Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PRESENTING REFERENCES WITH ANSWERS IN FORUMS
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent
Application No.
12/163,437 filed June 27, 2008 and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/163,580
filed June 27, 2008,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to content presentation.
BACKGROUND
Content delivery over the internet continues to improve every day. Computer
users can
receive e-mail, news, games, entertainment, music, books, and web pages-all
with a simple
Internet connection (and with improved quality on a broadband connection).
Internet users also
have access to a plethora of services such as maps, shopping links, images,
blogs, local search,
satellite images, group discussions, hosted content, and e-mail. When an
Internet user accesses
these respective services, the content provided by the service is typically
related to a particular
topic that can, for example, be divided up into various content categories. By
determining the
category of content provided to an Internet user on a particular service, a
service provider can
give the Internet user question and answers focused on the category, thus
improving the user's
experience.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for presenting
references with
answers in forums. In some implementations, a method for executing an embedded
search query
includes presenting a media item including a question, an answer, and a
reference for the answer.
The reference embeds in the answer a search result and a previously-executed
search query used
to identify the search result, and a graphical element configured to execute
the search query. The
presented search query is automatically executed in response to at least a
user selecting the
graphical element. In some implementations, the user automatically executes
the presented
search query with a single click of the graphical element.
In some implementations, the identified method may execute or otherwise
include one or
more of the following implementations. Automatically updating the answer
includes the search-
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result reference in response to at least a user selecting the associated
graphical element. The
associated graphical element includes a first graphical element and the method
presents the
media item including the question, the answer, and the search-result
reference. The reference
embeds in the answer a search result and a previously-executed search query
used to identify the
search result, and a second graphical element is configured to execute the
search query. The
presented search query is automatically executed in response to at least a
user selecting the
second graphical element. The media item is a Question and Answer (Q&A)
Webpage. The
search-result reference is a hyperlink configured to automatically execute the
search query in
response to a user selecting the search query. The associated graphical
element is a first
graphical element, and the method includes removing the search-result
reference in response to
at least a user selection a second graphical element presented with the search-
result reference.
The search results are presented in a browser window different than a browser
window
presenting the media item. The search results include at least one of
Websites, images, videos,
blogs, news, books, maps, or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The search-
result reference
includes a footnote to the answer. The search query is automatically executed
using an
Application Program Interface (API).
In some implementations, a method includes presenting a media item including a
question, a box for updating the media item with an answer, and a search field
for entering a
search query. In response to at least a search request entered in the search
field, the search
request is automatically executed with a remote search engine. A search result
with an
associated graphical element configured to update an answer to the question
with a reference to
the search result is presented. The answer including the search-result
reference is automatically
updated in response to at least a user selecting the associated graphical
element.
In some implementations, the identified method may execute or otherwise
include one or
more of the following implementations. The media item includes a Web page for
a Question and
Answer (Q&A) forum. A request is transmitted to a server to update the media
item with the
answer including the search-result reference, and the server provides a
plurality of media items
including the media item. The search-result reference is a footnote to the
answer. The search
request is automatically executed using a search Application Program
Interface. The search-
result reference includes a hyperlink to a Website identified by the search
result. The associated
graphical element is a first graphical element, and the method includes
removing the search-
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result reference in response to at least a user selection a second graphical
element presented with
the search-result reference. The associated graphical element includes a
graphical button. The
media item is a first media item, and the method includes presenting a second
media item
including the question, the answer, and the search-result reference for the
answer. The
associated graphical element is configured to the retrieve the search result,
and the search result
is automatically retrieved in response to at least a user selecting the
graphical element. The
second media item is a Q&A Webpage.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
accompa-
nying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and
advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is an example reference system for associating additional information
with
posted answers to questions accessible online;
FIGURES 2A to 2C illustrate example Question and Answer (Q&A) Web pages
including references to search queries;
FIGURES 3A to 3C illustrate example Q&A Web pages including references to
image
queries;
FIGURE 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for embedding
references in
answers in Q&A Web pages; and
FIGURES 5A to 5D illustrate additional example Q&A Web pages including
embedded
references; and
FIGURE 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for accessing search
results
using references in answers in Q&A Web pages.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example reference system 100 for
providing
references in answers to posted questions. For example, the system 100 may
embed footnotes
and an associated search query in an answer to a posted question such that the
footnotes may be
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configured to allow for retrieval of content and the embedded search query is
configured to
automatically execute the search query. In some implementations, embedded
references can
include a hyperlink to, for example, Websites, images, videos, blogs, news,
books, maps,
Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and/or other searchable content. An embedded
search query
may include a URL to a search engine and text for executing the search.
