Search method and system and system using the same
AssigneeTransparensee Systems, Inc.
InventorSteven Lavine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Information regarding the structure of information in a content database is maintained in a structure database. The structure database is used to correlate the data structure of a query to the structure of the content database, in order to determine that information in the content database which needs to be provided to a searcher in response to the query. In one embodiment, this search method is used in an online forum, and the forum maintains a reputation score for users with respect to given subject matter. The reputation score is dependent upon the quality of a user's participation in the forum. A user's reputation score depends upon the evaluation by others of information he posts and upon the user evaluating information posted by others.
Claims24
A method for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into a plurality of categories containing multiple fields of information, each category having at least one sub-category, the sub-categories being structured in at least one sub-level based upon a relationship between the information in sub-categories, the structure database containing category structure information defining the data structure of each category;
- receiving a search query containing a subset of the categories contained in a record, which subset may include all of the categories, the query containing selection information indicating those sub-categories that should be present in records being sought by the query;
- for categories present in the query subset, performing a correlation between the selection information and information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a record;
- and
- as a response to the query, selecting information from records in the content database based upon the relevance value of the records.
A system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the method comprising:
- a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into a plurality of categories containing multiple fields of information, each category having at least one sub-category, the sub-categories being structured in at least one sub-level based upon a relationship between the information in sub-categories, the structure database containing category structure information defining the data structure of each category;
- a receiver for a search query containing a subset of the categories contained in a record, which subset may include all of the categories, the query containing selection information indicating those sub-categories that should be present in records being sought by the query;
- a correlation device set performing a correlation between the selection information, for categories present in the query subset, and information from the structure database representing the sub-category structure in a subset of the records, which subset may contain all of the records, to produce a relevance value for a record;
- and
- a unit responding to the query by selecting and providing information from records in the content database based upon the relevance value of the records.
In an online user forum of the type permitting communication among a plurality of users and also permitting users to post information content for access by users, the improvement comprising a reputation module storing a reputation rating for a user in association with information content, a user's reputation being a function of the degree his participation in the forum.
24-58. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.