US Patent 7836057 Weighted preference inference system and method

A search engine for databases, data streams, and other data sources allows user preferences as to the relative importance of search criteria to be used to rank the output of the search engine. A weighted preference generator generates weighted preference information including at least a plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of search criteria. A weighted preference data search engine uses the weighted preference information to search a data source and to provide an ordered result list based upon the weighted preference information. A method for weighted preference data searching further includes allowing a user to re-rank the ordered result list and determine newly updated weighted preferences based on the re-ranking process. A plurality of weights signifying the relative importance of the search criteria may also be generated by the user inputting an ordered list. This ordered list may be a single alternative or a plurality of alternatives.