Individuals frequently
post questions in, for example, online forums to solicit advice and/or other
information from
users. By enabling a user to embed references and search queries, the system
100 may easily
provide authorities for answers to questions and/or expertise in formulating
search queries for
questions. In some implementations, the system 100 may execute one or more of
the following:
present a search field configured to execute searches in connection with an
answer box; present
search results to the user including graphical elements configured to embed a
reference to the
search results and/or the corresponding search query in the answer; update
associated Question
and Answer (Q&A) Web pages with answers, one or more references, and/or search
queries;
present the Q&A Web pages with a question, an answer, a reference, and/or a
search query that
was initially used to identify the reference; automatically execute a search
query associated with
a reference in an answer in response to at least a user selecting the
presented search query;
present search results of the automatically executed search query to the user;
and/or other
processes. For example, the system 100 may embed footnotes to search results
in posted
answers and automatically execute search queries that were initially used to
identify the search
results in response to a user, for example, clicking a single graphical
element. In this example,
the system 100 may illustrate more effective search-query formulations than
queries previously
executed by the user. In other words, the system 100 may facilitate
transmission of search
expertise from more knowledgeable users to less knowledgeable users.
At a high level, the system 100 includes a forum server 102, clients 104a-c,
and a search
engine 106 coupled through a network 108. The forum server 102 includes memory
110 and a
processor 112. The memory 110 locally stores a plurality of Q&A Web pages 114
for presenting
questions, answers, and references to content associated with the answers. The
Q&A Web pages
114 include an answer module 116 for submitting answers to posted questions, a
search module
118 for executing search queries and embedding references and/or corresponding
search queries
in posted answers, and a reference module 120 for presenting at least one
reference to a search
result (e.g., hyperlink) and a corresponding search query and executing the
search queries in
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response to a request. The processor 122 includes a request engine 122 for
providing Q&A Web
pages 114 to the clients 104a-c in response to at least a request and an
update engine 124 for
updating the Q&A Web pages 114 with answers and embedding the reference module
120. The
clients 104a-c include Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) 126a-c configured to
present graphical
elements 128a-d. The search engine 106 identifies search results (e.g.,
Websites, images) in
response to search requests submit using the search module 118.
In one example implementation, the request engine 122 may receive a request
for the
Q&A Webpage 114 and transmits the Q&A Webpage 114 to the client 104 for
display through
the GUI 126. In response to at least a request to submit an answer, the answer
module 116 may
present an answer box 128a and an associated search field 128b with a submit
button 128c. The
search module 118 may automatically transmit a search query 130 to the search
engine 106
submitted using the search field 128b and the submit button 128c. Based, at
least in part, on the
search query 130, the search engine 106 may transmit search results 132 to the
client 104a. The
client 104a may present the search results 132 to the user through the GUI
126a including
graphical elements for updating an answer with a reference (e.g., footnote) to
a search results. In
response to at least a user updating a Q&A Webpage 114 with an answer and a
reference, the
client 104a transmits the answer, the reference and the search query to the
server 102. The
update engine 124 automatically updates the associated Q&A Webpage 114 with an
embedded
reference module 120 based, at least in part, on the received answer,
reference, and search query.
In connection with a client 104b subsequently receiving the updated Q&A
Webpage 114, the
client 104b may present the Q&A Webpage 114, the question, the answer, the
reference 128d and
the associated search query 128e. In response to at least a user selecting the
search query 128,
the search query 128 automatically transmits a search request 134 to the
search engine 106 for
execution. The client 104b presents the search results 136 to the user through
the GUI 126b.
