Method, system and recording medium for providing real-time change in search result

A search result providing method and a system provide a real-time change in a search result. The search result method may include receiving a keyword; extracting social network service (SNS) contents corresponding to the keyword by conducting a search on contents registered to an SNS platform; determining a ranking of each of the SNS contents based on user feedback information and newness information of each of the SNS contents; and providing a search result associated with the keyword by selecting and sorting SNS contents to be displayed on a user terminal based on the rankings. The extracting and the determining may be repeatedly performed, and the providing may include dynamically moving the locations of SNS contents within the search result by selecting and sorting the SNS contents to be displayed on the user terminal based on a real-time change in the rankings by the repeatedly performing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0102812 filed Jul. 21, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

One or more example embodiments relate to technology for providing a search result associated with a keyword.

Description of Related Art

Currently, with a variety of image-based services being provided, there is an increase in the user need for searching for contents associated with an image found on the Internet.

A general image search service sorts images attached with information, for example, a tag, a name, annotation, etc., that matches a keyword input from a user based on a preset criterion, and provides the sorted images. The general image search has some constraints in providing an expanded service.

In particular, existing image search services may not consider a change in a search result occurring due to an elapse of time. Thus, once a search result associated with a keyword input from a user is provided, the search result may not vary without an additional action of the user.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a search result providing method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for providing a search result in which a time-dependent real-time change aspect is applied.

One or more exemplary embodiments also provide a search result providing method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for dynamically providing a search result associated with a keyword based on the newness and popularity.

One or more exemplary embodiments also provide a search result providing method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for combining a social network service (SNS) with a search service and applying a document on the SNS to a search result to real time.

At least one exemplary embodiment provides a search result providing method implemented in a computer, the method including receiving a keyword; extracting SNS contents corresponding to the keyword by conducting a search on contents registered to an SNS platform; determining a ranking of each of the SNS contents based on user feedback information and newness information of each of the SNS contents; and providing a search result associated with the keyword by selecting and sorting SNS contents to be displayed on a user terminal based on the rankings. The extracting and the determining is repeatedly performed, and the providing includes dynamically moving locations of SNS contents within the search result by selecting and sorting the SNS contents to be displayed on the user terminal based on a real-time change in the rankings by the repeated performing of the extracting and the determining processes.

The extracting may include selecting at least one tag associated with the keyword, and extracting an image attached with the tag on the SNS platform.

The determining may include calculating ranking scores for determining a ranking based on user feedback count, a first time, and a second time with respect to each of the SNS contents, the first time denoting a time elapsed after receiving a recent user feedback and the second time denoting a time elapsed from a point in time at which corresponding content is created or registered.

The determining may further include calculating the ranking scores by applying, to the second time, a weight of a third time that denotes a standard time for determining the newness of the SNS content.

The determining may further include calculating the ranking scores by applying, to the first time, a weight of a fourth time that denotes an initial display maintain time for guaranteeing an initial display time of the SNS content.

The determining may include calculating user feedback count, a first time, and a second time with respect to each of the SNS contents, the first time denoting a time elapsed after receiving a recent user feedback and the second time denoting a time elapsed from a point in time at which corresponding content is created or registered; determining whether the second time has passed a third time that denotes a standard time for determining the newness of the SNS content; setting a weight value in proportion to an elapsed time of the second time as a first weight of the third time if the second time has passed the third time; and setting a default value as the first weight of the third time if the second time has not passed the third time.

The determining may further include determining whether the first time has passed a fourth time that denotes an initial display maintain time for guaranteeing an initial display time of the SNS content; setting a weight value to be in inverse proportion to the user feedback count and in proportion to the first weight as a second weight of the fourth time if the first time has passed the fourth time; and setting a default value as the second weight of the fourth time if the first time has not passed the fourth time. Ranking scores for determining the ranking may be calculated by applying the first weight of the third time and the second weight of the fourth time.

The determining may further include calculating initial ranking scores of the SNS content by adding the user feedback count and the first weight; calculating final ranking scores of the SNS content by adding a value acquired by applying the second weight to an elapsed time of the first time if the first time has passed the fourth time, the initial ranking scores, and the fourth time; and calculating the final ranking scores of the SNS content by adding the initial ranking scores and the first time if the first time has not passed the fourth time.

