Information retrieval system and method employing spatially selective features
AssigneesLasoo, Inc., Overture Services, Inc.
InventorsPeter Leishman, Peter Forth, John Stewart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An information retrieval system and method employing spatially selective features. A geo-coded database stores advertiser records which include location information. Received search requests are matched with database records based on location information in the search requests and the record location information. In this manner, a user can search for information on a local basis and receive only the most relevant local search results.
Claims40
A database search method comprising;
- storing a geo-coded information database of records, each record being associated with a database record owner;
- receiving database search requests based at least in part on location information;
- providing search results including information from records matching a received database search request;
- receiving record updates for specified records from database record owners;
- and
- updating the specified records in response to the received record updates.
An information retrieval system employing spatially selective features, the information retrieval system comprising:
- a search interface configured to form search requests which include information about a selected search location and a selected search area, the search requests being communicable to a remote server including a geo-coded database or records, each record in the database being associated with a database record owner;
- a map interface configured to display graphical information based on search results received from the remote server;
- a results table interface configured to display tabular information based on search results received from the remote server;
- and
- a search tool operable in conjunction with the search interface for selecting a search area.
An information retrieval method employing spatially selective features, the method comprising:
- (i) receiving a search request from a user, the search request defining a search area;
- (ii) defining a minimum search area needed to locate and retrieve a minimum, specified number of search results;
- (iii) in a geo-coded database including a plurality of records, each record having geo-locating information including a defined search area availability, indexing records beyond the defined minimum search area for the respective records;
- (iv) searching and retrieving records in the database, commencing at a specified point and extending over a search area beyond the defined search area availability of at least one record;
- (v) creating a dynamic set of categories to present to the user;
- and
- (vi) evaluating records and determining an appropriate default search area to ensure the provision of search results in all appropriate categories of the set of categories.
A local information retrieval method, the method comprising:
- storing a geo-coded database of searchable records, each record being associated with a database record owner and including advertising information for a product of the associated database record owner;
- each record having a defined search area availability;
- receiving search requests from a user, at least some search requests specifying location information associated with the user;
- searching the geo-coded database for records having defined search area availability matching the location information of a received search request;
- and
- conveying search results to the user, the search results including information from matching records from the database.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.