Turning to a more detailed description of the elements, the server 102
comprises an
electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process and store
data associated with
system 100. System 100 can be implemented using computers other than servers,
as well as a
server pool. Indeed, the forum server 102 may be any computer, electronic or
processing device
such as, for example, a blade server, general-purpose personal computer (PC),
Macintosh,
workstation, Unix-based computer, or any other suitable device. In other
words, system 100 may
include computers other than general purpose computers as well as computers
without
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conventional operating systems. The forum server 102 may be adapted to execute
any operating
system including Linux, UNIX, Windows Server, or any other suitable operating
system. In
certain implementations, the forum server 102 may also include or be
communicably coupled
with a web server and/or a mail server.
The forum server 102 includes the memory 110 and the processor 112. Memory 110
may
be a local memory and include any memory or database module and may take the
form of
volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media,
optical media,
random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any
other
suitable local or remote memory component. In the illustrated implementation,
the memory 110
includes the Q&A Web pages 114, but may include other information without
departing from the
scope of this disclosure. Local memory 110 may also include any other
appropriate data such as
applications or services, firewall policies, a security or access log, print
or other reporting files,
HTML files or templates, data classes or object interfaces, child software
applications or sub-
systems, and others.
The Web pages 114 comprise displays through which questions and associated
answers
can be presented to users of the clients 104. In general, the Web pages 114
include any machine
readable and machine storable work product that may generate or be used to
generate a display
through GUI 126. The Web pages 114 may be a file, a combination of files, one
or more files
with embedded links to other files, or any other suitable configuration. The
Web pages 114 may
include text, audio, image, video, animation, and other attributes. In short,
Web pages 114
comprise any source code or object code for generating a display that presents
questions, enables
users to submit answers and embed references and search queries. The Web page
114 may be
written in or based on any suitable programming language such as JavaScript.
In the illustrated
implementation, the Web page 114 includes the answer module 116, the search
module 118 and
the reference module 120. The answer module 116 can include any software
configured to
enable users to submit answers to posted questions. For example, the answer
module 116 may
present an answer box 128a to a user in response to at least a request to post
an answer to a
question. In some implementations, the answer module 116 may execute one or
more of the
following: receive a request to update a Web page 114 with an answer to a
posted question;
generate a field (e.g., an answer box 128a) for the user to submit text;
receive an indication to
update the Web page 114 with an answer and any references; transmit a request
to update the
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Web page 114 to the server 102; and/or other functions. In some
implementations, the answer
module 116 may receive an update request in response to at least a user
selecting, for example,
an answer button. In regards to presenting an answer field, the answer module
116 may present
the answer box 128a in a separate Web browser. In connection with a user
entering text and one
or more references in the presented answer field, the answer module 116 may
receive an
indication to update the Web page 114 in response to at least a user selecting
a submit button
presented in connection with the answer field. As further discussed below, the
insertion of the
references and/or search queries can be facilitated using buttons and/or
additional fields that
enable a user to perform a search from an answer entry page and automatically
or selectively
insert information from search results, a particular search result, and/or the
search query used to
obtain such results. In response to at least an indication from the user to
update the Web page
114, the answer module 116 may transmit a request to the server 102 to update
the Web page 114
with the answer, any references and corresponding search queries.
The search module 118 can include any software configured to enable users to
execute
search queries in connection with submitting answers to posted questions. For
example, the
search module 118 may present the search field 128b and the submit button 128c
in connection
with presenting the answer box 128a and automatically execute a search request
130 in response
to at least a user submitting a query using the field 128b and the button
128c. In some
implementations, the search module 118 may execute one or more of the
following: present a
search field 128b in connection with presentation of an answer field 128a;
receive a request to
execute a search query based on text entered in the search field 128b;
automatically transmit a
search request 130 to the search engine 106; present search results 132 to the
user including a
graphical element for updating an answer with one or more of the results;
automatically or
selectively updating an answer with reference to a search result in response
to an indication from
the user; automatically or selectively updating an answer with a search query
executed to identify
the references; and/or other functions. In some implementations, the search
module 118 can
present the search field 128b and a submit button 128c in a same browser with
the answer field
128a. For example, the search module 118 may present the search field 128b and
a submit
button 128c adjacent the search field 128a. In response to at least a user
selecting the submit
button 128c, the search module 118 may generate a search query based, at least
in part, on text
included in the search field 128b and transmit the search query 130 to the
search engine 106 for
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execution. In some implementations, the search module 118 may use an
Application Program
Interface (API) to execute the search query. For example, the search module
128 may trigger
AJAX calls to a remote backend to retrieve data with a corresponding AJAX
search API, other
API, and/or other elements. The search module 128 may present the search
results 132 to the
user in a Web browser different from the search field 128b. In some
implementations, the search
module 128 can present a graphical element (e.g., graphical button) for each
of at least a subset
of the search results such that the graphical element is configured to update
an answer with a
reference to the corresponding search result. For example, the search module
128 may update an
answer with a footnote having a hyperlink to a search result in response to,
for example, a user
selecting an "Add" button. In connection with embedding references in the
answer, the search
module 128 may embed search queries executed to identify the one or more
references.
