Searching restricted content on a network

Abstract

A method and system that comprises a first device and at least one server is disclosed. The first device is configured to receive a voice signal including a natural language query and to transmit first information derived from the voice signal. The at least one server is configured to determine search criteria from the first information, to search at least one web service based on the search criteria, and to transmit second information based on a result of the searching. The first device is configured to receive the second information and to output a voice response to the natural language query and provide, using a display of the first device, a list of selectable options, based on the second information. The first device or the at least one server is configured to provide, using machine learning, additional information based on natural language queries outside of the natural language query.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a first device, a voice signal including a natural language query from a user;   transmitting, by the first device, first information derived from the voice signal to at least one server;   determining, by the at least one server, search criteria from the first information;   searching, by the at least one server, at least one web service based on the search criteria;   transmitting, by the at least one server to the first device, second information based on a result of the searching;   receiving, by the first device, the second information;   outputting, by the first device, a voice response to the natural language query; and providing, using a display of the first device, a list of selectable options, based on the second information, wherein the selectable options include links to other websites; and   providing, using machine learning by the first device or the at least one server, additional information based on natural language queries outside of the natural language query.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, by the first device, a second voice signal including a second natural language query, wherein the second natural language query is based off of the list of selectable options; 
 transmitting, by the first device, third information derived from the second voice signal to the at least one server; 
 transmitting, by the at least one server, fourth information in response to the second natural language query and the second information; 
 receiving, by the first device, the fourth information; and 
 outputting, by the first device, a voice response and a displayed response to the second natural language query. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the list of selectable options includes graphics and text. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one server provides a virtual agent service and provides a messaging mode based on voice signals inputted into the first device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one server searches a plurality of web sites in response to a single natural language query. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one server pre-processes a response to a natural language query. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a first device; and   at least one server, wherein:   the first device is configured to receive a voice signal including a natural language query from a user;   the first device is further configured to transmit, to the at least one server, first information derived from the voice signal;   the at least one server is configured to determine search criteria from the first information;   the at least one server is further configured to search at least one web service based on the search criteria;   the at least one server is further configured to transmit, to the first device, second information based on a result of the searching;   the first device is further configured to receive the second information;   the first device is further configured to output a voice response to the natural language query and provide, using a display of the first device, a list of selectable options, based on the second information, wherein the selectable options include links to other websites; and   the first device or the at least one server is further configured to provide, using machine learning, additional information based on natural language queries outside of the natural language query.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein:
 the first device is further configured to receive a second voice signal including a second natural language query, wherein the second natural language query is based off of the list of selectable options; 
 the first device is further configured to transmit, to the at least one server, third information derived from the second voice signal; 
 the at least one server is further configured to transmit, to the first device, fourth information in response to the second natural language query and the second information; 
 the first device is further configured to receive the fourth information; and 
 the first device is further configured to output a voice response and a displayed response to the second natural language query. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the list of selectable options includes graphics and text. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one server is further configured to provide a virtual agent service and provide a messaging mode based on voice signals inputted into the first device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one server is further configured to search a plurality of web sites in response to a single natural language query. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one server is further configured to pre-process a response to a natural language query.