USOO8463765B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,463,765 B2 Lesavich (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 11, 2013

(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING ? b f 1939. E. 4- W - aa. YESSEESNES WITH COUP 25.6,216,157 B1E. 4/2001S. VishwanathT. 6,219,671 B1 4/2001 DeVries (76) Inventor: Zachary C. Lesavich, Chicago, IL (US) 6,230,155 B1 5, 2001 Broder 6,230,158 B1 5/2001 Burrows (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this gas, R 38: RY past 5S adjusted under 35 6,289.3584 - B1 9/2001 MattisWS .S.C. 154(b) by 60 days. 6,292,880 B1 9/2001 Mattis 6,308,175 B1 10/2001 Lang (21) Appl. No.: 13/097,227 6,308,214 B1 10/2001 Plevyak 6,311, 189 B1 10/2001 DeVries (22) Filed: Apr. 29, 2011 6,314.420 B1 1 1/2001 Lang 6,317,741 B1 1 1/2001 Burrows (65) Prior PublicationO O Data 6,321,2656,321,220 B1 11/20011 1/2001 NajorkDean US 2011/0208710 A1 Aug. 25, 2011 6,332,144 B1 12/2001 DeVries 6,343,302 B1 1/2002 Graham (51) Int. Cl. (Continued) G06F 7700 (2006.01) Primary Examiner — Jacob F Bétit G06F 7/30 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl Assistant Examiner — Griselle Corbo AV e. we (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Lesavich High-Tech Law USPC ------grrrrr. T07f706 Group, P.C. (58) Field of Classification Search USPC ...... 707/707. 706 (57) ABSTRACT See application file for complete search history. A method and system for creating vertical search engines (56) References Cited with cloud computing networks. The cloud computing net works include a cloud communications network using public U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS networks, private networks, community networks and hybrid 5.499.366 A 3/1996 Rosenberg networks. The cloud communications network provides on 5,577,241 A 1 1/1996 Spencer demand Vertical search services, broadband network access, 5,878.423 A 3, 1999 Anderson resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured electronic 5,915,249 A 6/1999 Spencer services for vertical search engines. The method and system 5,956,711 A 9, 1999 Sullivan et al. 5,966,533 A 10/1999 Moody dramatically improve a vertical search engine infrastructure 5,983,214 A 1 1/1999 Lang used by searchers by providing vertical electronic informa 5,983,227 A 11/1999 Nazem tion using less bandwidth and less processing cycles via the 5.991,756 A 11, 1999 Wu cloud communications network than via a non-cloud commu 6,012,053 A 1, 2000 Pant 6,029,161 A 2/2000 Lang nications network. Custom vertical search engines can be 6,073,241 A 6/2000 Rosenberg created by a user with QR bar codes and other types of bar 6,112.203 A 8, 2000 Bharat codes and other types of custom information. 6,128,623 A 10, 2000 Mattis 6,128,627 A 10, 2000 Mattis 20 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets

CCU coMUTING NetWork

First CUSTM WerticAL sARch ENGINE LINKFROM s US 8,463,765 B2 Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2005/0O82370 A1 4/2005 Frantz et al. 2006, OO75026 A1 4/2006 Ryu et al. g: R $383 Ramanian 2006, OO82475 A1 4, 2006 Zhao et al. 6,360,215 B1 3, 2002 Judd 2007, OO63050 A1 3/2007 Attia et al. 6,381,594 B1 4/2002 Eichstaedt 2009/0151210 A1 6/2009 Nagatome 6,442,606 B1 8/2002 Subbaroyan 2010/0094878 A1* 4/2010 Soroca et al...... 707/748 6.463,430 B1 10/2002 Brady et al. 2011/025 1942 A1* 10, 2011 Rosenthal et al...... 705/37 6,490,575 B1 12/2002 Berstis 2012,0084665 A1 4/2012 BookStaff 6,714,934 B1 3, 2004 Fordham 2012/O185307 A1 7/2012 BookStaff 7,680,860 B1 3/2010 Fordham 2012/0278622 A1 11/2012 LeSavich et al. 8,363,806 B2 1/2013 BookStaff 2012/0303511 A1 11/2012 Sandor et al. 2001/00 1684.6 A1* 8, 2001 Chakrabarti et al...... 707/102 2005, OO11957 A1 1/2005 Attia et al. * cited by examiner U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 1 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

COMPUTING

NETWORK 18 26

is:

s: SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 2 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. 2

CLOUD COMPUTING NETWORK

3O'64 84 U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 3 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. 3 / PROTOCOL STACK

APPLICATION PROGRAMS 58

NETWORK INTERFACE CARD DEVICE DRIVERS 40 U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 4 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. 4 60

CLOUD COMPUTING NETWORK 18

Cloud SOFTMVARE SERVICES (e.g., CCSA 64, etc.)

Cloud PLATFORM (e.g., CCP 72, etc.)

Cloud INFRASTRUCTURE (e.g., CC 68, etc.)

PUBLIC INTERNET, PSTN, CATV, etC. HYBRD

74 76 {PUBLIC: U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 5 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FGS

82

NETWORK

VERTICAL SEARCH ENGINE

86

NETWORKING STES U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 6 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. 6A

RECEIVE AREQUEST MESSAGE TO CREATE AVERTICAL SEARCH ENGINE ON A CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATION ON A SERVER NETWORK DEVICE WITH ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS VIA A CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK COMPRISING A PUBLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK, AND ONE OR MORE PRIVATE NETWORKS, COMMUNITY NETWORKS AND HYBRID NETWORKS, WHEREIN THE REGUEST MESSAGE INCLUDES AVERTICAL 90 SEARCHENGINE TOPIC USED TO CREATEAVERTICAL SEARCH ENGINE, WHEREIN THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE PROVIDES ELECTRONIC INFORMATION WITH A DEPTH OF INFORMATION GREATER THANA BREATH OF INFORMATION

SEND FROM THE CLOUD APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE PLURAL OUERY MESSAGES INCLUDING THE

RECEIVED VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE TOPIC TO A PLURAL ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVER NETWORK DEVICES EACH 92 WITH ONE OR MORE PROCESSORS VIA THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

RECEIVE ON THE CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE PLURAL INFORMATION MESSAGES INCLUDINGELECTRONIC INFORMATION FOR THE RECEIVED VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE TOPC FROM ONE OR 94 MORE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVER NETWORK DEVICES VIA THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

TO A, FIG. 6B U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 7 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. 6B

CREATING AVERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON THE CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE WITH THE RECEIVED ELECTRONIC INFORMATION, THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL TAXONOMIES AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL ONTOLOGIES ARRANGED INA VERTICAL HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE, WHEREIN THE RECEIVED ELECTRONIC INFORMATION IS LOCATED ANYWHERE ON THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK, THE ONE ORMORE PRIVATE NETWORKS, COMMUNITY NETWORKS OR HYBRD NETWORKS ON THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

MAKE THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION AVAILABLE TO OTHER NETWORK DEVICES FROM SERVER NETWORK DEVICE ON THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, THEREBY ALLOWING A PLURALITY OF OTHER TARGET NETWORK DEVICES OR OTHER SERVER NETWORK DEVICES TO SELECTIVELY RECQUEST ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION VIA THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE IN REAL-TIME USINGLESS BANDWIDTH AND LESS PROCESSING CYCLES VIA THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK THAN VA A NON-CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 8 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG. T.

100 <

RECEIVE A REGUEST MESSAGE ON A VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON A SERVER NETWORK DEVICE FROM A TARGET NETWORK DEVICE WIAA CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TO DISPLAY MORE INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF VERTICAL 102 ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FROM THE VERTICAL SEARCH ENGINE APPLICATION

RETRIEVE ON VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE THE RECQUESTED ONE OR MORE ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF VERTICAL ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK, THE ONE OR MORE PRIVATE NETWORKS, COMMUNITY 104 NETWORKS OR HYERID NETWORKS ON THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

DISPLAY SECURELY ON A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE VIA AN APPLICATION THE TARGET NETWORK DEVICE FROM THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE THE RETRIEVED ONE ORMORE INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF VERTICAL ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FROM THE VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION VIA THE CLOUD 106 COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 9 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FG. 8 108 CSTART)START A^

RECEIVE A CUSTOM REQUEST MESSAGE FROMA MOBILE TARGET NETWORK DEVICE TO CREATE CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE ON A CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATION ON A SERVER NETWORK DEVICE VIAA CLOUD COMPUTING NETWORK, WHEREIN THE CUSTOM REQUEST MESSAGE INCLUDES PLURAL 110 ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FOR CREATING A CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE

CREATE A CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATION ON THE CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATION ON THE SERVER NETWORK DEVICE WITH THE PLURALITY OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FROM THE CUSTOMRECQUEST MESSAGE, THE CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE 112 APPLICATION INCLUDING PLURAL VERTICAL TAXONOMIES AND PLURAL VERTICAL ONTOLOGES ARRANGED IN A VERTICAL HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE

MAKE THE CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINE APPLICATIONAVAILABLE TO THE MOBILE TARGET NETWORK DEVICE FROM SERVER NETWORK DEVICE ON THE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, WHEREIN THE CUSTOM VERTICAL SEARCHENGINES AVAILABLE TO THE MOBILE TARGET NETWORK DEVICE ON ANY NETWORK ON THE CLOUD 114 COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK INCLUDING ANYWHERE ON THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK, THE ONE ORMORE PRIVATE NETWORKS, COMMUNITY NETWORKS OR HYBRID NETWORKS U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 10 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

18

CLOUD COMPUTING NETWORK

FIRST CUSTOM 124 WERTICAL SEARCH ENGINE LINK FROM 118 U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 11 of 11 US 8,463,765 B2

FIG 10 126

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EurOmonitor International2011-04-06 Coffee on-trade sales continue to be boosted by the frequent opening of coffee shop chains, both domestic and international. Such shops are becoming a popular meeting point for adults, especially in urban areas. While some MarketResearch, Conn

