US 8,949,277 B1Granted

Semantic geotokens

AssigneeGoogle Inc.

InventorsDaniel F. Lieuwen, Andrew W. Hogue, Gregory A. Morris, Denis M. Lynch

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Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing geographically relevant search results. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a geotoken for a resource. The geotoken can be a resource token that references a geographic location. A semantic geotoken can be selected using the received geotoken. The semantic geotoken is a standardized representation of the geographic location that includes one or more location-specific terms. The semantic geotoken is stored with a reference to the resource. Neighboring locations for the geographic location are determined. The neighboring locations are within a predetermined distance of the geographic location. Semantic geotokens for the neighboring locations are selected and stored with the reference to the resource. Data specifying the semantic geotokens and the reference to the resource are provided.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method performed by data processing apparatus for managing geotokens, the method comprising:

receiving a geotoken for a resource, the geotoken being a resource token that references a geographic location;
selecting a semantic geotoken using the received geotoken for the resource, the semantic geotoken being a standardized representation for the geographic location, wherein the semantic geotoken is selected based on a geographic relevance score for the geotoken for the resource, the geographic relevance score specifying a likelihood that the resource is relevant to the geographic location that is referenced by the geotoken for the resource;
calculating a confidence score for the semantic geotoken based, at least in part, on a geographic distance between a referenced geographic location in the semantic geotoken and the geographic location referenced by the geotoken for the resource;
determining, via a processor, that the confidence score for the semantic geotoken exceeds a confidence threshold;
in response to the determination, storing the semantic geotoken with a reference to the resource in a search index;
determining neighboring locations for the geographic location, the neighboring locations being within a predetermined distance of the geographic location;
selecting semantic geotokens for the neighboring locations;
and
storing the semantic geotokens for the neighboring locations with the reference to the resource in the search index.

6 more elements

A system for managing semantic geotokens comprising:

one or more computers operable to interact with a user device and further operable to perform operations including:
receiving a geotoken for a resource, the geotoken being a resource token that references a geographic location;
selecting a semantic geotoken using the received geotoken for the resource, the semantic geotoken being a standardized representation for the geographic location, wherein the semantic geotoken is selected based on a geographic relevance score for the geotoken for the resource, the geographic relevance score specifying a likelihood that the resource is relevant to the geographic location that is referenced by the geotoken for the resource;
calculating a confidence score for the semantic geotoken based, at least in part, on a geographic distance between a referenced geographic location in the semantic geotoken and the geographic location referenced by the geotoken for the resource;
determining that the confidence score for the semantic geotoken exceeds a confidence threshold;
in response to the determination, storing the semantic geotoken with a reference to the resource in a search index;
determining neighboring locations for the geographic location, the neighboring locations being within a predetermined distance of the geographic location;
selecting semantic geotokens for the neighboring locations;
and
storing the semantic geotokens for the neighboring locations with the reference to the resource in the search index.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.