CLIAMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A method for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving an input from a user to perform a search, wherein the input comprises at least one of a keyword, an image, a video clipping, and a gesture;
analyzing the input received from the user by a tag repository associated with a user device;
automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device in context with the input received from the user, wherein the tag comprises personalized information associated with the user; and
displaying the one or more tags suggested in combination with the input received from the user.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more tags corresponds to heterogeneous data comprising a single word, a set of words, an icon, an image, a voice input, a video input and a gesture.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
creating one or more tags based on personalized information associated with the user.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein creating one or more tags comprises:
extracting data from the one or more user defined search queries; and
tagging the extracted data from the user defined search queries to the tag repository stored in the user device.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein creating one or more tags comprises:
automatically synchronizing personalized information associated with the user from one or more web based servers.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device comprises:
tracking one or more activities performed by the user in the user device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device comprises:
tracking pattern of search query built by specific set of users similar to the input provided by the user in the user device.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more activities comprises at least one of making a call, texting a message, and browsing on one or more web based applications in the user device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
updating the tag repository periodically based on personalized preferences defined by the user.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
arranging tags in the tag repository based on predefined criteria, wherein the tags are arranged in the tag repository based on at least one of alphabetical order, category, frequency of use and frequency of data update in the tag repository.

11. An apparatus for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging comprising:
a processor,
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises a tag repository configured for:
receiving an input from a user to perform a search;
analyzing the input received from the user by a tag repository associated with a user device;
automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device in context with the input received from the user, wherein the tag comprises personalized information associated with the user; and
displaying the one or more tags suggested in combination with the input received from the user.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tag repository is configured for creating one or more tags based on personalized information associated with the user.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein in creating one or more tags, the tag repository instructs the processor to:
extract data from one or more user defined search queries; and
tag the extracted data from the user defined search queries to the tag repository stored in the user device.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein in creating one or more tags, the tag repository instructs the processor to:
automatically synchronize personalized information associated with the user from one or more web based servers.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein in automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device, the tag repository instructs the processor to:
track one or more activities performed by the user in the user device.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein in automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device, the tag repository instructs the processor to:
track pattern of search query built by specific set of users similar to the input provided by the user in the user device.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tag repository is configured for:
arranging tags in the tag repository based on predefined criteria, wherein the tags are arranged in the tag repository based on at least one of alphabetical order, category, frequency of use and frequency of data update in the tag repository. ,TagSPECI:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to search query customization, and more particularly relates to a method and an apparatus for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Users rely on search technology to access information available on the Internet. Users may input search queries in the form of keywords, images, videos etc which corresponds to information being sought by the user. Accordingly, search engines have been developed to receive such search queries and to return ordered results (also called hits) that fulfill the search query. The development of web technology has also helped users to access information and their search easier. Generally, users use browsers of different types to access search engines, to input search queries, and to receive search results.

The search engines may list the hits based on different criteria such as ranking of the web pages, number of times the web page is visited, etc. Therefore, the search results listed by the search engine may not be the one the user is searched for. The user may have to navigate through pages to find the relevant webpage that he searched for. Otherwise, the user has to change the search query in order to obtain the relevant hits. The search query may be of any type but, not limited to, technology, location, health condition, gadgets, user profile, company profile and so on. The search engines are also attempting to improvise on providing more and more relevant and contextual information to the user.

Sometimes, the users may feel difficulty in typing the keywords they looked for. If the spelling of the keywords is wrong then search engine will not retrieve relevant hits. This may cause a delay in retrieving the requested information as well. In the recent days, the search engines allow the users to create a keyword profile and saves in a separate server. Once the user starts typing keywords, the search engine retrieve the keywords stored in the server and provide relevant results. Further, the search engines also provide pre-stored keywords associated with a letter typed by a user. The user can just turn ON automatic suggestion option provided by the search engine to select the keywords without wasting time in typing the keywords. However, the currently existing search method does not ensure privacy as the keywords are maintained in the server publically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary user device showing various components for implementing embodiments of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a tag repository such as those shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an exemplary method of creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging, according to one embodiment.

Figure 4 is a screenshot view depicting a creation of tag manually in a user device, according to one embodiment.

Figure 5 is a screenshot view depicting synchronization of tags automatically based on profile information associated with a user in one or more web based servers, according to one embodiment.

Figure 6 is a screenshot view depicting one or more tags automatically suggested by a tag repository based on user’s search query context, according to one embodiment.

Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging. In one embodiment, a method for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging in a user device is performed. The method includes receiving an input from a user to perform a search; analyzing the input received from the user by a tag repository associated with a user device; automatically suggesting one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device in context with the input received from the user, wherein the tag comprises personalized information associated with the user; and displaying the one or more tags suggested in combination with the input received from the user.

Embodiments herein further provide an apparatus for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging is provided. The apparatus comprises of a tag repository for receiving an input from a user to perform a search. The tag repository analyzes the input received from the user by a tag repository associated with a user device and automatically suggests one or more tags stored in the tag repository of the user device in context with the input received from the user. The apparatus also displays the one or more tags suggested in combination with the input received from the user on the search box of a search engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Throughout the specification, the term ‘tag’ refers to one or more keywords that can be built as a search query or can be added to an existing search query. Alternatively, the term ‘tag’ refers to a single word, a set of words, an icon, an image, a voice input, a video input and a gesture.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary user device 100 showing various components for implementing embodiments of the present subject matter. In Figure 1, the user device 100 includes a processor 102, memory 104, a read only memory (ROM) 106, a transceiver 108, and a bus 110.

The processor 102, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processor 102 may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmable logic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits, single-chip computers, smart cards, and the like.

The memory 104 and the ROM 106 may be volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 104 includes a tag repository 112 for creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging in a user device, according to one or more embodiments described above. A variety of computer-readable storage media may be stored in and accessed from the memory elements. Memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling compact disks, digital video disks, diskettes, magnetic tape cartridges, memory cards, and the like. Although, the memory 104 containing the tag repository 112 is shown as a separate entity, one skilled in the art may understand that in some implementations, the memory 104 containing the tag repository 112 may be a part of the processor 102.

Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with modules, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The tag repository 112 may be stored in the form of machine-readable instructions on any of the above-mentioned storage media and may be executed by the processor 102. For example, a computer program may include machine-readable instructions, that when executed by the processor 102, cause the processor 102 to create one or more tags to build personalized search query, according to the teachings and herein described embodiments of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the computer program may be included on a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive in the non-volatile memory.

The transceiver 108 may be capable of transmitting one or more tags stored in the tag repository in context to the input provided by the user in the user device 100. The bus 110 acts as interconnect between various components of the user device 100.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a tag repository 200 such as those shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment. The tag repository 200 resides within a user device, comprises one or more tags that can be added to a search query build by a user. The one or more tags may corresponds to heterogeneous data comprising a single word, a set words, an icon, an image, a voice input and a gesture. The tag repository may be used for any type of search engine installed in the user device 100. In one embodiment, the one or more tags can be created manually by the user. In another embodiment, the one or more tags can be created by extracting data from the one or more search queries defined by the user. The extracted data can be used as tags and stored in the tag repository 200. The extracted data corresponds again to a single keyword, set of keywords, an image, a video clipping, and a gesture. In yet another embodiment, the one or more tags can be created automatically by obtaining personalized information associated with the user available in one or more web based servers.

In one exemplary embodiment, the tag repository 200 may be represented but not limited to, use of an interactive timeline highlighting current life stage of the user, by means of interactive visual icons, based on categories of the content etc. As shown in Figure 2, the tag repository 200 consists of a synchronizing module 202, a tag arranging module 204, a tag suggesting module 206 and a tag updating module 208.

The synchronizing module 202 is configured for creating tags automatically by fetching personalized information associated with the user available in one or more web based servers. The one or more web based servers may include online health websites, social networks etc. The fetched personalized information may include health records, insurance related information associated with the user. The user is authorized first to import user information available at one or more web based servers for automatic creation of tags in the tag repository 200. Upon confirming the authorization, the personalized information associated with the user is imported in to the tag repository as one or more tags and can be stored in the user device for future use. In one embodiment, the one or more tags can be manually synchronized based on requirement of the user.

The tag arranging module 204 is configured for arranging one or more tags in the tag repository 200. In one embodiment, the one or more tags are arranged based on alphabetical order. In another embodiment, the one or more tags are arranged based on categories such as food, exercise, disease type etc. In yet another embodiment, the tags are arranged based on the frequency of use of the tag. For example, if the user uses the tag named “exercise” than any other tags frequently, then the tag repository 200 performs a weightage algorithm and list the tag “exercise” on top than all other tags.

