Abstract: System and method for providing answers to questions based on any corpus of data implements a method that generates a number of candidate passages from the corpus that answer an input query, and finds the correct resulting answer by collecting supporting evidence from the multiple passages. By analyzing all retrieved passages and that passage's metadata in parallel, an output plurality of data structures is generated including candidate answers based upon the analyzing. Then, supporting passage retrieval operations are performed upon the set of candidate answers, and for each candidate answer, the data corpus is traversed to find those passages having candidate answer in addition to query terms. All candidate answers are automatically scored by a plurality of scoring modules, each producing a module score. The modules scores are processed to determine one or more query answers; and, a query response is generated based on the one or more query answers.

Abstract: In a file searching method using a computing device, the computing device connects to one or more terminal devices. An electronic file is obtained from a database when a file name is inputted from one of the terminal devices, and the file is analyzed to obtain a title and text content of the file. One or more keywords are extracted from each of the text content of the file using a term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) rule. One or more interested terms are obtained from the keywords according to an importance factor of each of the keywords. The method obtains search results from the database according to the interested terms, and ranks the files according to a relevance degree between each file in the search results and the interested terms. The computing device sends the files with a ranking order to the terminal device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for providing facilitating searching. A method may include determining a search term. The method may further include searching a database having at least one codified terminology set. The searching may be performed based at least in part upon the search term and historical search data. The method may additionally include determining one or more search results from the search. Each search result may include a codified term from the at least one codified terminology set. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate expansion, disambiguation, and optimization of search queries over a network wherein an original query received from a user is parsed to obtain at least one query term. One or more filtered queries are retrieved from a database, each of the filtered queries corresponding to one or more advertising offers related contextually to the at least one query term. Selection of advertising content associated with the advertising offers is optimized based on one or more predetermined parameters, the advertising content to be displayed for the user in conjunction with query results of the original query and the one or more filtered queries.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for evaluating image similarity. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a data processing apparatus, image search data for different search sessions, a search session being a pre-specified period, the image search data for a search session including: search query data specifying search queries that were received during the search session; responsive image data specifying images that were identified in response to the search queries; and interaction data specifying images referenced by search results with which a user interacted. Sets of learning images are identified based on the image search data. The sets of learning images include co-selected images for the search sessions. A query-dependent image profile for a particular image is determined based in part on the co-selected images that were identified in response to the particular query.

Abstract: Various embodiments utilize structured data contained within a resource, such as a web page, to enable a user to define collections of data. Individual constituent parts of a collection or “links” are collected within a collection. In one or more embodiments, a full page viewing experience can be provided which enables users to not only view more details for a given link, but to view multiple different links at a time. Other viewing options and collection interactions are provided.

Abstract: A tracking system passively tracks and records searches conducted by actual search engine users. The recorded data for each search event preferably includes the search query submitted, the search engine used, the search result item (e.g., web page) selected, the position (e.g., page number) of this item, and the user's IP address. The collected data is aggregated and analyzed to generate data regarding the search queries used to locate and access particular destinations (e.g., web pages and sites). This data may be used for various purposes, such as (1) to generate reports showing, e.g., how users reach a particular destination from different search engines and geographic locations, (2) to select content to display on a destination page, such that the content is relevant to search queries commonly used to locate that page, and (3) to update the database of one search engine to reflect searches conducted on other search engines.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include obtaining one or more queries, processing data stored in a data store based on at least one query of the one or more queries to identify a plurality of users, the plurality of users sharing a commonality that is a subject of the at least one query, generating one or more query-based social circles, the plurality of users populating a query-based social circle of the one or more query-based social circles, the query-based social circle being directed to the commonality and defining a distribution list for distributing digital content provided by one or more users of the plurality of users, and transmitting social circle data corresponding to the query-based social circle to display a representation of the query-based social circle to at least one user of the plurality of users.

Abstract: An information retrieval method for retrieving documents relevant to a user's search inquiry from documents stored in the storage device using an arithmetic operation. The method includes receiving from a user a search query including a plurality of keywords, calculating relevance to a plurality of documents on the basis of the plurality of keywords and the influence set for each keyword, and displaying on the display device documents in the order of relevance. The method also includes displaying on the display device the influence set for each keyword, receiving changes to the displayed influence by the user, and recalculating the relevance on the basis of a change to the influence and displaying on the display device documents in the order of relevance.

