Abstract:
Redirection (“biasing”) architecture that automates the selection of topical terms in a search query, and provides a user-selectable (e.g., clickable) interface which enables the user to quickly and easily re-formulate and execute a new query using terms that return more focused search results. The redirection of search by biasing the terms (strings) can also be performed by indicating that certain results are not interesting to the user. For example, one way using an existing search engine, is to apply a search operator (e.g., a hyphen) to indicate that certain terms must not occur in the search results (negation). Accordingly, by automatically selecting topical terms to negate, constructing a query, and embedding the negation in a link with each results page result, considerable manual and cognitive effort is saved.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    For queries that are ambiguous (e.g., the term jaguar possibly referring to both an animal and a car) or lead to results on various disparate topics, the user typically has to manually reformulate the query to redirect the query towards the actual intent or the topic of interest. This query redirection is usually done after the user has scanned through the results shown on the search engine results page for clues on the terms to be added. The user then manually enters additional terms into the search box and issues a new query in the hope of getting more information on the topic of interest. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0003]    The disclosed redirection (“biasing”) architecture automates the addition of topical terms to a search query, and provides a user-selectable (e.g., clickable) interface which enables the user to quickly and easily re-formulate and execute a new query using terms that return more focused search results. 
         [0004]    The redirection of search can also be performed by indicating that certain results are not interesting to the user. For example, one way using an existing search engine, is to apply a search operator (e.g., a hyphen) to indicate that certain terms must not occur in the search results (negation). Accordingly, by automatically selecting topical terms to negate, constructing a query, and embedding the negation in a link with each results page result, considerable manual and cognitive effort is saved. 
         [0005]    In one specific implementation, the user-selectable interface is a “More/None” link that is provided next to each result entry, and that the user can select (e.g., click on) to provide positive/negative feedback on each result and thereby redirect the search toward topics of interest. 
         [0006]    In support thereof, an algorithm is provided that picks topical terms from the result entry. The entry can be defined to include metadata such as a caption (which comprises a title and a snippet (a set of descriptive words from the target webpage)), potentially an image, and/or other content, and encodes the topical terms as new queries in the “More/None” link. 
         [0007]    Generally, the architecture is a mechanism that provides explicit positive and negative feedback through a link (e.g., annotated in one example as More/None) that enables similar and dissimilar tagging of query terms for a new or reformulated query. Additionally, an algorithm is disclosed for automatic selection of topical terms from the result entries (e.g., title, snippet, etc.). A query created on-the-fly is embedded in the link (e.g., similar and dissimilar) and executed when the link is selected. The architecture also determines when to show a “similar pages” link and when not to show the “similar pages” link. 
         [0008]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system where the new queries are related to the interactive parts of the relevance component. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates original search results of a results page based on an original query and the presence of relevance components for one or more of the results. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates new search results of a results page based on a new positive feedback query for the original query of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates new search results of a results page based on a new negative feedback query for the original query of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates further aspects of the method of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative method in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates further aspects of the method of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of a computing system that executes query reformulation and redirection in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The disclosed architecture reformulates an original query into new queries for more focused search results. At the time of rendering the search engine results page (SERP), the metadata for each result is analyzed. Topical terms are selected from the metadata and new queries are constructed from the original query as well as the topic terms—a new query for positive feedback and a new query for negative. 
         [0020]    In a more specific implementation, the reformulation task is automated by creating and presenting a “More/None” link next to each SERP result that the user can select to provide positive/negative feedback on each result, and thus, redirect the search toward topics of interest. Topical terms are picked from the result metadata and encoded as a new query in the “More/None” link. Each new query is embedded and a new query created on-the-fly in the result link area (to the destination webpage) of each result. 
         [0021]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Generally, the disclosed architecture operates such that at the time of rendering the search engine results page (SERP) for the results of a query, the architecture analyzes each the result (e.g., the metadata associated with each results, the metadata includes, the title, snippet, image, etc., that correspond to each result). The architecture then selects topical terms (more generally, relevance data) from the results and constructs new queries (e.g., two) from the original query as well as the topic terms. One new query can be for positive feedback (e.g., the associated interactive part annotated as “More”) and one query can be for negative feedback (e.g., the associated interactive part annotated as “None”). In other implementations, additional new queries can be formulated for the desired purposes. 
         [0023]    The architecture can also maintain a list of terms that are never to be used in formulating the new queries for a given relevance component. For example, words such as “and”, “in”, “the”, “from”, “answers”, etc., can be on the list such that these terms are never used in the new queries. If the only terms available to construct the new query are in that list, then a decision is made to not show the relevance component (using the above example, the More/None link) for that result. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, the system  100  can include a relevance component  102  (interactive link(s)) associated with each result  104  of a results page  106 . The results page is related to an original query. The relevance component  102  can comprise multiple interactive parts  108  (e.g., the More link and the None link) for feeding back (the selection of which feeds back) positive or negative data as to each result  104 . 