Reference module 120 can include any software configured to automatically
execute a
previously-executed search query in connection with presenting answers and
references. For
example, the reference module 120 may execute a previously-executed search
query associated
with a search result referenced in an answer in the Web page 114. In addition,
the reference
module 120 may embed references in the Web page 114 to search results
previously identified.
In some implementations, the reference module 120 may execute one or more of
the following:
present a reference to a previously-identified search result in an answer;
present in the answer a
search query executed to identify the reference; automatically generate a
search request 134 in
response to at least a user selecting the presented search query; present the
search results to the
user; and/or other processes. In some implementations, the reference module
120 may present
the search query using a graphical element such as the search query 128e in a
posted answer. For
example, the reference module 120 may present the search query used to
identify a
corresponding search result referenced in an answer. In other words, the
reference module 120
may identify the search query used to identify a reference in an answer and
automatically
execute the search query in response to a user selecting the search query
128e. In some
implementations, the search query 128e can include a hyperlink to the search
engine 106 and text
for identifying the query.
Processor 112 executes instructions and manipulates data to perform operations
of the
server 102. Although FIGURE 1 illustrates a single processor 112 in the server
102, multiple
processors 112 may be used according to particular needs, and reference to
processor 112 is
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meant to include multiple processors 112 where applicable. In the illustrated
implementation,
the processor 112 executes the request engine 122 and the embedding engine 124
at any
appropriate time such as, for example, in response to a request or input from
a user of the server
102 or any appropriate computer system coupled with network 108.
The request engine 122 can include any software, hardware, and/or firmware
configured
to transmit a Web page 114 to a client 104 in response to at least a request.
For example, the
request engine 122 may receive a request identifying a specific Web page 114
and transmit the
requested Web page 114 to the client 104 based, at least in part, on the
request. In some
implementations, the request engine 122 may execute one or more of the
following: receive a
request from a client 104 through the network 108; identify one or more
parameters based, at
least in part, on the request; transmit the requested Web page 114 to a client
104 in accordance
with the parameters; and/or other processes. In some implementations, the
request engine 122
may identify an identifier for a Web page 114 and a network address for the
client 104 based, at
least in part, on the request. The identifier may include a string unique to
the Web page 114, a
topic of the Web page 114, and/or other information. In some implementations,
the request
engine 122 may identify a network address included in the request. In some
implementations,
the request engine 122 may map a user identified in the request to the network
address locally
stored on the server 102.
The embedding engine 124 can include any software, hardware, and/or firmware
configured to embed one or more reference modules 120 in the Web pages 114.
For example,
the embedding engine 124 may receive a request to update a Web page 114 with
an answer, one
or more references, and corresponding search queries and automatically update
the Web page
114 with the answer and associated reference modules 120 based, at least in
part, on the request.
In some implementations, the embedding engine 124 may execute one or more of
the following:
receive a request to update a Web page 114 with an answer, references, and
search queries;
identify the answer, the one or more references and the search queries based,
at least in part, on
the request; update the Web page 114 with the answer; generate one or more
reference modules
120 based, at least in part, on the included references and/or search queries;
update the Web page
114 with the reference modules 120 in connection with including the answer;
and/or other
processes. In some implementations, the embedding engine 124 may identify text
for the
answer. In some implementations, the embedding engine 124 may identify one or
more of the
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following associated the references: titles; content names; URLs;
corresponding search queries;
hyperlinks; and/or other information. In connection with embedding a
reference, the embedding
engine 124 may update the Web page 114 with a hyperlink to the corresponding
content. In
connection with embedding a search query used to identify the reference, the
embedding engine
124 may generate a graphical element (e.g., search query 128e) configured to
automatically
execute the search query in response to a user selecting the element. In some
implementations,
the search-query element may include a hyperlink with text identifying the
previously-executed
search query. While FIGURE 1 illustrates a single reference module 120 for
embedding both the
references and the search query, the embedding engine 124 may generate a
different module for
each reference and/or for each previously-executed search query.
