Arranging records in a search result to be provided in response to a data inquiry of a database

Abstract

Systems and methods for arranging records in search results to be provided in response to a data inquiry of a database. After search results including records are received, a determination is made with respect to the order of the records in the search results. This determination may be based on various factors such as the destination of the search results, the preferred status of certain records over other records, a marketing determination with respect to the records, a frequency determination with respect to the number of times that a record or records may have already been provided in response to data inquiries, a weighting factor determination or a combination of one or more of these factors. In response to the determination of the order of the records in the search results, the records then are arranged into ordered records based on the determination. This order may be an alphabetical order, a preferred order based on the preferred status of certain records over other records, a least frequent first order, a highest weighting factor first order, or a combination of these orders. The search results with the records arranged into ordered records are then provided in response to the data inquiry.

1 - 2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . A method of providing information by a search service provider comprising: 
 accepting an information record and a premium level associated with the information record, from a client; and    arranging the information record in a search result based upon the premium level that is associated with the information record.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein accepting is preceded by: 
 identifying to the client a plurality of premium levels that may be associated with information records.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 accepting payment from the client for use of the information record in the search result, wherein the payment is based upon the premium level.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the information record is an advertisement.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein arranging comprises: 
 assigning a search result weighting factor to the information record based upon the premium level that is associated with the information record.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 transmitting the search result, including the information record arranged therein based upon the premium level that is associated with the information record, to a user of the information search service.    
   
   
       9 . A method for a client to provide information to a search service provider comprising: 
 associating a premium level with an information record at the client, based upon a desired arrangement of the information record in one or more search results that are obtained by the search service provider; and    providing the information record to the search service provider.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the information record is an advertisement.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein all of the information records provided by the client have the same associated premium level.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the information records provided by the client have different associated premium levels.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a weighting factor is associated with the premium level associated with the information record, and wherein the weighting factor is used, at least in part, to determine the location of the information record within the search result.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 receiving from the search service provider a plurality of premium levels that may be associated with information records.    
   
   
       15 . The method according of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 forwarding payment to the search service provider for use of the information record in the search results, wherein the payment is based upon the premium level.    
   
   
       16 - 59 . (canceled)