         [0025]    An analysis component  110  analyzes metadata associated with a given result (e.g., result  112 ) and selects topical data (e.g., terms) from the given result based on the analysis. A query formulation component  114  formulates new queries  116  (e.g., a new query  118  as a positive feedback query and a new query  120  as a negative feedback query) for association with the interactive parts  108  of the relevance component  102 . In other words, new queries are formulated for each relevance component based on the associated result. Here, the new queries  116  are formulated for the relevance component  102 . It is to be understood that other new and different queries are also generated and associated with the interactive parts of the other relevance components (e.g., a relevance component  122 ) and associated results (e.g., RESULT 2 ). 
         [0026]    A query processing component  124  processes the new query  118  (e.g., the positive feedback query) associated with an interactive part (e.g., part  126 ) in response to selection (e.g., user mouse click, voice command, etc.) of the interactive part (part  126 ), and returns new results for the new query  118 . More specifically, the relevance component  102  can comprise a positive feedback interactive part (e.g., part  126 ) and a negative feedback interactive part (e.g., part  128 ), that if either is selected, focuses a new search to a topic of interest. 
         [0027]    The metadata includes one or more a title, a snippet, and an image caption, for example, associated with the result. A relevance component (e.g., relevance component  102 ) is automatically (e.g., dynamically) associated with each result on the results page  106  when the results page  106  is rendered. The query formulation component  114  constructs the new queries  116  from the original query by adding new terms. In another embodiment, the new queries  116  can be constructed and redirected by removing old terms. Additionally, it is to be understood that both adding new terms and removing old terms can be utilized in a single implementation. The analysis component  110  creates and maintains a list  130  of terms that are not to be considered as part of the new queries  116 . 
         [0028]    The system  100  can further comprise a presentation component  132  that determines when to present the relevance component (e.g., relevance component  102 ) for a given result, and for viewing and user interaction. For example, if the terms are on the list  130 , the relevance components (and interactive parts (or links)) need not be shown to the user. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system  200  where the new queries  116  are related to the interactive parts  108  of the relevance component  102 . Specifically, the query formulation component  114  uses the original query  202  to formulate the new queries  116 . Terms of the original query  202  are analyzed (by the analysis component  110 ) and used to create the new query  118  (e.g., a positive feedback query) and the new query  120  (e.g., a negative feedback query). The new query  118  can then be associated (programmatically) with the interactive part  126 , and the new query  120  can then be associated with the interactive part  128 . When the user interacts with (selects) the interactive part  126 , the new query  118  is automatically processed to focus (redirect) the search results to user-desired topics of interest. Similarly, when the user interacts with (selects) the interactive part  128 , the new query  120  (the negative feedback query) is automatically processed to divert the search away from the existing search results of the original query, that are not topics of interest, and hence, more to the desired topics of interest. The negative feedback then facilitates adding negated terms to the list  130 . 
         [0030]    An advantage of this text-based technique versus a web-graph based technique is that the embedded queries (the interactive parts) are dependent on the original query as well as the result metadata (e.g., title, snippet). Thus, if the same result is returned for two different queries, the embedded queries are different even though the result is the same. Further, this technique scales automatically as it is created on-the-fly (dynamically) for any query-result pair. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates original search results  300  of a results page based on an original query and the presence of relevance components for one or more of the results. In this example, the original query is “grey goose”. The original results  300  show that a second result  302  and a fifth result  304  do not show associated relevance components (here, More/None links) with respect to a third result  306 , the architecture identifies the term “Framing” as a topical term, and constructs the following queries, thereby taking advantage of the search engine advanced query operators; query embedded in “More” link: grey goose rankonly:framing, and query embedded in “None” link: grey goose-framing. The first query (for the More link) is a positive feedback query that redirects the original query to more focused results that include “framing”. The second query (for the None link) is a negative feedback query that removes the term “framing” from processing of the new query. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates new search results  400  of a results page based on a new positive feedback (or redirected) query for the original query of  FIG. 3 . The new results  400  are then returned based on user interaction with the More link. Given that the original query was “grey goose”, the reformulated positive feedback query also includes these terms, as well as the term “framing”. Accordingly, all results include the term “framing” and “grey goose” in the result metadata (e.g., title, snippet, page link). 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates new search results  500  of a results page based on a new negative feedback (or redirected) query for the original query of  FIG. 3 . The new results  500  are the returned based on user interaction with the None link. Accordingly, the results can include the terms “grey goose” in the result metadata (e.g., title, snippet, page link), but not the term “framing” as specified in the negative feedback query (−framing”). 
