US 2012/0233140 A1Published application

Context-aware query alteration

AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation

InventorsKevyn B. Collins-Thompson, Ni Lao

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Abstract

A model generation module is described herein for using a machine learning technique to generate a model for use by a search engine. The model assists the search engine in generating alterations of search queries, so as to improve the relevance and performance of the search queries. The model includes a plurality of features having weights and levels of uncertainty associated therewith, where each feature defines a rule for altering a search query in a defined manner when a context condition, specified by the rule, is present. The model generation module generates the model based on user behavior information, including query reformulation information and user preference information. The query reformulation information indicates query reformulations made by at least one agent (such as users). The preference information indicates at extent to which the users were satisfied with the query reformulations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A physical and tangible computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions providing a model generation module when executed by one or more processing devices, the computer readable instructions comprising:

logic configured to receive query reformulation information that describes query reformulations made by at least one agent;
logic configured to receive preference information which indicates behavior performed by users that pertains to the query reformulations;
logic configured to generate labeled reformulation information based on the query reformulation information and the preference information, the labeled reformulation information indicating an extent to which the query reformulations were deemed satisfactory by the users in fulfilling search objectives of the users;
and
logic configured to use a machine learning technique to generate a model based on the labeled reformulation information, the model providing functionality, for use by a search engine, at query time, for mapping at least some search queries to query alterations,
the model comprising a plurality of features having weights associated therewith, each feature defining a rule for altering a search query in a defined manner when a context condition, specified by the rule, is deemed to apply to the search query.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.