The providing may include sorting the SNS contents based on the rankings, and providing a desired number of top ranking SNS contents as the search result.

The extracting and the determining may be repeatedly performed at unit times with respect to the keyword, and the providing may include dynamically moving the locations of SNS contents within the search result based on the rankings determined at unit times.

At least one exemplary embodiment also provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computer system to provide a search result. The instructions control the computer system to perform a method including receiving a keyword; extracting SNS contents corresponding to the keyword by conducting a search on contents registered to an SNS platform; determining a ranking of each of the SNS contents based on user feedback information and newness information of each of the SNS contents; and providing a search result associated with the keyword by selecting and sorting SNS contents to be displayed on a user terminal based on the rankings, and the extracting and the determining is repeatedly performed, and the providing includes dynamically moving locations of SNS contents within the search result by selecting and sorting the SNS contents to be displayed on the user terminal based on a real-time change in the rankings by the repeated performing of the extracting and the determining processes.

At least one exemplary embodiment also provides a search result providing system including an extractor unit configured to extract SNS contents corresponding to a keyword by conducting a search on contents registered to an SNS platform, in response to receiving the keyword; a calculator unit configured to calculate ranking scores of each of the SNS contents based on user feedback information and newness information of each of the SNS contents; and a provider unit configured to provide a search result associated with the keyword by selecting and sorting SNS contents to be displayed on a user terminal based on the rankings. A content extraction process of the extractor unit and a ranking calculation process of the calculator unit are repeatedly performed, and the provider unit is further configured to dynamically move locations of SNS contents within the search result by selecting and sorting the SNS contents to be displayed on the user terminal based on a real-time change in the rankings by the repeated performing of the content extraction process and the ranking calculation process.

The extractor unit may be further configured to select at least one tag associated with the keyword, and to extract an image attached with the tag on the SNS platform.

The calculator unit may be further configured to calculate ranking scores for determining a ranking based on user feedback count, a first time, and a second time with respect to each of the SNS contents, the first time denoting a time elapsed after receiving a recent user feedback and the second time denoting a time elapsed from a point in time at which corresponding content is created or registered.

The calculator unit may be further configured to calculate the ranking scores by applying, to the second time, a weight of a third time that denotes a standard time for determining the newness of the SNS content.

The calculator unit may be further configured to calculate the ranking scores by applying, to the first time, a weight of a fourth time that denotes an initial display maintain time for guaranteeing an initial display time of the SNS content.

The calculator unit may be further configured to calculate user feedback count, a first time, and a second time with respect to each of the SNS contents, the first time denoting a time elapsed after receiving a recent user feedback and the second time denoting a time elapsed from a point in time at which corresponding content is created or registered; determine whether the second time has passed a third time that denotes a standard time for determining the newness of the SNS content; set a weight value in proportion to an elapsed time of the second time as a first weight of the third time if the second time has passed the third time; and set a default value as the first weight of the third time if the second time has not passed the third time.

The calculator unit may be further configured to determine whether the first time has passed a fourth time that denotes an initial display maintain time for guaranteeing an initial display time of the SNS content; set a weight value to be in inverse proportion to the user feedback count and in proportion to the first weight as a second weight of the fourth time if the first time has passed the fourth time; set a default value as the second weight of the fourth time if the first time has not passed the fourth time; and calculate ranking scores for determining a ranking by applying the first weight of the third time and the second weight of the fourth time.

The calculator unit may be further configured to calculate initial ranking scores of the SNS content by adding the user feedback count and the first weight; calculate final ranking scores of the SNS content by adding a value acquired by applying the second weight to an elapsed time of the first time if the first time has passed the fourth time, the initial ranking scores, and the fourth time; and calculate the final ranking scores of the SNS content by adding the initial ranking scores and the first time if the first time has not passed the fourth time.

A content extraction process of the extractor unit and a ranking calculation process of the calculator unit may be repeatedly performed at unit times with respect to the keyword, and the provider unit may be further configured to dynamically move the locations of SNS contents within the search result based on the rankings determined at unit times.

