Abstract: A method for generating search results based on a search term and displaying the search results in one or more groupings. The method includes receiving a search term entered by a user, selecting one or more search result groupings based on the search term entered by the user and at least in part on a bid amount associated with the search term, providing search results based on the search term entered by the user for each search result grouping, and displaying the search groupings to the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, system and computer program product for detecting and recognizing text in the images captured by cameras and scanners. First, a series of image-processing techniques is applied to detect text regions in the image. Subsequently, the detected text regions pass through different processing stages that reduce blurring and the negative effects of variable lighting. This results in the creation of multiple images that are versions of the same text region. Some of these multiple versions are sent to a character-recognition system. The resulting texts from each of the versions of the image sent to the character-recognition system are then combined to a single result, wherein the single result is detected text.

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 facility for ranking in a result set is described. The facility establishes a system of ratings for combinations of a web page with the query term that reflect the level of relevance of the web page to the query term. In response to each of a number of content interactions performed by users, each with respect to a result corresponding to a web page included in a result set that was generated in response to a query comprising a set of one or more query terms, the facility adjusts a rating score for each combination of the web page and a query term among the set of query terms.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that identifies related search terms by performing a term co-occurrence analysis of search query submissions of users. The system may give different amounts of weight to different search query submissions based, for example, on whether subsequent user actions reveal that particular searches were successful. The system may use the identified related search terms to correct spelling errors in search queries received from users.

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: 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: Various embodiments of the invention describe a method, system and computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for improving the recognition of text present in an image. The image is processed by applying different operators to the image to obtain multiple processed versions of the image. Thereafter, characters and location information of the characters from each of the multiple processed versions of the image are obtained. The location information includes the pixel coordinates of the characters in the text. The text present in the image is edited, based on the relative location of the characters, to improve the recognition of the text in the image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer readable media having computer-executable components, and user interfaces for performing a search within a selected category are disclosed. One or more categories are presented where each of the categories is associated with at least one search result of a first set of search results retrieved in response to a first search. A selected category is specified by a user and, in response to receiving the user selection of the selected category, a search input field is produced at a location proximate to the selected category. The search input field receives at least one search term to be used in a refined search of at least one item resulting from the search that is associated with the selected category.

Abstract: A method for displaying a search history for a user is shown. The method includes generating a search history for a user including one or more listings of search results, displaying a first search result listing on a web page, and displaying at least a second search result listing on the web page, the second search result listing having a relationship to the first search result listing within the search history.

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: 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.