Methods and apparatus for providing search results in response to an ambiguous search query
US7136854B2 · kind B2 · utility
88Cited by
4References
27Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99945
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.