According to some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide a new type of search result by providing a search result in which a time-dependent real-time change aspect is applied and by introducing a time concept to the search result.

Also, according to some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to apply real-time content to a search result by providing a dynamic search result in which the newness and the popularity are applied in association with a keyword, without an additional action after a keyword input from a user.

Also, according to some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an expanded search service by combining an SNS with a search service and by including, in the search result, SNS documents that vary in real time.

It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of methods and/or structure utilized in certain exemplary embodiments and to supplement the written description provided below. These drawings are not, however, to scale and may not precisely reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any given embodiment, and should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the range of values or properties encompassed by example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The exemplary embodiments relate to technology for providing a search result corresponding to a search query of a user, and may be applicable to a search engine system that provides a search service, a portable service, and the like.

The term “document” used herein indicates any type of data that is a search target in a search engine, and may include, as the search target, typical data, such as a database, atypical data, such as web data on a blog, a bulletin board, etc., and the like.

The term “image” used herein may include any type of images that may be visualized through media, such as a photo, a video, and the like, and may indicate any type of materials configured in an image form among contents present on the Internet.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result providing environment according to one exemplary embodiment.FIG. 1illustrates a user terminal101, a social network system102, and a search result providing system100. InFIG. 1, indicators with arrowheads may indicate that data may be transmitted and received between constituent elements over a wired/wireless network10.

The user terminal101may execute one or more processes that are configured to perform at least one of features described herein. The user terminal101may indicate any type of mobile devices capable of connecting to a website/mobile site associated with the search result providing system100or installing and executing a service exclusive application. Here, the user terminal101may perform the overall service operation, such as service screen configuration, data input, data transmission and reception, data storage, and the like, under control of the website/mobile site or the exclusive application.

For example, the user terminal101may be a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable computer, a personal computer (PC), a notebook computer, a laptop computer, and the like, however, is not limited thereto.

The user terminal101may be directly or indirectly coupled with the network10, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), and the like. For example, a PC and a notebook computer may be directly connected to the network10through a wired network connection. A laptop computer may be wirelessly connected to the network10through a wireless communication channel set between the laptop computer and a wireless access point (WAP). A smartphone may be wirelessly connected to the network10through a wireless communication channel set between the smartphone and a cellular network/bridge. Here, the network10may communicate with one or more secondary networks (not shown), for example, a LAN, a wide area network (WAN), or the Intranet, however, is not limited thereto.

The user terminal101may interface with the search result providing system100over the network10.

The search result providing system100may execute one or more processes that are configured to perform at least one of the features described herein. The search result providing system100may provide a search service to the user terminal101corresponding to a client. Here, the search result providing system100serves as a search engine that provides a search result in response to a keyword input from a user.

In particular, when providing a search result associated with a keyword as a newly expanded concept of search service, the search result providing system100may provide a search environment capable of providing a search result in which a time-dependent real-time change aspect is applied.

The social network system102serves as a service platform that provides a social network service (SNS) to the user terminal101corresponding to a client. For example, the social network system102is configured to provide a community service based on a matter of interest using images, for example, photos, videos, and the like. Thus, the social network system102may provide a community space for sharing an image taken or created by the user with other users and viewing images of other users. In addition, various types of documents such as a text, a voice, and the like, may be used for a target to be shared on the SNS.

Further, the search result providing system100may include a document on an SNS (hereinafter, also referred to as an SNS document), for example, an image in a search result associated with the keyword in conjunction with the social network system102. In particular, the search result providing system100may provide a dynamic search result by applying, to the SNS document, the newness and the popularity that varies in real time.

The search result providing system100and the social network system102may be configured as separate platforms by providing different services in independent environments. The search result providing system100may provide a search environment in which a search result associated with a keyword varies in real time by coupling with a social networking environment in conjunction with the social network system102.

The search result providing system100corresponds to a server computer, for example, a server computing device, a PC, a series of server computers, a mini computer, and/or a main frame computer, however, is not limited thereto. The server computer may be a distributive system, and operations of the server computer may be simultaneously and/or sequentially executed on one or more processors.

