Systems and methods for generating and displaying hierarchical search results

Abstract

Embodiments include a computer-implemented method that includes receiving a search query, processing the search query to identify a set of search results, determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, in response to determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result, identifying a set of child search results including one or more child search results that correspond to entities that are children of the parent entity, and providing a hierarchical search results list for display. The hierarchical search results list including a first listing of search results corresponding to the set of search results, and a second listing of search results corresponding to the set of child search results. The second listing to be displayed in hierarchical relation to a search result corresponding to the parent search result.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 557,136 filed on Nov. 8, 2011 and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND DISPLAYING HIERARCHICAL SEARCH RESULTS”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of this invention relate generally to search industries and, more particularly to special purpose machines, systems, methods and computer instructions for providing listings of results indicative of a hierarchical relationship.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Users employ Internet searches to locate and identify information on the Internet. For example, a user may visit an Internet search-website and submit a web-search query for the keyword “shopping” in anticipation of receiving a listing of webpages or other resources related to “shopping”. These types of searches help users quickly and easily find inform...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing listings of results indicative of a hierarchical relationship are provided herein. In some embodiments, provided is a computer-implemented method that includes receiving a search query, processing the search query to identify a set of search results, determining, using a computer, that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, in response to determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, identifying a set of child search results including one or more child search results that correspond to entities that are children of the parent entity, and providing a hierarchical search results list for display. The hierarchical search results list including a first listing of search results corresponding to the set of search results and a second listing of search results corresponding to the set of child search results. The second listing to be displayed in hierarchical relation to a displayed search result corresponding to the parent search result of the set of search results.

[0008]In some embodiments, provided is a computer system including one or more memories storing instructions and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and executing the instructions stored thereon in order to perform the following steps: receiving a search query, processing the search query to identify a set of search results, determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, in response to determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, identifying a set of child search results including one or more child search results that correspond to entities that are children of the parent entity, and providing a hierarchical search results list for display. The hierarchical search results list including a first listing of search results corresponding to the set of search results and a second listing of search results corresponding to the set of child search results. The second listing to be displayed in hierarchical relation to a displayed search result corresponding to the parent search result of the set of search results.

[0009]In some embodiments, provided is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer-executable program instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer to cause receiving a search query, processing the search query to identify a set of search results, determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, in response to determining that the set of search results includes a parent search result corresponding to a parent entity, identifying a set of child search results including one or more child search results that correspond to entities that are children of the parent entity, and providing a hierarchical search results list for display. The hierarchical search results list including a first listing of search results corresponding to the set of search results and a second listing of search results corresponding to the set of child search results. The second listing to be displayed in hierarchical relation to a displayed search result corresponding to the parent search result of the set of search results.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, traditional listings of results provide a limited amount of information about the displayed search results.

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