Content caching for fast load time

Techniques for improving content load time are described. A method comprises: receiving, from a search service, a plurality of search results in response to a search query, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; receiving, from the search service, auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service associated with the search service; and retrieving, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object in response to a selection of the result link of the at least one search result.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/CN2016/104161, filed Oct. 31, 2016, and published as WO 2018/076388 A1 on May 3, 2018, which application and publication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Internet browsing including Internet searching is becoming increasingly common in our daily life. Through the interaction with a search engine, one can easily obtain a large number of search results of his interest on the Internet. Each search result may typically include a result link to a Web page on a source Web server, among others. One may click on a result link of one search result and thus the Web page on the source Web server is loaded for further browsing. There is still much room for improvements especially regarding the browsing speed, although the rapid development of computer processing and storage capabilities, network architectures, bandwidth and the like has continually led to the entire Internet running faster than ever.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a search service, a plurality of search results in response to a search query, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; receiving, from the search service, auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service associated with the search service; and retrieving, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object in response to a selection of the result link of the at least one search result.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises: generating, in response to a search query, a plurality of search results, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; sending the plurality of search results; generating auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service; and sending the auxiliary information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for the purposes of explanation. However, it should be understood that implementations of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of the description.

References to “one implementation”, “an implementations”, “exemplary implementation”, “some implementations”, “various implementations” or the like throughout the description indicate that the implementation(s) of the invention so described may include particular features, structures or characteristics, but it is not necessarily for every implementation to include the particular features, structures or characteristics. Further, some implementations may have some, all or none of the features described for other implementations.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular implementations, “connected” is used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other, while “coupled” is used to indicate that two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical or electrical contact.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary environment100where some implementations of the disclosure may be implemented. The exemplary environment100may include a client105, a search service110, a cache service115, and one or more content sources120, which may be communicatively coupled to each other over a network125.

In an exemplary scenario of Internet searching and browsing, the search service110may be implemented as a search engine/server while the content sources120may be implemented as source Web servers that offer various content/objects, such as Web pages. For example, the search engine110may implement crawling and indexing of the Web pages on the source Web servers120. The search engine110may also perform the function of providing a list of search results, in response to a user search query. For example, the list of search results may be generated from the indexed content.

In some implementations, the cache service115may be coupled to the search service110, and it may be under the control of the search service110. In some implementations, the cache service115may be owned by the search service110, and it is possible for them to share processing resources. In some implementations, the cache service115is co-located with the search service110, and it may be implemented as a part of the search service110. In some alternative implementations, the cache service115is located elsewhere on the network125, for example, at a site closer to the client105. In some examples, the cache service115may be implemented as a cache server for storing copies of portions of the Web pages on the source Web servers, for later use when needed.

In an exemplary scenario, a user of the client105may enter, through an input mechanism, a search query (which, for example, may include one or more text keywords) into a search bar associated with the search engine110shown on a browser on the client105, which then generates and returns a plurality of search results for presenting on the client105to the user. In some examples, the plurality of search results can be contained in a search results page from the search engine110. The search results relate to those Web pages offered by the source Web servers120, which are typically ranked according to certain criteria, such as the relevancy to the text keywords entered. Each search result may include a result link to one Web page on a source Web server120and optionally, a description, summary, or snippet of that Web page being linked to, among others. In an exemplary scenario, the user may especially be interested in one of the search results, thus he may click on the result link of that one search result, and the corresponding Web page on the source Web server120is loaded onto the browser on the client105for browsing.

It could be appreciated that the client105, the search service110, the cache service115and the content sources120may be implemented by a variety of different computing devices, and the present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

Examples of the client105may include, without limitation, a mobile device, a personal digital assistant, a wearable device, a mobile computing device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a handset, a messaging device, a computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a work station, a mini-computer, a main frame computer, a supercomputer, a network appliance, a web appliance, processor-based systems, multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, programmable consumer electronics, television, digital television, set top box, or any combination thereof.