Abstract: A system and method for generating search results includes: receiving a search query with a search term; parsing the search term; determining that at least a portion of the parsed search term is an ambiguous, time-sensitive query; retrieving an intended search term according to a current time of day from a data store when it is determined that at least a portion of the parsed search term is an ambiguous, time-sensitive query; and preparing a search results page such that search results more closely matching the derived intended search term are placed in a most prominent position on the search results page.

Abstract: A prototype-based re-ranking method may re-rank search results to provide a re-ranked set of search results. In response to receiving one or more queries, a set of search results may be generated whereby each of the search results may be associated with a rank position. Based at least in part on the search results, one or more prototypes may be generated that visually represent the one or more queries or the search results. The one or more prototypes may be used to construct one or more meta re-rankers that may generate re-ranking scores for the search results. The re-ranking scores may be aggregated to produce a final relevance score for each search result included in the set of search results. Based at least in part on the relevance score of each search result and/or a learned re-ranking model, a set of re-ranked search results may be provided.

Abstract: A database keyword search technique that relies on a domain based storage infrastructure is disclosed. In operation, a keyword search string is processed to generate a set of search string permutations. Each string permutation specifies a different ordering of one or more portions of the search string. A domain based search process is then executed asynchronously for each string permutation. Each execution generates a search result set that identifies rows in the database that include data relevant to the string permutation. The results in each result set are scored and ranked based in part on the similarity between the string permutation and the search string provided by the user. The rankings determine which of the results are to be presented to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of our technology provide a method, system, and media for presenting relevant information incident to attempting to present information that is unavailable by way of a website. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a request to present a desired web page, determining that the desired web page is unavailable for presentation, determining search criteria associated with the request, dynamically generating a second web page that includes search results that were obtained based on the search criteria, and presenting the second web page on a display device.

Abstract: Systems and processes are described for generating a generic relationship dataset that can be adapted for use by multiple domain-specific applications. Such applications can include recommendation applications, search applications, optimization applications, and/or other applications. These systems and processes can analyze some or all actions of users with respect to a network application, such as a web application. Data representing user actions occurring in a time window can be paired together in the relationship dataset, together with one or more metrics related to the user actions. These metrics can represent general measurements that in certain embodiments are not customized for an individual application. As a result, separate domain-specific applications can independently analyze the relationship data according to different criteria without maintaining separate sets of the relationship data.

Abstract: A game recommendation engine is presented. Contemplated game recommendation engines are configured to establish correlations among game attributes and attributes of known disabilities. The recommendation engine can further identify or quantify relationships among games and disabilities having the correlated attributes. The relationships can be used to generate and present recommendations to users. For example, a game design can receive recommendations on game features to incorporate into game to be compatible with or accessible to a disabled person, or a disable person can receive recommendations on games that are accessible to or compatible with o them based on their disabilities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing rich content with an answer to a question query. A method includes receiving a query determined to be a question query and a corresponding answer generated in response to the question query, generating a contextual query that includes an element relating to the question query and an element relating to the answer; submitting the contextual query to a rich content search process and receiving data specifying a first set of rich content items responsive to the contextual query, determining first rich content item in the first set of rich content items that meet a context condition that is indicative of a rich content item providing contextual information of both elements of the question query and the answer query; and preferentially selecting from the first content items relative to the second rich content items to be provided as one or more answer rich content items.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method for probabilistically quantifying a degree of relevance between two or more citationally or contextually related data objects, such as patent documents, non-patent documents, web pages, personal and corporate contacts information, product information, consumer to behavior, technical or scientific information, address information, and the like is provided. In another embodiment a method for visualizing and displaying relevance between two or more citationally or contextually related data objects is provided. In another embodiment a search input/output interface that utilizes an iterative self-organizing mapping technique to automatically generate a visual map of relevant patents and/or other related documents desired to be explored, searched or analyzed is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing non-deterministic results of a search query of data, comprising a processor and a user interface, the processor being operably in communication with a plurality of data sources and adapted to communicate with the user interface which enables the user to query the content of the data sources, wherein the processor is adapted to determine the probable relevance of at least the part of a searched data source for a user query and the user interface is adapted to present to the user the search results in a form comprising two or more portlets, wherein the portlets comprises two or more of: a portlet presenting the search results (such as search strings) for a data source(s); a portlet presenting the data source (such as by source name) of a data source(s); a portlet presenting a data source filter tree for selecting currently active source(s); a portlet presenting the hit(s) of a search query for a data source; a portlet presenting the hit location within a data source; and at least one of