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CFEEEANNUAL Required Report - public distribution Date: 518/2009 GAIN Report Number: Colombia COFFEE ANNUAL Coffee Production and Exports will Reduce Approved By: Elizabeth Mello, US 8,463,765 B2 1. 2 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING There have been some attempts to solve some of the prob VERTICAL SEARCHENGINES WITH CLOUD lems with general search engines with specialized search COMPUTING NETWORKS engines, such as vertical search engines. Vertical search engines are designed to “vertically search for a “depth' of FIELD OF THE INVENTION information instead of “horizontally search for a “breath of information. There has also been some attempts to use cloud This invention relates to providing electronic search infor computing networks with search engines. mation over a computer network. More specifically, it relates For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,917.584, that issued to to a method and system for creating vertical search engines Arthursson teaches “Generally described, the present inven with cloud computing networks. 10 tion is directed to a network operating system that provides more effective ways of leveraging the connectivity of com BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION puter networks. In one embodiment, an XML virtual machine is implemented that accepts high-level application code writ The Internet is a world-wide interconnected network of ten in an XML programming language as input. Functionality devices including computers, servers, gateways, routers and 15 is provided to interpret or translate the application code writ other devices. The World-Wide-Web (WWW) is collection of ten in an XML programming language into code that is Suit servers and other devices on the Internet that support elec able for execution across computer platforms. Moreover, the tronic document exchange. Electronic documents on the XML virtual machine supports the Model View Controller WWW are formatted in special languages called mark-up (MVC) design paradigm that facilitates true data abstraction languages (e.g., Hyper Text Mark-Up Language (HTML). from applications to a common data model. Multi-instance Extensible Markup Language (XML), etc.) that Support elec applications, with each instance potentially Supporting mul tronic links or “hyperlinks' to other documents, as well as to tiple views, may be created and executed.” graphics, audio, video, animation and other types of elec U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,151 that issued to Heckerman et al tronic content. teaches “The claimed subject matterprovides a system and/or To find electronic information on the WWW, search 25 a method that facilitates dynamically providing a question to engines are used. A 'search engine' is a Software program ask a medical professional during an appointment. An inter that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a face can receive a portion of medical data. A counselor com list of hyperlinks to the documents where the keywords were ponent can generate a question based on the portion of medi found. Although a search engine is really a general class of cal data, wherein the question is generated to elicit an answer programs, the term is often used to specifically describe sys 30 from a medical professional during an appointment. More tems like Yahoo, Google, Bing and others that enable users to over, the counselor component can dynamically generate a search for electronic content on the WWW. second question directed toward the medical professional Typically, a search engine works by sending out a Software based upon at least one of the answer or a value of information “spider to fetch as many electronic documents as possible. (VOI) computation.” Another program, called an “indexer” then reads these docu 35 U.S. Pat. No. 7,890,549 that issued to Elad et al teaches ments and creates an index of Uniform Resource Locators “The present invention, known as The Collaboration Portal (URL) based on the keywords contained in each document. (COPO), relates generally to the field of automated entity, Each search engine typically uses a distinct proprietary algo data processing, system control, and data communications, rithm to create its indices such that meaningful results are and more specifically to an integrated method, system, and returned for each query. 40 apparatus for providing computer-accessible benefits for A “spider” is an automated program that searches the Inter communities of users. It provides a framework for provision net for new WWW documents. An “indexer” indexes the ing computer-accessible benefits for communities of users, corresponding URLs and content-related information in a and can efficiently and robustly distribute the processing in database, which can be examined for matches by a search behalf of those users over a decentralized network of com engine. Spiders are generally considered to be a type of “bot.” 45 puters. The field of the invention generally encompasses or Internet robot and are also called "crawlers.” enabling appropriate and desired communication among However, there are a number of problems associated with communities of users and organizations, and providing infor general search engines. One problem is that a general search mation, goods, services, a works, opportunities, and connec engine is designed to provide all types of general information tions among users and organizations.” to all types of users. A general search engine's search algo 50 U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,913 that issued to Weber et all teaches rithms are typically designed to “horizontally search for a “System and method related to a distributed collaborative “breath of information to provide general types of informa knowledge generation system are disclosed. The distributed tion. This horizontal search approach causes individuals collaborative knowledge generation system includes one or looking for specific information on the WWW to look more databases configured to store content information through hundreds, if not thousands, of irrelevant pieces of 55 related to the distributed collaborative knowledge generation information to finally locate the information they seek, pro system, a search services module configured to search for the vided they find it at all. content information, a web services module configured to Another problem is that general search engines often return retrieve and gather the content information, a presentation indexes including a large number of links to information that services module configured to share the content data with is not closely related to a search requested by a user. This 60 multiple users, and a data services module configured to makes it difficult for a user to locate desired information and manage the content information by providing interfaces often leads to user confusion and user dissatisfaction. between the one or more databases, the search services mod Another problem is that vague search terms used in a ule, the web services module, and the presentation services general search engine return a large a huge number of results. module.” However, a vague search term may be a term of art or all the 65 U.S. Pat. No. 7,873,349 that issued to Smith et all teaches user knows. The vague search term may not be vague at all “A mobile communication device that may be used by an when applied to a specific topic or a specific topic. investigator to secretly record a suspect and track the inves US 8,463,765 B2 3 4 tigator's location includes a microphone for detecting selected topic. Vortals include information pertinent to a tar Sounds, a communication component for transmitting signals geted topic of a very Small horizontal breath, but a larger or data representative of the sounds to one of the portable depth. The created Vortals may provide greater user satisfac computers via the wireless communication network, a dis tion and less user frustration when searching for information play for displaying information related to operation of the about a selected topic.” device, a computing device, and a computer program imple U.S. Pat. No. 7,593,935 that issued to Sullivan teaches mented by the computing device. The computer program is “Systems and methods for ranking pages and/or hosts in a operable to place the device in a stealth mode in which the faster and more relevant manner are provided. Systems and display is turned off or otherwise deactivated to make the methods for ranking pages and/or hosts based on session data entire device appear to be turned off while the microphone 10 continues to detect Sounds and the communication compo and/or traffic data are also provided. According to the inven nent continues to transmit signals or data representative of the tion, session maps can be created using DNS and/or ISP data. Sounds to a Surveillance or Support team operating one of the Systems and methods for ranking pages and/or hosts for the portable computers. The mobile communication device may purpose of doing business are also provided.” also include a location-determining component for determin 15 U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,934 that issued to Fordham teaches “A ing geographic locations of the device and for transmitting Vortal is a specific type of search engine that provides infor location data to the portable computer.” mation and resources related only to one (or a small number) U.S. Pat. No. 7,853,458 that issued to Hoffman et al specific topic. These sites typically contain focused informa teaches “A system is provided that integrates of records of tion, such as “vertical' or “in-depth' information pertinent clinical laboratory services into the assessment and optimi only to their particular targeted topic of interest. Vortals Zation of patient health care and, in particular, regulation of include information pertinent to a targeted topic of a very the use of pharmaceuticals. Laboratory test result records are small horizontal breath, but a larger depth. A method and used in conjunction with other health care benefits records to system for creating a vertical search engine is presented. The monitor regulation of use of pharmaceuticals by patients. The method and system may help allow vortals to be created for incorporation of laboratory tests and results into Such a utili 25 the Internet and other computer networks that efficiently Zation system allows improvement in the management of a index and search lists of Uniform Resource Locators patients therapy based on a more precise picture of the (“URLs”) created from an appropriate list of keywords for a patient’s level of illness as revealed by the laboratory test selected topic. The created Vortals may provide greater user results. The system of the present invention also allows opti satisfaction and less user frustration when searching for infor mization of the selection of laboratory tests to be performed, 30 mation about a selected topic.” and also provides an outcome assessment of the risk of hos However, none of these solutions solve all the problems pitalization due to pharmaceutical treatments resulting in with general and/or specialized search engines. Thus, it is physician intervention, leading to a change in physician pre desirable to solve some of the problems associated with gen scribing behavior and, accordingly, a decrease in drug erals search engines. induced hospitalizations and improved quality of patient care 35 and savings of health care costs.” SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 7,716.209 that issued to Rappaport et al teaches “A method of searching for information includes In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present receiving a query, providing the query to a first search engine invention, some of the problems with Supplying multiple that searches a set of data sources, the data sources having 40 types of electronic information are overcome. A method and relationships to an ontology, receiving search results from the system for creating vertical search engines with cloud com search engine, analyzing the search results to determine at puting networks is presented. least one statistic corresponding to the search results and the The cloud communications network provides on-demand query, wherein the statistic is based upon a relevance score Vertical search services, broadband network access, resource that is calculated based upon a first weighting function related 45 pooling, rapid elasticity and measured electronic services for to a concept, a second weighting function related to a data Vertical search engines. The method and system dramatically Source item, a set of items related to the concept, and a set of improve a vertical search engine infrastructure used by items related to the search results, and providing at least one searchers by providing vertical electronic information using concept to a user, wherein said at least one concept corre less bandwidth and less processing cycles via the cloud com spond to said at least one statistic.” 50 munications network than via a non-cloud communications U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,934 that issued to Ejima et al teaches network. Custom vertical search engines can be created by a “Digital audio data which have a predetermined packet struc user with QR bar codes and other types of bar codes and other ture are divided into units including a predetermined number types of custom information. of bits; each unit of the divided digital audio data is converted The foregoing and other features and advantages of pre into specific data to be encoded; the encoded data are 55 ferred embodiments of the present invention will be more arranged in blanking intervals of video data; the digital audio readily apparent from the following detailed description. The data are transmitted as well as the video data using a trans detailed description proceeds with references to the accom mission line for the video data, and the video data and the panying drawings. audio data may be simultaneously and favorably transmitted, adopting an existing video-data transmission format such as 60 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS the DVI Standard. U.S. Pat. No. 7,680,860 that issued to Fordham teaches “A Preferred embodiments of the present invention are method and system for creating a vertical search engine. The described with reference to the following drawings, wherein: method and system may help allow “vortals” to be created for FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary elec the Internet and other computer networks that efficiently 65 tronic information display system; index and search lists of Uniform Resource Locators FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary elec (“URLs”) created from an appropriate list of keywords for a tronic information display system; US 8,463,765 B2 5 6 FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary net more wired and/or wireless communications interfaces. The working protocol stack; cloud communications network 18 includes, but is not limited FIG. 4 is block diagram illustrating an exemplary cloud to, communications over a wire connected to the target net communications network; work devices, wireless communications, and other types of FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary vertical communications using one or more communications and/or Search engine; networking protocols. In one embodiment, the cloud commu FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flow diagram illustrating a method nications network 18 also includes a cloud communications for providing with cloud computing: network 19. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing Plural server network devices 20, 22, 24, 26 (only four of Vertical search engines with cloud computing; 10 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing which are illustrated) each with one or more processors and a Vertical search engines with cloud computing; computer readable medium include one or more associated FIG.9 is a block diagram illustrating a display of an exem databases 20', 22, 24', 26'. The plural network devices 20, 22. plary QR bar code; and 24, 26 are in communications with the one or more target FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a display of an 15 devices 12, 14, 16 via the cloud communications network 18. exemplary vertical search engine display output. The plural server network devices 20, 22, 24 26, include, but are not limited to, World Wide Web servers, Internet DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION servers, search engine servers, Vertical search engine servers, Social networking site servers, file servers, other types of FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary elec electronic information servers, and other types of server net tronic information system 10. The exemplary electronic sys work devices (e.g., edge servers, firewalls, routers, gateways, tem 10 includes, but is not limited to, one or more target etc.). network devices 12, 14, 16 (only three of which are illus The plural server network devices 20, 22, 24, 26 also trated) each with one or more processors and a computer include, but are not limited to, network servers used for cloud readable medium. 