The search result providing system100may be configured in a form of an application in which at least a portion of the constituent elements are installed on the user terminal101. Without being limited thereto, the search result providing system100may be included in a platform that provides a search service in a client-server environment.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the search result providing system100according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2, the search result providing system100includes a processor210, a bus220, a network interface230, and a memory240. The memory240may include an operating system (OS)241and a search result providing routine242. The processor210may include an extractor unit211, a calculator unit212, and a provider unit213. According to other example embodiments, the search result providing system100may include a greater or lesser number of constituent elements than the number of constituent elements shown inFIG. 2.

The memory240may include a permanent mass storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a disk drive, etc., as a computer-readable storage medium. Also, program codes (e.g., computer-readable instructions) for the OS241and the search result providing routine242may be stored in the memory240. Such software constituent elements may be loaded from another computer-readable storage medium separate from the memory240using a drive mechanism (not shown). The other computer-readable storage medium may include, for example, a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, etc. Software constituent elements may be loaded to the memory240through the network interface230instead of, or in addition to, the computer-readable storage medium.

The bus220enables communication and data transmission between the constituent elements of the search result providing system100. The bus220may be configured using a high-speed serial bus, a parallel bus, a storage area network (SAN), and/or another appropriate communication technology.

The network interface230may be a computer hardware constituent element for connecting the search result providing system100to the computer network. The network interface230may connect the search result providing system100to the computer network through a wireless and/or wired connection.

The processor210may be configured to process computer-readable instructions of a computer program by performing a basic arithmetic operation, a logic operation, and an input/output operation of the search result providing system100. The computer-readable instructions may be provided from the memory240and/or the network interface230to the processor210through the bus220. The processor210may be configured to execute program codes for the extractor unit211, the calculator unit212, and the provider unit213. The program codes may be stored in a storage device, such as the memory240.

The extractor unit211, the calculator unit212, and the provider unit213may be configured to perform operations of a search result providing method ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating a search result providing method according to one exemplary embodiment. Operations of the search result providing method may be performed by the extractor unit211, the calculator unit212, and the provider unit213ofFIG. 2.

In operation310, in response to a keyword input from a user terminal, the extractor unit211extracts a document corresponding to the keyword. The extractor unit211may extract a document(s) that matches the keyword from among SNS documents in conjunction with a social network system102. That is, the extractor unit211may extract a search result associated with the keyword input from a user of the user terminal101and in this instance, may include the extracted document(s) in the search result associated with the keyword in conjunction with the social network system102.

For example, the extractor unit211may extract an image(s) attached information, for example, a tag, a name, a comment, etc., that matches the keyword input from the user, from the SNS documents. The extractor unit211may select the input keyword as a representative tag for an image search and may extract an image(s) attached with the selected tag as the search result. The extractor unit211may expand the search result by selecting a related tag associated with the keyword and by extracting an image. For example, if a preset or less number of documents are extracted as the search result using the representative tag, the extractor unit211may expand the search result through an additional search using the related tag.

In operation320, the calculator unit212may calculate ranking scores based on a user feedback for each document extracted in operation310. Here, a user reaction to a corresponding document is applied to ranking scores for each document. The ranking scores may be acquired by calculating a factor associated with at least one of popularity and the newness of the document as scores.

For example, the calculator unit211may calculate ranking scores for each document by using at least one of the factors that include a number of times f that feedback, for example, ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘mark’, etc., from users about a corresponding document are received (hereinafter, “feedback count”), a time tfelapsed after receiving the most recent/last feedback (hereinafter, “first time”), and a time tcelapsed from a point in time at which the corresponding document is created or registered (hereinafter, “second time”). Here, the feedback count f and the first time tfmay be used as a factor associated with the popularity and the second time tcmay be used as a factor associated with the newness.

