Search Result Clustering for User Identity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet search engines often fail to distinguish between individuals with similar identifying information, leading to misleading search results that may be associated with multiple individuals.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to claim and curate search results associated with themselves by providing an indication that a resource is linked to their user profile, using clustering techniques to improve accuracy and control over search results, and modifying clusters based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If search engines use identifying information (name, job title) to present search results, then search results are generated quickly and broadly, but accuracy deteriorates because individuals sharing similar information cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results into clusters grouped by individual identities. Each cluster contains resources associated with a specific person, allowing the system to distinguish between individuals with similar identifying information. This segmentation transforms a single undifferentiated search result list into multiple organized clusters, each representing a distinct individual.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces user profiles as intermediary elements between search queries and search results. User profiles serve as mediators that connect identifying information to specific individuals, enabling the system to accurately attribute search results to the correct person. The profile acts as a bridge that resolves the ambiguity caused by similar identifying information.
2Measurement precision
If the system allows user input to claim and curate search results, then clustering accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to additional user interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-serve by allowing them to claim search results as their own and curate their associated resources. Users can directly indicate which search results belong to them, and the system automatically processes this input to improve clustering accuracy. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual curation processes while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where user claims and curation actions are processed to continuously improve search result clustering. The system uses user input as feedback to refine cluster assignments, ensuring that search results are increasingly accurately associated with the correct individuals over time. This feedback mechanism automatically enhances accuracy without requiring complex user intervention.
3Reliability
If search results are presented without user verification, then the process is simple and fast, but reliability deteriorates because results may be incorrectly associated with individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-organizing search results into clusters based on available identifying information before user verification. This preliminary clustering reduces the time required for verification, as users only need to review and confirm pre-grouped results rather than evaluating each result individually. The preliminary organization maintains reliability while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to quickly verify and claim search results through simple self-service actions. Users can rapidly indicate which pre-clustered results belong to them, and the system immediately processes these claims to ensure reliable association. This self-service verification process maintains high reliability while minimizing the time users need to invest.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving user input associated with a resource of a plurality of resources, storing the user input as a factor associating the resource with a user, receiving a search query, the search query identifying the user, processing data based on the search query and the factor to generate one or more search results, the one or more search results including an indicator associated with the resource, the indicator indicating that the one or more search results are associated with the user, and transmitting the one or more search results for display on a computing device.