Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for assisting users in performing searches. In one aspect, a query for a search session is received from a user device. A first set of search results responsive to the query is provided to the user device. Search results interaction data are received from the user device that identifies actions that are in response to the search results and taken at the user device. The search results interaction data are analyzed to determine that a remedial search operation should be performed, the remedial search operation determining a second set of search results responsive to the query and providing the second set of search results to the user device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a server receives a partial search query from a client device that is located remotely from the server, and predicts from the partial search query a set of predicted complete queries relevant to the partial search query, where the predicted complete queries comprise previously submitted complete queries submitted by a community of users. The partial search query and the set of predicted complete queries are in the same language. In addition, the server obtains translations of at least a subset of the set of predicted complete queries, where the translations are in a different language from the set of predicted complete queries, and conveys both the set of predicted complete queries and the corresponding translations to the client device.

Abstract: A system for determining content topicality comprises a feature value extracting means which extracts feature values of a plurality of contents from the contents; a content grouping means which compares the feature values of the plurality of contents extracted by the feature value extracting means, obtains identical contents and derived contents created using the contents, both of which are included in the plurality of contents, and groups the identical/derived contents, thereby computing identical/derived content grouping information; and a topicality determining means which totals viewing frequencies of the contents determined to be the identical/derived contents from viewing history information and the identical/derived content grouping information relating to the plurality of contents, computes total viewing frequencies of each of the identical/derived contents, and determines the topicality of the identical/derived contents according to the total viewing frequency.

Abstract: A type of search engine (referred to as the “Get Engine”) receives one or more keywords, semantically formulates a question being asked from the keywords, generates specifications for the query, and searches a website index to determine websites that are likely owners of the answer to the question based on the query specifications and website classifications. The Get Engine determines a website that is most likely the owner of the answer based on credibility, searches the pages of the website using the keywords and additional keywords related to the query, retrieves the answer from the pages of the website, and receives feedback used in part to determine the credibility of the website.

Abstract: In one general sense, information may be presented to a user by receiving one or more ambiguous characters that may be resolved to one of at least two disambiguated characters, exchanging at least one of the ambiguous characters with a host, receiving, from the host, results that reflect disambiguated terms related to the ambiguous characters exchanged with the host, rendering the results in a manner enabling the user to perceive which of the disambiguated terms will be used upon user selection of an aspect of the results, and enabling the user to select an aspect of the results to effect use of a corresponding one of the disambiguated terms.

Abstract: A social network service provides trusted, timely and managed communications between a querying individual and an informed individual by optimizing distribution of queries to reflect a requisite amount of expertise necessary (i.e., interest, background, education, demographic attribute, etc.). Those candidate recipients with a rare level of expertise or specialization can specify a desired level of participation, which is respected. In order not to exhaust their availability, those who are less qualified or part of a larger demographic category appropriate for the query are selected to handle queries of lesser difficulty or less specialization. Anonymity if desired by the recipient party can be supported by increasing the pool of candidate recipients so that the querying party cannot reasonably ascertain who is responding. Timeliness of response, as well as satisfaction in the response, is tracked in order to affect redirection of a query.

Abstract: An invention is provided for affording CopyBack data integrity in a non-volatile memory system. When the potential for moving data with a CopyBack command occurs, a counter corresponding to the data is examined. When the counter is below a predetermined limit, the counter is incremented and data from the block of data is moved using a CopyBack command. However, when the counter reaches the predetermined limit, the counter is reset and data from the block of data is moved to system memory and examined for errors. Once any errors are corrected, the data is transferred back to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A server system accesses, respectively, historical query information for queries that have search results corresponding to first information items and second information items and classification data of the first information items. Initially, the first information items are classified and the second information items are unclassified. Based on the classification data of the first information items and the historical query information, the server system generates classification data for the second information items and stores the generated classification data therein. In response to requests for service from client devices, the server system provides customized services to the client devices using the second information items and the corresponding classification data generated for the second information items.

