Google has bought exclusive rights to use an advanced text search algorithm, Orion, invented by Ori Allon, a 26 year old UNSW PhD student. The University earlier held talks with Google, Yahoo and MSN but finally Google managed to clinch the deal. Google also hired the algorithm developer.

Though the University officials and Ori Allon himself are tightlipped about the deal, Google has paid an undisclosed sum (running in millions) to the developer Ori Allon and the University of NSW.

While Ori Allon is the key person behind Orion, the university retains ownership of the intellectual property as it was developed within the university's research facilities. That could mean a steady flow of royalty payments if the process is eventually integrated into Google's search engine.

Orion finds pages with content strongly related to the key word entered in the search. It then returns a section of those pages, and lists other topics related to the key word so users can pick the most relevant. The results of the search are displayed immediately in the form of expanded text extracts, giving the searcher the relevant information without having to go to the website.

Source: Haaretz | SMH.com

Related: Interview with Ori Allon