In operation330, the provider unit213may sort documents based on ranking scores and may provide the sorted documents as the search result associated with the keyword. For example, the provider unit213may sort documents associated with the keyword in ascending order of the ranking scores and may display a preset number of, for example, nine top ranking documents as a final search result. Ranking scores to which the popularity and the newness are applied may be a standard used to determine a display ranking of a document. The lower the ranking scores, the higher the ranking of the document. The higher the ranking scores, the lower the ranking of the document. That is, according to an increase in the feedback count f and according to a decrease in the first time tfand the second time tc, ranking scores decreases and the corresponding document is displayed in a relatively high ranking. Conversely, according to an increase in ranking scores, the corresponding document falls in the display rankings.

Operation310(hereinafter, also referred to as document extraction process310) and operation320(hereinafter, also referred to as ranking score calculation process320) may be repeated at intervals of a unit time, for example, 1 second. If a document sorting location varies based on ranking scores for each document, the provider unit213may dynamically update the search result by moving a document location to be displayed as a final search result and by applying the newness and the popularity of the document in real time.

In particular, the provider unit213may classify and thereby provide the search result associated with the keyword into a predetermined (or, alternatively, desired) collection, for example, news, images, a dictionary, etc. Here, the provider unit213may classify and thereby provide, into a separate area, SNS documents among documents included in the search result. The provider unit213may display a real-time change in display rankings of documents based on the newness and the popularity on a search result display area including SNS documents instead of refreshing a search result page associated with the keyword.

The search result providing method according to example embodiments may display a relatively popular document and a relatively recent document to be displayed in a relatively high ranking among SNS documents, and in this instance, may provide a search environment in which rankings of documents included in a search result automatically vary in real time without an additional action after the user inputs a keyword.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating ranking scores of a document according to one exemplary embodiment. Ranking score calculation process320is to calculate ranking scores of each document extracted as a search result and operations thereof may be performed at the calculator unit212.

Although all of three factors, for example, feedback count f, the first time tfand the second time tcare applied to calculating ranking scores, it is only an example and without being limited thereto, it is possible to calculate ranking scores by applying at least one of the three factors.

The calculator unit212reads the feedback count f from users of a document in operation401, and calculates the first time tfelapsed after receiving the most recent feedback and the second time tcelapsed from a point in time at which the corresponding document is created in operation402.

The calculator unit212may directly read the feedback count f, the first time tf, and the second time tcfrom the social network system102, or may calculate the same based on data read from the social network system102.

In operation403, the calculator unit212determines whether the second time tchas passed a third time tB. Here, the third time tBis a reference used to determine the newness of a document, and denotes a standard time, for example, 4 hours, capable of determining whether the corresponding document has been recently created.

In operation404, if the second time tcis less than the third time tB, the calculator212may determine that the corresponding document is a recently created document and may set a first weight wcto a default value, for example, zero. Here, the first weight wcdenotes a weight according to a document creation time.

In operation405, if the second time tchas passed the third time tB, the calculator212may calculate the first weight wcaccording to Equation 1.
wc=c1(tc−TB)  [Equation 1]

In Equation 1, wcdenotes the first weight, c1denotes an increase speed constant according to a document creation time, tcdenotes the second time, and TBdenotes the third time.

Accordingly, it is possible to determine the newness of a document using the second time tc. Here, ranking scores of a recent document may gradually increase and, if the third time TBis elapsed, and may quickly increase by applying the first weight wccalculated according to Equation 1. That is, a display ranking of a relatively old document may fall faster.

In operation406, the calculator unit212calculates initial scores s0of the document based on the first weight wccalculated in operations404and405. For example, the initial scores s0may be defined according to Equation 2.
s0=−1.2f+10wc[Equation 2]

In Equation 2, s0denotes initial scores, f denotes feedback count, and wcdenotes the first weight.

The initial scores s0enable a recent document having relatively large feedback count f to be displayed in an upper ranking when the document is initially displayed. That is, the initial scores s0may affect ranking scores when a document is initially displayed immediately after receiving a feedback. The initial scores s0enables a document having relatively small feedback count f or old document not to be easily displayed in an upper ranking at the moment of receiving a feedback.

In operation407, the calculator unit212may determine whether the first time tfelapsed after receiving a recent feedback about the document has passed a fourth time TA. Here, the fourth time TAdenotes an initial display maintain time for guaranteeing an initial display time of the document. The fourth time TAenables the document to be maintained in a relatively upper ranking by relatively slowly increasing ranking scores immediately after receiving a feedback.

