Systems and methods for contextual searching of semantic entities

Abstract

A method for contextual searching of a semantic entity includes the steps of: receiving a rich query comprising a semantic entity to be searched and contextual information regarding the selection of the semantic entity; receiving, from a search engine, a plurality of search results returned in response to submitting a search request using the selected semantic entity; selecting a plurality of content sources to be searched based on the returned search results; converting the received rich query into a plurality of simple queries, each one of the plurality of simple queries corresponding to one of the plurality of content sources; submitting each one of the plurality of simple queries to the corresponding content source; receiving results from each of the plurality of content sources; and filtering the plurality of received results into a single result list for presentation to a user.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for constructing a rich query from a selected semantic entity included in a page, the method comprising:
 receiving user input identifying a semantic entity, from a plurality of semantic entities, for which contextual information is desired;   identifying context information associated with the selected semantic entity from the plurality of semantic entities;   encoding a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) using the semantic entity and the identified context information; and   transmitting the encoded URL to a search server.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein user input is received via a touch screen interface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein context information is identified using characteristics of the page in which the semantic entity was included. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein context information is identified using one of a title of a web page, a URL identifying a web page, a META tag included in a web page, and information identifying word frequencies of the web page including the semantic entity. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein context information is identified using information regarding the user's browsing history. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the information regarding the user's browsing history includes one of the user's browsing history, favorite web sites of the user, bookmarks saved by the user, prior searches requested by the user, and frequently accessed web sites. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein context information is identified using a profile established by the user. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein context information is identified using a Bloom filter. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising encoding a first URL using the semantic entity and first context information and a second URL using the semantic entity and second context information. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the encoded URL is transmitted using an HTTP POST command. 
     
     
         31 . A system for constructing a rich query from a selected semantic entity included in a page, the system comprising:
 a processor coupled to a computer readable medium storing processor executable instructions that when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
 receive a user input identifying a semantic entity, from a plurality of semantic entities, for which contextual information is desired; 
 identify context information associated with the selected semantic entity from the plurality of semantic entities; 
 encode a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) using the semantic entity an the identified context information; and 
 transmit the encoded URL to a search server. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to receive user input via a touch screen interface. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to identify contextual information using characteristics of the page in which the semantic entity was included. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to identify contextual information using one of a title of a web page, a URL identifying a web page, a META tag included in a web page, and information identifying word frequencies of the web page including the semantic entity. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to identify contextual information using information regarding the user's browsing history. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the information regarding the user's browsing history includes one of the user's browsing history, favorite web sites of the user, bookmarks saved by the user, prior searches requested by the user, and frequently accessed web sites. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to identify contextual information using a profile established by the user. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to identify contextual information using a Bloom filter. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to encode a first URL using the semantic entity and first context information and a second URL using the semantic entity and second context information. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein execution of the processor executable instructions further causes the processor to transmit the encoded URL using an HTTP POST command.