	US 7,483,820 B2
	Method for ranking webpages via circuit simulation
Baolin Yang, Fremont, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Gemini Design Technology, Inc., Fremont, Calif. (US)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/736,259.
Application 11/736259 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/612335, filed on Dec. 18, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/793123, filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2007/0244884 A1, Oct. 18, 2007
Int. Cl. G06F 9/455 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 703—6 [707/1; 715/206; 705/10]

29 Claims

1. A computer implemented method for ranking webpages, comprising:

generating a web circuit model comprising a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes corresponding to a webpage;

adding an energy source to the web circuit model;

connecting the energy source to each of the nodes with a source connection, the source connection having a selected resistance;

connecting each of the nodes to an energy drain with a drain connection, the drain connection having a resistance relating to a content score of the webpage corresponding to the node;

connecting a first one of the webpages through a hyperlink to a second one of the webpages;

for each hyperlink adding a diode function to the web circuit between a first one of the nodes and a second one of the nodes, the first one of the nodes corresponding to the first one of the webpages and the second one of the nodes corresponding to the second one of the webpages, the diode function allowing energy to flow more easily from the first node to the second node than from the second node to the first node;

simulating the web circuit model to solve for a potential at each of the nodes, the simulating comprising entering the web circuit model into a computer and performing calculations on the web circuit model to determine the potential at each of the nodes;

ranking the webpages according the potentials of the nodes to which the webpages correspond.