25 computing providers, etc. The one or more target network devices 12, 14, 16 include, The cloud communications network 18 includes, but is not but are not limited to, multimedia capable desktop and laptop limited to, a wired and/or wireless communications network computers, tablet computers, facsimile machines, mobile comprising: the Internet, an intranet, a Local Area Network phones, non-mobile phones, Smartphones, Internet phones, (LAN), a LAN (WiLAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Internet appliances, personal digital/data assistants (PDA), 30 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Public Switched Tele two-way pagers, digital cameras, portable game consoles phone Network (PSTN), a cloud communications network 26 (PlayStation Portable by Sony, Game Boy by Sony, Nintendo and other types of wired and/or wireless communications DSI, etc.), non-portable game consoles (Xbox by Microsoft, networks 18. PlayStation by Sony, Wii by Nintendo, etc.), cable television The cloud communications network 18 may include one or (CATV) set-top boxes, digital televisions including high defi 35 more gateways, routers, bridges and/or Switches AS is known nition television (HDTV), three-dimensional (3D) televisions in the art, a gateway connects computer networks using dif and other types of network devices. ferent network protocols and/or operating at different trans The one or more Smart network devices 12, 14, 16 also mission capacities. A router receives transmitted messages include Smart phones such as the iPhone by Apple, Inc., and forwards them to their correct destinations over the most Blackberry Storm and other Blackberry models by Research 40 efficient available route. A bridge is a device that connects In Motion, Inc. (RIM), Droid by Motorola, Inc. HTC, Inc. networks using the same communications protocols so that other types of Smartphones, etc. However, the present inven information can be passed from one network device to tion is not limited to Such Smart phone devices, and more, another. A switch is a device that filters and forwards packets fewer or other devices can be used to practice the invention. between network segments based on Some pre-determined A “smart phone' is a mobile phone that offers more 45 sequence (e.g., timing, sequence number, etc.). advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contem An operating environment for the network devices of the porary basic feature phone. Smartphones and feature phones exemplary electronic information display system 10 include a may be thought of as handheld computers integrated with a processing system with one or more high speed Central Pro mobile telephone, but while most feature phones are able to cessing Unit(s) (CPU), processors, one or more memories run applications based on platforms such as Java ME, a Smart 50 and/or other types of computer readable mediums. In accor phone usually allows the user to install and run more dance with the practices of persons skilled in the art of com advanced applications. Smartphones and/or tablet computers puter programming, the present invention is described below run complete operating system software providing a platform with reference to acts and symbolic representations of opera for application developers. tions or instructions that are performed by the processing The operating systems include the iPhone OS, Android, 55 system, unless indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations Windows, etc. iPhone OS is a proprietary operating system or instructions are referred to as being "computer-executed.” for the Apple iPhone. Andriod is an open Source operating “CPU-executed, or “processor-executed.” system platform backed by Google, along with major hard It will be appreciated that acts and symbolically repre ware and software developers (such as Intel, HTC, ARM, sented operations or instructions include the manipulation of Motorola and Samsung, etc.), that form the Open Handset 60 electrical information by the CPU or processor. An electrical Alliance. system represents data bits which cause a resulting transfor The one or more Smart network devices 12, 14, 16 also mation or reduction of the electrical information or biological include tablet computers such as the iPad, by Apple, Inc., the information, and the maintenance of data bits at memory HP Tablet, by Hewlett Packard, Inc., the Playbook, by RIM, locations in a memory system to thereby reconfigure or oth Inc., the Tablet, by Sony, Inc. 65 erwise alter the CPUs or processor's operation, as well as The target network devices 12, 14, 16 are in communica other processing of information. The memory locations tions with a cloud communications network 18 via one or where data bits are maintained are physical locations that US 8,463,765 B2 7 8 have particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic prop more fewer or other protocols can also be used in the network erties corresponding to the data bits. layer 44, and the present invention is not limited to IP 46. The data bits may also be maintained on a computer read Above network layer 44 is a transport layer 48. The trans able medium including magnetic disks, optical disks, organic port layer 48 includes, but is not limited to, an optional Inter memory, and any other Volatile (e.g., Random Access net Group Management Protocol (IGMP) layer 50, a Internet Memory (RAM)) or non-volatile (e.g., Read-Only Memory Control Message Protocol (ICMP) layer 52, a Transmission (ROM), flash memory, etc.) mass storage system readable by Control Protocol (TCP) layer 52 and a User Datagram Pro the CPU. The computer readable medium includes cooperat tocol (UDP) layer 54. However, more, fewer or other proto ing or interconnected computer readable medium, which cols could also be used in the transport layer 48. 10 Optional IGMP layer 50, hereinafter IGMP50, is respon exist exclusively on the processing system or can be distrib sible for multicasting. For more information on IGMP50 see uted among multiple interconnected processing systems that RFC-1112, incorporated herein by reference. ICMP layer 52, may be local or remote to the processing system. hereinafter ICMP 52 is used for IP 46 control. The main Exemplary Information Display System functions of ICMP 52 include error reporting, reachability FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary elec 15 testing (e.g., pinging, etc.), route-change notification, perfor tronic information display system 28. The exemplary elec mance, Subnet addressing and other maintenance. For more tronic information system display system includes, but is not information on ICMP 52 see RFC-792, incorporated herein limited to a target network device (e.g., computer 12", etc.) by reference. Both IGMP50 and ICMP52 are not required in with an application 30 and a display component 32. The the protocol stack 38. ICMP 52 can be used alone without application 30 presents a graphical user interface (GUI)34 on optional IGMP layer 50. the display 32 component. The GUI 32 presents a multi TCP layer 54, hereinafter TCP54, provides a connection window 36, 38, interface to a user. oriented, end-to-end reliable protocol designed to fit into a In one embodiment of the invention, the application 30 is a layered hierarchy of protocols which support multi-network Software application. However, the present invention is not applications. TCP54 provides for reliable inter-process com limited to this embodiment and the application 30 can be 25 munication between pairs of processes in network devices hardware, firmware, hardware and/or any combination attached to distinct but interconnected networks. For more thereof. In one embodiment, the application 30 includes a information on TCP54 see RFC-793, incorporated herein by cloud computing application 62 and/or a vertical search reference. engine application 84. In another embodiment, the applica UDP layer 56, hereinafter UDP56, provides a connection tion 30/62/84 includes a smartphone application for a smart 30 less mode of communications with datagrams in an intercon phone or a tablet computer. However, the present invention is nected set of computer networks. UDP 56 provides a trans not limited these embodiments and other embodiments can be action oriented datagram protocol, where delivery and used to practice the invention duplicate packet protection are not guaranteed. For more In another embodiment, a portion of the application 30 is information on UDP 56 see RFC-768, incorporated herein by executing on the target network devices 12, 14, 16 and 35 reference. Both TCP 54 and UDP 56 are not required in another portion of the application 30/62/84 is executing on protocol stack 38. Either TCP 54 or UDP 56 can be used the server network devices 20, 22, 24, 26. However, the without the other. present invention is not limited these embodiments and other Above transport layer 48 is an application layer 56 where embodiments can be used to practice the invention. application programs 58 (e.g., 30, 62, 84 etc.) to carry out Exemplary Networking Protocol Stack 40 desired functionality for a network device reside. For FIG.3 a block diagram illustrating a layered protocol stack example, the application programs 54 for the client network 38 for network devices in the electronic information display devices 12, 14, 16 may include a web-browsers or other system 10. The layered protocol stack 38 is described with application programs, cloud application programs 62, while respect to Internet Protocol (IP) Suites comprising in general application programs for the server network devices 20, 22. from lowest-to-highest, a link 42, network 44, transport 48 45 24, 26 may include other application programs (e.g., 30', 62. and application 56 layer. However, more or fewer layers could 84, etc.). also be used, and different layer designations could also be However, the protocol stack 38 is not limited to the proto used for the layers in the protocol stack 38 (e.g., layering col layers illustrated and more, fewer or other layers and based on the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model protocols can also be used in protocol stack 38. In addition, including from lowest-to-highest, a physical, data-link, net 50 other protocols from the Internet Protocol suites (e.g., Simple work, transport, session, presentation and application layer). Mail Transfer Protocol, (SMTP), HyperText Transfer Proto The network devices 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26 are con col (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Dynamic Host nected to the communication network 18 with Network Inter Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DNS, etc.) and/or other pro face Card (NIC) device drivers 40 in a link layer 42 for the tocols from other protocol Suites may also be used in protocol actual hardware connecting the network devices 12, 14, 16. 55 stack 38. 20, 22, 24, 26 to the cloud communications network 18. For In one embodiment, the plural server network devices 20, example, the NIC device drivers 40 may include a serial port 22, 24, 26 include a connection to plural network interface device driver, a modem device driver, an Ethernet device cards (NICs) in a backplane connected to a communications driver, a wireless device driver, a wired device driver, etc. The bus. The NIC cards provide gigabit/second (1x10 bits/sec device drivers interface with the actual hardware being used 60 ond) communications speed of electronic information. This to connect the network devices to the cloud communications allows “scaling out for vertical searching. The NICs are network 18. connected to the plural server network devices 20, 22, 24, 26 Above the link layer 42 is a network layer 44 (also called and the cloud communications network 18. However, the the Internet Layer for Internet Protocol suites). The network present invention is not limited to the NICs described and layer 44 includes, but is not limited to, an IP layer 46. As is 65 other types of NICs in other configurations and connections known in the art, IP46 is an addressing protocol designed to with and/or without a buses can also be used to practice the route traffic within a network or between networks. However, invention. US 8,463,765 B2 10 In one embodiment, network devices 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, TABLE 1-continued 26 and wired and wireless interfaces including the NICs resources include storage, processing, memory, network bandwidth, include “4G” components. As is known in the art “4G” refers virtual server network device and virtual target network devices. to the fourth generation of wireless communications stan Rapid elasticity. Capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, dards and speeds of 100 megabits/second to gigabits/second in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to or more. It is a Successor to 3G and 2G Standards. The nomen quickly scale in for vertical search engine searching. To the vertical searcher, the vertical search capabilities available for provisioning appear clature of the generations generally refers to a change in the to be unlimited and can be used in any quantity at any time. fundamental nature of the service. The first was the move Measured Services. Cloud computing systems automatically control and from analogue (1G) to digital (2G) transmission. This was optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at Some level 10 of abstraction appropriate to the type of vertical search engine service followed by multi-media Support, spread spectrum transmis (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, custom vertical search engines, sion and at least 200 kbits/second (3G). The 4G NICs include etc.). Vertical search engine usage is monitored, controlled, and reported IP packet-switched NICs, wired and wireless ultra-broad providing transparency for both the vertical search engine provider and band (i.e., gigabit speed) access NICs, Worldwide Interoper the vertical searcher of the utilized vertical search engine service. ability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) NICs and multi carrier transmission NICs. However, the present invention is 15 Exemplary cloud computing service models illustrated in not limited to this embodiment and 1G, 2G and 3G and/or any FIG. 4 appearin Table 2. However, the present invention is not combination thereof, with or with 4G NICs can be used to limited to these service models and more, fewer or other practice the invention. service models can also be used to practice the invention. Cloud Computing Networks In one embodiment, the cloud computing network includes TABLE 1 a cloud communications network 18 comprising plural dif Cloud Computing Software Applications 62 for a Vertical Search Engine ferent networks 72, 74,76, 78. “Cloud computing is a model Service (CCSA 64). The capability to use the provider's applications 30, for enabling, on-demand network access to a shared pool of 62 running on a cloud infrastructure 66. The cloud computing applications configurable computing resources (e.g., public and private 62, are accessible from the server network device 26 from various client 25 devices 12, 14, 16 through a thin client interface Such as a web browser, networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that are etc. The user does not manage or control the underlying cloud shared, rapidly provisioned and released with minimal man infrastructure 66 including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application 30, 62 capabilities, with the possible exception agement effort or service provider interaction. of limited user-specific application configuration settings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram 60 illustrating an exemplary Cloud Computing Infrastructure 66 for the Vertical Search Engine Service cloud communications network 18. However, the present (CCI 68). The capability provided to the user is to provision processing, invention is not limited to this cloud computing model and 30 storage, networks 18, 72, 74,76, 78 and other fundamental computing other cloud computing models can also be used to practice the resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary Software, which can include operating Systems and applications 30, 62, 84. The user invention. The exemplary cloud communications network does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure 66 but has includes both wired and/or wireless components of public control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and and private networks. possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host This exemplary cloud computing model for vertical search 35 firewalls, etc.). Cloud Computing Platform 70 for the Vertical Search Engine Service engine promotes availability for shared resources and com (CCP 72). The capability provided to the user to deploy onto the cloud prises: (1) cloud computing essential characteristics; (2) infrastructure 66 created or acquired applications created using cloud computing service models; and (3) cloud computing programming languages and tools supported servers 20, 22, 24, 26, etc.. deployment models. However, the present invention is not The user not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure 66 40 including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control limited to this cloud computing model and other cloud com over the deployed applications 30, 62, 84 and possibly application hosting puting models can also be used to practice the invention. environment configurations. Exemplary cloud computing essential characteristics appear in Table 1. However, the present invention is not Exemplary cloud computing deployment models appearin limited to these essential characteristics and more, fewer or Table 2. However, the present invention is not limited to these other characteristics can also be used to practice the inven 45 deployment models and more, fewer or other deployment tion. models can also be used to practice the invention.

