Methods and apparatus for content search using logical relationship taxonomies

摘要

When search results are returned to an Internet user, the user is limited in next steps to analyze the displayed content. While advanced search options allow the user to search again, these options again return a set of results that are largely independent from each other apart from common words or phrases requested in the query. Some search engines return the results into further categories relating to the search terms themselves, but again the results are linked only by the taxonomy defined in the search query or between the results themselves. The present invention provides two means for providing the user new analytical tools after a search result is returned. First, the user passes all or a subset of the initial search results through a logical relationships taxonomy. The set of terms in this taxonomy is independent of the actual search terms; instead, the taxonomy terms are pre-defined and reflect logical structure instead of a topical taxonomy. By parsing results in this manner, the user is provided an analysis of the combined results. Second, this invention provides the user a way to create and view both the logical relationships between returned results and the strength of those relationships. By doing so, the user better understands how the results relate to each other and to logically adjacent content.