Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides auto-focus for a search field in a user interface, where the focus of the user interface specifies where in the user interface user input will be directed. During operation, the system receives an input from a user. The system then determines from characteristics of the input whether the input is directed to a search field in the user interface. If so, and if the focus is not already on the search field, the system automatically moves the focus of the user interface to the search field. Hence, the system can automatically direct the input and subsequent input to the search field without the user having to explicitly navigate to the search field.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides auto-focus for a search field in a user interface, where the focus of the user interface specifies where in the user interface user input will be directed. During operation, the system receives an input from a user. The system then determines from characteristics of the input whether the input is directed to a search field in the user interface. If so, and if the focus is not already on the search field, the system automatically moves the focus of the user interface to the search field. Hence, the system can automatically direct the input and subsequent input to the search field without the user having to explicitly navigate to the search field.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides auto-focus for a search field in a user interface, where the focus of the user interface specifies where in the user interface user input will be directed. During operation, the system receives an input from a user. The system then determines from characteristics of the input whether the input is directed to a search field in the user interface. If so, and if the focus is not already on the search field, the system automatically moves the focus of the user interface to the search field. Hence, the system can automatically direct the input and subsequent input to the search field without the user having to explicitly navigate to the search field.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that obtains user preferences for query results. First, in response to a query, the system presents a ranked list of query results to a user. The system then receives a request from the user to change the position of a query result in the ranked list of query results. Based on the change in position of the query result, the system infers at least one preference of the user between the query result and other query results in the ranked list.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that produces a preference ranking for a set of items based on preferences expressed by users. During operation, the system collects preferences from users between pairs of items in the set of items to be ranked. Next, the system then uses the collected preferences to compute an adjacency matrix for the set of items, wherein each element in the adjacency matrix represents preferences between a corresponding pair of items associated with the element. The system then uses the adjacency matrix to compute the preference ranking for the set of items.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides auto-focus for a search field in a user interface, where the focus of the user interface specifies where in the user interface user input will be directed. During operation, the system receives an input from a user. The system then determines from characteristics of the input whether the input is directed to a search field in the user interface. If so, and if the focus is not already on the search field, the system automatically moves the focus of the user interface to the search field. Hence, the system can automatically direct the input and subsequent input to the search field without the user having to explicitly navigate to the search field.