TABLE 1. TABLE 2 On-demand vertical search services. An vertical searcher can 50 Private cloud network 72. The cloud network infrastructure is operated unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and solely for a vertical search engine organization. It may be managed by the network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human vertical search engine organization or a third party and may exist on premise interaction with each network server on the cloud communications or off premise. network 18. Community cloud network 74. The cloud network infrastructure is shared by Broadband network access. Vertical search engine capabilities are Several different organizations and Supports a specific vertical community available over plural broadband communications networks and accessed 55 that has shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or compliance considerations, etc.). It may be managed by the different thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, Smartphones 14, tablet organizations or a third party and may exist on premise or off premise. computers 12, laptops 12, PDAs, etc.). The broadband network access Public cloud network 76. The cloud network infrastructure such as the includes high speed network access Such as 3G and or 4G wireless andfor Internet, PSTN, CATV, etc. is made available to the general public or a large wired and broadband and/or ultra-broad band (e.g., WiMAX, etc.) industry group and is owned by one or more organizations selling cloud network access. Services. Resource pooling. Vertical search engine computing resources are pooled 60 Hybrid cloud network 78. The cloud network infrastructure 66 is a to serve multiple vertical searchers using a multi-tenant model, with composition of two and/or more cloud networks 18 (e.g., private 72, different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and community 74, and/or public 76, etc.) and/or other types of public andfor reassigned according to vertical search demand. There is a sense of private networks (e.g., intranets, etc.) that remain unique entities but are location independence in that the vertical searcher generally has no bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided vertical and application portability (e.g., cloudbursting for load-balancing between searching resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level 65 clouds, etc.) of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter). Examples of pooled US 8,463,765 B2 11 12 Cloud software 64 for vertical search engines takes full 50-kilometers of service area range, allows users to get broad advantage of the cloud paradigm by being service oriented band connectivity without needing direct line of sight with the with a focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and base station, and provides total data rates of up to 280 Mbps semantic interoperability for vertical searching. per base station, which is enough bandwidth to simulta Wireless Interfaces neously support hundreds of businesses with T1/E1-type con In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless nectivity and thousands of homes with DSL-type connectiv interfaces on network devices 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26 ity with a single base station. The IEEE 802.16g provides up include but are not limited to, 3G and/or 4G IEEE 802.11a, to 100 Mbps. 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.15.4 (ZigBee), “Wireless The IEEE 802.16e standard is an extension to the approved Fidelity” (Wi-Fi), “Worldwide Interoperability for Micro 10 wave Access” (WiMAX), ETSI High Performance Radio IEEE 802.16/16a/16g standard. The purpose of 802.16e is to Metropolitan Area Network (HIPERMAN) or “RF Home” add limited mobility to the current standard which is designed wireless interfaces. In another embodiment of the present for fixed operation. invention, the wireless sensor device may include an integral The ESTI HIPERMAN standard is an interoperable broad or separate Bluetooth and/or infra data association (IrDA) 15 band fixed wireless access standard for systems operating at module for wireless Bluetooth or wireless infrared commu radio frequencies between 2 GHz and 11 GHz. nications. However, the present invention is not limited to The IEEE 802.16a, 802.16e and 802.16g standards are such an embodiment and other 802.11xx and other types of incorporated herein by reference. More information on wireless interfaces can also be used. WiMAX can be found at the domain name “www.wimaxfo As is known in the art, an 802.11b is a short-range wireless rum.org.” WiMAX can be used to provide a WLP. network standard. The IEEE 802.11b standard defines wire The ETSI HIPERMAN standards TR 101 031, TR 101 less interfaces that provide up to 11 Mbps wireless data trans 475, TR 101 493-1 through TR 101 493-3, TR 101 761-1 mission to and from wireless devices over short ranges. through TR 101 761-4, TR 101762, TR 101763-1 through 802.11a is an extension of the 802.11b and can deliver speeds TR 101763-3 and TR 101957 are incorporated herein by up to 54 Mbps. 802.11g deliver speeds on par with 802.11a. 25 reference. More information on ETSI standards can be found However, other 802.11XX interfaces can also be used and the at the domain name “www.etsi.org.” ETSI HIPERMAN can present invention is not limited to the 802.11 protocols be used to provide a WLP. defined. The IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards In one embodiment, of the invention, the wireless inter are incorporated herein by reference. faces also include wireless personal area network (WPAN) As is known in the art, Wi-Fi is a type of 802.11xx inter 30 interfaces. As is known in the art, a WPAN is a personal area face, whether 802.11b, 802.11a, dual-band, etc. Wi-Fi network for interconnecting devices centered around an indi devices includean RF interfaces such as 2.4 GHz for 802.11b vidual person’s devices in which the connections are wire or 802.11g and 5 GHZ for 802.11a. More information on less. AWPAN interconnects all the ordinary computing and Wi-Fi can be found at the domain name “www.weca.net.” communicating devices that a person has on their desk (e.g. As is known in the art, 802.15.4 (Zigbee) is low data rate 35 computer, etc.) or carry with them (e.g., PDA, mobile phone, network standard used for mesh network devices such as Smartphone, table computer two-way pager, etc.) sensors, interactive toys, Smart badges, remote controls, and A key concept in WPAN technology is known as “plugging home automation. The 802.15.4 standard provides data rates in.” In the ideal scenario, when any two WPAN-equipped of 250 kbps, 40 kbps, and 20 kbps., two addressing modes: devices come into close proximity (within several meters 16-bit short and 64-bit IEEE addressing, support for critical 40 and/or feet of each other) or within a few miles and/or kilo latency devices, such as joysticks, Carrier Sense Multiple meters of a central server (not illustrated), they can commu Access/Collision Avoidance, (CSMA-CA) channel access, nicate via wireless communications as if connected by a automatic network establishment by a coordinator, fully cable. WPAN devices can also lock out other devices selec handshaked protocol for transfer reliability, power manage tively, preventing needless interference or unauthorized ment to ensure low power consumption for multi-month to 45 access to secure information. Zigbee is one wireless protocol multi-year battery usage and up to 16 channels in the 2.4GHZ used on WPAN networks such as cloud communications net Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band (Worldwide), work 18. 10 channels in the 915 MHz (US) and one channel in the 868 However, the present invention is not limited to such wire MHz band (Europe). The IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard is less interfaces and wireless networks and more, fewer and/or incorporated herein by reference. More information on 50 other wireless interfaces can be used to practice the invention. 802.15.4 and ZigBee can be found at the domain name Wired Interfaces “www.ieee802.org' and “www.zigbee.org respectively. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wired As is known in the art, WiMAX is an industry trade orga interfaces include wired interfaces and corresponding net nization formed by leading communications component and working protocols for wired connections to the Public equipment companies to promote and certify compatibility 55 Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or a cable televi and interoperability of broadband wireless access equipment sion network (CATV) and/or satellite television networks that conforms to the IEEE 802.16XX and ETSI HIPERMAN. (SATV) including HDTV that connect the network devices HIPERMAN is the European standard for metropolitan area 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26 via one or more twisted pairs of networks (MAN). copper wires, digital subscriber lines (e.g. DSL, ADSL, The IEEE The 802.16a and 802.16g standards are wireless 60 VDSL, etc.) coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, other connection MAN technology standard that provides a wireless alterna media or other connection interfaces. The PSTN is any public tive to cable, DSL and T1/E1 for last mile broadband access. switched telephone network provided by AT&T, GTE, Sprint, It is also used as complimentary technology to connect IEEE MCI, SBC, Verizon and others. The CATV is any cable tele 802.11XX hot spots to the Internet. vision network provided by the Comcast, Time Warner, etc. The IEEE 802.16a Standard for 2-11 GHZ is a wireless 65 However, the present invention is not limited to such wired MAN technology that provides broadband wireless connec interfaces and more, fewer and/or other wired interfaces can tivity to fixed, portable and nomadic devices. It provides up to be used to practice the invention. US 8,463,765 B2 13 14 Internet Television Services specialized searching algorithms to search and provide only In one embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide tele information about a specific topic. vision services over the cloud communications network 18. For example, a vortal may be created for people interested The television services include Internet television, Web-TV, in the sport of football. On a general search engine, if a user and/or Internet Protocol Television (IPtv) and/or other broad 5 typed in a search using the vague keyword "cheese boys' to cast television services. search for Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) including “Internet television' allows users to choose a program or hyperlinks to information about the National Football League the television show they want to watch from an archive of (NFL) Green Bay Packers professional football team, the programs or from a channel directory. The two forms of general search engine would return thousands of URLS viewing Internet television are streaming content directly to a 10 including diary product names, animal names (e.g., cow names, nick-names, book names, video names, music group media player or simply downloading a program to a viewers names, boy bands, boys clothing and/or a large amount of set-top box, game console, computer, or other mesh network other information. The user would have to look through a device. large number of pages to find information on the Green Bay “Web-TV' delivers digital content via non-mesh broad 15 Packers football team. band and mobile networks. The digital content is streamed to In contrast, on a Vortal specifically designed for football, a viewer's set-top box, game console, computer, or other entering a search using the vague keyword "cheese' would mesh network device. only return information about the Green Bay Packers. A user “Internet Protocol television (IPtv) is a system through would have to sort through, very little if any, information not which Internet television services are delivered using the related to the Green Bay Packers Football team. Even very architecture and networking methods of the Internet Protocol vague search terms on a Vortal can be used to return highly Suite over a packet-switched network infrastructure, e.g., the relevant search results for a particular vortal. Internet and broadband Internet access networks, instead of In one embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide verti being delivered through traditional radio frequency broad cal search engine services as stand alone services. In another cast, satellite signal, and cable television (CATV) formats. 25 embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide vertical search However, the present invention is not limited to such Inter engine services by interacting with one or more other public net Television services and more, fewer and/or other Internet Vertical search engines (e.g., GALAXY.com, etc.) and/or pri Television services can be used to practice the invention. vate vertical search engine services. General Search Engine Services However, the present invention is not limited to such ver In one embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide gen 30 tical search engine services and more, fewer and/or other eral search engine services. A search engine is designed to Vertical search engine services can be used to practice the search for information on a cloud communications network invention. 