The tag suggesting module 206 is configured for suggesting one or more tags to add to the search query. The tag suggesting module 206 keeps a track of one or more activities performed by the user in his user device. The one or more activities performed by the user comprise at least one of call log, messaging and browsing on one or more web based applications. From the one or more activities performed by the user, the suggesting module 206 suggests one or more tags. Further, the acceptance or rejection of one or more tags while building search query in the past is also considered for tracking. Based on the user activity tracking, the tag suggesting module 206 suggests one or more tags from the tag repository 200 to build the search query. The tag suggesting module 206 also infers the tag arranging module 204 for suggesting one or more tags as the tags are arranged based on a weightage algorithm. Further, the tag suggesting module 206, keeps a track of pattern of search query built by specific set of users that are similar to a search query build by current user. Therefore, if the current user enters one or more keywords similar to the search query built by the specific set of users then the tag suggesting module 206 suggests one or more keywords from the search query built by the specific set of users. Since, the tag repository 200 resides in the user device; the tag repository suggests one or more tags based on the arrangement of tags in the tag arranging module 204 for obtaining personalized search results. This also ensures privacy of data and reduces the turn-around time in obtaining user expected search results.

The tag updating module 208 is configured for updating the one or more tags stored in the tag repository 200. Consider that a user has found that he is suffering from ‘hypertension’ in his recent health checkup report. This health condition is updated in his online health record. In one embodiment, the user updates his recent health condition in the tag repository 200 by typing his health condition manually. Accordingly, the tag repository 200 prompts the user to store his health condition as a new tag. Thus, a new tag named ‘hypertension’ is created in the tag repository. In another embodiment, the tag updating module 208 automatically updates his recent health condition that is available in one or more web based servers. Therefore, when the user uses the tag ‘hypertension’, the tag repository 200 suggests exercise, treatment options, diagnosis etc., relating to the new tag ‘hypertension’.

In some embodiments, the tag updating module 208 updates the tag repository 200 based on personalized preferences defined by the user. The personalized preferences may include one or more applications selected by the user for updating the tag repository 200, timeline based updation etc. The one or more applications selected by the user may include one or more health related websites and one or more social websites. Thus, the user can customize the tag repository 200 based on his personalized preferences. For example, the user classifies his health related information in the tag repository based on predefined criteria and specifies the timeline or the source to update the tag. This is illustrated in the below table. As shown in Table 1, the user sets an annual update for updating his age, 1 time entry for blood group etc.
Classification of Tag Frequency of updating
Age Annual- self update
Blood Group One-time entry
Allergies Sync with health record update
Investigations Sync with health record update
Symptoms Sync with health record update
Medications Sync with health record update
Social history- smoking habits, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity Sync with health record update
Table 1

Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an exemplary method of creating a personalized search query based on contextual tagging, according to one embodiment. At step 302, an input from a user to perform a search is received by a tag repository 200 residing in a user device. At step 304, the input received from the user is analyzed. The input received from the user may comprise one or more keywords, an image, a video clipping, a gesture etc. Upon analyzing the input, at step 306, one or more tags stored in the tag repository residing in the user device are automatically suggested by the tag repository in context with the input received from the user. At step 308, the one or more tags suggested are displayed in combination with the input received from the user to yield accurate search results.

Figure 4 is a screenshot view 400 depicting a creation of tag manually in a user device 100, according to one embodiment. Consider that a user is building a search query with the following keywords as “exercise regime for hypertension” in a search box. The user may manually select any of the entered keyword and tag repository prompts the user to add the selected keyword as a new tag. Upon receiving confirmation from the user, the selected keyword is stored as a new tag in the tag repository. The newly created tag can be used in future to create personalized search query. Further, the tag repository prompts the user to select one or more tags from the tag repository by highlighting one or more tags when the user enters a search query similar as before. By having tag repository residing in the user device, the time taken to complete the task of building search query is reduced and aids in obtaining more relevant personalized search results. In one embodiment, the stored tags can be deleted at any time from the tag repository when the tags are no longer in use.

Figure 5 is a screenshot view depicting synchronization of tags automatically based on profile information associated with a user in one or more web based servers, according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, tags can be created automatically without the need for manually typing the keywords and saving the tags in the tag repository. The profile information associated with the user may available in his insurance related websites, social websites etc., The tag repository provides options to the user to select the source to synchronize the data available in the one or more web based servers. Upon selecting the source, the tag repository displays one or more web based servers to fetch the profile information associated with the user. Later on, the fetched data can be created as a new tag and stored in the tag repository for future use.

Figure 6 is a screenshot view depicting one or more tags automatically suggested by a tag repository based on user’s search query context, according to one embodiment. In one exemplary operation, consider that the user is manually entering one or more keywords in the search box to perform a search. The tag repository residing in the user device receive those keywords and based on the user’s search query context highlights one or more tags stored in the user device. Thus, the tag repository helps in building the search query faster and to enable a search engine to retrieve optimum search results.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.