IP Library Granted Patent US 9,047,377
Granted Patent B2
US 9,047,377 · App. 14/157,285 · Granted Jun 2, 2015

Method and system to combine keyword and natural language search results

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,047,377
App. No.
14/157,285
Granted
Jun 2, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method includes receiving a search query from a user interface. The method includes performing a keyword search at a computer device based on the search query to generate keyword search results. The method includes performing a natural language search of a frequently-asked question database based on the search query to generate frequently-asked question search results. The method also includes outputting a display page for display at a display device. The display page categorizes the keyword search results and the frequently-asked question search results into a plurality of categories.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a search query from a user interface;

performing a keyword search at a computer device based on the search query to generate keyword search results, wherein performing the keyword search comprises:

searching contents of a web site based on the search query; and

searching contents of multiple web sites that have been indexed by a search service;

performing a natural language search of a frequently-asked question database based on the search query to generate frequently-asked question search results; and

outputting a display page for display at a display device, wherein the display page categorizes the keyword search results and the frequently-asked question search results into a plurality of categories, wherein each category of the display page includes a category title, a first column, and a second column adjacent to the first column, wherein the first column includes a keyword search result associated with the category, and wherein the second column includes a frequently-asked question search result associated with the category, the frequently-asked question search result including a link to a question or an answer accessible from the frequently-asked question database.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein indicia of the user interface associated with an input field of the user interface indicates that a keyword, keywords, and a question are valid input types associated with the input field.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the category title for a particular category includes a selectable command to display additional results associated with the particular category, where the additional results include keyword search results and frequently-asked question search results.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising outputting a second display page for display at the display device in response to selection of the selectable command, wherein the second display page includes a pull-down menu that enables selection of a different category.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the display page includes an option that enables display of top questions from the frequently-asked question search results for all categories of the plurality of categories and options to display top questions for particular categories.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the display page includes a header, and wherein the header displays the search query.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the categories are determined based on user input prior to receiving the search query.

8. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to perform operations including:

sending a user interface to a device;

receiving a search query to search a web site from an input field of the user interface;

performing a keyword search based on the search query to generate keyword search results, wherein performing the keyword search comprises:

searching contents of a web site based on the search query; and

searching contents of multiple web sites that have been indexed by a search service;

performing a natural language search of a frequently-asked question database based on the search query to generate frequently-asked question search results; and

sending an output to the device, wherein the output includes a display page that categorizes the keyword search results and the frequently-asked question search results into categories, wherein each category of the display page includes a category title, a first column, and a second column adjacent to the first column, wherein the first column includes a keyword search result associated with the category, and wherein the second column includes a frequently-asked question search result associated with the category, the frequently-asked question search result including a link to a question or an answer accessible from the frequently-asked question database.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the categories are determined using a card sorting process prior to receiving the search query.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein indicia of the user interface associated with the input field indicates that a keyword, keywords, or a question can be entered in the input field.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the keyword search result includes a link to a corresponding web page, and wherein the first column for each category includes a limited number of keyword search results associated with the category.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second column for each category includes a limited number of frequently-asked question search results associated with the category.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the categories include a product and services category.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the categories include a corporate information category.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the categories include a help and customer support category.

16. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further include determining the categories based on user input prior to receiving the search query.

17. A computer-readable storage hardware device comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform operations including:

receiving a search query to search a web site from a user interface;

performing a keyword search based on the search query to generate keyword search results, wherein performing the keyword search comprises:

searching contents of a web site based on the search query; and

searching contents of multiple web sites that have been indexed by a search service;

performing a natural language search of a frequently-asked question database based on the search query to generate frequently-asked question search results; and

sending an output to a device, wherein the output includes a display page that categorizes the keyword search results and the frequently-asked question search results into categories, wherein each category of the display page includes a category title, a first column, and a second column adjacent to the first column, wherein the first column includes a keyword search result associated with the category, and wherein the second column includes a frequently-asked question search result associated with the category, the frequently-asked question search result including a link to a question or an answer accessible from the frequently-asked question database.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the operations further include sending a second output to the device in response to receipt of selection of a selectable option associated with the output, wherein the second output displays results for a particular category, including keyword search results in a first column of the second output adjacent to frequently-asked question search results in a second column of the second output.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein indicia of the user interface associated with an input field indicates that a keyword, keywords, or a question can be entered in the input field.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the operations further include prioritizing the categories based on a match result of each category of the categories to the search query.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2017
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
To: NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041504/0952 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031989 FRAME 0489. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 24, 2017
From: EDWARDS, GREGORY W.; NIEMEYER, JEFFREY MICHAEL; MILLER, MARY C.; JAI, YONGMEI
To: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 041466/0057 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2017
From: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 041466/0447 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2017
From: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 041466/0452 →