Search query processing to provide category-ranked presentation of search results

Abstract

A search engine system displays the results of a multiple-category search according to levels of relevance of the categories to a user's search query. A query server receives a search query from a user and identifies, within each of multiple item categories, a set of items that satisfy the query. The sets of items are used to generate, for each of the multiple categories, a score that reflects a level significance or relevance of the category to the search. The scores may be based, for example, on the number of hits within each category relative to the total number of items in that category, the popularity levels of items that satisfy the query, a personal profile of the user, or a combination thereof. The categories are then presented to the user, together with the most relevant items within each category, in the order of highest to lowest category relevance.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 404,992, filed Mar. 31, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 528,127, filed Mar. 17, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 60 / 169,570, filed Dec. 8, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of search engines. More specifically, the invention relates to techniques for facilitating viewing of search results that span multiple item categories, and for locating web pages that include offerings for products and other types of items. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In the field of electronic commerce, it is common for online merchants to sell products within many different product-related categories. For example, Amazon.com, Inc., the assignee of the present application, sells products within the categories of books, music, video & DVD, toys & games...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The categories and associated items are then presented to the user in a display order that depends upon the scores—preferably from highest-to-lowest significance. Other significance criteria, such as a category preference profile of the user, may additionally be used to select the display order. In addition, other display methods for highlighting the most highly ranked categories may additionally or alternatively be used. The method increases the likelihood that the categories that are of most interest to the user will be presented near the top of the search results listing, or otherwise called to the attention of the user. To assist the user in efficiently viewing a cross section of the located items and their categories, no more that N items (e.g., the most highly ranked three items) within each category are preferably displayed on the initial search results page.

Problems solved by technology

One problem commonly encountered by online merchants is the inability to effectively present groups of related products that span the predefined categories.

Due to the large number of products and categories, and the organization of the web site, many relationships between products may be difficult for the user to ascertain.

Another problem in the field of on-line commerce is that of locating a web site from which a particular product can be purchased.

This problem may arise, for example, when the online merchants known to the consumer do not carry the product of interest.

The scope of such a general search is often large enough, however, that only a small fraction of a large number of located web sites actually offer the product for sale.

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