         [0034]    Included herein is a set of flow charts representative of exemplary methodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosed architecture. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, for example, in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel implementation. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method in accordance with the disclosed architecture. At  600 , search results of a search related to a query are received. These are the original results from the original query. At  602 , an interactive relevance link (the relevance component of multiple interactive parts) is associated with each result. At  604 , metadata (e.g., title, snippet, link to target webpage, image, etc.) of the given result is analyzed. At  606 , the query (the original query) is reformulated into a new query based on the metadata. Terms taken from the original results are added into the new query string. Alternatively, the new query uses term negation to ensure that certain results are not returned by the search engine in the next pass. At  608 , the relevance link of a given result is interacted with (e.g., the user selects the More link or the None link). At  610 , the new query is processed to return new search results in response to interacting with the relevance link. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates further aspects of the method of  FIG. 6 . Note that the flow indicates that each block can represent a step that can be included, separately or in combination with other blocks, as additional aspects of the method represented by the flow chart of  FIG. 6 . At  700 , the relevance link is configured with a negative selection (e.g., a None link) that when selected indicates negative feedback for the given result. The negative feedback means that term negation is used to remove results that include the specified negated term (e.g., “-framing”). At  702 , the relevance link is configured with a positive selection that when selected indicates positive feedback for the given result. 
         [0037]    At  704 , the relevance link is interacted with to redirect the search to topics of interest via the new query. Here, the user selects the More link. At  706 , a determination is made as to when to present the relevance link for a given result. This determination is based on terms being on the list  130 . At  708 , metadata of the results is analyzed when a results page is rendered. That is, when the results page is rendered, the metadata of each result is analyzed for each corresponding result. At  710 , topical terms are selected from the given result and a positive feedback query and a negative feedback query are formulated. At  712 , a list of terms not to be used in the new query, is created and maintained. At  714 , presentation of the relevance link is prevented based on a list of terms not allowed for use in the new query. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative method in accordance with the disclosed architecture. At  800 , an interactive positive relevance link (e.g., the More link) and an interactive negative relevance link (e.g., the None link) are associated with each result of a results page. The results page lists results of a search processed for a query (the original query). At  802 , topical terms are analyzed and selected from a given result. At  804 , a positive feedback query (e.g., new query  118 ) is formulated for the positive relevance link (e.g., interactive part  126 ) and a negative feedback query (e.g., new query  120 ) is formulated for the negative relevance link (e.g., interactive part  128 ), of the given result, based on the topical terms. At  806 , a selection is made of the positive feedback relevance link or the negative relevance link of the given result. At  808 , the selection is processed to return new search results. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates further aspects of the method of  FIG. 8 . At  900 , it is determined when to present the positive relevance link and the negative relevance link for the given result. At  902 , the topical terms are analyzed and selected when the results page is rendered. At  904 , a list of terms not to be used in the positive feedback query is created and maintained, and presentation of the relevance link is prevented based on the terms on the list. 
         [0040]    As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of software and tangible hardware, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, tangible components such as a processor, chip memory, mass storage devices (e.g., optical drives, solid state drives, and/or magnetic storage media drives), and computers, and software components such as a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a data structure (stored in volatile or non-volatile storage media), a module, a thread of execution, and/or a program. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. The word “exemplary” may be used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing system  1000  that executes query reformulation and redirection in accordance with the disclosed architecture. However, it is appreciated that the some or all aspects of the disclosed methods and/or systems can be implemented as a system-on-a-chip, where analog, digital, mixed signals, and other functions are fabricated on a single chip substrate. In order to provide additional context for various aspects thereof,  FIG. 10  and the following description are intended to provide a brief, general description of the suitable computing system  1000  in which the various aspects can be implemented. While the description above is in the general context of computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that a novel embodiment also can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0042]    The computing system  1000  for implementing various aspects includes the computer  1002  having processing unit(s)  1004 , a computer-readable storage such as a system memory  1006 , and a system bus  1008 . The processing unit(s)  1004  can be any of various commercially available processors such as single-processor, multi-processor, single-core units and multi-core units. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the novel methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers (e.g., desktop, laptop, etc.), hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices. 
         [0043]    The system memory  1006  can include computer-readable storage (physical storage media) such as a volatile (VOL) memory  1010  (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) and non-volatile memory (NON-VOL)  1012  (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in the non-volatile memory  1012 , and includes the basic routines that facilitate the communication of data and signals between components within the computer  1002 , such as during startup. The volatile memory  1010  can also include a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data. 
         [0044]    The system bus  1008  provides an interface for system components including, but not limited to, the system memory  1006  to the processing unit(s)  1004 . The system bus  1008  can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), and a peripheral bus (e.g., PCI, PCIe, AGP, LPC, etc.), using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. 
