for initiating displays of similar items. When users opt to view similar items, the users' actions performed in connection with the similar items are recorded. If the resulting level of user activity recorded for a particular similar item is sufficiently high, the item is automatically added to the associated context-specific list.

Abstract: Image-based searching for information on a network is provided in response to an image query sent by a user. The image query includes an image captured using a mobile communications device with a camera. The image is processed to detect any text present in the image, and any detected text can be analyzed using a process such as optical character recognition (OCR). The analyzed text is used to search for matches in at least one corresponding domain database, selected from various domain databases present in the network. Thereafter, one or more selected matches and any additional related information can be sent to the user as one or more results for the submitted image query.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for providing information obtained from both online stores and offline stores and for offering more purchasing options to customers. A customer can specify a particular item with detailed aspects for an information search, along with location information to define a local geographic area. The gathered local price information is presented to the customer over a network connection. The customer can purchase the item from either online stores or offline stores over a network connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a software facility for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the facility receives a query specifying one or more query terms. In response, the facility generates a query result identifying a plurality of items that satisfy the query. The facility then produces a ranking value for at least a portion of the items identified in the query result by combining the relative frequencies with which users selected that item from the query results generated from queries specifying each of the terms specified by the query. The facility identifies as most relevant those items having the highest ranking values.

Abstract: A method of providing search results includes performing a search in response to a search request, providing a first list of results responsive to the search request, providing a list of selectable terms based on content included in the first list of results, receiving a user-selected term from the list of selectable terms, and providing a second list of results. The second list of results excludes results having content related to the user-selected term.

Abstract: A search can be refined to locate information about an item based on dynamically selected and ordered search categories. More specifically, methods and systems identify a set of search categories based on search category preference information obtained from the search results. The data entries are returned after searching on data stores with a search query provided by a user, and then the ranks of the returned data entries are determined based on a degree of relevancy with the search query. The dynamically selected search categories are displayed in an order corresponding to the rank of the data entries where the search category preference information is obtained.

Abstract: Graphical user interfaces that are well suited for displaying search results from multiple search categories are described. In one aspect of the invention, a graphical user interface is provided that includes a window having at least two panes that are arranged to display search results from searches in different search categories. Each pane can be presented in an open state suitable for displaying information and a closed state. A user may adjust the relative sizes of the panes and the user may switch the panes between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A facility for navigating within a body of data using one of a number of distinct browse graphs is described. Initially, a navigation request is received. Based upon information contained in the received navigation request, the facility selects one of the plurality of browse graphs. In response to user input, the facility browses the body of data using the selected browse graph.

Abstract: A strategy is described for responding to a user's query based on a consideration of the user's intent in entering the query. The user's intent, in turn, is determined by examining prior query-related behavior of a population of users.

Abstract: Various processes are disclosed for conducting database searches by voice. One such process enables a user to efficiently submit a search query by partially spelling the search query (either on a telephone keypad or via voice utterances) and uttering the full search query. Also disclosed are various processes for generating speech recognition grammars for interpreting utterances of search queries. In one such process, search queries are selected from a search query log for incorporation into a speech recognition grammar. The search query log may include or consist of search queries specified by users without the use of voice.

Abstract: A search engine process predicts the correct spellings of search terms within multiple-term search queries. In one embodiment, when a user submits a multiple-term search query that includes a non-matching term and at least one matching term, a table is accessed to look up a set of terms that are “related” to the matching term or terms. A spelling comparison function is then used to determine whether any of these related terms is sufficiently similar in spelling to the non-matching term to be deemed a candidate correctly-spelled replacement. A candidate replacement term may automatically be substituted for the non-matching term, or may be suggested to the user as a replacement. The invention also includes a process for identifying terms that are related to each other based on the relatively high frequencies with which they co-occur in search queries of users, database records, and/or specific database fields.

Abstract: An item may be analyzed to identify one or more geographic attributes that are associated with the item. Items are searchable using a geographic attribute to identify geographically related items. A search of a catalog of items identifies items having a geographic attribute shared by the geographic attribute at the focus of the search. Embodiments may enable a user to obtain an identified item in a commercial transaction. A display component can be configured to provide a map on which one or more of the identified items are shown. While not intuitive to users, using geography to search and identify geographically related items in a catalog can provide users with a unique way of looking at items and conducting commercial transactions for such items. Geographic attributes of individual items may also be displayed on a map.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring a bookmark are disclosed. A bookmark is configured such that the bookmark has one or more variables and/or one or more commands associated therewith. A value is dynamically substituted for each variable of the bookmark. The bookmark is then executed such that any command(s) of the bookmark are executed.

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: An advertising system automatically generates suggested ad campaign parameters for a business based on information obtained automatically from one or more sources, such as a corresponding business directory listing, a web site of the business, and/or a user account record associated with the business. The suggested ad campaign parameters, which may include suggested keyword strings for ad targeting, are presented to a user associated with the business via a partially or wholly pre-populated electronic form that can be submitted to create an active ad campaign for the business. In one embodiment, the pre-populated form is presented in response to the user selecting an ad solicitation object displayed on a web page. The ad solicitation object may be displayed in the format of an actual ad, and may include suggested ad text for use in the ad campaign.

Abstract: Common search queries can be provided that are associated with a location. A location of a mobile device can be determined, and common search queries associated with the location can be transmitted to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device is able to execute the common search queries from the mobile device.

Abstract: Common search queries can be provided to a mobile device that are associated with a current location of a mobile device. Once a location of a mobile device is determined, common search queries associated with the location can be automatically transmitted to the mobile device. The queries can be used to update an auto-complete function for partial queries or strings entered by a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for refining a search to locate information about an item based on predetermined search categories. More specifically, the method and system dynamically display search categories based on relevancy information of a search result. A search category generally includes a set of category values which are used to filter the data entries into a subset of the search result. The data entries are returned after searching on data stores with a search query provided by a user and then the ranks of the returned data entries are determined based on a degree of relevancy with the search query. The data entries are displayed in order of the ranks and the set of category values for a search category are displayed to reflect the ranks of the data entries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a software facility for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the facility receives a query specifying one or more query terms. In response, the facility generates a query result identifying a plurality of items that satisfy the query. The facility then produces a ranking value for at least a portion of the items identified in the query result by combining the relative frequencies with which users selected that item from the query results generated from queries specifying each of the terms specified by the query. The facility identifies as most relevant those items having the highest ranking values.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating an online listing, such as a yellow pages listing, that includes information about an object, such as a business, and also includes at least one image of the structure containing the object. For example, the image may be a digital image of the store front of a business taken at a street view. Additionally, a user may select an image from a plurality of images that the user perceives as being an appropriate representative image for the business. Based on votes received a default representative image may be identified that is provided in response to a request for information about the business.