18 such as the Internet including World Wide Web servers, Social Networking Services FTP servers etc. The search results are generally presented in In one embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide one a list of electronic results. The information may consist of 35 more social networking services to/from one or more Social web pages, images, electronic information, multimedia infor networking web-sites (e.g., FACEBOOK, U-TUBE, TWIT mation, and other types of files. Some search engines also TER, MY-SPACE, MATCH.COM, E-HARMONY, etc.). The mine data available in databases or open directories. Unlike Social networking web-sites include, but are not limited to, web directories, which are maintained by human editors, dating web-sites, blogs, RSS feeds, and other types of infor search engines typically operate algorithmically and/or are a 40 mation web-sites in which messages can be left or posted for mixture of algorithmic and human input. a variety of Social activities. In one embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide gen However, the present invention is not limited to the social eral search engine services as standalone services. In another networking services described and other public and private embodiment, the applications 30, 62 provide general search Social networking services can also be used to practice the engine services by interacting with one or more other public 45 invention. search engines (e.g., GOOGLE, BING, YAHOO, etc.) and/or Preferred embodiments of the present invention include private search engine services. network devices and wired and wireless interfaces that are However, the present invention is not limited to such gen compliant with all or part of standards proposed by the Insti eral search engine services and more, fewer and/or other tute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Interna general search engine services can be used to practice the 50 tional Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Stan invention. dardization Sector (ITU), European Telecommunications Vertical Search Engine Services Standards Institute (ETSI), Internet Engineering Task Force In one embodiment, the application 30, 62, 84 provide (IETF), U.S. National Institute of Security Technology vertical search engines or “vortals' and/or vertical search (NIST), American National Standard Institute (ANSI), Wire engine services. As is known in the art, a Vortal is a specific 55 less Application Protocol (WAP) Forum, Bluetooth Forum, or type of portal for a vertical search engine that provides infor the ADSL Forum. However, network devices based on other mation and resources related only to one (or a small number) standards could also be used. IEEE standards can be found on specific topic. These sites typically contain focused informa the World Wide Web at the Universal Resource Locator (do tion, such as “vertical' or “in-depth' information pertinent main name) “www.ieee.org.” The ITU, (formerly known as only to their particular targeted topic of interest. Vortals 60 the CCITT) standards can be found at the domain name include information pertinent to a targeted topic of a very “www.itu.ch. ETSI standards can be found at the domain small horizontal breath, but a larger depth. Vortals are name “www.etsi.org.” IETF standards can be found at the designed to include “the source of pertinent information on domain name “www.ietforg.” The NIST standards can be the World-Wide-Web for a “community of interest.” found at the domain name “www.nist.gov.” The ANSI stan Vortals typically provide news, research and statistics, dis 65 dards can be found at the domain name "www.ansi.org. cussions, newsletters, online tools, and many other services Bluetooth Forum documents can be found at the domain that educate users about a specific topic. Vortals typically use name “www.bluetooth.com.” WAP Forum documents can be US 8,463,765 B2 15 16 found at the domain name “www.wapforum.org.” ADSL 3DES is the encrypt-decrypt-encrypt (EDE) mode of the DES Forum documents can be found at the domain name cipher algorithm. 3DES is defined in the ANSI standard, “www.ads1.com.” ANSI X9.52-1998, the contents of which are incorporated Security And Encryption herein by reference. DES modes of operation are used in Network devices and/or wired and wireless interfaces of 5 conjunction with the NIST Federal Information Processing the present invention include security and encryption for Standard (FIPS) for data encryption (FIPS 46-3, October secure communications on the cloud communications net 1999), the contents of which are incorporated herein by ref work 18 and/or cloud communications network 26. Wireless CCC. Encryption Protocol (WEP) (also called “Wired Equivalent The NIST approved a FIPS for the AES, FIPS-197. This Privacy) is a security protocol for WiLANs defined in the 10 IEEE 802.11b standard. WEP is cryptographic privacy algo standard specified “Rijndael’ encryption as a FIPS-approved rithm, based on the Rivest Cipher 4 (RC4) encryption engine, symmetric encryption algorithm that may be used by U.S. used to provide confidentiality for 802.11b wireless data. Government organizations (and others) to protect sensitive As is known in the art, RC4 is cipher designed by RSA Data information. The NIST FIPS-197 standard (AES FIPS PUB Security, Inc. of Bedford, Mass., which can accept encryption 15 197, November 2001) is incorporated herein by reference. keys of arbitrary length, and is essentially a pseudo random The NIST approved a FIPS for U.S. Federal Government number generator with an output of the generator being requirements for information technology products for sensi XORed with a data stream to produce encrypted data. tive but unclassified (SBU) communications. The NIST FIPS One problem with WEP is that it is used at the two lowest Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules (FIPS layers of the OSI model, the physical layer and the data link PUB 140-2, May 2001) is incorporated herein by reference. layer, therefore, it does not offer end-to-end security. One As is known in the art, RSA is a public key encryption another problem with WEP is that its encryption keys are system which can be used both for encrypting messages and static rather than dynamic. To update WEP encryption keys, making digital signatures. The letters RSA Stand for the an individual has to manually update a WEP key. WEP also names of the inventors: Rivest, Shamir and Adleman. For typically uses 40-bit static keys for encryption and thus pro 25 more information on RSA, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,829, now vides “weak encryption.” making a WEP device a target of expired, incorporated herein by reference. hackers. As is known in the art, "hashing is the transformation of a The IEEE 802.11 Working Group is working on a security string of characters into a usually shorter fixed-length value or upgrade for the 802.11 standard called “802.11 i.” This key that represents the original string. Hashing is used to supplemental draft standard is intended to improve WiLAN 30 index and retrieve items in a database because it is faster to security. It describes the encrypted transmission of data find the item using the shorter hashed key than to find it using between systems 802.11X WiLANs. It also defines new the original value. It is also used in many encryption algo encryption key protocols including the Temporal Key Integ rithms. rity Protocol (TKIP). The IEEE 802.11i draft standard, ver Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA), is used for computing a sion 4, completed Jun. 6, 2003, is incorporated herein by 35 secure condensed representation of a data message or a data reference. file. When a message of any lengths2 bits is input, the The 802.11 i is based on 802.1X port-based authentication SHA-1 produces a 160-bit output called a “message digest.” for user and device authentication. The 802.11i standard The message digest can then be input to other security tech includes two main developments: Wi-Fi Protected Access niques such as encryption, a Digital Signature Algorithm (WPA) and Robust Security Network (RSN). 40 (DSA) and others which generates or verifies a security WPA uses the same RC4 underlying encryption algorithm mechanism for the message. SHA-512 outputs a 512-bit mes as WEP. However, WPA uses TKIP to improve security of sage digest. The Secure Hash Standard, FIPS PUB 180-1, keys used with WEP. WPA keys are derived and rotated more Apr. 17, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference. often than WEP keys and thus provide additional security. Message Digest-5 (MD-5) takes as input a message of WPA also adds a message-integrity-check function to prevent 45 arbitrary length and produces as output a 128-bit “message packet forgeries. digest of the input. The MD5 algorithm is intended for RSN uses dynamic negotiation of authentication and digital signature applications, where a large file must be selectable encryption algorithms between wireless access “compressed in a secure manner before being encrypted points and wireless devices. The authentication schemes pro with a private (secret) key under a public-key cryptosystem posed in the draft standard include Extensible Authentication 50 such as RSA. The IETF RFC-1321, entitled “The MD5 Mes Protocol (EAP). One proposed encryption algorithm is an sage-Digest Algorithm' is incorporated here by reference. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption algorithm. As is known in the art, providing a way to check the Dynamic negotiation of authentication and encryption integrity of information transmitted over or stored in an unre algorithms lets RSN evolve with the state of the artin security, liable medium Such as a wireless network is a prime necessity adding algorithms to address new threats and continuing to 55 in the world of open computing and communications. Mecha provide the security necessary to protect information that nisms that provide Such integrity check based on a secret key WiLANs carry. are called “message authentication codes' (MAC). Typically, The NIST developed a new encryption standard, the message authentication codes are used between two parties Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to keep government that share a secret key in order to validate information trans information secure. AES is intended to be a stronger, more 60 mitted between these parties. efficient successor to Triple Data Encryption Standard Keyed Hashing for Message Authentication Codes (3DES). More information on NIST AES can be found at the (HMAC), is a mechanism for message authentication using domain name "www.nist.gov/aes.” cryptographic hash functions. HMAC is used with any itera As is known in the art, DES is a popular symmetric-key tive cryptographic hash function, e.g., MD5, SHA-1, SHA encryption method developed in 1975 and standardized by 65 512, etc. in combination with a secret shared key. The cryp ANSI in 1981 as ANSI X.3.92, the contents of which are tographic strength of HMAC depends on the properties of the incorporated herein by reference. As is known in the art, underlying hash function. The IETF RFC-2101, entitled US 8,463,765 B2 17 18 "HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication' is of content. Common Vertical content includes sports infor incorporated here by reference. mation, shopping information, legal information, medical As is known in the art, an Electronic Code Book (ECB) is information, travel information, reference information, gov a mode of operation for a “block cipher, with the character ernment information, etc. istic that each possible block of plaintext has a defined cor In contrast to general search engines, which attempt to responding cipher text value and vice versa. In other words, index large portions of the World Wide Web using a web the same plaintext value will always result in the same cipher crawler or web bot or web robot, vertical search engines text value. Electronic Code Book is used when a volume of typically use a focused vertical web crawler that attempts to plaintext is separated into several blocks of data, each of index only web pages that are relevant to a pre-defined topic which is then encrypted independently of other blocks. The 10 or set of topics. Electronic Code Book has the ability to support a separate Some vertical search sites focus on individual verticals, encryption key for each block type. while other sites include multiple vertical searches within one As is known in the art, Diffie and Hellman (DH) describe vertical search engine (e.g., GALAXY.com, BIZNAR.com several different group methods for two parties to agree upon etc.). a shared secret in such a way that the secret will be unavail 15 Vertical search offers several potential benefits over gen able to eavesdroppers. This secret is then converted into vari eral search engines as is illustrated in Table 3. However, the ous types of cryptographic keys. A large number of the vari present invention is not limited to Such benefits and more, ants of the DH methodexist including ANSIX9.42. The IETF fewer and/or other types of benefits can be used to practice the RFC-2631, entitled “Diffie-Hellman Key Agreement invention. Method is incorporated here by reference. However, the present invention is not limited to the security or encryption techniques described and other security or TABLE 3 encryption techniques can also be used. Vertical Search Engine Benefits As is known in the art, the HyperText Transport Protocol Larger information depth, Smaller information breath, thus providing a (HTTP) Secure (HTTPs), is a standard for encrypted commu 25 limited, focused information scope. nications on the World Wide Web. HTTPs is actually just Greater information precision due to limited scope. HTTP over a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). For more infor Leverage of domain knowledge including vertical taxonomies and vertical mation on HTTP see IETF RFC-2616 incorporated herein by ontologies A vertical taxonomy, or vertical taxonomic scheme, is a particular reference. classification (“the taxonomy of...), arranged in a vertical hierarchical As is known in the art, the SSL protocol is a protocol layer 30 structure. Typically this is organized by Super type and/or subtype vertical which may be placed between a reliable connection-oriented relationships, also called generalization-specialization relationships, or less network layer protocol (e.g. TCP/IP) and the application pro formally, parent-child relationships. In such a vertical inheritance relationship, a Subtype by definition has same properties, behaviors, and tocol layer (e.g. HTTP). SSL provides for secure communi constraints as a Super type plus one or more additional vertical properties, cation between a source and destination by allowing mutual behaviors, or constraints. authentication, the use of digital signatures for integrity, and 35 A vertical ontology includes basic vertical categories and their relations. encryption for privacy. Ontology deals with questions concerning what entities exist or can be said to exist, and how Such entities can be grouped, related within a vertical The SSL protocol is designed to Support a range of choices hierarchical structure, and Subdivided according to similarities and for specific security methods used for cryptography, message differences of the vertical information. digests, and digital signatures. The security method are nego Supports specific unique vertical-oriented user tasks including vertical tiated between the source and destination at the start of estab 40 search engine creation and vertical search customization and vertical search lishing a protocol session. The SSL 2.0 protocol specification, engine search tasks. by Kipp E. B. Hickman, 1995 is incorporated herein by ref erence. More information on SSL is available at the domain FIG. 5 is a block diagram 80 illustrating an exemplary name See “netscape.com/eng/security/SSL 2.html.” Vertical search engine 82. As is known in the art, Transport Layer Security (TLS) 45 The vertical search engine 82 includes a vertical search provides communications privacy over the Internet. The pro engine application 84 (as well as application 30 and/or cloud tocol allows client/server applications to communicate over a computing application 64, etc.) on a server network device transport layer (e.g., TCP) in a way that is designed to prevent (e.g., 26, etc.) in communications with a cloud communica eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery. For more tions network 18. The server network device 26 accepts ver information on TLS see IETF RFC-2246, incorporated herein 50 tical search engine requests from target network devices (e.g., by reference. 