Further, while the search service110is illustrated as a single server, it would be appreciated that it can also be implemented as a server array or a server farm, or even a cluster of different entities each configured to perform the respective functions, in some implementations. Further, in some implementations, the search service110and/or the cache service115may be deployed under a distributed computing environment, and may also be implemented using cloud-computing technologies, although the present disclosure is not limited in this context. Further, in some implementations, the content source170may refer to a content delivery network (CDN) in case where it is adopted.

Although the network125is illustrated as the Internet, the network may be of a wide variety of configurations. For example, the network125may include a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, a public telephone network, an intranet, and so on. In addition, the network125may be configured to include multiple networks although a single network125is shown here.

Further, although in the above example the user search query is illustrated as one or more text keywords, which for example may be entered by the user through certain input mechanisms such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a track ball, a trackpoint, a gaming pad, a touch panel, a voice recognition component or the like, it could be appreciated that the user search query may also be one of any other types, for example, a picture (e.g., captured through a still camera), an audio clip (e.g., recorded through a microphone), a video clip (e.g., recorded through a video camera), or the like. The search query may also be any combination of these and other types of user input. The present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a search results page200in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure. In some implementations, the search results page200, which may be an exemplary form representing a plurality of search results, may be generated and provided, by the search service110ofFIG. 1, to a client105ofFIG. 1in response to a user search query sent from the client105to the search service110.

As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 2, there are 10000 search results in total, and the search results page200, which is the first one of a plurality of search results pages, includes the top three search results205,210, and215. In the illustrated example, the first search result205includes a result 1 link220and a result 1 summary225, the second search result210includes a result 2 link230and a result 2 summary235, and the third search result215includes a result 3 link240and a result 3 summary245. Each of the result links220,230,240points to an object (e.g., a Web page) on a content source130, and the corresponding one of the result summary225,235,245offers an introduction about that Web page, and/or describes briefly how it matches the user search query, among others.

It has been observed by the inventors that, although the page load time (PLT) of a search results page offered by a search engine owned by any of the major search engine providers has been reduced dramatically in recent time due to their continuous and massive investments on the improvement of search engine performance, the user may still suffer a relatively-long PLT when he clicks on a result link of one search result on the search results page in order to further browse the corresponding original Web page stored on the source Web server, especially when the source Web server has a poor performance due to various factors, e.g., limited processing capability, long distance from the user, and etc.

In some implementations of the disclosure, at least a portion of an object on a content source may be cached within the cache service115, especially under the control of the search service110, in some implementations, the object as used herein may include various types of content. Examples of the object may include a Web page, a document (e.g., a Microsoft Word document), a multimedia file (e.g., an audio file, a video file, an image file), and etc. The present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

In some implementations, it is the static content of an object that is desired to be cached within the cache service115, in some implementations, static content may refer to content that rarely changes, or does not change often. For example, the static content may be a static HTML page, a static logo in a Web page, text of news, novel, thesis, patent, or the like in a Web page, among others.

In contrast, in some implementations, dynamic content may refer to content that is to change often, or generated in real time or dynamically. For example, the dynamic content may be a search results page generated by a search engine, weather forecast in a Web page, certain content generated by a script in a Web page, personalized advertisements in a Web page, and/or any other content that is dynamically generated through the interaction with the source servers.

In some implementations where the object is a Web page, the static content of the object may refer to content contained in the HTML main document of the Web page, and in this case the dynamic content may refer to non-main document content of that Web page. From the perspective of a client, for example, the dynamic content of the Web page may refer to the content that is to be retrieved after the completion of retrieving of the HTML main document of the Web page (i.e., the static content).

Some implementations of the disclosure described herein may especially be suitable for the scenario where static content accounts for a large proportion of each of the objects stored on certain content sources, for example, various news Web pages offered by those news Web sites.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary interaction of various entities in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the entities include a client device305, a search engine310, a cache server315, and two source Web servers320-1and320-2. The client device305may be an example of the client105illustrated inFIG. 1, the search engine310may be an example of the search service110illustrated inFIG. 1, the cache server315may be an example of the cache service115illustrated inFIG. 1, while the two source Web servers320-1and320-2may be examples of the content sources120illustrated inFIG. 1.

As illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG. 3, in some implementations, the client device305may send (330) a search query entered by a user, which for example may include one or more keywords. The keyword is received by the search engine310, and as a response thereto, the search engine310generates a plurality of search results each associated with the keywords, and sends (335) back to the client device305the generated search results, which will be presented by the client device305to the user.

For ease of explanation, in the following description ofFIG. 3, we assume that there are only two search results generated by the search engine310, wherein the first one is associated with a Web page 1 on the Web server320-1, the second one is associated with a Web page 2 on the Web server320-2, and wherein, a copy of static content of the Web page 1 has already been cached within the cache server315.

In some implementations, the search engine310may also provide (340) auxiliary information to the client device305. The auxiliary information is to indicate that the cache server315has already stored the cached copy of the static content of the Web page 1. In some implementations, the auxiliary information may include an additional link to the cached copy of the static content of the Web page 1 stored within the cache server315.

In accordance with some implementations of the disclosure, in order to provide the auxiliary information, the search engine310may request and receive, from the cache server315, information indicating whether or not the cache server315has already stored the cached copy of the static content of each of the Web page 1 and the Web page 2; and the search engine310may then generate, based on the received information, the auxiliary information and provide the same to the client device305. In some alternative implementations, the search engine310may generate the auxiliary information based on relevant information it has already have, without the need of requesting such information from the cache server315at that time. The present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

In accordance with some implementations of the disclosure, since it is the first time for the second search result associated with the Web page 2 on the Web server320-2to be included in the plurality of search results (here, two search results, as described before) generated by the search engine310the cache server315hasn't stored any cached data associated with the Web page 2 yet. In this case, the search engine310may instruct (345) the cache server315to begin a caching operation to cache within the cache server315a copy of the static content of the Web page 2. Accordingly, the cache server315requests (350) and then receives (355) the static content of the Web page 2 from the Web server320-2, and the received static content is to be cached within the cache server315as a copy. The search engine310will then be informed (360) of this.

Turning now back to the client side, for example, the user who is viewing the two search results being presented by the client device305may be interested in the first search result associated with the Web page 1 and thus clicks on the corresponding result link to the Web page 1 on the Web server320-1. In accordance with some implementations, the client device305then determines, based on the received auxiliary information, that the cached copy of the Web page 1 has already been stored within the cache server315.

In this case, instead of retrieving the entire Web page 1 from the Web server320-1via the corresponding result link to the Web page 1 on the Web server320-1on which the user has just clicked, the client, device305will retrieve (365,370) the cached copy of the static content of the Web page 1 from within the cache server315. As for the remaining portion, i.e., the dynamic content of the Web page 1, it is to be retrieved (375,380) by the client device305from the source Web server320-1. The thus-retrieved cached copy of the static content and the retrieved dynamic content, which collectively constitute the entire Web page 1, will be presented by the client device305to the user. That is, at least a portion of the Web page 1 (i.e., the static content thereof) is actually retrieved from the cache server315rather than the Web server320-1, thus a much faster PLT for the Web page 1 can be achieved for the user, although from his perspective he is still visiting the Web server320-1for the entire Web page 1. Therefore, the user experience is enhanced in a manner that is unperceivable to the user.

As another example, if the user chooses to click on the result link of the second search result associated with the Web page 2 for which no cached data has been stored within the cache server315yet, as indicated by the received auxiliary information, the entire Web page 2 will still be retrieved (385,390) from the source Web server320-2, for presenting to the user.

It could be appreciated that the operations described herein can be implemented by software program executed on the respective entities, in some implementations. In some examples, those operations described with respect to the client device305could also be implemented in software, such as a browser-like or browser-based application, or even one or more components/modules included in an application. In some examples, one or more of the components/modules could be embodied as a plug-in, an extension, a proxy, or the like. Similarly, those operations described with respective the search engine310could also be implemented in software.

It should be noted that these operations330-390are described herein for the purpose of illustration only, and not every one of them is necessary for implementing a specific implementation of the present disclosure. Further, although operations330-390are illustrated as separate actions that are executed with different timing by reference to the flow chartFIG. 3, many alternatives are also possible, and the present disclosure should not be limited in the regard.

