Systems and methods for enhancing search results by way of updating search indices

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for efficiently providing personalized search results to a user. Personalized search allows a user to receive search results that are most relevant to that user. For example, when a user with a strong interest in rap searches for “50 cent” they may be presented with top search results corresponding to 50 Cent's rap albums. Conversely, when a coin collector searches for “50 cent” they may be presented with top search results containing antique coins.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method comprising:
 configuring a database that comprises a first data subset and a second data subset, wherein the database is configured such that the second data subset is only searched for a term when searching the first data subset for the term yields insufficient results;   accessing an event timestamp that indicates a future time when an event is scheduled to occur;   determining, based on comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to a first threshold time, that the database should be updated;   in response to the determining based on the comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to the first threshold time that the first data subset should be updated:
 searching the second data subset to identify an entry that matches metadata of the event; and 
 moving the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset. 
   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 in response to determining that a second threshold time has passed since the time indicated by the event timestamp:
 moving the identified entry from the first data subset to the second data subset. 
   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the accessing the event timestamp comprises:
 accessing an event database comprising event attributes;   determining based on the event attributes the event timestamp that indicates the future time when the event is scheduled to occur.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising generating for display results of at least one of the searching for the term in the first data subset or the second data subset before moving the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising generating for display the results of the searching the first data subset for the term parallel to searching the second data subset for the term. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising in response to finding a first result of searching for the term in the first data subset, generating for display the first result while continuing to search for the term in the first data subset. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 receiving a data item;   comparing metadata of the data item to a database profile to determine a degree of similarity;   in response to the degree of similarity exceeding a first threshold and not exceeding a second threshold, placing the data item in the second data subset; and   in response to the degree of similarity exceeding the second threshold, placing the data item in the first data subset.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 monitoring symbols that are being inputted while the term is being inputted;   dynamically modifying the first data subset and the second data subset based on the monitoring.   
     
     
         59 . A system comprising:
 input/output circuitry configured to:
 receive a term as an input; and 
 receive an event timestamp that indicates a future time when an event is scheduled to occur; and 
   control circuitry configured to:
 configure a database that comprises a first data subset and a second data subset, wherein the database is configured such that the second data subset is only searched for the term when searching the first data subset for the term yields insufficient results; 
 determine, based on comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to a first threshold time, that the database should be updated; 
 in response to the determining based on the comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to the first threshold time that the first data subset should be updated:
 search the second data subset to identify an entry that matches metadata of the event; and 
 move the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset. 
 
   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 in response to determining that a second threshold time has passed since the time indicated by the event timestamp:
 move the identified entry from the first data subset to the second data subset. 
   
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the input/output circuitry is configured to access the event timestamp by:
 accessing an event database comprising event attributes;   determining based on the event attributes the event timestamp that indicates the future time when the event is scheduled to occur.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display results of at least one of the searching for the term in the first data subset or the second data subset before moving the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display the results of the searching the first data subset for the term parallel to searching the second data subset for the term. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to, in response to finding a first result of searching for the term in the first data subset, generate for display the first result while continuing to search for the term in the first data subset. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the input/output circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a data item; and   wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:   compare metadata of the data item to a database profile to determine a degree of similarity;   in response to the degree of similarity exceeding a first threshold and not exceeding a second threshold, place the data item in the second data subset; and   in response to the degree of similarity exceeding the second threshold, place the data item in the first data subset.   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 monitor symbols that are being inputted while the term is being inputted;   dynamically modify the first data subset and the second data subset based on the monitoring.   
     
     
         67 . A system comprising:
 means for configuring a database that comprises a first data subset and a second data subset, wherein the database is configured such that the second data subset is only searched for a term when searching the first data subset for the term yields insufficient results;   means for accessing an event timestamp that indicates a future time when an event is scheduled to occur;   means for determining, based on comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to a first threshold time, that the database should be updated;   means for in response to the determining based on the comparing the future time indicated by the event timestamp to the first threshold time that the first data subset should be updated:
 means for searching the second data subset to identify an entry that matches metadata of the event; and 
 means for moving the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset. 
   
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , further comprising:
 means for, in response to determining that a second threshold time has passed since the time indicated by the event timestamp:
 moving the identified entry from the first data subset to the second data subset. 
   
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the means for accessing the event timestamp comprise:
 means for accessing an event database comprising event attributes;   means for determining based on the event attributes the event timestamp that indicates the future time when the event is scheduled to occur.   
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 67 , further comprising means for generating for display results of at least one of the searching for the term in the first data subset or the second data subset before moving the identified entry from the second data subset to the first data subset.