Ranking scores of a document may increase over time from a point in time at which the document is initially created or a feedback is received from a user. In this instance, the document may be maintained to be displayed in an upper ranking during a preset period of time using the fourth time TA. Without the initial display maintain time, the document may appear in an upper ranking of the search result and then disappear soon, which may be regarded as a sudden change. Accordingly, through the initial display maintain time, the user may have an appropriately sufficient time to verify high ranking documents.

If the first time tfis less than the fourth time TA, the calculator unit212sets a second weight wfto a default value, for example, 1, in operation408, and calculates final ranking scores s according to Equation 3 in operation409. The second weight wfdenotes a weight according to the first time tf.
s=s0±tf×wf[Equation 3]

In Equation 3, s denotes the final ranking scores, s0denotes the initial scores, tfdenotes the first time, and wfdenotes the second weight.

If the first time tfhas passed the fourth time TA, the calculator unit212calculates the second weight wfaccording to Equation 4 in operation410, and calculates the final ranking scores s according to Equation 5 in operation411.
wf=1+ws/(f+1)+wc[Equation 4]
s=s0+TA+wf(tf−TA)  [Equation 5]

In Equation 4, wfdenotes the second weight, wsdenotes an increase speed constant according to feedback, f denotes the feedback count, and wcdenotes the first weight.

Here, to calculate ranking scores when feedback count f=1, that is, immediately after the document is created, f+1 acquired by adding ‘1’ to the feedback count f may be used.

In Equation 5, s denotes the final ranking scores, s0denotes the initial scores, TAdenotes the fourth time, wfdenotes the second weight, and tfdenotes the first time.

The ranking scores s may slowly increase during the fourth time TAcorresponding to the initial display maintain time, and may quickly increase after the fourth time TA. Accordingly, a display ranking of the corresponding document may also quickly fall. An increase speed of the ranking scores s is in inverse proportion to the feedback count f and is in proportion to the first time tfand the second time tc. That is, according to a decrease in the feedback count f, and according to an increase in the first time tfand the second time tc, ranking scores may quickly increase, thereby dropping in ranking quickly.

Accordingly, the calculator unit212may calculate a ranking of a document to which the newness and the popularity are simultaneously applied, using the feedback count f, the first time tf, and the second time tc. The calculator unit212may calculate ranking scores for each document by repeating the above process with respect to each document at intervals of a unit time.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a search result according to one exemplary embodiment. The search result display process330is to provide a dynamic search result based on ranking scores for each document calculated at intervals of a unit time. Operations included in the search result display process330may be performed at the provider unit213.

In operation501, the provider unit213compares ranking scores for each document calculated at intervals of a unit time to previous ranking scores.

In operation502, the provider unit213determines whether a ranking for each document is changed through comparison to the previous ranking scores. If the ranking is not changed, the provider unit213maintains a previous search result by maintaining the sorting locations of documents in operation503.

If a document ranking is changed in comparison to a previous ranking, the provider unit213applies a dynamic change to the search result by re-sorting the locations of documents based on recent ranking scores in operation504.

Accordingly, the provider unit213may provide a dynamic search result associated with a keyword by automatically re-sorting locations of documents at intervals of a unit time.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a search result screen600displayed on the user terminal101as a user interface associated with a search result display procedure according to one exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 6, the search result screen600may display SNS documents, for example, images, corresponding to a keyword601as a search result610about the keyword601. Here, the search result610may include documents that are sorted based on rankings to which the popularity and the newness are applied.

If a unit time is elapsed without an additional action or a keyword change from the user after the user inputs the keyword601and verifies the search result610, it is possible to apply a real-time change in rankings of documents to a search result710with respect to the same keyword701as shown inFIG. 7. That is, real-time rankings according to the popularity and the newness may be applied to the search result710at intervals of a unit time.

SNS documents corresponding to the keyword601may be classified into a separate collection, for example, an SNS collection and displayed on the search result screen600. Here, rankings, varying in real time every unit time, may be applied to the SNS collection instead of refreshing the entire search result associated with the keyword601.

