Patent US1766892A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7080064B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for integrating on-line user ratings of businesses with search engines
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2000-01-20
•
Granted: 2006-07-18
•
Expires: 2020-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A computer program product is provided as a business rating system to rank business that are relevant to a given Internet search topic. Business ratings are stored in a ranking repository that can be optionally searched by the user along with a user-defined search engine query. The business ratings are compiled from on-line questionnaires attached to the search engine results and/or on-line surveys obtained through other web based rating services. The business ratings assess the quality of the businesses in terms of “interactive” criteria such as customer satisfaction, professionalism, and cost and ease of use of the businesses' products or services. The business rating system is comprised of an on-line indexing engine, a query transformer, a search results transformer, a ranking based result sorter, an on-line ranking system, a metadata repository, and an on-line ranking repository. The business rating system integrates the ratings with the search results, and ranks the search results based on such business ratings. In this manner, the user of a search engine receives feedback from other users about businesses of interest. Eventually, businesses with higher ratings will be ranked at the top of the search list, while business with lower ratings will be ranked lower.
Inventors
- 👤 Neelakantan Sundaresan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/951; G06F16/953; G06F16/9538; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A self-correcting system for use with a search engine to rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: an on-line ranking system for receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; the on-line ranking system generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; wherein the on-line ranking system indexes the rating data; an on-line ranking repository for storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system; a result sorter for sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; a profile manager for creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A self-correcting system for use with a search engine to rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: an on-line ranking system for receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; the on-line ranking system generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; wherein the on-line ranking system indexes the rating data; an on-line ranking repository for storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system; a result sorter for sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; a profile manager for creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 , further including a search results transformer that converts the ranked matches to a user browsable form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 2 , further including an indexing engine that indexes web documents to generate indexed data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 3 , further including a metadata repository for storing web documents that have been downloaded on-line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 3 , further including a query transformer which, when prompted by a query, applies a query request to the indexed data and generates the query results.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback include annotations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback include any one or more of a questionnaire, a survey, or a web based rating service.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the interactive criteria assess the quality of a business in terms of any one or more of: customer satisfaction, professionalism, cost, and ease of use of a product or service.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
212 words
A self-correcting computer program product for use with a search engine to rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: an on-line ranking system for receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; the on-line ranking system generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; wherein the on-line ranking system indexes the rating data; an on-line ranking repository for storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system; a result sorter for sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; a profile manager for creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
A self-correcting computer program product for use with a search engine to rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: an on-line ranking system for receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; the on-line ranking system generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; wherein the on-line ranking system indexes the rating data; an on-line ranking repository for storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system; a result sorter for sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; a profile manager for creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product according to claim 9 , further including a search results transformer that converts the ranked matches to a user browsable form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product according to claim 10 , further including an indexing engine that indexes web documents to generate indexed data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product according to claim 11 , further including a metadata repository for storing web documents that have been downloaded on-line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product according to claim 11 , further including a query transformer which, when prompted by a query, applies a query request to the indexed data and generates the query results.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product according to claim 9 , wherein the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback include an on-line feedback with annotations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer program product according to claim 9 , wherein the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback include any one or more of a questionnaire, a survey, or a web based rating service.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer program product according to claim 9 , wherein the interactive criteria assess the quality of a business in terms of any one or more of: customer satisfaction, professionalism, cost, and ease of use of a product or service.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for use with a search engine to self-correctively rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; indexing the rating data by means of an on-line ranking system; storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system, in an on-line ranking repository; sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for use with a search engine to self-correctively rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; indexing the rating data by means of an on-line ranking system; storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system, in an on-line ranking repository; sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 17 , further including transforming the ranked matches into a user browsable form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 18 , further including indexing web documents to generate indexed data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 19 , further including storing web documents that have been downloaded on-line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 19 , further including applying a query request to the indexed data for generating the query results.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein receiving rating data includes compiling rating data from on-line feedback with annotations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein receiving rating data includes compiling rating data from any one or more of a questionnaire, a survey, or a web based rating service.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 17 , further including compiling rating data based on interactive criteria that assess the quality of a business in terms of any one or more of: customer satisfaction, professionalism, cost, and ease of use of a product or service.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
197 words
A search result service for use with a search engine to self-correctively rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; indexing the rating data by means of an on-line ranking system; storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system, in an on-line ranking repository; sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
197 words
A search result service for use with a search engine to self-correctively rank search results based upon a ranking of businesses that are selected from an unrestricted pool of merchants, comprising: receiving any of users' on-line surveys or feedback about businesses; generating rating data from the any of the users' on-line surveys or feedback; wherein the rating data correlates higher quality search matches to higher business satisfaction ratings; indexing the rating data by means of an on-line ranking system; storing the rating data indexed by the on-line ranking system, in an on-line ranking repository; sorting query results generated by the search engine, based on the rating data from the on-line ranking repository, and for generating ranked matches; creating a user profile history from a user's address; wherein the user profile history enables the user to update a rating that was previously provided by the user, and disables the user from revising ratings provided by other users; and wherein updated cumulative business satisfaction ratings from the users' on-line surveys or feedback automatically cause the on-line ranking system to re-index the rating data, and further cause the result sorter to generate ranked matches based on the re-indexed rating data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The search result service according to claim 25 , further comprising transforming the ranked matches into a user browsable form.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The search result service according to claim 26 , further comprising indexing web documents to generate indexed data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The search result service according to claim 27 , further comprising storing web documents that have been downloaded on-line.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The search result service according to claim 27 , further comprising applying a query request to the indexed data for generating the query results.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The search result service according to claim 25 , wherein receiving rating data comprises compiling rating data from on-line feedback with annotations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The search result service according to claim 25 , wherein receiving rating data comprises compiling rating data from any one or more of a questionnaire, a survey, or a web based rating service.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The search result service according to claim 25 , further comprising compiling rating data based on interactive criteria that assess the quality of a business in terms of any one or more of: customer satisfaction, professionalism, cost, and ease of use of a product or service.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4996642A
Cited
US5893098A
Cited
US5659732A
Cited
US5701469A
Cited
US5878233A
Cited
US5758324A
Cited
US6314420B1
Cited
US5790426A
Cited
US5884282A
Cited
US5802515A
Cited
US5864863A
Cited
US5890152A
Cited
US5875446A
Cited
US6006218A
Cited
US6272507B1
Cited
US6185558B1
Cited
US6269361B1
Cited
US6321228B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-07-17 | 2010-01-16 | 2010-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-07-17 | 2014-01-16 | 2014-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-07-17 | 2018-01-16 | 2018-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |