Adding attributes and labels to structured data

Abstract

A method and system associating labels and attribute values with items in a collection of data. Providers can associate attributes and labels with their data or attributes and labels can be added to existing data. A preferred embodiment allows a content provider to upload data and to attach their own custom labels and attributes to items or to use predefined labels and attributes. Providers can upload data using a user interface or a bulk upload mechanism.

1 . A method of making items structured and searchable, comprising: 
 receiving a data item to be structured using an online interface;    receiving attribute names associated with the received data item via the online interface;    deriving attribute values to be associated with the received data item; and    storing the data item, along with its associated attributes and attribute values in a memory searchable by a web-based search engine.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a web crawl and its attribute values are derived automatically as a result of the web crawl.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a provider's bulk upload of a plurality of data items and their attribute names and values via the online interface.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a provider entering the data item and its attribute names and values individually via the online interface.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attribute names are part of a Core set of attribute names, which are the only attributes that will be display with displayed query result.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attribute names are part of a predetermined set of attribute names.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attribute names are part of a provider-defined set of attribute names.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the provider defines an attribute name and its type for an information type of data items and defines attribute values for each of a plurality of data items having the information type.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
 defining attributes in a data structure in a memory, the data structure being associated with the data item, based on the popularity of attributes for similar data items.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for making items structured and searchable, comprising: 
 means for receiving a data item to be structured using an online interface;    means for receiving attribute names associated with the received data item via the online interface;    means for deriving attribute values to be associated with the received data item; and    means for storing the data item, along with its associated attributes and attribute values in a memory searchable by a web-based search engine.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a web crawl and its attribute values are derived automatically as a result of the web crawl.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a provider's bulk upload of a plurality of data items and their attribute names and values via the online interface.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the data item is received as a result of a provider entering the data item and its attribute names and values individually via the online interface.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the attribute names are part of a Core set of attribute names, which are the only attributes that will be display with displayed query result.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the attribute names are part of a provider-defined set of attribute names.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including: 
 means for defining attributes in a data structure in a memory, the data structure being associated with the data item, based on the popularity of attributes for similar data items.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for making items structured and searchable, comprising: 
 A user interface that receives a data item to be structured using an online interface;    A user interface that receives attribute names associated with the received data item via the online interface;    a module that derives attribute values to be associated with the received data item; and    a module that stores the data item, along with its associated attributes and attribute values in a memory searchable by a web-based search engine.    
   
   
       18 . A computer program product including a computer readable medium storing instructions capable of being executed by a data processing system to perform a method, comprising: 
 receiving a data item to be structured using an online interface;    receiving attribute names associated with the received data item via the online interface;    deriving attribute values to be associated with the received data item; and    storing the data item, along with its associated attributes and attribute values in a memory searchable by a web-based search engine.