Abstract: A method for managing video news segments using a media asset management system includes collecting the video news segments, associating corresponding geospatial data with each video news segment, and creating a search thesaurus including search descriptors with cross-references therebetween. At least one respective search descriptor from the search thesaurus is associated with each video news segment. The method further includes storing each video news segment, its geospatial data and its at least one search descriptor on the media asset management system for later search and retrieval, such as by a news broadcasting organization. The search descriptors may be geospatial search descriptors that are cross-referenced in a hierarchical relationship.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a unique and novel archiving system that includes two or more network storage systems, each network storage system including removable hard disk drives embedded in removable disk cartridges, referred to simply as removable disk drives. The removable disk drives allow for expandability and replacement such that the archiving system need not be duplicated to add new or more storage capacity. In embodiments, the archiving system accesses, writes, reads, or performs functions on data from one network storage system to another remote network storage system.

Abstract: An inversion of the basic format of searching is provided herein. Instead of receiving a search query and providing web page results, a search engine receives a web page identifier as search input from an end user, determines related search queries for the associated web page, and provides the related search queries to the end user issuing the search. Related search queries for web pages may also be used to refine search engines performing the basic form of searching by facilitating the determination of web pages to index and the ranking of web pages as search results to user queries. Additionally, related search queries may be used in advertising revenue generation and sharing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for authoritative manufacturing work instructions. Where work instructions, engineering definition and engineering specification standards are integrated as a single set of authoritative work instructions with embedded engineering definition and standards data. This method describes a work instruction authoring system that re-uses engineering product and process specification definition and authority then combines manufacturing work instructions to produce enhanced manufacturing work instruction operations that contain authoritative specification data as reusable dynamic elements of the engineering definition and process specifications. Work instructions can be created using the authority obtained from the engineering product and specification standards, the work instructions can deliver the authoritative engineering definition and process specification standards data as an integrated element of standardized work instructions.

Abstract: A Sales-Chip Associator process permits a creator of a Sales-Chip to share the Sales-Chip with a receiving party. The process utilizes a Sales-Chip Database and a Sales-Chip Subscriber Database to facilitate chip sharing. A handler is used in the Associator process and determines if an association exists between the Sales-Chip and the receiving party. The handler also facilitates recalling an association after being established by the receiving party.

Abstract: An autocomplete method and system provides suggested completions for partial data entries based upon predefined coordinates, operands and/or commands. In one embodiment, the partial data entry may be in an active cell of a spreadsheet and the predefined coordinates may be queried from a separate, preconfigured, multi-dimensional database linked to the active cell or the spreadsheet.

Abstract: A method for managing video segments from an aerial sensor platform using a media asset management system includes collecting the video segments from the aerial sensor platform, associating corresponding geospatial data with each video segment, and creating a search thesaurus including search descriptors with cross-references therebetween. At least one respective search descriptor from the search thesaurus is associated with each video segment. The method further includes storing each video segment, its geospatial data and its at least one search descriptor on the media asset management system for later search and retrieval, such as by a surveillance organization. The search descriptors may be geospatial search descriptors that are cross-referenced in a hierarchical relationship.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for restoring and/or utilizing browsing history for dynamically-generated or modified content is described. In one embodiment, the method includes: in response to a user request to display a page of information including a navigational element on a computing device, obtaining a content identifier for content associated with the navigational element, identifying a stored content identifier associated with the content and corresponding to a prior navigational element that was previously viewed on the computing device, verifying the prior navigational element associated with the stored content identifier, and setting at least one property of the navigational element to indicate, when displayed, that the content associated with the navigational element was previously viewed on the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing search assistance technologies based on a user's search self-efficacy and search frustration. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a search query from a user. The method then calculates the user's search self-efficacy and calculates the user's frustration with the current information task. The method then identifies a plurality of search assistance technologies based on the user's search self-efficacy and frustration. Finally, the method provides a search engine results page comprising a plurality of search results and the identified plurality of search assistance technologies.

Abstract: Contextual or cumulative interpretation is applied to individual user queries to improve the accuracy of sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results. Queries are interpreted based on present features derived from a user query in the context of past features derived from qualified past queries such as those previously received during a user query session. Based on contextual interpretation, present features may be augmented using past features. A search is performed using augmented features instead of present features. Contextual interpretation of queries improves search system understanding of the context in which queries are submitted, which is particularly helpful when interpolating query intent to develop features not expressed in a query. Contextual interpretation permits queries to be interpreted and treated more uniformly and more intelligently. As a result, users and advertisers benefit from more precise sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results.

Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging historical data to determine affected entities is provided. In exemplary embodiments, a current matter is created. When creating the current matter, at least one initial scope parameter for the current matter is known. Historical data associated with the at least one initial scope parameter may then be accessed and review. Based on the historical data, one or more refined scope parameter may be determined. A list of affected entities based at least on the one or more refined scope parameter is provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for reorganizing a database while concurrently providing access to the database for updates. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an on-line reorganization facility (ORF) uses index data-spaces that point to other data-spaces, referred to as data data-spaces, to efficiently track and coordinate information about the data-elements in an original data-space operated upon by a reorganization process. A relative base address of a data-element in an index data-space can be derived from a relative base address of a data-element in an original data-space, and vice versa. An index data-space data-element contains a location of a data-element in a data data-space that tracks change information related to a corresponding data-element in the original data-space. Tracked changes are later applied to the newly reorganized data-space to assure consistency and integrity of the data.

Abstract: In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a token that is usable in search queries for data in a database. The database includes items of data that are represented by data strings. The method also includes determining a synonym candidate for the token. The method includes adding the synonym candidate as a synonym for the token into an expansion dictionary in response to a determination that the number of data strings having the synonym candidate exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Click logs and query logs are processed to identify statistical search patterns. A search session is compared to the statistical search patterns. Content items responsive to a query of the search session are identified, and a ranking of the content items is adjusted based on the comparison.

Abstract: A server system accesses, respectively, historical query information for queries that have search results corresponding to first information items and second information items and classification data of the first information items. Initially, the first information items are classified and the second information items are unclassified. Based on the classification data of the first information items and the historical query information, the server system generates classification data for the second information items and stores the generated classification data therein. In response to requests for service from client devices, the server system provides customized services to the client devices using the second information items and the corresponding classification data generated for the second information items.

Abstract: A print processing execution apparatus includes a restriction information acquisition unit configured to acquire restriction information including processing information, a print processing execution unit configured to execute print processing based on a job, a determination unit configured to determine whether a condition for storing history information related to the job is satisfied, a storage control unit configured to store the history information in a storage unit if the determination unit determines that the condition for storing history information is satisfied, and a processing unit configured to execute processing based on the processing information included in the restriction information if the determination unit determines that the condition for storing history information is not satisfied.

Abstract: A method of providing a search result and a system for executing the method are provided. A method of providing a search result includes: setting a grade of a category associated with a keyword based on click information; creating a category list to maintain the category list in association with the keyword, wherein the category list includes the category that is arranged according to the grade; and providing a search result for the keyword in an order of the category in the category list, wherein the click information includes information regarding whether the category is clicked on and a clicked order.

Abstract: Context information for a user of a device is identified and is used to identify a set of keywords based at least in part on a current Web page being displayed and one or more previous Web pages displayed for the user. The set of keywords and/or information regarding previous searches are used to identify a set of query terms. The set of query terms are displayed as part of a user interface. Additionally, a user selection of a search preview option can be received while displaying a Web page. In response to receiving the user selection of the search preview option, a user-entered query term is sent to a search engine. Search results based on the query term are received from the search engine, and both the search results and the Web page are displayed concurrently in a same window.

Abstract: A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product retrieve data from a database. A search request is received from a user for a set of data in at least one database. An ontology query over is performed over at least one ontology associated with at least one database resulting in an ontological dataset associated with the search request in response to receiving the search request from the user. The ontological dataset includes at least one of a set of synonyms, a set of hypernyms, and a set of hyponyms, associated with the search request. A data query is performed over data in the at least one database using the ontological dataset in response to performing the ontology query. The set of data is returned to the user based on the data query that has been performed.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for searching multiple search services in parallel and utilizing multiple search providers in a computer system. Multiple search providers are installed onto a browser application of a user computer system. Upon receipt of a user search query and a user designated search provider, an instant answer is automatically displayed without any user interaction. Other aggregated results are displayed together in a combined window pane. One section displays results of any recent searches that match the search query entry. Another section displays search suggestions provided by the designated search provider. Another section displays results of any previously visited sites in which results of the previously visited site match the search entry. Additional searches of different designated search providers can also be made. These multiple searches of multiple search providers are conducted from the same browser window as the initial search.