Regardless of the particular implementation, "software," as used herein, may
include
software, firmware, wired or programmed hardware, or any combination thereof
as appropriate.
Indeed, the request engine 122 and the embedding engine 124 may be written or
described in any
appropriate computer language including C, C++, Java, J#, Visual Basic,
assembler, Perl, any
suitable version of 4GL, as well as others. It will be understood that while
the request engine
122 and the embedding engine 124 are illustrated in FIGURE 1 as including
individual modules,
each of the request engine 122 and the embedding engine 124 may include
numerous other sub-
modules or may instead be a single multi-tasked module that implements the
various features and
functionality through various objects, methods, or other processes. Further,
while illustrated as
internal to server 102, one or more processes associated with the request
engine 122 and/or the
embedding engine 124 may be stored, referenced, or executed remotely.
Moreover, the request
engine 122 and/or the embedding engine 124 may be a child or sub-module of
another software
module or enterprise application (not illustrated).
Clients 104a-c are any devices (e.g., computing devices) operable to connect
or
communicate with the server 102, the search engine 106 or network 108 using
any
communication link. Each client 104 includes, executes, or otherwise presents
a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) 126 and comprises an electronic device operable to receive,
transmit, process
and store any appropriate data associated with system 100. While the
illustrated implementation
includes clients 104a-c, system 100 may include any number of clients 104
communicably
coupled to the server 102. Further, "client 104" and "user" may be used
interchangeably as
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appropriate. Moreover, for ease of illustration, each client 104 is described
in terms of being
used by one user. But many users may use one device or that one user may use
multiple devices.
As used in this disclosure, a user of client 104 is any person, department,
organization,
small business, enterprise, or any other entity that may use or request others
to use system 100.
Client 104 is intended to encompass a personal computer, touch screen
terminal, workstation,
network computer, kiosk, wireless data port, smart phone, personal data
assistant (PDA), one or
more processors within these or other devices, or any other suitable
processing or electronic
device used by a user viewing content from the server 102. For example, the
client 104 may be a
PDA operable to wirelessly connect with an external or unsecured network. In
another example,
the client 104 may comprise a laptop that includes an input device, such as a
keypad, touch
screen, mouse, or other device that can accept information, and an output
device that conveys
information associated with question and answer posted using the server 102,
including digital
data, visual information, or GUI 126. Both the input device and output device
may include fixed
or removable storage media such as a magnetic computer disk, CD-ROM, or other
suitable
media to both receive input from and provide output to users of clients 104
through the display,
namely the client portion of GUI 126.
The GUI 126 comprises a graphical user interface operable to allow the user of
the client
104 to interface with at least a portion of system 100 for any suitable
purpose, such as viewing
Q&A Web pages. Generally, the GUI 126 provides the particular user with an
efficient and user-
friendly presentation of data provided by or communicated within system 100.
The GUI 126
may comprise a plurality of customizable frames or views having interactive
fields, pull-down
lists, and buttons operated by the user. For example, the GUI 126 is operable
to display certain
network ads 118 in a user-friendly form based on the user context and the
displayed data. The
GUI 126 can be configurable, supporting a combination of graphical elements
(e.g., fields,
buttons), to present the Web pages 114 including the graphical elements 128.
The term graphical
user interface may be used in the singular or in the plural to describe one or
more graphical user
interfaces and each of the displays of a particular graphical user interface.
The GUI 126 may be
any graphical user interface, such as a generic web browser or touch screen,
that processes
information in the system 100 and efficiently presents the results to the
user. The server 102 can
accept data from the client 104 via a the web browser (e.g., Microsoft
Internet Explorer or
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Netscape Navigator) and return the appropriate HTML, XML, and/or other
responses to the
browser using the network 108, such as the graphical elements 128.
