Method and apparatus for allowing users to augment searches

Abstract

Embodiment of the invention relate to a computer-implemented method for providing augmented searches for entities to a user, the method comprising obtaining, at a server computer operated by an entity search system, user data related to a user, and obtaining entity data related to a plurality of entities. Then, the entity search system receives a query for a search for relevant entities from the user. The method then further comprises searching for a set of relevant entities based on the query, entity data, and user data, determining a set of criteria for an initial order of relevance, and determining an order of relevance of the set of relevant entities based on the set of criteria. The set of relevant entities or order of relevance may be augmented by obtaining feedback data from the user, thereby providing an augmented search for relevant entities to the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 510,003 filed Jul. 20, 2011 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Allowing Users to Augment Searches”.[0002]The present disclosure may be related to the following commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 509,999 filed Jul. 20, 2011 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Explaining Recommendations”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 509,995 filed Jul. 20, 2011, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Category Based Navigation”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 510,004 filed Jul. 20, 2011 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Quickly Evaluating Entities”.[0003]The respective disclosures of these applications / patents are incorporated herein by reference, as if set forth in full in this document, for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates to recommendatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes an improvement to data searching methods and systems. Existing methods may not allow users to modify searches based on their preferences or automatically determined attributes. The invention provides a way for users to customize searches by adding or changing criteria as they conduct searches. This allows users to better understand and optimize search results. The improved search system becomes more intelligent, providing relevant search results and allowing users to make real-time improvements. The invention also allows multiple users to improve searches simultaneously. Overall, the invention provides more efficient and effective data searches.

Problems solved by technology

Existing methods for providing data searches and search results to a target user may not provide options to the target user to modify the search based on customized attributes, which may be selected by the target user, or automatically determined based on the target user's query.

Thus, if the target user is unable to properly search and find what they are looking for in search results, provided, it is difficult for the target user to feed back to the search system how to narrow down the search, re-direct the search, organize search results, etc.

Existing methods for providing searches to a target user may not provide options to the target user to modify the search without initiating a new one.

Thus, if the target user is dissatisfied with the an initial set of search results, it is difficult for the target user to feed back to a search system what the target user is really searching for and how to improve search results in real-time without starting over.

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