Abstract: A universal query result set is generated from several different search index result sets by including identifications of items from the different search index result sets in an accurate manner. After a query has been submitted, search index result sets are received from several different search indexes, an allocation score for each search index is computed and a universal item score for the top-level item identified in each search index is computed. The allocation score and the universal item score are combined for the top level item for each search index result set. The item with the highest combined score is added to the universal query result set.

Abstract: A software facility for selecting documents is disclosed. The facility maintains a dimensional model of a group of documents. The dimensional model reflects values for a number of differentiated attributes for each of the documents of the group. The facility receives a query specifying values for one or more of these attributes. In response to receiving the query, the facility uses the dimensional model to generate a list of documents in the group having the attribute values specified by the query.

Abstract: Parallel generic and non-generic versions of a Web site allow a user of the site to either remain anonymous (if accessing the generic version) or allow user information to be collected (if accessing the non-generic version). In one exemplary embodiment, a Web site may provide a user an interface for entering and processing a search query. A search query processed by a generic version of the Web site includes a marker that informs a Web server supporting the generic Web site that the user wishes to remain anonymous. A parallel non-generic version of the Web site may also interface with the same Web server as interfaced by the generic Web site, but permit a data collecting scheme at the Web server to collect user-specific or user-identifiable information. Such user information, if collected, can be used by the Web server to enhance the user's experience with the Web site.

Abstract: An ad server system takes into consideration information about a user who clicks on an ad in determining whether to charge the advertiser for the click event, and/or in determining an amount to charge the advertiser. In one embodiment, unless the user is recognized, the advertiser is not charged for the ad selection event. Thus, advertisers do not have to pay the ad placement provider when the users who click on their ads are not recognized. If the user is recognized, the ad server system may determine whether and/or how much to charge the advertiser based on information about the recognized user. This information may include, for example, whether the user has set up an account, whether a valid credit card is on file for the user, and/or other types of user information that can be used to hold fraudulent users accountable for their actions.

Abstract: Various processes are disclosed for conducting database searches by telephone. A user is initially prompted to utter N characters of a search query, and/or to enter these characters on a telephone keypad. Based on the user's entry, a speech recognition grammar is either selected or is generated dynamically for processing the user's utterance of the complete search query. In one embodiment, the speech recognition grammar is selected based on a sequence of N telephone keys selected by the user, without requiring the user to uniquely specify the N characters to which these keys correspond. In another embodiment, the speech recognition grammar is selected based solely on utterances of the N characters by the user such that the correct grammar is selected even if an utterance of one character is misidentified as an utterance of a similar sounding character. Also disclosed are methods for generating speech recognition grammars from query logs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for refining a search to locate information about an item based on dynamically selected and ordered search categories. More specifically, the method and system identifies 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: Parallel generic and non-generic versions of a Web site allow a user of the site to either remain anonymous (if accessing the generic version) or allow user information to be collected (if accessing the non-generic version). In one exemplary embodiment, a Web site may provide a user an interface for entering and processing a search query. A search query processed by a generic version of the Web site includes a marker that informs a Web server supporting the generic Web site that the user wishes to remain anonymous. A parallel non-generic version of the Web site may also interface with the same Web server as interfaced by the generic Web site, but permit a data collecting scheme at the Web server to collect user-specific or user-identifiable information. Such user information, if collected, can be used by the Web server to enhance the user's experience with the Web site.

Abstract: Methods and systems for configuring the display of items in a network-based merchandising environment are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention identifies items within a catalog of items, computes a browse relevance score for each item, and configures the display of a Web page such that items with the highest browse relevance score are prominently displayed. In at least one embodiment, browse data, such as category fit data, popularity data, newness data, etc., are used to compute the browse relevance score for each item.

Abstract: A technique for associating keywords with a set of items is provided. The present invention associates one or more keywords with terms found in the two or more characterization fields of an item. Each combination associates each keyword with at most one field. The present invention then calculates a keyword relevancy score for the set of potential keyword field combinations and identifies the keyword field combination with an optimal keyword relevancy score for the item. The method further includes displaying a list of results based on keyword relevancy scores for items.

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 search engine system assists users in refining their searches by suggesting previously-submitted search phrases to such users. The search phrases are selected to suggest based on collected data regarding search behaviors of search engine users. In one embodiment, candidate search phrases are scored and selected to suggest based at least in-part on (a) a frequency with which each search phrase has been submitted, and/or (b) an evaluation of the “usefulness” of each search phrase, as reflected by post-query-submission actions of users who submitted the search phrase.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating a street map that includes a position identifier that identifies a location on the street map. The method and system may also generate and display a plurality of images representative of the location of the position identifier. A user may interact with a position identifier or one of several scroll icons to view images of other locations on the street map and/or to obtain driving directions between two locations.

Abstract: A facility for processing a query made up of one or more query terms is described. The facility receives the query in a search engine. In the search engine, the facility generates a search result that is made up of items. The generated search result includes items with which are associated one or more of the query terms of the received query. The generated search result further reflects the extent to which users have selected the items of the generated search result when the items of the generated search result have appeared in search results generated for queries having one or more query terms in common with the received query.

Abstract: A method for providing a listing of common searches based on a location. The method includes receiving a location of a mobile computing device, generating a listing of common searches associated with the location, and transmitting the listing of common searches to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A software facility for selecting documents is disclosed. The facility maintains a dimensional model of a group of documents. The dimensional model reflects values for a number of differentiated attributes for each of the documents of the group. The facility receives a query specifying values for one or more of these attributes. In response to receiving the query, the facility uses the dimensional model to generate a list of documents in the group having the attribute values specified by the query.

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 within search queries of users, database records, and/or specific database fields.

Abstract: A search engine system assists users in locating web pages from which user-specified products can be purchased. Web pages located by a crawler program are scored, based on a set of criteria, according to likelihood of including a product offering. A query server accesses an index of the scored web pages to locate pages that are both responsive to a user's search query and likely to include a product offering. In one embodiment, the responsive web pages are listed on a composite search results page together with responsive products included in a product catalog.

Abstract: A search engine system uses information about historical query submissions to a search engine to suggest previously-submitted, related search phrases to users. The related search phrases are preferably suggested based on a most recent set of query submission data (e.g., the last two weeks of submissions), and thus strongly reflect the current searching patterns or interests of users. In one embodiment, the related search phrases are scored and selected for display based at least in-part on (a) a frequency with which each search phrase has been submitted, and/or (b) an evaluation of the “usefulness” of each search phrase, as reflected by actions performed by prior users while viewing corresponding search results.

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.