Abstract: A method in a computer network for identifying users with similar interests is described. The method includes accepting a first query statement from a first user and storing a first item of information related to the first query. The method further includes accepting a second query from a second user and storing a second item of information related to the second query. The method further includes computing a measure of similarity of the first query and the second query by using the first item of information and the second item of information. A system and computer readable medium for carrying out the above method is also described.

Abstract: A distributed comparison shopping system is based on a decentralized, distributed architecture utilizing a peer-to-peer network. The system creates an active marketplace with real-time price comparisons, with the peer-to-peer nodes coordinating connectivity with other peers and building a dynamic network. Each message includes a fixed component and an adaptive update component. The adaptive update component contains search criteria and search status fields that are selectively modified as the message travels through the peer-peer network. A node that receives a message will interpret the search criteria and apply those criteria to a local search result. The node then either forwards the unmodified or the modified message to other nodes in its neighborhood, or, alternatively, requests an authorization to modify the message prior to rebroadcasting, from the source node.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) is used to represent entity matches via graphical transition of a matching object based on type of entity and match rating. First, a user requests a match determination, and this request can be queried via various means including a search engine. Next, a match rating is obtained from a source such as a search engine. Furthermore, a transition technique is selected which defines the kind of transition that is to be applied to the match object. Lastly, the graphical user interface (GUI) renders a graphical transition of the match object based on the resultant match rating. Transition techniques such as blurring, composite, and fantasy are used.

Abstract: A system and method of metadata search ranking is disclosed. The present invention utilizes a combination of popularity and/or relevancy to determine a search ranking for a given search result association. Given the exponential growth rate currently being experienced in the Internet community, the present invention provides one of the few methods by which searches of this vast distributed database can produce useful results ranked and sorted by usefulness to the searching web surfer. The present invention permits embodiments incorporating a Ranking System/Method (0100) further comprising a Session Manager (0101), Query Manager (0102), Popularity Sorter (0103), and Association (0104) functions. These components may be augmented in some preferred embodiments via the use of a Query Entry means (0155), Search Engine (0156); Data Repository (0157), Query Database (0158), and/or a Resource List (0159).

Abstract: A system and method for associating a personalized application tool and/or service in response to data supplied by any number of search requests is disclosed. The present invention in some preferred embodiments integrates a Session Manager (0601), Registration Manager (0602), Result Analyzer (0603) Tool/Service Integrator (0604), Request Server (0605) in conjunction with a User Registration Profile Database (0606) and a DTD Search Engine Schema (0607). Several preferred embodiments of the present invention are configured to process user search requests (0611) comprising Internet search queries (0612) that are subsequently processed by an Internet Search Engine (0613) under control of a Session Manger (0601). The focus of the present invention is to automate the post-processing of search results by automatically applying a user-specified data analysis tool to the search results, thus improving the overall efficiency of the searching and data analysis functions by a given user.

Abstract: A According to the invention, a music search system includes a music player, music analyzer, a search engine and a sophisticated user interface that enables users to visually build complex query profiles from the structural information of one or more musical pieces. The complex query profiles are useful for performing searches for musical pieces matching the structural information in the query profile. The system allows the user to supply an existing piece of music, or some components thereof, as query arguments, and lets the music search engine find music that is similar to the given sample by certain similarity measurement.

Abstract: An invention for monitoring user choices and selections on a search result web page and providing alternative query expressions to further narrow and enhance the user's search. Monitoring and recording user choices and selections is achieved by a query manager. Query strings are then standardized. The search is performed on an Internet search engine, and each search result item in the result output set is then associated with a list of alternative standardized queries by an alternate query matching manager. Each search result item in the result output set that is associated with the alternate queries is then flagged. The resulting flagged list of alternative queries is displayed to the user by a page presentation manager using a graphical user interface for subsequent user selection. Upon selection of the graphical user interface for alternate query expressions, an alternate query selection manager retrieves and displays each alternate query to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a web crawler to automatically simulate user interaction with a dynamic website in order to gather and extract information from the site. This interactive web crawler will be able to create a search query string for any one of a number of desired search topics and systematically crawl dynamic personalized content on a website and retrieve the information desired by the user/client.

Abstract: A method for automatically limiting access of a client computer to data objects accessed through a server computer dynamically prevents robots or webcrawlers from obtaining too much of the server database and from dramatically reducing server performance. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a data object, recording a log entry for the request, calculating client request values, and refusing the request if a client request value exceeds one of a set of corresponding predefined maximum request values. Each log entry contains a client identifier, timestamp, and at least one data object identifier for the request. The client request values preferably include a request frequency, which is compared with a predefined maximum request frequency, and a cumulative data request, which is compared with a data access threshold. If the client is refused access, the client identifier is added to a deny list, and future requests from the client are automatically denied.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided as a session search system and associated method that provide a novel type of query referred to as “session query”. In the context of a session query, a user issues a search query using, for example, a web-based form. This query is processed immediately by the search engine, yielding search result elements that are returned within the new context of a “dynamic search result set”. As long as the user is reviewing the “dynamic search result set” of the session query, the search result is updated automatically in almost real-time, when new information arrives. When the user is no longer interested in continuing the search, the session query is terminated. The session search system generally includes two modules: A client module that presents the “dynamic search result set” to the user, and a server module that manages the current set of active session queries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically gathering, summarizing, and indexing real-time information derived from real-time communication on the Internet, such as Internet chat sessions, or any other comparable form of real-time communication on the Internet. The present invention provides live information selection and analysis and provides basic functionality of crawling, indexing and summarizing chat room data, as well as generating messages, such as advertisements, responsive to the subject matter of the communication.