Abstract: A system receives a search query, determines whether the received search query includes an entity name, and determines whether the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase. When the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase, the system generates a link to a rewritten query, performs a search based on the received search query to obtain first search results, and provides the first search results and the link to the rewritten query. When the entity name is not associated with a common word or phrase, the system rewrites the received search query to include a restrict identifier associated with the entity name, generates a link to the received search query, performs a search based on the rewritten search query to obtain second search results, and provides the second search results and the link to the received search query.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstructing a full query based on a partial query are disclosed. Existing interfaces for search engines may be rigid and require users to submit full queries to perform searched. The methods and systems described herein may solve these problems by allowing a flexible way for users to submit a partial query and reconstruct a full query based on the partial query. A search may then be performed using the reconstructed query.

Abstract: A networked computer system is provided for collecting and displaying historical content comprising a plurality of digital objects associated with a historical period or event. The computer system is comprised of one or more networked servers for processing the historical content. The servers are configured to access a database of host historical content input by an operator and user historical content input by a user, and display the historical content. One or more software applications running on the servers facilitate collection, integration and display of historical content. The software applications provide a template accessible to a user via a computer in communication with the network. The template is configured to allow the user to input the user historical content and relate a portion of the host historical content to create a user website integrating the user historical content with a portion of the host historical content.

Abstract: An “Iterative Query Reformulator” provides various techniques for using a computational engine to reformulate initial queries through one or more iterations. This query reformulation process ensures that results returned from search engines or recommendation systems using a reformulated query have improved relevance relative to results that would have been returned using only the initial query. More specifically, the Iterative Query Reformulator provides an end to end solution that uses computations from one or more knowledge databases or knowledge sources to find “partial answers” to subqueries derived or extracted from an initial query. These partial answers are then used to reformulate the initial query, with the reformulated query being used by the search engines or recommendations systems to provide results that are highly relevant to the initial query.

Abstract: A computer system, computer media, and computer-implemented method for generating product suggestions and providing product information are provided. The computer system includes a relevance engine, a product database, and a graphical user interface to respond to user queries and to provide product details associated with one or more products included in the user queries. The relevance engine determines which products are similar to products included in the user queries. The graphical user interface displays product suggestions that refine the user queries without executing the query on the product database, where a subset of the product suggestions are linked to product details pages. User selection of any of the product suggestions within the subset directs the user to a product details page for a specific product and bypasses a listing of results having many products that match the refined user queries.

Abstract: An intent guessing system receives partial user queries as they are entered by the user. The partial user queries are compared with different intents derived from previously logged queries. Guesses are made as to which of the intents are associated with the partial user query. The intent guesses are then provided as responses to the user query. Features are identified for the earlier logged queries and associated with the derived intents. The derived intents and associated features are then used to identify intents for the partial user queries.

Abstract: A system may receive one or more terms of a search query. The system may automatically identify prior search queries that include the one or more terms of the search query from a history of prior search queries. The system may automatically identify possible spelling corrected search queries based on the one or more terms of the search queries. The system may automatically receive remote server-based query completion suggestions including the one or more terms of the search query. The system may present query refinement options, the query refinement box being populated with the prior search queries as suggested queries for possible selection by a user, the identified possible spelling corrected search queries, and the received query completion suggestions.

Abstract: A schema definition generating device includes an item comparison generating unit that compares configuration item information and table information, and generates correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the configuration item information contained in a query formula used to search for configuration item information indicating a configuration item targeted for management and the table information contained in history information of queries made to a relational database; a relationship comparison generating unit that compares relational information and information indicating a relationship between tables contained in the query history information, and generates correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the relational information indicating a relationship between configuration items contained in the query formula and the query history information; and a schema definition generating unit that generates a schema definition of the configuration item information and a sch

Abstract: Within a document collaboration system, such as a wiki application, a logging component operates in association with a server. The logging component automatically creates and maintains a log of interactions between the server and users of the document collaboration system. The content of the log has a predictable format. In one embodiment, an analysis component identifies, from the log, entries associated with a failed search for a document in the collaboration system database. The terms not represented in the database are identified from the failed search entry. In this manner, statistics related to frequently unsuccessful search terms are generated and utilized as a basis for identifying opportunities for effective expansion of the content of the collaboration application.

Abstract: Queries that request fields that are contained in the same XML fragments are written to execute them more efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for generating query refinement suggestions may include collecting refinement data for at least one received source query. The collected refinement data is then clustered to form at least one cluster. At least one potential refinement query suggestion is identified from the refinement data within the at least one cluster.