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing automated computer support are described herein. One described method comprises receiving a plurality of snapshots from a plurality of computers, storing the plurality of snapshots in a data store, and creating an adaptive reference model based at least in part on the plurality of snapshots. The described method further comprises comparing at least one of the plurality of snapshots to the adaptive reference model, and identifying at least one anomaly based on the comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for providing two or more search results. The method can include receiving at least one search parameter from a search query of a first user. The method also can include determining potential search results based upon the at least one search parameter. The method further can include determining one or more related searches from one or more second users. The method also can include determining two or more search results at least partially based upon the at least one search parameter and the one or more related searches. The method additionally can include determining that the two or more search results are related to a topic. The method further can include organizing the two or more search results based upon the topic. The method also can include displaying the two or more search results to the first user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A set of documents is annotated by metadata specifying persons associated with documents and their social roles in the documents. The annotated documents define a group of representation modes including at least one content type and at least one social role. An electronic processing device computes a relevance score for a person of interest using a set of queries each having a target social role by performing a sequence of operations that includes the following operations: computing similarities between documents and queries with respect to at least one similarity mode of the group of representation modes; enriching queries or documents to identify and aggregate nearest neighbor documents that are most similar with respect to at least one enrichment mode of the group of representation modes; aggregating over documents; aggregating over queries; and aggregating over at least one of (i) enrichment modes, (ii) similarity modes, and (iii) target social roles.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting and extracting semantically significant text from a HTML document associated with a plurality of HTML documents is disclosed. The method may include receiving a HTML document, parsing the HTML document into a parse tree, segmenting the parse tree into one or more segments of one or more unique paths, processing the one or more segments based at least the HTML document, and extracting one or more processed segments from the at least the HTML document based on a predetermined number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting phrases from text are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method may include preprocessing desired phrases into at least one phrase indexing data structure for efficient matching. The method may also include scanning text to construct a hash table including keys and corresponding entries. The method may also include locating suffix trie trees for each word in the hash table. The method may also include matching each position in the hash table against the suffix trie trees, and outputting phrases matched in the scanned text.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for ranking meeting topics is described. A plurality of participants in an electronic meeting is identified. One or more interests associated with one or more individuals included in the plurality of participants are identified. One or more topics associated with the meeting are received. A ranking of the one or more topics is determined based upon, at least in part, the one or more identified interests.

Abstract: A document analysis and search system may include a program module storable on a client device positioned in communication with a network which, in turn, is in communication with a document provider database and a thesaurus database. The program module may include instructions executable by a processor of the client device to locate at least one document from among the plurality of documents. The program module may include an interface module and a document analysis module. The interface module may receive concept data relating to the subject matter of the search and a plurality of documents relating to the concept data from the document provider database. The interface module may generate and display a document analysis graphical user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for determining documents that are nearest to a query are provided herein. The method includes constructing a vantage point tree based on a number of document vectors. The method also includes searching the vantage point tree to determine a number of nearest neighbor document vectors to a query vector by removing a portion of the document vectors from the vantage point tree based on one or more vantage points for each of a number of nodes in the vantage point tree and a specified search radius centered about the query vector.

Abstract: A classified ads server receives a search query from a mobile device operated by a user. The search query is parsed and a plurality of tokens is extracted from the search query. A query classification is determined based on the query, using a domain index, and query response candidates are selected from a content index based on the search query tokens and the query classification. A relevance score is generated for each of the query response candidates, and a classified ad is selected based on the relevance scores. The classified ad is sent to the user device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining similar queries for image searches. In one aspect, a method includes generating, for each of a plurality of search queries, a selection vector for the search query, each selection vector including a plurality of vector elements, each vector element corresponding to a unique image, and the value of each vector element being proportional to a number of selections of its corresponding unique image in response to the unique image being presented as a search result for the search query. The method further includes selecting a first search query and a second search query from the plurality of search queries and determining, from the selection vectors for the first and second search queries, a similarity measure that is a measurement of the similarity of the first search query to the second query.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and computer program products for information retrieval from multiple documents by proximity searching for search queries. A method includes generating an index for the multiple documents, wherein the index includes words in snippets in the documents. An input search query is processed against the index by searching query terms over the snippets to introduce term proximity information implicitly in the information retrieval. Results of multiple sentence level search operations are combined as output.