12, etc.) via the cloud communications network 18. The ver In one embodiment, the security functionality includes tical search engine 82 may include plural Social networking Cisco Compatible EXtensions (CCX). CCX includes security sites (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, UTUBE, etc.) and/or specifications for makers of 802.11xx wireless LAN chips for social networking information (e.g., FACEBOOK updates, ensuring compliance with Cisco's proprietary wireless Secu 55 TWEETS, etc.). A conventional, search engine 22 is illus rity LAN protocols. As is known in the art, Cisco Systems, trated in FIG. 1 that includes horizontal search information at Inc. of San Jose, Calif. is Supplier of networking hardware and wide breath for a large number of topics. Software, including router and security products. FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flow diagram illustrating a Method However, the present invention is not limited to such secu 88 for providing vertical search engines with cloud comput rity and encryption methods and more, fewer and/or other 60 ing. In FIG. 6A at Step 90, a request message to create a types of security and encryption methods can be used to Vertical search engine is received on a cloud computing appli practice the invention. cation on a server network device with one or more processors Vertical Search Engines with Cloud Computing Networks via a cloud communications network comprising a public A “vertical search engine', is distinct from a general web communication network, and one or more private networks, search engine (e.g., GOOGLE, BING, YAHOO, etc.) focuses 65 community networks and hybrid networks. The request mes on a specific vertical segment of online content. The Vertical sage includes a vertical search engine topic used to create a content area may be based on topicality, media type, or genre Vertical search engine. The vertical search engine provides US 8,463,765 B2 19 20 electronic information with an information depth greater than tronic information server network devices 20, 22, 24 each an information breath. At Step 92, the cloud application on the with one or more processors via the cloud communications server network device sends plural query messages including network 18. the received vertical search engine topic to plural electronic In one embodiment, the plural query messages are plural information server network devices each with one or more search engine query messages for public and/or private search processors via the cloud communications network. At Step engines. In another embodiment, the plural query messages 94, the cloud computing application on the server network are plural worldwide web and/or other electronic information device receives plural information messages including elec server requests. tronic information for the received vertical search engine However, the present invention is not limited to such query topic from one or more electronic information server network 10 messages and more, fewer and/or other types of query mes devices via the cloud communications network. In FIG. 6B at sages can be used to practice the invention. Step 96, a vertical search engine application is created on the At Step 94, the cloud computing application 64 on the cloud computing application on the server network device server network device 26 receives plural information mes with the received electronic information. The vertical search 15 sages including electronic information for the received verti engine application includes plural vertical taxonomies and cal search engine topic from one or more electronic informa plural vertical ontologies arranged in a vertical hierarchical tion server network devices 20, 22, 24 via the cloud structure. The received electronic information is located any communications network 18. where on the public communication network, the one or more In FIG. 6B at Step 96, a vertical search engine application private networks, community networks or hybrid networks on 84 is created on the cloud computing application 64 on the the cloud communications network. At Step 98, the vertical server network device 26 with the received electronic infor search engine application is made available to other network mation. The vertical search engine application 26 includes devices from server network device on the cloud communi plural vertical taxonomies and plural vertical ontologies cations network, thereby allowing plural other target network arranged in a vertical hierarchical structure. The received devices or other server network devices to selectively request 25 electronic information is located anywhere on the public one or more individual pieces of electronic information via communication network 76, the one or more private networks the vertical search engine application on the server network 72, community networks 74 or hybrid networks 78 on the device in real-time using less bandwidth and less processing cloud communications network 18. cycles via the cloud communications network than via a In one embodiment, the plural vertical taxonomies and the non-cloud communications network. 30 plural vertical ontologies include the taxonomies and/or Method 88 is illustrated with an exemplary embodiment. ontologies described in Table 3. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and However, the present invention is not limited to such tax other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. onomies and/or ontologies and more, fewer and/or other In such an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6A at step 90, a 35 types of taxonomies and/or ontologies can be used to practice request message to create a vertical search engine is received the invention. on a cloud computing application 64 on a server network In one embodiment, the vertical hierarchical structure device 26 with one or more processors via a cloud commu includes a visual vertical hierarchy structure. In Such an nications network 18 comprising a public communication embodiment, visual information (e.g., graphical icons, digital network 76, and one or more private networks 72, community 40 images, etc.) is used to group vertical search engine informa networks 74 and hybrid networks 78. The request message tion. includes a vertical search engine topic used to create a vertical In another embodiment, the vertical hierarchical structure search engine 82. The Vertical search engine provides elec includes vertical content-link clustering based on semantic tronic information with an information depth greater than an information embedded in the electronic information (e.g., information breath. 45 electronic documents, etc.) obtained from the cloud commu In one embodiment, the cloud communications network 18 nications network 18. Plural vertical sub-hierarchies are used provides on-demand self-service, broad network access, to abstract vertical search engine information into plural resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured electronic searchable vertical clusters that Support quick and efficient services for vertical search engines. Vertical search engine query processing that is scalable across In one embodiment, the server network device 26 includes 50 the various networks in the cloud communications network a wireless networking interface comprising 4" generation 18. The abstraction allows system resources on the server (4G) Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access network device 26 to be used effectively with controlled (WiMax) wireless interface in communications with the information loss in a vertical search engine. Vertical search cloud communications network 18. engine query processing operations on the plural vertical In one embodiment, the cloud computing application 64 55 includes a cloud vertical search engine service CCS 64, a clusters provide the same performance results as performing cloud computing platform CCP 68 for the vertical search the same operations on an entire non-vertical information engine service and a cloud computing infrastructure CCI 72 space because of the Vertical content-link clustering. for the vertical search engine service. However, the present invention is not limited to these ver In one embodiment, the cloud communications network 18 60 tical hierarchies and more, fewer and/or other types of vertical includes an on-demand vertical search engine service, broad hierarchical structures can be used to practice the invention band network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and In one embodiment, the vertical search engine application measured network services for vertical search engine Ser 84 includes a vertical search engine application 84 compris vices. ing a plurality of Social networking sites 86. At Step 92, the cloud computing application 64 on the 65 In another embodiment, the vertical search engine appli server network device 26 sends plural query messages includ cation 84 includes a vertical search engine application 84 ing the received vertical search engine topic to plural elec comprising Social networking information. US 8,463,765 B2 21 22 However, the present invention is not limited to such search engine application is created on the cloud computing embodiments and other vertical search engine applications application on the server network device with the plural elec with other vertical search engine information can be used to tronic information from the custom request message, the cus practice the invention. tom vertical search engine application including plural verti At Step 98, the vertical search engine application 84 is cal taxonomies and plural vertical ontologies arranged in a made available to other network devices 12, 14, 15, 20, 22, 24 vertical hierarchical structure. At Step 114, making the cus from server network device 26 on the cloud communications tom vertical search engine application is made available to the network 18, thereby allowing plural other target network mobile target network device from server network device on devices 12, 14, 16 or other server network devices 20, 22, 24 the cloud communications network, wherein the custom ver to selectively request one or more individual pieces of elec 10 tical search engine is available to the mobile target network tronic information via the Vertical search engine application device on any network on the cloud communications network 84 on the server network device 28 in real-time using less including anywhere on the public communication network, bandwidth and less processing cycles via the cloud commu the one or more private networks, community networks or nications network 18 than via a non-cloud communications hybrid networks depending on a physical location for the network. 15 mobile target network device. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a Method 100 for Method 108 is illustrated with an exemplary embodiment. providing vertical search engines with cloud computing. At However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and Step 102, a request message is received on a vertical search other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. engine application on a server network device from a target In such an exemplary embodiment at Step 110, a custom network device via the cloud communications network to request message is received from a mobile target network display more individual pieces of vertical electronic informa device 12, 14, 16 to create a custom vertical search engine on tion from the vertical search engine application. At Step 104, the cloud computing application 64 on the server network Vertical search engine application on the server network device 26 via the cloud communications network 18. The device retrieves the requested one or more one or more indi custom request message includes plural electronic informa vidual pieces of vertical electronic information from the pub 25 tion for creating a custom vertical search engine as defined by lic communication network, the one or more private net a user of the mobile target network device 12, 14, 16. The works, community networks or hybrid networks on the cloud plural electronic information includes plural custom vertical communications network. At Step 106, an application on the search engine topics and/or custom vertical search engine target network device securely displays on a graphical user keywords. interface via from the vertical search engine application on 30 For example, the custom vertical keywords may include the server network device the retrieved one or more individual "cheese.” “cheeze.” “cheese boys.” etc. to return information pieces of vertical electronic information from the vertical about the Green Bay Packers, "dude.” “hang ten.” “hang search engine application via the cloud communications net loose.” “narly, etc. to return information about surfing, etc. work. In one embodiment the custom request message includes Method 100 is illustrated with an exemplary embodiment. 35 plural barcodes. A “barcode' is an optical machine-readable However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and representation of data, which shows data about the object to other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention. which it attaches. Originally, barcodes represented data by In Such an exemplary embodiment at Step 102, a request varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be message is received on the vertical search engine application referred to as linear or 1 dimensional (1D). Later they evolved 84 on the server network device 26 from the target network 40 into rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns device 12, 14, 16 via the cloud communications network 18 to in 2 dimensions (2D). Although 2D systems use a variety of display more individual pieces of vertical electronic informa symbols, they are generally referred to as barcodes as well. tion from the vertical search engine application 84. Barcodes originally were scanned by special-optical scanners At Step 104, the vertical search engine application 84 on called barcode readers, Scanners and interpretive Software are the server network device 86 retrieves the requested one or 45 available on devices including desktop printers and Smart more one or more individual pieces of vertical electronic phones 14 and tablet computers 12. information from the public communication network 76, the Table 4 illustrates exemplary linear barcodes, the standards one or more private networks 72, community networks 74 or of all of which are incorporated by reference. However, the hybrid networks 78 on the cloud communications network present invention is not limited to the exemplary linear bar 18. 50 codes listed in Table 4, and more fewer and other linear At Step 106, an application 30 on the target network device barcodes can also be used to practice the invention. 12, 14, 16 securely displays on a graphical user interface 32 via from the vertical search engine application 84 on the TABLE 4 server network device 26the retrieved one or more individual pieces of vertical electronic information from the vertical 55 Linear Bar Codes search engine application 84 via the cloud communications U.P.C. network 18. Codabar FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a Method 108 for Code 25- Non-interleaved 2 of 5 providing vertical search engines with cloud computing. At Code 25- Interleaved 2 of 5 Code 39 Step 110, a custom request message is received from a mobile 60 Code 93 target network device to create custom vertical search engine Code 128 on the cloud computing application on the server network Code 128A Code 128B device via the cloud computing network. The custom request Code 128C message includes plural electronic information for creating a Code 11 custom vertical search engine. The plural electronic informa 65 CPC Binary tion includes plural vertical search custom keywords and/or DUN 14 Vertical search custom topics. At Step 112, a custom vertical US 8,463,765 B2 23 24 TABLE 4-continued TABLE 15-continued