The graphical elements 128 may include any graphical elements that present
interactive
elements to the user of the client 104. For example, the graphical elements
128 may execute a
search query in connection with a user submitting an answer to a posted
question and embed the
answer with selected references. In some implementations, the graphical
elements 128 may
enable a user to identify a search previously executed to answer a question
and automatically
execute the search query with, for example, a single click. The graphical
elements 128 may
include one or more of the following: text, color, sound, hyperlinks, buttons,
fields, and/or any
other suitable electronic element. For example, the fields 128 may receive
text submitted by a
user to execute a search in connection with answering a question and buttons
128 for embedding
a search result in an answer. In addition or alternatively, the graphical
elements 128 may include
text identifying a previously-executed search corresponding to the referenced
content.
Network 108 facilitate wireless or wireline communication between the server
102 and
any other local or remote computer, such as clients 104. Network 108 may be
all or a portion of
an enterprise or secured network. While illustrated as single network, the
network 108 may be a
continuous network logically divided into various sub-nets or virtual
networks, so long as at least
portion of the network 108 may facilitate communications of answers and
references between the
server 102 and at least one client 104. In some implementations, the network
108 encompasses
any internal or external network, networks, sub-network, or combination
thereof operable to
facilitate communications between various computing components in the system
100. The
network 108 may communicate, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets,
Frame Relay
frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, and other
suitable
information between network addresses. The network 108 may include one or more
local area
networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks
(MANs), wide
area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the global computer network known as
the Internet,
and/or any other communication system or systems at one or more locations.
In one aspect of operation, the request engine 122 may receive a request for a
Q&A
Webpage 114 based on one or more parameters. For example, the request may
identify a topic, a
specific page 114, a question, and/or other information. In response to at
least the request, the
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request engine 122 identifies the Q&A Webpage 114 and transmits the Q&A
Webpage 114 to
the client 104 for display through the GUI 126. As previously discussed the
transmitted
Webpage 114 may include the answer module 116, the search module 118, and the
reference
module 120. In response indicating a request to submit an answer, the answer
module 116 may
present an answer box 128a as well as the search field 128b and the search
button 128c. In some
implementations, the search module 118 may present the search field 128b and
the search button
128c proximate the answer box128a. In some examples, the search field 128b and
the search
button 128c may be present in a same Web browser and a different Web browser
presenting the
Web page 114. In response to a user selecting the search button 128c and
entering text in the
search field 128b, the search module 118 may automatically transmit a search
query 130 to the
search engine 106. After receiving the search results 132, the client 104a may
present the search
results 132 using the GUI 126a and may also present graphical elements (e.g.,
buttons) for
embedding references in an answer. In response to at least a user submitting
an answer with
embedded references, the client 104a transmits the answer, the reference and
the search query to
the server 102. The update engine 124 automatically updates the associated Q&A
Webpage 114
with an embedded reference module 120 based, at least in part, on the received
answer,
reference, and search query. After a Web page 114 is embedded with references
and search
queries, a subsequent user may present the Q&A Webpage 114, the question, the
answer, the
reference 128d and the associated search query 128e. In response to at least a
user selecting the
reference 128d, the reference 128d automatically retrieves the associated
content from the
network 108. The client 104 presents the content to the user through the GUI
126b.
FIGURES 2A to 2C are example Web pages 114a, 114b, and 204 including
information
associated with references embedded in posted answers. The illustrated page is
for example
purposes only, and the Web page 114 may include some, all, or different
information.
Accordingly, the GUI 126 may present answers and embedded references and
search queries, in
any format or descriptive language and each page may present any appropriate
answers and
references in any layout.
