Abstract: The present invention is directed to system, methods and computer program products for generating a graphical module for the display of a query-specific content. The method according to one embodiment comprises receiving a query, determining a category identifier for the query and retrieving a category template corresponding to the category identifier for the query. At least one template query is performed, the template query corresponding to a request for data specified by the category template, and a template module is generated that comprises the data retrieved by the template query. The template module is combined with a search results page responsive to the query for display to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing vector terms for use in formulating search requests in response to a user query. The method according to one embodiment comprises receiving a search query from a client and identifying links to one or more content items corresponding to the search query. One or more term vectors are then generated corresponding to the content items and one or more vector terms are selected from the term vectors. The links to the one or more content items and selected vector terms are combined to form a final result page.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems, methods and computer program products for controlling a user history module. According to one embodiment, a method for controlling a user history module comprises providing a history module to a user, the history module comprising a plurality of search queries and a plurality of selected search results, and monitoring user interaction with the user search history panel. A predetermined operation is performed on the history module in response to a user interaction.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically generating and displaying topic-focused summaries for search results are disclosed. Users can “peek” inside a search result to see document excerpts that pertain specifically to a user-selected topic. Thus, a user can view the aspects of a document that are most interesting prior to deciding whether to retrieve the complete document. For each search result, a user can select from among several different available summaries, each of which focuses on a different topic of the document to which that search result refers. According to one aspect, key concepts are automatically identified in a document. For each such key concept, contextual snippets that pertain to that key concept are automatically selected. The key concepts are displayed to the user at search time. A summary that contains the contextual snippets that pertain to a user-selected key concept is displayed in response to the user's selection of that key concept.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of space needed to display an item, while still retaining meaning for the item, a reduced presentation is determined for the item. The reduced presentation is based on analysis of a portion that contains information that may be less important for the user to see in order to understand the whole item. The item may contain a portion that is based on user input. It is this portion upon which the reduced presentation determination may be made. However, the reduced presentation determination may be based on another factor. For example, the technique is applicable to displaying any list of items that have some common pattern in the items. Based on analysis of the common pattern, a reduced presentation can be determined for at least one of the items.

Abstract: In a system where a search query based on a partially formed query expression can be sent in a request to a server before the user finishes inputting the entire query expression, an intelligent mechanism is provided at a client of the server to prevent too many unnecessary requests from being sent to the server. In response to receiving, at the client, user input, the intelligent mechanism may determine whether a corresponding search query matches a key in the local search result cache. If so, local search results are displayed to the user. In addition, a timer may be used to delay sending the request to the server.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems, methods and computer program products for maintaining a record of a user search history. According to one embodiment, a method for maintaining a record of a user search history comprises receiving a plurality of user search queries, storing the user search queries and providing a plurality of search results related to the user search queries. User interaction with the plurality of search results is monitored and the interactions with at least one of the search results are stored. A history module comprising the user search queries and the user interactions is displayed to the user on a display device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems, methods and computer program products for controlling a user history module. According to one embodiment, a method for controlling a user history module comprises providing a history module to a user, the history module comprising a plurality of search queries and a plurality of selected search results, and monitoring user interaction with the user search history panel. A predetermined operation is performed on the history module in response to a user interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system, methods and computer program products for generating a graphical module for the display of a query-specific content. The method according to one embodiment comprises receiving a query, determining a category identifier for the query and retrieving a category template corresponding to the category identifier for the query. At least one template query is performed, the template query corresponding to a request for data specified by the category template, and a template module is generated that comprises the data retrieved by the template query. The template module is combined with a search results page responsive to the query for display to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing vector terms for use in formulating search requests in response to a user query. The method according to one embodiment comprises receiving a search query from a client and identifying links to one or more content items corresponding to the search query. One or more term vectors are then generated corresponding to the content items and one or more vector terms are selected from the term vectors. The links to the one or more content items and selected vector terms are combined to form a final result page.

Abstract: Techniques are described hereafter for diversifying search results by ranking the search results based, at least in part, on a diversifying factor. In one embodiment, the diversifying factor is used to generate diversity scores for the matching documents. Matching items that are very different from other highly-ranked matching items are assigned high diversity scores, and have their rankings improved based on their diversity scores. Conversely, matching items that are very similar to other highly-ranked matching items are assigned low diversity scores, and have their rankings reduced based on their diversity scores. Techniques are also described for re-ranking search results in response to user input without any additional interaction with the search engine.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically generating and displaying topic-focused summaries for search results are disclosed. Users can “peek” inside a search result to see document excerpts that pertain specifically to a user-selected topic. Thus, a user can view the aspects of a document that are most interesting prior to deciding whether to retrieve the complete document. For each search result, a user can select from among several different available summaries, each of which focuses on a different topic of the document to which that search result refers. According to one aspect, key concepts are automatically identified in a document. For each such key concept, contextual snippets that pertain to that key concept are automatically selected. The key concepts are displayed to the user at search time. A summary that contains the contextual snippets that pertain to a user-selected key concept is displayed in response to the user's selection of that key concept.

Abstract: In a system where a search query based on a partially formed query expression can be sent in a request to a server before the user finishes inputting the entire query expression, an intelligent mechanism is provided at a client of the server to prevent too many unnecessary requests from being sent to the server. In response to receiving, at the client, user input, the intelligent mechanism may determine whether a corresponding search query matches a key in the local search result cache. If so, local search results are displayed to the user. In addition, a timer may be used to delay sending the request to the server.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for a UI mechanism that supports interaction between user input and data related to the user input using a display screen. The UI mechanism first determines initial dimensions for an input region. As user inputs characters into the user input region, the UI mechanism enforces a constraint on the size of the user input region in the first direction and adapts the dimensions of the input region to fit the user input by resizing the user input box in the second direction. This allows the user input and related data to be displayed in sections on the display screen in a stable manner along a certain direction. This also allows the user to see an entire searchable text in a single glance and encourages the user to input more characters, or words, thereby leading to a highly pertinent set of results or suggestions.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of space needed to display an item, while still retaining meaning for the item, a reduced presentation is determined for the item. The reduced presentation is based on analysis of a portion that contains information that may be less important for the user to see in order to understand the whole item. The item may contain a portion that is based on user input. It is this portion upon which the reduced presentation determination may be made. However, the reduced presentation determination may be based on another factor. For example, the technique is applicable to displaying any list of items that have some common pattern in the items. Based on analysis of the common pattern, a reduced presentation can be determined for at least one of the items.