Structured search via key-objects

Abstract

A method and a system for structured searches of information via key-objects are disclosed herein. Key-objects may be used to describe certain features or parameters of content within webpages in a structured fashion, may be linked or embedded into respective webpages, and may be subsequently collected and stored by search engines enabling the structured searches. A thesaurus of key-objects may be updated with new key-objects discovered by search engines. Methods described herein may be used for structured searches of merchandise or services in e-commerce or mobile e-commerce thereby facilitating the location and comparison of merchandise by product specifications in lieu of keywords needed to get to the product specifications. In all, the elimination of voluminous and largely irrelevant outputs is realized, whereby users receive precise, streamlined, or exceedingly relevant responses at will, and can control or manipulate the order of the structured search outputs according to their specific information needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for structured search of information, the method comprising the steps of:
 linking or embedding into one or more webpages by a processing unit, one or more instances of hierarchically structured, multi-level non-atomic key-objects wherein said non-atomic key-objects comprise other non-atomic key-objects and atomic key-objects wherein said atomic key-objects comprise string, numeric, date, time, symbolic, URL, graphic, or video data, and wherein said key-objects are used to characterize the properties or parameters of one or more subjects of webpages intended to be searched for with said structured search; wherein the structured search comprises one structured query with no dialog; and   identifying said key-object instances in said webpages, retrieving and collecting said key-object instances from said webpages, and storing said key-object instances from said webpages in one or more databases of said key-object instances in order to enable said structured search.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a thesaurus of said key-objects specifying relationships of synonymy between said key-objects is used to augment a single or plurality of structured search queries into one or more sets of queries or sub queries. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein one or more new key-objects comprising arbitrary complex data structures are added to said thesaurus when instances of said new key-objects are detected as linked or embedded into said webpages. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a single or plurality of structured search queries comprise a search for goods or services in e-commerce, and wherein the method further comprises generating one or more shortlists of said key-object instances that satisfy the search criteria specified by said structured search queries; and said generating said shortlists comprise advertisements accurately targeted in response to said structured query. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a single or plurality of structured search queries comprise search for goods and services in e-commerce, and wherein said shortlists comprise identities of goods or services. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a single or plurality of structured search queries are performed using a mobile telecommunications device or a TV set. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a single or plurality of structured search queries are executed against one or more heterogeneous data sources including search engines, SQL, or NoSQL databases. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a single or plurality of structured search queries are stored and executed on-demand or on-schedule, and one or more results are conveyed to one or more users via communications including emails, text messages, phone calls, or presented on websites, or originated, or viewed by users on computers, mobile telecommunications devices, or TV sets. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more meta-objects are included into said key-objects to augment querying of said key-objects. 
     
     
         10 . A system for structured search of information, the system comprising:
 one or more webpages linked or embedded with one or more instances of hierarchically structured, multi-level non-atomic key-objects by a processing unit, wherein said non-atomic key-objects comprise other non-atomic key-objects and atomic key-objects wherein said atomic key-objects comprise string, numeric, date, time, symbolic, URL, graphic, or video data; and   a computer system equipped with a search engine wherein said search engine is configured for identifying said key-object instances in said webpages, retrieving and collecting said key-object instances from said webpages, and storing said key-object instances in one or more databases of key-object instances in order to enable said structured search; and wherein said structured search comprises one structured query with no dialog.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said computer system dynamically synchronizes a thesaurus comprising one or more hierarchically structured, multi-level non-atomic key-objects comprising arbitrary complex data structures wherein said non-atomic key-objects comprise other non-atomic key-objects and atomic key-objects wherein said atomic key-objects comprise string, numeric, date, time, symbolic, URL, graphic, or video data, and updates said thesaurus with one or more new key-objects detected in said web-pages. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a graphical user interface accesses a thesaurus, wherein said thesaurus specifies a relationship of synonymy between said key-objects. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said search engine is configured to implement a structured query search of information which comprises a search for goods or services in e-commerce via a graphical user interface, and wherein said graphical user interface includes advertisements accurately targeted in response to said structured query. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said structured search of information comprises a search for goods or services in mobile e-commerce via a mobile telecommunications device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the system is configured to implement a structured query search executed against a specially created and maintained database of particular merchandise or service structured data, or across one or more heterogeneous data sources. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein one or more meta-objects are included in said key objects to augment querying of key-objects using one or more standard meta-object instances. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein a command line interface is employed instead of a graphical user interface.