Patent ID: 7945571

Claim:
A machine-implemented search method comprising: inputting a search query from a user, the search query including a plurality of elements; enabling the user to specify a first weighting factor for weighting an element in the search query before the search query is executed; enabling the user to group two or more of the plurality of elements into one or more categories before the search query is executed; enabling the user to specify a second weighting factor for weighting a category of the one or more categories before the search query is executed; initiating a search by causing the search query to be executed according to the first weighting factor and the second weighting factor; returning a result of the search to the user using the first weighting factor to build a historical record of user modifications of default search query weighting factors; analyzing the historical record; based on a result of analyzing the historical record, determining a default weighting factor to use for a future search query; and in response to a predetermined user input, causing a plurality of different suggested weighting factor paradigms to be outputted to a user, each said paradigm indicating a manner of selecting one or more weighting factors for a search query, each said paradigm chosen to emphasize a different particular preference set.