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein may involve determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and delivering content to at least one individual based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing a game, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one player of the game, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and affecting the game play based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing an interactive space, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual in the space, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and modifying at least one attribute of the space based on the analysis.

Abstract: When a user-submitted query is received, a set of candidate queries is identified. For each of the candidate queries, features are extracted that, for each candidate query, reflect a measure of effectiveness of the candidate query. The candidate queries are rank ordered based on the measure of effectiveness, and one or more of the top-ranked candidate queries are presented as suggested alternatives to the user-submitted query.

Abstract: A system for determining a similarity between a first document and a potential matching document is provided, wherein the system comprises a processor that is configured to perform steps of: determining a first identifier associated with the first document; identifying at least one potential matching document; for each document of the at least one potential matching documents: determining a second identifier; and determining a document similarity score, the document similarity score being indicative of a similarity between the first identifier and the second identifier.

Abstract: A hierarchical decoder is operable to decode a hierarchical multi-layer data package. The hierarchical multi-layer data package includes a plurality of layers and one or more subpackages in each layer. To decode the data package, an objective function is created based on parameters for identifying data in the data package most relevant to information of interest. Subpackages in one or more layers are evaluated using the objective function and a subpackage is selected. Information for the selected subpackage, which may include a summary and metadata, is used to determine whether the subpackage satisfies an information need. If the information need is not satisfied, a drill down procedure is performed to evaluate subpackages in a next lower layer of the data package.

Abstract: A method for processing electronic document and its corresponding device, a method for browsing electronic document and its corresponding browser, as well as a method for searching electronic document and its corresponding searching system are disclosed in the present invention. The method comprises at least the following steps of: generating one or more query according to the content of said document when an author is composing the electronic document; and correspondingly storing information about said one or more query with said electronic document. Wherein the query comprises keywords, keyword string or questions, and the query has passed the verification in order to ensure its reliability.

Abstract: Online systems, for example, social networking systems store features describing relations between entities represented in the online system. The information describing the features is represented as a graph. The online system maintains a cumulative feature graph and an incremental feature graph. Feature values based on recent user actions are stored in the incremental graph and feature values based on previous actions are stored in the cumulative graph. Periodically, the information stored in the incremental feature graph is merged with the information stored in the cumulative feature graph. The incremental graph is marked as inactive during the merge and information based on new user actions is stored in an active incremental feature graph. If a request for feature information is received, the feature information obtained from the cumulative feature graph, inactive incremental feature graph and the active incremental feature graph are combined to determine the feature information.

Abstract: In a searching device, an extractor extracts extracted documents, each of which contains a desired search string, from a plurality of document groups each including a plurality of documents. A preference determiner determines an output preference for each of the extracted documents in accordance with a predetermined rule. A group determiner determines, in sequence for each of the plurality of document groups, whether or not the document group is a determined group which contains one or more satisfying documents among extracted documents satisfying a predetermined output condition. And, an outputter outputs, in sequence for each of the plurality of the determined groups, a predetermined number of the satisfying documents contained in the determined group.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, a computer-implemented method within a server system generates suggestions by a search engine in response to search queries. The method uses a database associated with the search engine, the database storing digital media items each selectively associated with queries, terms and/or objects. The search engine receives a search query from a user device. The method compares one or more parts of the search query with stored queries, terms and/or objects within the database to find matching digital media items and generates at least one suggestion based on search query, the suggestion comprising one of the matching digital media items and at least one search result based on search query. The search engine transmits an output to the user device comprising the at least one suggestion and/or the at least one search result.

Abstract: A search request from a user is received wherein the search request comprises a search framework profile and at least one search term. Scheduling information is accessed from the search framework profile and a search operation is scheduled for execution in accordance with the at least one search term and search scheduling information. An indication that the search request is scheduled for execution is returned to the user.