Linear Bar Codes Matrix Bar Codes

EAN 2 UltraCode EANS UnisCode EAN 8, EAN 13 VeriCode, VSCode Facing Identification Mark WaterCode GS1-128 (formerly known as UCCEAN-128), incorrectly referenced as EAN 128 and UCC 128 GS1 DataBar, formerly Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) In one specific embodiment, the application 30, 62 inter HIBC (HIBCC Health Industry Bar Code) 10 TF-14 acts with a bar code reader application. However, the present Latent image barcode invention is not limited to a bar code reader application and Pharmacode other applications can also be used to practice the invention. Plessey PLANET In one specific exemplary embodiment, a QR bar code is POSTNET used. However, the present invention is not limited to QR intelligent Mail barcode 15 codes and other types of bar codes can also be used to practice MSI the invention PostBar RM4SCCKIX FIG. 9 is a block diagram 116 illustrating display of an AN exemplary QR bar code 118. Telepen Encoded in the QR bar code 118 is the text “This a QR generated by Zachary C. Lesavich. When a QR bar code Table 5 illustrates exemplary matrix (2D) barcodes, the reader is used to read the QR bar code 118, this text will be standards of all of which are incorporated by reference. How returned. ever, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary A “QR Code' is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimen 25 sional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and matrix barcodes listed in Table 5, and more fewer and other camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged matrix barcodes can also be used to practice the invention. in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data. QR codes are defined TABLE 1.5 in ISO/IEC 18004:2006 Information technology Automatic Matrix Bar Codes 30 identification and data capture techniques—OR Code 2005 bar code symbology specification, 1-Sep.-2006, the contents 3-DI ArrayTag of which are incorporated by reference. Aztec Code Users with a camera equipped Smartphone 14 (or tablet Small Aztec Code computer 12, etc.) with a the camera component 120, a bar Chromatic Alphabet 35 code reader application appropriate for the barcode processes Codablock Code 1 the digital image of the QR Code 118 can include the QR Code 16K Code 118 in the custom request message sent at Step 112. The Code 49 camera component 120 is used to capture existing QR codes ColorCode Compact Matrix Code from print and electronic advertising 122 and other sources CP Code 40 (e.g., from other network devices, etc.) The vertical search CyberCode engine application 84 converts the QR code 118 into appro d-touch priate electronic links 124 in a custom vertical search engine DataGlyphs Datamatrix created by the user. Datastrip Code QR codes are also used to display text, contact information, Dot Code A 45 connect to a wireless network, open a web page in the phone's EZcode browser or initiate a communications event over the cloud Grid Matrix Code High Capacity Color Barcode communications network 18 (e.g., voice call, data call, etc.) HueCode This act of linking from physical world objects is known as a INTACTA.CODE “hardlink’ or “physical world hyperlinks.” InterCode 50 For example, Google's Smart phone Android operating JAGTAG system Supports the use of QR codes by natively including the Lorem ipsum MaxiCode barcode scanner (e.g., Zxing, etc.) on some models, and the mCode browser supports Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) redirec MiniCode tion, which allows QR Codes to send metadata to existing MicroPDF417 55 applications on the device. Nokia’s Symbian operating sys MMCC Nintendo e-Readeridot code tem is also provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to Optar read QR codes, while mbarcode is a QR code reader for the PaperDisk Maemo operating system. In the Apple iOS, a QR code reader PDF417 is not natively included, but hundreds of free applications PDMark 60 available with reader and metadata browser URI redirection QR Code QuickMark Code capability. However, the present invention is not limited to SmartCode these network device operating systems and other bar code Snowflake Code ShotCode readers and device operating systems can also be used to SPARQCode practice the invention. SuperCod 65 In one embodiment, a user may scan a number of QR bar Trillcode codes from non-electronic information Such as magazines, business cards, billboards, other non-electronic advertising, US 8,463,765 B2 25 26 etc. A user may also scan a number of QR bar codes from In one embodiment, Vertical search engine information electronic advertising such from web-sites, other target net display 128 displayed in a graphical window 36, 38 in the work devices 12, 14, 16, from e-mails, text messages, instant GUI 34 on a smartphone 14 or table computer 12 or other messages, etc. The plural QR bar codes from any source are target network device 16 or sever network device 20, 22, 24, sent in the custom request message at Step 110. 26 includes graphical windows with 2D 130 and 3D 132 For example, a user may be interested in the sport of surf graphical objects displayed and/or a combination of 2D and ing. The user may collect plural QR bar codes from Surfing 3D graphical objects displayed. When the 3D graphical magazines and/or plural QR bar codes from web-sites related objects 132 are displayed on the GUI34, they provide a more to Surfing events and/or Surfing related products. The user distinct graphical object that is more easily viewable and one may also generate his/her own custom QR bar codes (e.g., to 10 a user's own web-site, favorite surfing web-site, a web-site that “pops' off the GUI 32 when viewed by a trader. The 3D with tide and/or weight heights, a weather web-site, etc.) The objects 132 allow a vertical searcher to more easily follow the plural QR bar codes are then used to create a custom (and object visually as the in Vertical a search window. In one customizable) vertical search engine for the user. However, embodiment, 3D glasses are not required or used to view the the present invention is not limited to this example and other 15 3D graphical objects. In such an embodiment, the 3D graphi types of custom vertical search engines can also be used to cal objects 132 are displayed in a specialized 3D format using practice the invention. a first type of 3D API. Returning to FIG. 8 at Step 112, a custom vertical search In another embodiment, 3D glasses are used to view the 3D engine application 84' is created on the cloud computing graphical objects 132. In Such an embodiment, the 3D graphi application 84 on the server network device 26 with the plural cal objects 132 are displayed in a specialized 3D format using electronic information from the custom request message, the another type of 3D API. However, 3D glasses are not required custom vertical search engine application including plural to view the 3D graphical objects and the invention can be Vertical taxonomies and plural vertical ontologies arranged in practiced without 3D glasses, the specialized 3D format or the a vertical hierarchical structure as was described above. 3D API. At Step 114, making the custom vertical search engine 25 For example in one embodiment with 3D glasses required, application 84 is made available to the mobile target network 3D stereoscopy is used. 3D stereoscopy (also called stereo device 12, 14, 16 from server network device 26 on the cloud scopic or 3-D imaging) is a technique capable of recording communications network 18. The custom vertical search three-dimensional visual information and/or creating the illu engine application 84 is available to the mobile target net sion of depth in an image for 3D display. However, the present work device 12, 14, 16 on any network on the cloud commu 30 nications network 18 including anywhere on the public com invention is not limited to such embodiments an 3D objects munication 76 network, the one or more private networks 72, can be used without specialized 3D glasses, etc. community networks 74 or hybrid networks 78 depending on The methods and systems described herein create vertical a physical location for the mobile target network device 12, search engines via cloud computing with a cloud communi 14, 16. 35 cations network using public networks, private networks, For example, if the mobile target network device 12, 14, 16 community networks and hybrid networks. The cloud com is physically closest to a community network 74 on the cloud munications network provides on-demand self-service, broad computing network 18, the custom vertical search engine network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and mea application 84 is made available to the mobile target network Sured electronic services for vertical search engines. The device 12, 14, 16 from server network device 26 via the 40 method and system dramatically improve a vertical search community network 74. If the mobile target network device engine infrastructure used by searchers by providing vertical 12, 14, 16 moves to a new location nearer to a private network electronic information using less bandwidth and less process 72, the custom vertical search engine application 84' is made ing cycles via the cloud communications network than via a available to the mobile target network device 12, 14, 16 from non-cloud communications network. Custom vertical search server network device 26 via the private network 74, etc. 45 engines can be created by a user with QR bar codes and other FIG. 10 is a block diagram 126 illustrating a display of an types of bar codes and other types of custom information. exemplary vertical search engine display output for coffee It should be understood that the architecture, programs, 128 displayable a display component 32 of the target network processes, methods and It should be understood that the archi device 12, 14, 16. The display 128 includes 2D 130 and/or 3D tecture, programs, processes, methods and systems described components 132 and/or a combination of 2D and 3D display 50 herein are not related or limited to any particular type of components. computer or network system (hardware or Software), unless FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of the vertical hierarchical indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or spe structure including vertical content-link clustering based on cialized computer systems may be used with or perform semantic information (e.g., the key words "coffee,” “java.” operations in accordance with the teachings described herein. etc.) embedded in the electronic information (e.g., electronic 55 In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the documents, etc.) obtained from the cloud communications principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be network 18. understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary As another example, a user may create a vertical search only, and should not be taken as limiting the Scope of the engine including his/her favorite coffee shops by scanning a present invention. For example, the steps of the flow diagrams QR code 118 from a cup of coffee at plural different coffee 60 may be taken in sequences other than those described, and shops and use Method 108 to create a custom vertical search more or fewer elements may be used in the block diagrams. engine with output similar to that illustrated in FIG. 10. While various elements of the preferred embodiments have However, the present invention is not limited to such been described as being implemented in software, in other embodiments and examples and embodiments, examples embodiments hardware or firmware implementations may with other vertical hierarchical structures with other vertical 65 alternatively be used, and Vice-versa. search engine information can be used to practice the inven The claims should not be read as limited to the described tion. order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use US 8,463,765 B2 27 28 of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 using less bandwidth and less processing cycles via the U.S.C. S 112, paragraph 6, and any claim without the word cloud communications network than via a non-cloud “means' is not so intended. communications network. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are receiving a request message on the vertical search engine claimed as the invention. application on the server network device from the target network device via the cloud communications network I claim: to display more individual pieces of vertical electronic 1. A method for creating a vertical search engine with a information from the vertical search engine application; cloud communications network, comprising: 10 a user scanning one or more barcodes; retrieving on the vertical search engine application on the receiving a request message to create a vertical search server network device the requested one or more one or engine on a cloud computing application on a server more individual pieces of vertical electronic information network device with one or more processors from an from the public communication network, the one or application on a target network device with one or more 15 more private networks, community networks or hybrid processors via a cloud communications network com networks on the cloud communications network; and prising one or more public communication networks, displaying securely on a graphical user interface via an one or more private networks, one or more community application the target network device from the vertical networks and one or more hybrid networks, the cloud search engine application on the server network device communications network including a cloud vertical the retrieved one or more individual pieces of vertical search engine service, a cloud computing platform for electronic information from the vertical search engine the cloud vertical search engine service a cloud comput application via the cloud communications network. ing infrastructure for the cloud vertical search engine 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying service, on-demand vertical search engine services, securely includes displaying securely using a Wireless broadband network access, resource pooling, rapid elas 25 Encryption Protocol (WEP), Wireless-Wi-Fi Protected ticity and measured network services for vertical search Access (WPA), Robust Security Network (RSN), Advanced engine services, Encryption Standard (AES), Data Encryption Standard wherein the request message includes one or more bar (DES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), Secure codes scanned into the application on the target network Hash Algorithm (SHA), Message Digest-5 (MD-5), Elec device, the one or more bar codes including a vertical 30 tronic Code Book (ECB), Diffie and Hellman (DH), Hyper search engine topic used to create a vertical search Text Transport Protocol Secure, (HTTPs), Secure Sockets engine wherein the vertical search engine provides elec Layer (SSL), or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) security tronic information with a depth of information for the method. Vertical search engine topic greater than a breath of 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: information for the vertical search engine topic; 35 making the vertical search engine application available to sending from the cloud application on the server network other server network devices from the server network device a plurality of query messages including the device on the cloud communications network; and received vertical search engine topic to a plurality of allowing the other server network devices to selectively electronic information server network devices each with request and display one or more individual pieces of one or more processors via the cloud communications 40 electronic information via the vertical search engine network; application from the server network device in real-time receiving on the cloud computing application on the server using less bandwidth and less processing cycles from network device a plurality of information messages any network on the cloud communications network including electronic information for the received verti including anywhere on the one or more public commu cal search engine topic from one or more electronic 45 nication networks, private networks, community net information server network devices via the cloud com works or hybrid networks. munications network; 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the server network creating a vertical search engine application on the cloud device and the target network device includes a wireless computing application on the server network device networking interface comprising a Worldwide Interoperabil with the received electronic information, the vertical 50 ity for Microwave Access (WiMax) wireless networking search engine application including a plurality of Verti interface with 4" generation (4G) wireless speeds for com cal taxonomies and a plurality of Vertical ontologies municating with the cloud communications network. arranged in a vertical hierarchical structure, wherein the 6. The method of claim 1 wherein target network device received electronic information is located anywhere on includes a Smartphone or a tablet computer. the public communication network, the one or more 55 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more barcodes private networks, community networks and hybrid net include one or more QR bar codes. works on the cloud communications network; and 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical search engine making the vertical search engine application available to application includes a vertical search engine application com the target network device and a plurality of other net prising a plurality of Social networking sites. work devices from server network device on the cloud 60 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical search engine communications network, application includes a vertical search engine application com thereby allowing the target network device, a plurality of prising social networking information. other target network devices and a plurality of other 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vertical server network devices to selectively request one or taxonomies include Super type and Subtype relationships of more individual pieces of electronic information via the 65 vertical electronic information with inheritance. Vertical search engine application on the cloud comput 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vertical ing application on the server network device in real-time ontologies include pre-determined categories of vertical elec US 8,463,765 B2 29 30 tronic information and their relations Subdivided according to broadband network access, resource pooling, rapid elas similarities and differences of vertical electronic information. ticity and measured network services for vertical search 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical hierarchical engine services, structure includes a visual vertical hierarchical structure. wherein the request message includes one or more bar 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical hierarchical codes scanned into the application on the target network structure includes a vertical hierarchical structure comprising device, the one or more bar codes including a vertical Vertical content link clustering based on semantic informa search engine topic used to create a vertical search tion embedded in the one or more one or more individual engine wherein the vertical search engine provides elec pieces of vertical electronic information obtained from the tronic information with a depth of information for the 10 Vertical search engine topic greater than a breath of cloud communications network. information for the vertical search engine topic; 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending from the cloud application on the server network receiving a custom request message from a mobile target device a plurality of query messages including the network device to create custom vertical search engine received vertical search engine topic to a plurality of on the cloud computing application on the server net 15 electronic information server network devices each with work device via the cloud computing network, wherein one or more processors via the cloud communications the custom request message includes a plurality of elec network; tronic information for creating a custom vertical search receiving on the cloud computing application on the server engine including a plurality of custom vertical search network device a plurality of information messages topics and a plurality of custom vertical search engine including electronic information for the received verti keywords; cal search engine topic from one or more electronic creating a custom vertical search engine application on the information server network devices via the cloud com cloud computing application on the server network munications network; device with the plurality of electronic information from creating a vertical search engine application on the cloud the custom request message, the custom vertical search 25 computing application on the server network device engine application including a plurality of Vertical tax with the received electronic information, the vertical onomies and a plurality of Vertical ontologies arranged search engine application including a plurality of Verti in a vertical hierarchical structure; and cal taxonomies and a plurality of Vertical ontologies making the custom vertical search engine application arranged in a vertical hierarchical structure, wherein the available to the mobile target network device from 30 received electronic information is located anywhere on server network device on the cloud communications the public communication network, the one or more network, wherein the custom vertical search engine is private networks, community networks and hybrid net available to the mobile target network device on any works on the cloud communications network; and network on the cloud communications network includ making the vertical search engine application available to ing anywhere on the public communication network, the 35 the target network device and a plurality of other net one or more private networks, community networks or work devices from server network device on the cloud hybrid networks depending on a physical location for communications network, the mobile target network device. thereby allowing the target network device, a plurality of 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the custom request other target network devices and a plurality of other message includes a plurality of bar codes scanned into the 40 server network devices to selectively request one or mobile target network device. more individual pieces of electronic information via the 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the plurality of bar Vertical search engine application on the cloud comput codes include a plurality of bar codes obtained with a camera ing application on the server network device in real-time component on the mobile target network device from elec using less bandwidth and less processing cycles via the tronic advertising and non-electronic advertising. 45 cloud communications network than via a non-cloud 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the plurality of bar communications network. codes include a plurality of QR bar codes. 20. A system for creating a vertical search engine with a 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of bar cloud communications network, comprising in combination: codes include a plurality of custom QR bar codes created by means for a user scanning one or more barcodes; a user with a QR bar code creation application. 50 means for receiving a request message to create a vertical 19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having search engine on a cloud computing application on a stored therein a plurality of instructions for causing one or server network device with one or more processors from more processors to execute the steps of: an application on a target network device with one or a user scanning one or more barcodes; more processors via a cloud communications network receiving a request message to create a vertical search 55 comprising one or more public communication net engine on a cloud computing application on a server works, one or more private networks, one or more com network device with one or more processors from an munity networks and one or more hybrid networks, the application on a target network device with one or more cloud communications network including a cloud verti processors via a cloud communications network com cal search engine service, a cloud computing platform prising one or more public communication networks, 60 for the cloud vertical search engine service a cloud com one or more private networks, one or more community puting infrastructure for the cloud vertical search engine networks and one or more hybrid networks, the cloud service, on-demand vertical search engine services, communications network including a cloud vertical broadband network access, resource pooling, rapid elas search engine service, a cloud computing platform for ticity and measured network services for vertical search the cloud vertical search engine service a cloud comput 65 engine services, ing infrastructure for the cloud vertical search engine wherein the request message includes one or more bar service, on-demand vertical search engine services, codes scanned into the application on the target network US 8,463,765 B2 31 32 device, the one or more bar codes including a vertical communications network to display more individual search engine topic used to create a vertical search pieces of vertical electronic information from the verti engine wherein the vertical search engine provides elec cal search engine application; tronic information with a depth of information for the means for retrieving on vertical search engine application Vertical search engine topic greater than a breath of 5 on the server network device the requested one or more information for the vertical search engine topic; one or more individual pieces of vertical electronic means for sending from the cloud application on the server information from the public communication network, network device a plurality of query messages including the one or more private networks, one or more commu the received vertical search engine topic to a plurality of nity networks and one or more hybrid networks on the electronic information server network devices each with 10 cloud communications network; one or more processors via the cloud communications means for displaying securely on a graphical user interface network; via an application the target network device from the means for receiving on the cloud computing application on Vertical search engine application on the server network the server network device a plurality of information device the retrieved one or more individual pieces of messages including electronic information for the 15 vertical electronic information from the vertical search received vertical search engine topic from one or more engine application via the cloud communications net electronic information server network devices via the work; cloud communications network; means for receiving a custom request message from a means for creating a vertical search engine application on mobile target network device to create a custom vertical the cloud computing application on the server network search engine on the cloud computing application on the device with the received electronic information, the ver server network device via the cloud computing network, tical search engine application including a plurality of wherein the custom request message includes a plurality Vertical taxonomies and a plurality of vertical ontologies of electronic information for creating a custom vertical arranged in a vertical hierarchical structure, wherein the search engine; received electronic information is located anywhere on 25 means for creating a custom vertical search engine appli the public communication network, the one or more cation on the cloud computing application on the server private networks, community networks and hybrid net network device with the plurality of electronic informa works on the cloud communications network; tion from the custom request message, the custom ver means for making the vertical search engine application tical search engine application including a plurality of available to the target network device and a plurality of 30 custom vertical taxonomies and a plurality of custom other network devices from server network device on the Vertical ontologies arranged in a custom vertical hierar cloud communications network, chical structure; and thereby allowing the target network device, a plurality of means for making the custom vertical search engine appli other target network devices and a plurality of other cation available to the mobile target network device server network devices to selectively request one or 35 from server network device on the cloud communica more individual pieces of electronic information via the tions network, wherein the custom vertical search Vertical search engine application on the cloud comput engine is available to the mobile target network device ing application on the server network device in real-time on any network on the cloud communications network using less bandwidth and less processing cycles via the including anywhere on the public communication net cloud communications network than via a non-cloud 40 work, the one or more private networks, one or more communications network: community networks and one or more hybrid networks means for receiving a second request message on the ver depending on a physical location for the mobile target tical search engine application on the server network network device. device from the target network device via the cloud