IP Library Granted Patent US 8,521,713
Granted Patent B2
US 8,521,713 · App. 13/180,156 · Granted Aug 27, 2013

Domain expert search

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,521,713
App. No.
13/180,156
Granted
Aug 27, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Expert domains for a query category represent domains from which a high percentage of search results for queries associated with the query category are retrieved. The expert domains are identified by establishing a base statistical model that indicates frequencies of appearance for domains in search results retrieved for queries corresponding to multiple categories. In addition, frequencies of domain appearance are determined for search results retrieved for queries associated with a category. Domains that appear more frequently in the search results corresponding to the category are identified as expert domains for the category. A user may be allowed to customize expert domains related to one or more categories by adding or removing expert domains for the category.

Claims (34)

1. A method for identifying an expert information source, the method comprising:

analyzing first search results obtained by a search system, the first search results including search results for at least one query associated with more than one category included in a query ontology;

based on the analysis of the first search results, determining a relative contribution by an information source to the first search results;

analyzing second search results, obtained by the search system, for queries associated with a particular category included in the query ontology, the second search results being different but not exclusive of the first search results;

based on the analysis of the second search results, determining a relative contribution by the information source to the second search results;

comparing the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results to the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results;

based on comparison results, determining whether the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results is more than a threshold greater than the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results; and

in response to determining that the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results is more than the threshold greater than the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results:

identifying the information source as an expert information source for the particular category included in the query ontology; and

storing, in electronic storage, data indicating that the information source is an expert information source for the particular category included in the query ontology.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

determining the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results includes determining a first number of the first search results provided by the information source;

determining the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results includes determining a second number of the second search results provided by the information source; and

comparing the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results to the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results includes comparing the first number with the second number.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

determining the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results includes determining a first percentage of the first search results provided by the information source;

determining the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results includes determining a second percentage of the second search results provided by the information source; and

comparing the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results to the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results includes comparing the first percentage with the second percentage.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the first search results obtained by the search system, the first search results including search results for at least one query associated with more than one category included in the query ontology includes analyzing first search results obtained by the search system for multiple queries associated with multiple categories.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the first search results obtained by the search system, the first search results including search results for at least one query associated with more than one category included in the query ontology includes analyzing first search results obtained by the search system for a single query associated with multiple categories.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the first search results obtained by the search system, the first search results including search results for at least one query associated with more than one category included in the query ontology includes analyzing first search results obtained by the search system, the first search results including search results for multiple queries that are collectively associated with all of the categories included in the query ontology.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing second search results, obtained by the search system, for queries associated with the particular category included in the query ontology, the second search results being different but not exclusive of the first search results includes analyzing second search results, obtained by the search system, for queries associated with the particular category included in the query ontology, the second search results being a subset of the first search results.

8. A system for identifying an expert information source, the system comprising:

an electronic data store configured to store information defining a query ontology;

and at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising:

analyzing first search results, the first search results including search results for at least one query associated with more than one category included in the query ontology;

based on the analysis of the first search results, determining a relative contribution by an information source to the first search results,

analyzing second search results for queries associated with a particular category included in the query ontology, the second search results being different but not exclusive of the first search results;

based on the analysis of the second search results, determining a relative contribution by the information source to the second search results;

comparing the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results to the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results;

based on comparison results, determining whether the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results is more than a threshold greater than the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results; and

in response to determining that, the relative contribution by the information source to the second search results is more than the threshold greater than the relative contribution by the information source to the first search results:

identifying the information source as an expert information source for the particular category included in the query ontology; and

storing, in the electronic data store, data indicating that the information source is an expert information source for the particular category included in the query ontology.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034544/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2013
From: AOL INC.
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029827/0274 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2011
From: CHOWDHURY, ABDUR R.; PASS, GREGORY S.; CAMPBELL, GERALD FREDERICK
To: AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026573/0574 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2011
From: AOL LLC
To: AOL INC.
Reel/Frame 026573/0761 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 11, 2011
From: AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
To: AOL LLC
Reel/Frame 026577/0597 →