Referring to FIGURE 2A, the Web page 114a presents a search field 128b and a
search
button 128c in connection with a data entry field (e.g., an answer box 128a)
for use in answering
a posted question. For example, the answer module 116 may present an answer
box 128a in a
separate browser and the search module 118 may present the search field 128b
and the search
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button 128c in the same browser proximate the answer box 128a. In response to
a user selecting
the submit button 128c, the search module 118 may automatically execute the
search query in the
search field 128b and presents the search results 132 to the user with
corresponding add buttons
202 for embedding selected results in the answer. The search results can be
presented to the user
as part of the same Web page 114a that presents the answer box 128a. Referring
to FIGURE 2B,
the Web page 114b illustrates a reference 128b embedded in an answer and a
search query 128e
for identifying the corresponding search query. In some implementations, the
embedding engine
124 can embed both a search result and the previously-executed search query
and present them
through the Web page using the reference 128b and the search query 128e,
respectively. In this
case, a user may view the content by selecting the reference 128d. In some
implementations, the
reference 128b is a hyperlink to a corresponding Web page. In some examples, a
user may
automatically execute the previously-executed search query by selecting the
search query 128e.
In some implementations, the search query 128e can be a hyperlink including
text identifying the
previously-executed search query. Referring to FIGURE 2C, the Web page 204
present the
search results to the user in response to the user selecting the search query
128. In some
implementations, the search results 128 are presented using a separate Web
browser. In addition
to the search results, the search results 204 may include a search field 206
identifying the
executed search. The executed search, in some implementations, can be the
search query 128e.
FIGURE 3A to 3C are example Web pages 114c, 114d, and 302 illustrating image
references and an image search query embedded in a posted answer. As shown in
FIGURE 3A,
the Web page 114c includes image search results 132 and corresponding add
buttons 304a and
304b. The search results 132 may be presented in response to at least
executing an image search
query in the search field 128b. In addition, the search field 128b may be
associated with a
plurality of tabs 308. A user may execute one of a plurality of different
types of searches using
the tab 308. The user may embed the search query and an image in an answer by
selecting the
add button 304. As shown in FIGURE 3B, the Web page 114c illustrates a
reference 128d
identifying the embedded image and a corresponding search query 128e. The user
may execute
the previously-execute image search query by selecting the image search query
128e. As shown
in FIGURE 3C, the Web page 302 illustrate search results identified in
response to at least the
user selecting the image search query 128e. In the illustrated implementation,
the search results
302 include the search field 306 identifying the executed image search query.
Implementations
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can include conducting search queries other than an image search query and
embedding
references other than images (e.g., text, hyperlinks, or other information).
FIGURE 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 400 for embedding
search
results and search queries in answers in accordance with some implementations
of the present
disclosure. Generally, the method 400 describes an example technique for
executing a search
query in connection with answering a posted question and automatically
embedding the search
result and the search query in the Web page. Method 400 contemplates using any
appropriate
combination and arrangement of logical elements implementing some or all of
the described
functionality.
Method 400 begins at step 402 where an answer box including a search field are
presented to a user. For example, the search module 118 of FIGURE 1 may
present the search
field 128b and a search button 128c in a same browser as the answer box 128a
(e.g., as part of
the same window or within the same Web page). At step 404, a search query is
received in
connection with a user submitting an answer to a posted question. In the
example, the search
module 118 may receive a search query in response to at least a user entering
the search query in
the search field 128b and selecting the search button 128c. Next, at step 406,
an AJAX call to
execute the search query using a search API is transmitted. As for the
example, the search
module 118 may transmit an AJAX call to the search engine 106 to use a search
API to execute
the submitted search query. The search results with associated add buttons are
presented to the
user at step 408. Returning to the example, the search results 132 may be
presented to the user
with add buttons (e.g., buttons 202, buttons 304) for each result such that a
user may embed one
or more references when submitting an answer to a posted question. At step
410, the answer box
is updated with at least one search result and the corresponding search query
in response to at
least the user selecting the add button assigned to the search result. Again
in the example, the
search module 118 may automatically update the answer box 128a with the
reference 128d and
the search query 128e in response to the user selecting the add button 128c.
Next, at step 412, a
request to update the Q&A Webpage with the answer and reference is transmitted
in response to
at least the user indicating a request to submit an answer. In the example,
the answer module
116 may automatically transmit to the update engine 124 a request to update
the Web page 114
with the answer and embed the selected reference and corresponding search
query.
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FIGURES 5A to 5D are example Web pages 502, 504, 506, and 508 including
information associated with references embedded in posted answers. The
illustrated page is for
example purposes only, and the Web pages 502, 504, 506, and 508 may include
some, all, or
different information. Accordingly, the GUI 126 may present answers and
embedded references,
in any format or descriptive language and each page may present any
appropriate answers and
references in any layout.