Abstract: A method of selecting a mirror server for client-host interaction over a network provides automatic, user-transparent, selection of a particular mirror server from among multiple mirror servers that replicate a host server providing web content over the Internet. The method selects the mirror server that has the best response time for a given client computer requesting web content under changing web traffic and mirror server load conditions. The host server creates and maintains a list of addresses of available mirror servers, preferably ranked according to the load on the mirror servers. In response to an initial information request from the client computer, the host server sends the mirror server list to the client computer along with the requested web content.

Abstract: A computing system and method receive a query; separate a plurality of information sources into individual elements of content (EOC); tag each EOC with metadata that indicate source, date, and other relevant information; pattern match each EOC; calculate the distance function from every EOC to every other EOC; and output EOC to a set of virtual buffers (404) containing appropriately related EOC less than a given distance value. The method further creates virtual summary buffers (406); then concatenates the EOC in each virtual buffer (404); applies a comparative analysis filter (318) to remove redundant sub-elements; and presents the results as summary digests (408).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing computer-based notifications of real world events over a network. The system includes client computers, proxy server computers, and device server computers. The proxy server computer receives notification profiles including both sensor conditions and associated actions from the client computers. The notification profiles are then stored in a user and profile database on the proxy server computer. The proxy server computer receives an indication from a sensor that a real world event has occurred, and then matches the received indication against the sensor conditions in the stored notification profiles. The associated actions are performed in response to a match between the received indication and the sensor conditions, wherein the associated actions include transmitting a notification message to one or more of the client computers and the notification message includes a digital image of the real world event.

Abstract: A system and method of metadata search ranking is disclosed. The present invention utilizes a combination of popularity and/or relevancy to determine a search ranking for a given search result association. Given the exponential growth rate currently being experienced in the Internet community, the present invention provides one of the few methods by which searches of this vast distributed database can produce useful results ranked and sorted by usefulness to the searching web surfer. The present invention permits embodiments incorporating a Ranking System/Method (0100) further comprising a Session Manager (0101), Query Manager (0102), Popularity Sorter (0103), and Association (0104) functions. These components may be augmented in some preferred embodiments via the use of a Query Entry means (0155), Search Engine (0156); Data Repository (0157), Query Database (0158), and/or a Resource List (0159).

Abstract: Protecting a searchable repository containing a document locator when a user searches the repository for the document locator, by replacing the document locator with a unique time-sensitive key. The document locator may be a uniform resource locator, or URL. A user search request is intercepted, each URL in the original search result is extracted and replaced with a key, and the altered result returned to the user. When the user selects the key from the search result within the expiration interval, the associated URL and document are able to be retrieved.

Abstract: A method for presenting to an end-user the intermediate matching search results of a keyword search in an index list of information. The method comprising the steps of: coupling to a search engine a graphical user interface for accepting keyword search terms for searching the indexed list of information with the search engine; receiving one or more keyword search terms with one or more separation characters separating there between; performing a keyword search with the one or more keyword search terms received when a separation character is received; and presenting the number of documents matching the keyword search terms to the end-user presenting a graphical menu item on a display. A system and method of metadata search ranking is disclosed. The present invention utilizes a combination of popularity and/or relevancy to determine a search ranking for a given search result association.

Abstract: An intuitive and easy-to-use virtual control for a computer graphical user interface (GUI) automatically ensures the self-consistency of user-selected items in a list of selectable items. A GUI control presents a set of selectable options to a user and allows the user to select items from the set of options. The set of selectable items is partitioned into subsets. Items within any one subset may be selected or de-selected independent of each other, while items in different subsets may have interdependent settings. The selection of any item in one subset forces all items in all other subsets to be de-selected, so that the selection of items in distinct subsets are mutually exclusive. More general interdependencies can also be enforced between items in distinct subsets. The GUI control thus ensures the self-consistency of information in cases where conventional radio button and check box GUI controls are inadequate.

Abstract: A group notification system and associated method that allow particular activities to be executed based on the group dynamics, such as the dynamics of organizing meetings. The system facilitates the availability of knowledge concerning the proximity and direction of movement of individuals, objects, or groups, and whether this information satisfies preset criteria or rules. One such criterion is that the proximity distance of the group members be less than a predetermined threshold range. The threshold range can be adjustable or programmable.

Abstract: A system and method for associating a personalized application tool and/or service in response to data supplied by any number of search requests is disclosed. The present invention in some preferred embodiments integrates a Session Manager (0701), Tool/Service Integrator (0702), Result Analyzer (0703), Registration Manager (0704), and a Request Server (0705) in conjunction with a DTD Schema (0707), a Tool/Services Database (0706), and an Optional Accounting Manager (0708). Several preferred embodiments of the present invention are configured to process user search requests (0711) comprising Internet search queries (0712) that are subsequently processed by an Internet Search Engine (0713) under control of a Session Manger (0701). The focus of the present invention is to permit brokering of search results post-processing tools and/or services, thus improving the overall efficiency of the searching and data analysis functions by a given user.