         [0045]    The computer  1002  further includes machine readable storage subsystem(s)  1014  and storage interface(s)  1016  for interfacing the storage subsystem(s)  1014  to the system bus  1008  and other desired computer components. The storage subsystem(s)  1014  (physical storage media) can include one or more of a hard disk drive (HDD), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD), and/or optical disk storage drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive DVD drive), for example. The storage interface(s)  1016  can include interface technologies such as EIDE, ATA, SATA, and IEEE 1394, for example. 
         [0046]    One or more programs and data can be stored in the memory subsystem  1006 , a machine readable and removable memory subsystem  1018  (e.g., flash drive form factor technology), and/or the storage subsystem(s)  1014  (e.g., optical, magnetic, solid state), including an operating system  1020 , one or more application programs  1022 , other program modules  1024 , and program data  1026 . 
         [0047]    The operating system  1020 , one or more application programs  1022 , other program modules  1024 , and/or program data  1026  can include the entities and components of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , entities and components of the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , and methods represented by the flowcharts of  FIGS. 6-9 , for example. 
         [0048]    Generally, programs include routines, methods, data structures, other software components, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. All or portions of the operating system  1020 , applications  1022 , modules  1024 , and/or data  1026  can also be cached in memory such as the volatile memory  1010 , for example. It is to be appreciated that the disclosed architecture can be implemented with various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems (e.g., as virtual machines). 
         [0049]    The storage subsystem(s)  1014  and memory subsystems ( 1006  and  1018 ) serve as computer readable media for volatile and non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. Such instructions, when executed by a computer or other machine, can cause the computer or other machine to perform one or more acts of a method. The instructions to perform the acts can be stored on one medium, or could be stored across multiple media, so that the instructions appear collectively on the one or more computer-readable storage media, regardless of whether all of the instructions are on the same media. 
         [0050]    Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer  1002  and includes volatile and non-volatile internal and/or external media that is removable or non-removable. For the computer  1002 , the media accommodate the storage of data in any suitable digital format. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media can be employed such as zip drives, magnetic tape, flash memory cards, flash drives, cartridges, and the like, for storing computer executable instructions for performing the novel methods of the disclosed architecture. 
         [0051]    A user can interact with the computer  1002 , programs, and data using external user input devices  1028  such as a keyboard and a mouse. Other external user input devices  1028  can include a microphone, an IR (infrared) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, camera recognition systems, a stylus pen, touch screen, gesture systems (e.g., eye movement, head movement, etc.), and/or the like. The user can interact with the computer  1002 , programs, and data using onboard user input devices  1030  such a touchpad, microphone, keyboard, etc., where the computer  1002  is a portable computer, for example. 
         [0052]    These and other input devices are connected to the processing unit(s)  1004  through input/output (I/O) device interface(s)  1032  via the system bus  1008 , but can be connected by other interfaces such as a parallel port, IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, short-range wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) and other personal area network (PAN) technologies, etc. The I/O device interface(s)  1032  also facilitate the use of output peripherals  1034  such as printers, audio devices, camera devices, and so on, such as a sound card and/or onboard audio processing capability. 
         [0053]    One or more graphics interface(s)  1036  (also commonly referred to as a graphics processing unit (GPU)) provide graphics and video signals between the computer  1002  and external display(s)  1038  (e.g., LCD, plasma) and/or onboard displays  1040  (e.g., for portable computer). The graphics interface(s)  1036  can also be manufactured as part of the computer system board. 
         [0054]    The computer  1002  can operate in a networked environment (e.g., IP-based) using logical connections via a wired/wireless communications subsystem  1042  to one or more networks and/or other computers. The other computers can include workstations, servers, routers, personal computers, microprocessor-based entertainment appliances, peer devices or other common network nodes, and typically include many or all of the elements described relative to the computer  1002 . The logical connections can include wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), hotspot, and so on. LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communications network such as the Internet. 
         [0055]    When used in a networking environment the computer  1002  connects to the network via a wired/wireless communication subsystem  1042  (e.g., a network interface adapter, onboard transceiver subsystem, etc.) to communicate with wired/wireless networks, wired/wireless printers, wired/wireless input devices  1044 , and so on. The computer  1002  can include a modem or other means for establishing communications over the network. In a networked environment, programs and data relative to the computer  1002  can be stored in the remote memory/storage device, as is associated with a distributed system. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used. 
         [0056]    The computer  1002  is operable to communicate with wired/wireless devices or entities using the radio technologies such as the IEEE 802.xx family of standards, such as wireless devices operatively disposed in wireless communication (e.g., IEEE 802.11 over-the-air modulation techniques) with, for example, a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi™ (used to certify the interoperability of wireless computer networking devices) for hotspots, WiMax, and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communications can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11x (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wire networks (which use IEEE 802.3-related media and functions). 
         [0057]    What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.