Abstract: Embodiments for identifying an entity synonym of an entity are described. A query log is stored in a database located on at least one computing device. A candidate generation module can select a candidate query in the query log that shares a click on a URL with the entity. A correlated tag module can generate a set of phrase-tag pairs for the entity and the candidate query and measure a mutual information value for each phrase-tag pair. A candidate filtering module can determine a click similarity value between the candidate query and the entity based on a set of URLs selected in the search engine results and a tag similarity value based on the mutual information values. A candidate query is selected as an entity synonym if the click similarity value and the tag similarity value are greater than predetermined thresholds respectively.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium are provided for providing a personalized answer to a user-defined search query by utilizing the user's search history. A search session is instantiated, and search queries, search results, user selections of search results, and other information is recorded. A search query is received and analyzed to determine whether the query reflects user intent to re-find a search result that the user previously was presented in response to a previously issued search query. Search results pages provided to the user in response to queries include a personalized history answer that represents a previously viewed search result that the user may be attempting to re-find.

Abstract: Techniques describe constructing a location and activity recommendation model to identify relationships between locations and activities. To construct the model, the process obtains global positioning system (GPS) logs of geographical locations collected over time and identifies stay points representing locations visited by an individual user. The process also identifies points of interest in a region using a database and correlates a relationship between activity to activity by submitting queries to a search engine. The information gathered is used to fill locations and activities in a location-activity matrix. Recommendations may be made for a location and/or activity when given a user query, based on a user's present geographical location, or a prediction of a user's interest.

Abstract: A system for estimating cardinalities for a plurality of columns in a database system is disclosed. The system include obtaining statistics collected for the plurality of columns. A first portion of the statistics indicates at least one relationship between at least a portion of the plurality of columns, while a second portion of the statistics includes single column statistics. The system also include utilizing the first portion and the second portion of the statistics to estimate the cardinality for the plurality of columns.

Abstract: A system, media, and method for selecting future queries are provided. The selected future queries are used to transmit appropriate online advertising to a user that issues queries to a search engine. The search engine is coupled to a prediction component that predicts what subject the user is going to be interested in and when the user will be interested in the subject. The prediction component returns a future query using statistical language models representing a query history of the user and aggregate query histories for a community of users.

Abstract: A query prefix is received from a user device. A user identifier is determined based on the user device. A user category is determined based on the user identifier. A node representing the query prefix is located in a query graph. Descendent nodes of the located node that represent queries are located. Each node has one or more user category specific frequency measures and each user category specific frequency measure is associated with a user category. The queries represented by the located nodes are ranked based on the associated user category specific frequency measure associated with the identified user category. The ranked queries are sent to the user device.

Abstract: Provided are a search method using an extended keyword pool and a system for performing the method.

Abstract: A computer server system may include a plurality of database modules for storing user data for a plurality of users, and at least one processing module comprising a plurality of processing threads for processing jobs for users based upon respective user data. The computer server system may further include a database pool module connected between the plurality of database modules and the at least one processing module. The database pool module may be for selectively connecting the processing threads to corresponding database modules including respective user data for jobs to be processed, and determining when a database module becomes unresponsive and terminating processing thread connections to the unresponsive database module based thereon. The database pool module may also be for determining when the unresponsive database module becomes responsive and restoring processing thread connectivity thereto based thereon.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search query from a remote device, determining if the search query includes location-related information, and if the search query includes location-related information, generating a first result set based on the search query and the location-related information, and if the search query does not include location-related information, determining whether a location indicator is associated with the remote device, and if a location indicator is associated with the remote device, generating a second result set based on the search query and the location indicator.

Abstract: A system determines whether a received search query includes an entity name, determines whether to rewrite the received search query based on information relating to prior searches involving the entity name, and rewrites the received search query when it is determined that the received search query should be rewritten. The system further determines whether to provide a suggestion of rewriting the received search query, as a rewriting suggestion, based on information relating to prior searches involving the entity name when it is determined that the received search query should not be rewritten. The system also generates the rewriting suggestion when it is determined that the rewriting suggestion should be provided. The system performs a search based on one of the received search query and the rewritten search query to obtain search results, presents the search results, and presents the rewriting suggestion when it is determined that the rewriting suggestion should be provided.