In some implementations, for example, the operations335and340, i.e., the sending of the search results and the sending of the auxiliary information by the search engine310, may be combined into one action. In some implementations, for example, the above-described operations335and340, and the operation345of instructing the cache server315to begin a caching operation, all of which are performed by the search engine310, may occur simultaneously. In some implementations, as an example, the operation365of requesting the cached copy of the static content of the Web page 1 from the cache server315and the operation375of requesting the dynamic content of the same Web page 1 from the source Web server320-1, may also be performed by the client device305simultaneously.

In accordance with some implementations, the search engine310instructs the cache server315to initiate a caching operation to cache, within the cache server315, a copy of the static content of the Web page 2 on the Web server320-2, when a search result corresponding to this Web page 2 is included, for the first time, in the plurality of search results generated by the search engine310. This enables the caching mechanism according to some implementations of the present disclosure to operate in an effective and efficient manner.

More particularly, the cache server315is not required to store a large amount of cached data which people may have a low interest in and thus may rarely or may even never search for it. What have already been and what is to be cached within the cache server315are the content that is anticipated to be accessed quite frequently, from the perspective of the search engine310, especially considering that the search engine310may process a huge number of the same or similar search queries every time, which is particularly true for certain type of Web content, for example but not limited to, news.

In accordance with some implementations, while the first user who sees a plurality of search results including for the first time a particular search result may not enjoy a faster PLT when he clicks on the result link of the particular search result, as the at least part of the object/content (that the result link points to has not yet been cached within the cache server315at that time, it will benefit many people who may submit the same or similar search queries subsequently because a caching operation has been triggered to cache at least a portion of the object/content corresponding to the particular search result, in response to the search engine310generating the search results for the first user, according to the caching mechanism described above.

Moreover, the first user himself is also likely to benefit from this, as it is often the case that the same user may submit the same or similar search queries to the search engine310within a short period in the real environment.

It should be noted that, while the above description illustrates the copy of the static content of the Web page 2 is to be cached within the cache server315upon the instruction from the search engine310when the search result associated with the Web page 2 is included, for the first time, in the plurality of search results generated by the search engine310in response to the search query, other policies for caching the copy of the static content of the Web page 2 are also possible. In some implementations, the cache server315may begin to cache the copy of the static content of the Web page 2 on its own initiative, without the need of receiving instruction(s) from the search engine310. In some other implementations, the search engine310may instruct the cache server315to cache the copy of the static content of the Web page 2 at different timing from the above illustrated. The present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

FIG. 4illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method400according to some implementations of the present disclosure. For example, the method400may be implemented in the client105illustrated inFIG. 1, the client device305inFIG. 3, or any similar entity(s).

The method400begins with Step405, where a user input is received. The method then proceeds to Step410, where a search query corresponding to the received user input is sent to a search service (e.g., the search service110illustrated inFIG. 1) via a network (e.g., the network125illustrated inFIG. 1).

In Step415, a plurality of search results are received from the search service. The search results are generated by the search service in response to the search query sent thereto. Each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object that is stored on a content source (e.g., one of the content sources120illustrated inFIG. 1) and that is relevant to the search query.

In Step420, auxiliary information is received from the search service, in addition to the search results received in Step415. In some implementations of the disclosure, the received auxiliary information is to indicate, for at least one of the plurality of search results received in Step415, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to has already been cached within a cache service associated with the search service, e.g., the cache service115illustrated inFIG. 1.

In Step425, the search results received in Step415are presented to the user, for example, via a display. Then in Step430, a selection on the result link of one of the plurality of search results being presented is received from the user. In some implementations, the selection by the user may include the user's click on the result link of that one search result.

The method400proceeds to Step435. In this step, it is, judged whether or not a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link selected by the user in Step430points to has already been cached within the cache service, based on the auxiliary information received in Step420, or in other words, it is judged whether or not the selected result link is the result link of one of the at least one search result indicated by the received auxiliary information. If the answer to the judgement is negative, that is, the cache service has no copy of at least a portion of the object that the selected result link points to, then in Step440, the entire object that the selected result link points to is retrieved from the corresponding content source.

In Step445, the retrieved object is presented to the user, for example, via a display. Then the method400may finish. In some implementations, the object may include a Web page.