Referring to FIGURE 5A, the Web page 502 presents an answer box 128a, a search
field
128b and a search button 128c in single Web page 502 for use in answering a
posted question.
For example, the answer module 116 may present the answer box 128a in a
separate browser
from the Web pages 114, and the search module 118 may present the search field
128b and the
search button 128c in the same browser proximate the answer box 128a.
Referring to FIGURE
513, the Web page 504 includes the search field 128b, the search button 128,
and a search tab
510. Initially, the user may select a search topic by selecting one of the
plurality of different
search topics illustrated in the search tab 510 (e.g., images). The user may
enter text in the
search field 128b indicating a search query for execution (e.g., marmot). In
response to a user
selecting the submit button 128c, the search module 118 may automatically
execute the search
query in the search field 128b. Referring to FIGURE 5C, the Web page 506
presents search
results with each having an associated graphical element for embedding a
reference in a posted
answer. As illustrated, the search results 132 are presented to the user with
corresponding add
buttons 512 for embedding selected results in the answer. The search results
can be presented to
the user as part of the same Web page 506 that presents the answer box 128a.
Referring to
FIGURE 5D, the Web page 508 illustrates a reference 128b embedded in an answer
and a search
query 128e for identifying the corresponding search query. In some
implementations, the
embedding engine 124 can embed both a search result and the previously-
executed search query
and present them through the Web page 508 using the reference 128b and the
search query 128e,
respectively. In this case, a user may view the content by selecting the
reference 128d. In some
implementations, the reference 128b is a hyperlink to a corresponding Web
page. In some
examples, a user may automatically execute the previously-executed search
query by selecting
the search query 128e. In some implementations, the search query 128e can be a
hyperlink
including text identifying the previously-executed search query.
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FIGURE 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 600 for automatically
executing
a search query embedded in an answer. Generally, the method 600 describes an
example
technique for presenting an answer including an embedded reference and search
query and
automatically executing the search query in response to a use selection.
Method 600 can include
using any appropriate combination and arrangement of logical elements
implementing some or
all of the described functionality.
Method 600 begins at step 602 where a Q&A Webpage including an answer and a
reference and search query embedded in the answer is presented to a user. For
example, the
request engine 122 of FIGURE 1 may receive a request for a specific Web page
114 and transmit
the Web page 114 including the embedded reference module 120 to the client
104. At step 604,
a search query is automatically transmitted to search engine in response to at
least the user
selecting the search query. In the example, the reference module 120 may
automatically execute
a search query corresponding to a reference 128d and identified by the search
query 128e in
response to at least the user selecting the search query 128e. Next, at step
606, the search results
are presented to the user in a separate Web browser. In the example, the
search results 136 may
presented to the user through a separate Web browser in the GUI 126.
Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described
in this
specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in
computer software,
firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this
specification and their structural
equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the
subject matter
described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer
program products,
i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions tangibly stored on
a computer
readable storage device for execution by, or to control the operation of, data
processing
apparatus. In addition, the one or more computer program products can be
tangibly encoded in a
propagated signal, which is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-
generated electrical,
optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information
for transmission to
suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a computer. The computer readable
storage device
can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage
substrate, a memory
device, or a combination of one or more of them.
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The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and
machines
for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a
computer, or
multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to
hardware, code that
creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g.,
code that
constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management
system, an operating
system, a cross-platform runtime environment, or a combination of one or more
of them. In
addition, the apparatus can employ various different computing model
infrastructures, such as
web services, distributed computing and grid computing infrastructures.
The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed
by one or
more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to
perform functions
by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic
flows can also be
performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic
circuitry, e.g., an
FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific
integrated circuit).
Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be
implemented
in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data
server, or that includes
a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front
end component,
e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser
through which a user
can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described is this
specification, or any
combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components.
The
components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of
digital data
communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication
networks include
a local area network ("LAN") and a wide area network ("WAN"), an inter-network
(e.g., the
Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).
The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are
generally
remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network.
The
relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs
running on the respective
computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it
will be
understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
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