Apparatus and method for search and retrieval of documents and advertising targeting

Abstract

A system for the support and management of search for documents is presents. The system includes knowledge-database, query interface and communication to a database of documents to be searched. Information generated during a search session is collected by the system and is added to the knowledge-database. The information is ranked automatically according to the usage of that information by the user. During successive search session, or during search made by other users, the system uses the knowledge-database to support the users with keywords, queries and reference to documents. The knowledge-database is used for improvement of advertising targeting.

1 . A computer implemented method for search and retrieval comprising at least one of: a computer, a storage device, display means, input means, a search engine; and
 comprising the steps of:   submitting a first search query;   submitting at least one second search query, said at least one second query is not identical to said first query; and   display at least one results page that contains items retrieved in response to said first query and also items retrieved in response to said at least one second query.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  whereas said first query is used for search in a first results repository and said at least one second query is used for search in at least one second results repository. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 17  whereas said stored items are those that are registered in reference to any of the following:
 a. the current user submitting said first query; 
 b. a user included in a predetermined group of users, said predetermination is made in relation to the current user; 
 c. a predetermined group of users selected by the current user; and 
 d. at least two predetermined groups of users, said at least two groups of users are selected by the current user. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  whereas said registration in reference to users is made to those users who used said items. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  whereas said stored items are at least one of:
 a. queries submitted for search process; 
 b. keywords from queries submitted for search process; and 
 c. keywords from items retrieved in a search process in response to a query. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  including the steps of:
 after submitting said first query; searching in a storage device for at least one stored item, containing at list a part of said first query; and 
 submitting at least a part of said at least one stored item as at least one of said second queries. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  whereas said first query is used for search in a first results repository and said at least one second query is used for search in at least one second results repository. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  whereas said at least one second query includes at least one stored keyword;
 said at least one stored keyword is extracted according to matching of said at least one stored keyword to at least one keyword of said first query; and 
 said matching criteria is having said at least one stored keyword included in at least one submitted query that is stored in a storage device whereas said at least one stored query contains also said at least one keyword of said first query. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  additionally comprising the steps of:
 selecting, by the user, at least one item in a results page; 
 indication, by the user, at least one target location; 
 automatic composition of a new page containing only the selected items; and 
 sending said new page to said at least one target location. 
 
     
     
         10 . A computer implemented method for search and retrieval comprising at least one computer, storage device, display means, input means, and a search engine;
 said storage device stores:   queries that have been submitted by users;   reference to documents that were retrieved using said stored queries, said references to documents are saved with a registration of which of said stored queries were used to retrieve said documents;   said references to documents include the path to said documents;   each reference to a document is stored if a user submitting said stored query that retrieved said reference to a document indicated, through his interaction with the search results, that this document is relevant to said stored query; and   a list of at least a part of paths to documents, whereas at list one of said path parts is associated with at least one stored item;   comprising the steps of:   submitting, by the user, a first search query;   identifying at least one of said stored queries as containing at least a part of said first query;   identifying at least one references to documents that is registered to said at least one identified stored query;   finding a match between a unique part of the path included in said identified at least one references to documents and at least one of the stored at least a part of paths; and   displaying at least one of said stored items associated with said matching at least one of the stored at least a part of paths.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  whereas at least a part of:
 a. said stored queries; and 
 b. said stored references to documents; 
 
       is registered in reference to any of the following:
 a. the current user submitting said first query; 
 b. a user included in a predetermined group of users, said predetermination is made in relation to the current user; 
 c. a predetermined group of users selected by the current user; and 
 d. at least two predetermined groups of users, said at least two groups of users are selected by the current user. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  whereas at least one of the following conditions is maintained:
 a. said registration of a stored query in reference to a user is made to a user who used said query; and 
 b. said registration of a reference to a document in reference to a user is made to a user who interacted with said reference to a document. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10  whereas said displaying is arranged in order according to at least one of:
 a. ranking of said stored queries; and 
 b. ranking of said stored references to documents. 
 
     
     
         14 . A computer implemented method for delivering search results comprising the steps of:
 submitting, by a user, of a first search query;   displaying search results page including results retrieved with said first query;   selecting, by the user, at least one result in said results page;   indication, by the user, at least one target location;   automatic composition of a new results page containing only the results selected by the user; and   sending said new results page to said at least one target location.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  whereas said at least one target location is at least one of the following:
 a. display device; 
 b. a folder on a storage device; and 
 c. an email address. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  whereas said results page includes
 also items retrieved with at least one second search query; 
 said at least one second query is not identical to said first query; and 
 said automatically composed new results page contains also items retrieved with said second search query. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1  including the steps of:
 after submitting said first query; searching in a storage device for at least one stored item, containing at list a part of said first query; and 
 submitting at least a part of said at least one stored item as at least a part of one of said second queries. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10  including the steps of:
 selecting, by the user, at least one item in a results page; 
 indication, by the user, at least one target location; 
 automatic composition of a new page containing only the selected items; and 
 sending said new page to said at least one target location. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16  whereas said first query is used for search in a first results repository and said at least one second query is used for search in a second results repository. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16  including the steps of
 after submitting said first query; searching in a storage device for at least one stored item, containing at list a part of said first query; and 
 submitting at least a part of said at least one stored item as at least a part of one of said second queries.