On the other hand, if the answer to the judgement of Step435is positive, that is, the cache service do have a cached copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link selected by the user in Step430points to, as indicated by the auxiliary information, then the method400proceeds to Step450. In Step450, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object that the selected result link points to is retrieved from the cache service. In some implementations, it is the static content of the object that has been cached within the cache service and is to be retrieved later when necessary, as described before.

Then in Step455, the remaining portion of the object that the selected result link points to, if any, is retrieved from the corresponding content source. In some implementations, the remaining portion of the object may refer to the dynamic content of the object.

The method400proceeds to Step460, where the cached copy of at least the portion of the object retrieved from the cache service in Step450and the remaining portion of the same object retrieved from the content source in Step455(if any), which may collectively constitute the complete object, are presented to the user, for example, via a display. Then the method400may finish.

FIG. 5illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method500according to some implementations of the present disclosure. For example, the method500may be implemented in the search service110illustrated inFIG. 1, the search engine310inFIG. 3, or any similar entity(s).

The method500begins with Step505, where a search query is received, for example, from a client (e.g., the client105illustrated inFIG. 1) via a network (e.g., the network125illustrated inFIG. 1).

Then the method500proceeds to Step510. In this step, a plurality of search results are generated as a response to the search query received in Step505. As described before, each of the plurality of search results includes a result link to an object that is stored on a content source (e.g., one of the content sources120illustrated inFIG. 1) and that is relevant to the search query. In some implementations, each of the search results may further include other types of information, for example, a result summary which may offer an introduction about the corresponding object stored on the content source, and/or may briefly describe how this object matches the search query, although the present disclosure is not limited in this context. In some implementations, the object may include a Web page, as described before.

In Step515, the search results generated in Step510are sent back to the client.

In Step520, auxiliary information is generated, in addition to the search results generated in Step510. As described before, in some implementations, the generated auxiliary information is to indicate that, for at least one of the plurality of search results generated in Step510, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to has already been cached within a cache service, e.g., the cache service115illustrated inFIG. 1which is associated with the search service110.

In some implementations, the auxiliary information may also include other types of information. For example, it may include, for the at least one search result, an additional link to a copy, cached within the cache service, of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to. Further, in an example, at least the portion of the object that has been cached within the cache service may include the static content of the corresponding object, as described before.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, the generating of the auxiliary information may comprise receiving, from the cache service, information indicating that for each of the plurality of search results, whether or not the cache service has already stored. The cached copy of the static content of the object that the result link of the each search result points to. And the generating of the auxiliary information may further comprise generating the auxiliary information based on the received information. The present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

Then in Step525, the auxiliary information generated in Step520is sent to the client.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, the method500may further proceed to Step530, where the cache service is instructed to initiate, for each of the plurality of search results other than the at least one search result indicated in the auxiliary information, a caching, operation to cache, within the cache service, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the each search result points to. In other words, in case where there is any search result, from among the plurality of search results generated in Step510, that doesn't have within the cache service a cached copy of at least the portion of the object that the result link of such a search result points to, the cache service is instructed to initiate a caching operation for the search result, to cache the copy of at least the portion of the corresponding object.

Later in Step535, a notification of the result of the caching operation is received from the cache service. And then, the method500may finish. In some implementations, the search service may confirm, from the notification, that the caching operation has been completed successfully. In some implementations, the notification may include a link to the cached copy of at least the portion of the object that the result link points to, within the cache service. In some implementations, the notification may include the timestamp of the cached copy of at least the portion of the object that the result link points to. Other types of information, for example regarding the caching operation and/or the cached copy, may be indicated in the notification as well. Further, while it is illustrated in the above that after instructing the cache service, the search service will receive a notification of the caching operation result from the cache service as a response, it would be appreciated that some other types of notification/confirmation mechanisms are also possible, and the present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

It would be appreciated that although the operations of the exemplary method400or500are shown in a sequential order, some of the operations may be performed simultaneously, in parallel, or in a different order. For example, the operations in Steps450and455, and/or the operations in Steps415and420may be performed simultaneously or inversely. For example, the operations in Steps440and445, and/or the operations in Steps450,455and460, may be performed simultaneously. For example, the operations in Steps510,520and530, and/or the operations in Steps515and525, may be performed simultaneously. It should be noted that the method400or500is merely exemplary and not limiting, and not every operation described herein is necessary for implementing a specific implementation of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the method400may include, for example, presenting to the user the cached copy of at least the portion of the object that the selected result link points to, as retrieved in Step450, in a front view of a user interface. This type of the front view is viewable to the user.