Referring toFIG. 8, a display effect that represents a location movement using an animation and the like may be applied to documents803of which rankings vary every unit time in a search result810. Thus, the user may easily recognize a dynamic change in the search result810. Here, it is possible to represent a movement direction of a document using the display effect. Also, it is possible to distinguishingly represent a document that is relocated in the search result810, a document that is newly added to the search result810, a document that disappears in the search result810, and the like.

The search result providing method according to exemplary embodiments may include a further reduced number of operations or additional operations based on the detailed description made with reference toFIGS. 1 through 8. Also, two or more operations thereof may be combined and orders or locations of operations may be changed.

The screens ofFIGS. 6 through 8are provided as examples only to help the understanding of the disclosure and configurations, orders, etc., of the screens may be changed.

FIG. 9is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer system according to at least one example embodiment. Referring toFIG. 9, a computer system900includes at least one processor910, a memory920, a peripheral interface930, an input/output (I/O) subsystem940, a power circuit950, and a communication circuit960. The computer system900may correspond to the user terminal101.

The memory920may include, for example, a high-speed random access memory (HSRAM), a magnetic disk, a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, and a non-volatile memory. The memory920may include a software module, an instruction set, or a variety of data required for an operation of the computer system900. Here, an access from another component such as the processor910and the peripheral interface930to the memory920may be controlled by the processor910.

The peripheral interface930may couple an input device and/or an output device of the computer system900with the processor910and the memory920. The processor910may perform a variety of functions for the computer system900and process data by executing the software module or the instruction set stored in the memory920.

The I/O subsystem940may couple various I/O peripheral devices with the peripheral interface930. For example, the I/O subsystem940may include a controller for coupling the peripheral interface930and a peripheral device, such as a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a touch screen or a sensor depending on a necessity. The I/O peripheral devices may be coupled with the peripheral interface930without using the I/O subsystem940.

The power circuit950may supply power to all of or a portion of components of a terminal. For example, the power circuit950may include a power management system, at least one power source such as a battery and alternating circuit (AC), a charge system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator, or other components for creating, managing and distributing power.

The communication circuit960enables communication with another computer system using at least one external port. Alternatively, as described above, the communication circuit960may enable communication with another computer system by including a radio frequency (RF) circuit and thereby transmitting and receiving an RF signal known as an electromagnetic signal.

The embodiment ofFIG. 9is only an example of the computer system900. The computer system900may have a configuration or an arrangement for omitting a portion of the components illustrated inFIG. 9, further including components not illustrated inFIG. 9, or coupling two or more components. For example, a computer system for a communication terminal of a mobile environment may further include a touch screen, a sensor, and the like, in addition to the components ofFIG. 9. A circuit for RF communication using a variety of communication methods, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), 3rd generation (3G), long term evolution (LTE), Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), and ZigBee, may be included in the communication circuit960. Components includable in the computer system900may be configured as hardware that includes an integrated circuit specified for at least one signal processing or application, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide a new type of search result by providing a search result in which a time-dependent real-time change aspect is applied and by introducing a time concept to the search result. Also, according to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to apply real-time content to a search result by providing a dynamic search result in which the newness and the popularity are applied in association with a keyword, without an additional action after a keyword input from a user. Also, according to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an expanded search service by combining an SNS with a search service and by including, in the search result, SNS documents that vary in real time.

The methods according to the exemplary embodiments may be recorded in non-transitory computer-readable media in a program instruction form executable through a variety of computer systems.

The program according to the exemplary embodiments may be configured in a PC-based program or an application exclusive for a mobile terminal. An application associated with a search service may be configured as an independently operating program form or an in-app form of a specific application to be operable on the application.

Also, the methods according to the exemplary embodiments may be performed in such a manner that an application associated with a server system providing a search service controls a user terminal. For example, the application may execute one or more processors configured to perform at least one of the aforementioned features. Also, the application may be installed in the user terminal through a file provided from a file distribution system. For example, the file distribution system may include a file transmitter (not shown) to transmit the file in response to a request of the user terminal.