Search method and system and system using the same
AssigneeTransparensee Systems, Inc.
InventorSteven David 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.
Claims34
A method for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content 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 one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category;
- receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user;
- determining for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category;
- for each of one or more records, performing a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises:
- for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and
- for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category;
- and
- as a response to the search query, selecting records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records.
A system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the system comprising:
- a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category;
- a receiver for receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user;
- a determining device for determining, for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category;
- a correlation device for performing, for each of one or more records, a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises:
- for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and
- for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category;
- and
- a response unit for responding to the search query by selecting and providing records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more 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 of his participation in the forum, said reputation module being included within a system for searching a content database stored in computer storage, the content database including a plurality of records each containing multiple fields of information, the system further comprising:
- a structure database in computer storage in which each record is parsed into one or more record categories, each record category having zero or more sub-categories and one or more fields of information, the structure database containing, for each record category, information defining a data structure of the record category;
- a receiver for receiving a search query comprising one or more query categories, each query category comprising zero or more sub-categories and one or more selections from a user;
- a determining device for determining, for each query category, a data structure of the query category based on the data structure of a corresponding record category;
- a correlation device for performing, for each of one or more records, a correlation between the data structure of each query category and the data structure of the corresponding record category to produce a relevance value for the record, wherein performing the correlation comprises:
- for each data structure of a query category, generating a selection tree comprising a node representing the query category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and selections, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the selections from the user, and
- for each data structure of the corresponding record category, generating a data tree comprising a node representing the record category, sub-nodes representing the sub-categories and fields of information, and weights for each node and sub-node assigned based on the level of the node or sub-node in the data tree or based on the selections from the user, and using a correlation algorithm to correlate the weights of the data tree with the weights of the selection tree to produce a relevance value for the corresponding record category;
- and
- a response unit for responding to the search query by selecting and providing records in the content database based upon the relevance values for the one or more records.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.