In some implementations, instead of the Step455of retrieving only the remaining portion of the object that the selected result link points to from the corresponding content source and the Step460of presenting both the cached copy of at least the portion of the object and the remaining portion of the same object, the method400may include, for example, retrieving the entire object that the selected result link points to from the corresponding content source and presenting the retrieved object in a back view of the user interface. The back view is underneath the front view and thus is not viewable to the user.

The method400may then include, for example, switching the presenting of the retrieved object from the back view to the front view of the user interface, thus the entire object retrieved from the corresponding content source becomes viewable, in lieu of the cached copy of at least the portion of the same object retrieved from the cache service.

With such arrangements, the user may first retrieve a cached copy of at least a portion (for example, static content) of the object from the cache service, enjoying a much faster load time due to the high performance of the cache service which for example is owned by the search service, thus he is able to browse the retrieved static content in a short time. Meanwhile, the entire object is being retrieved from the content source and presented in the back view, as a type of background task. Once the entire object has been retrieved completely, it will be switched to foreground, i.e., to be presented in the front view. Such a switching may be unperceivable to the user, thus enhancing the user experience.

In some implementations, the Step530in the exemplary method500described above may further comprise, for each of the plurality of search results other than the at least one search result indicated in the auxiliary information, determining if at least one performance measurement of the cache service is better than that of the content source corresponding to the result link of the each search result, and if so, instructing the cache service to initiate the caching operation to cache the copy of at least the portion of the object that the result link points to. In some implementations, the performance measurement may include a response time, and/or available bandwidth, and/or the like. For example, the search service may choose to utilize the cache service only if the cache service can offer better user experience than a corresponding content source.

In some implementations, the exemplary method500may further comprise instructing the cache service to replace a cached copy of at least a portion of an object with an updated or newer copy of at least the portion of the same object, based on one or more criteria. In some implementations, such criteria may include a predetermined time interval, and/or a predetermined number of times that the cached copy has been accessed, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the exemplary method500may further comprise instructing the cache service to remove a cached copy of at least a portion of an object, based on one or more criteria. In some implementations, such criteria may include a LRU (least recently used) policy, although the present disclosure is not limited in this context.

Other types of mechanisms that could enable the cache service to operate more effectively and efficiently are also possible.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus600in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure. For example, the apparatus600may be implemented in the client105illustrated inFIG. 1, the client device305inFIG. 3, or any similar entity(s).

The apparatus600may comprise a search results receiving module605to receive, from a search service, a plurality of search results in response to a search query, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source.

The apparatus600may further comprise an auxiliary information receiving module610to receive, from the search service, auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service associated with the search service.

The apparatus600may further comprise a cached copy retrieving module615to retrieve, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object in response to a selection of the result link of the at least one search result.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus700in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure. For example, the apparatus700may be implemented in the search service110illustrated inFIG. 1, the search engine310inFIG. 3, or any similar entity(s).

The apparatus700may comprise a search results generating module705to generate, in response to a search query, a plurality of search results, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source.

The apparatus700may further comprise a search results sending module710to send the plurality of search results.

The apparatus700may comprise an auxiliary information generating module715to generate auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service.

The apparatus700may further comprise an auxiliary information sending module720to send the auxiliary information.

The apparatus600and the apparatus700may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. It could be appreciated that although the apparatus600is illustrated to contain module605,610, and615while the apparatus700is illustrated to contain module705,710,715, and720, more or less modules may be included in each of the apparatuses600and700. For example, the apparatus600may comprise other modules, or its existing one or more modules may be further configured to perform other actions that have been described with reference to the exemplary method400, and/or anywhere in the description. Similarly, the apparatus700may comprise other modules, or its existing one or more modules may be further configured to perform other actions that have been described with reference to the exemplary method500, and/or anywhere in the description.