Abstract: A software system automatically and dynamically generates a fully functional user interface (UI) based upon, and connected directly to, an underlying data model (as instantiated within a relational database management system (RDBMS)). The UI derives from an automated interrogation of the RDBMS, and comprises all mode displays (e.g., browse, search, edit, add) for all tables, and a full complement of mechanisms—integrated directly into the mode displays—for representing, navigating, and managing relationships across tables, regardless of the complexity of the underlying RDBMS schema. It utilizes a hierarchical “context stack” for suspending the working state of a particular table while “drilling down” to work with related-table information and return relevant changes to the base table.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph that includes a plurality of nodes and edges, receiving a structured query that includes references to selected nodes and edges, and generating search results corresponding to the structured query, where the search results include at least one snippet that includes references to the selected nodes and edges of the structured query.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficiently identifying images, videos, audio files or documents relevant to a user. Using either manual annotations or learned functions, the method predicts the relative strength of an attribute in an image, video, audio file or document from a pool of images, videos, audio files or documents. At query time, the system presents an initial set of reference images, videos, audio files or documents, and the user selects among them to provide relative attribute feedback. Using the resulting constraints in the multi-dimensional attribute space, the relevance function for the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is updated and the relevance of the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is re-computed. This procedure iterates using the accumulated constraints until the top-ranked images, videos, audio files or documents are acceptably close to the user's envisioned image, video, audio file or document.

Abstract: In this invention, systems and methods for providing keywords for advertising are provided. After a user searches for another user in a social network, the webpage or blog of the queried user is retrieved, and keywords are extracted from this webpage. The keywords may be extracted from the user's profile on the social network (e.g., favorite sports, music artists, etc.), or keywords may be extracted from the text of the webpage (e.g., comments that comprise the blog entries). Once extracted, these keywords may then be used by an advertising system to provide targeted advertisements to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing organized content are described herein. In one example, a method includes identifying a spine document from a collection of documents, wherein the spine document comprises a plurality of sections. The method also includes splitting a related document into a plurality of subdocuments. In addition, the method includes mapping the subdocuments to corresponding sections of the spine document. Furthermore, the method includes displaying subdocuments based on a search of the collection of documents.

Abstract: A method and medium are provided for generating shortened media titles. The length of a media title is constrained by the physical space allotted to it on a display device. Interfering and inaudible portions are removed from the media title. The media title is then split at join phrases in order to create multiple substrings. The multiple substrings are ranked according to relevance and audibility. The highest ranked substring is either stored or displayed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for finding experts based upon user customizable search and ranking criteria, and providing the search results at a person or expert level are disclosed. The methods generally entail cataloging data within one or more document databases, and includes the steps of (a) inputting disparate data sources which may include publications, awarded grants, clinical trials, and/or patents; (b) processing the data within each document in the document database(s); (c) creating a document profile for each document using relevant keywords; (d) assigning weighting factors to the relevant keywords based upon selected attributes; (e) assigning an identifier to each document and document author; (f) removing duplicate document data using a disambiguation algorithm; (g) extracting author level attributes from the retrieved documents; and (h) creating or updating each document profile.

Abstract: A system predicts a search query term, wherein the prediction is based at least in part on a plurality of keystrokes entered on a mobile communication facility and wherein the prediction is further based at least in part on information relating to the mobile communication facility and/or its user.

Abstract: Described is the user management of electronic documents. Content selected from a first electronic document is received. Metadata are generated corresponding to the received selected content and a location of the received content in the first electronic document. The metadata are stored and a search term is subsequently received that is also in the received content. In response to a search against a repository, search results are displayed. The search results include an indicator of the first electronic document and an indicator of a second electronic document that includes the search term. The indicator of the first electronic document is displayed higher in the search results than the second electronic document.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, operable to perform operations including receiving from a user through a user interface a search query comprising one or more query terms, the user interface having an interface language, the interface language being a natural language; and determining a query language for the query from the query terms and the interface language, the query language being a natural language.

Abstract: A system and methods and user interface are disclosed for searching documents based on conceptual association, and for ranking documents based on content characteristics. A computer processing system receives a query containing a word or phrase that is a name of an object or concept, and can also receive a value for a customized ranking parameter. A computer storage device stores a dataset related to the object or concept name, wherein the dataset includes a plurality of property names and can also include association-strength values. A computer processing system can count a first frequency of a first property name and count a second frequency of a second property name in a document containing text in a natural language, calculate a relevance score as a function of the first frequency and the second frequency, and rank the plurality of documents using their respective relevance scores, and return one or more documents to the user based on the ranking of the plurality of documents.

Abstract: Search results may be provided to a user. A search query may be received from the user. A query feature vector may be formed for the search query. The query feature vector may be compared with news feature vectors associated with documents related to current events. An augmented query feature vector may be formed based on results of the comparison of the query feature vector with the news feature vectors. The augmented query feature vector may be compared with feature vectors related to target documents. Search results that include target documents may be identified based on results of the comparison of the augmented query feature vector with the feature vectors related to the target documents. The user may be made able to perceive at least some of the identified search results.