Turn now toFIG. 8, where a block diagram of an exemplary computing device800in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated. As illustrated herein, the computing device800may comprise one or more processing units805and a memory810. The one or more processing units805may include any type of general-purpose processing units/cores (for example, but not limited to (CPU, GPU), or application-specific processing units, cores, circuits, controllers or the like. The memory810may include any type of medium that may be used to store data. The memory810is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processing units805to perform operations of any method described herein, e.g., the exemplary method400, the exemplary method500, or the like.

Some implementations of the present disclosure may comprise an article of manufacture. An article of manufacture may comprise a storage medium to store logic. Examples of a storage medium may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing electronic data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable writeable or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of the logic may include various software elements, such as software components, programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, system programs, machine programs, operating system software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, for example, an article of manufacture may store executable computer program instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to perform methods and/or operations described herein. The executable computer program instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The executable computer program instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a computer to perform a certain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language.

Some implementations of the present disclosure described herein are listed below.

In some implementations, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a search service, a plurality of search results in response to a search query, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; receiving, from the search service, auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service associated with the search service; and retrieving, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object in response to a selection of the result link of the at least one search result.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: retrieving, from the content source, the remaining portion of the object.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: presenting the cached copy of at least the portion of the object and the remaining portion of the object.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: presenting, in a front view of a user interface, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: retrieving the object from the content source; and presenting the object in a back view of the user interface.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: switching the presenting of the object to the front view of the user interface.

In some implementations, at least the portion of the object includes static content of the object.

In some implementations, the object includes a Web page.

In some implementations, the auxiliary information includes an additional link associated with the at least one search result, the additional link pointing to the cached copy of at least the portion of the object.

In some implementations, the retrieving further comprises: retrieving, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object via the additional link.

In some implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a search results receiving module to receive, from a search service, a plurality of search results in response to a search query, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; an auxiliary information receiving module to receive, from the search service, auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service associated with the search service; and a cached copy retrieving module to retrieve, from the cache service, the cached copy of at least the portion of the object in response to a selection of the result link of the at least one search result.

In some implementations, a method is provided. The method comprises: generating, in response to a search query, a plurality of search results, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; sending the plurality of search results; generating auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service; and sending the auxiliary information.

In some implementations, the generating of the auxiliary information further comprises: receiving, from the cache service, information indicating whether or not a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of each of the plurality of search results points to is cached within the cache service; and generating the auxiliary information based on the received information.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: instructing the cache service to initiate, for each of the plurality of search results other than the at least one search result, a caching operation to cache within the cache service a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the each search result points to.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving, from the cache service, a notification of the result of the caching operation.

In some implementations, the instructing further comprises: determining if at least one performance measurement of the cache service is better than that of the content source corresponding to the result link; and if so, instructing the cache service to initiate the caching operation to cache the copy of at least the portion of the object.

In some implementations, the method further comprises: instructing the cache service to replace a cached copy of at least a portion of an object with an updated copy of at least the portion of the same object, based on one or more first criteria; or instructing the cache service to remove the cached copy of at least the portion of the object, based on one or more second criteria.

In some implementations, at least the portion of the object includes static content of the object, and wherein the object includes a Web page.

In some implementations, the auxiliary information includes an additional link associated with the at least one search result, the additional link pointing to the cached copy of at least the portion of the object.

In some implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a search results generating module to generate, in response to a search query, a plurality of search results, wherein each of the plurality of search results includes a result link pointing to an object stored on a content source; a search results sending module to send the plurality of search results; an auxiliary information generating module to generate auxiliary information indicating that, for at least one of the plurality of search results, a copy of at least a portion of the object that the result link of the at least one search result points to is cached within a cache service; and an auxiliary information sending module to send the auxiliary information.

In some implementations, a computing device is provided. The computing device comprises: one or more processing units; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processing units to perform any method described herein.

In some implementations, a non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium is provided. The storage medium has instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processing unit, causing the at least one processing unit to perform operations of any method described herein.