Method and system for determining an answer to a query
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving, at one or more computer processors, a user input in an imprecise syntax, wherein the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least (i) a query requesting information determinable by a formula having a plurality of mathematical or scientific parameters, and (ii) one or more indications of one or more parameter values corresponding to the formula, wherein the user input in the imprecise syntax is expressed using natural language and/or informal terminology provided by a user, and wherein receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least one of;
a) receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax via a communication network, andb) receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax via a user interface device;
analyzing, at one or more computer processors, the user input in the imprecise syntax to determine the formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula;
calculating, at one or more computer processors, an answer to the query using the determined formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula; and
wherein analyzing the user input in the imprecise syntax and calculating the answer to the query includes;
generating a plurality of expressions in a precise syntax based on the user input in the imprecise syntax,providing the plurality of expressions in the precise syntax to a plurality of inputs of a plurality of modules, andselecting the answer as one of a plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules are coupled together such that a respective output of each of at least some of the plurality of modules is coupled to one or more respective inputs of one or more other modules, and such that at least some of the plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules are evaluations of outputs of the plurality of modules fed back as inputs to the plurality of modules;
wherein each of at least some of the plurality of modules is configured to at least one of i) determine formulas corresponding to a respective subject matter category, among a plurality of different subject matter categories of formulas, by analyzing expressions provided to the module, and ii) evaluate formulas corresponding to the respective subject matter category;
wherein each of the plurality of modules is implemented using software executed by the one or more computer processors;
wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises generating, at one or more computer processors, electronic display information that, when displayed by a display device, renders an indication of the answer; and
wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises at least one of;
i) transmitting the electronic display information via the communication network to a computer including, or coupled to, the display device, andii) displaying the electronic display information on the display device.
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Abstract
User input in an imprecise syntax (e.g., expressed using natural language and/or informal terminology) is received, the user input including a query requesting information determinable by a formula and one or more indications of parameter values corresponding to the formula. The user input is analyzed to determine the formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula. An answer to the query is calculated using the determined formula, and electronic display information is generated that, when displayed by a display device, renders an indication of the answer.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving, at one or more computer processors, a user input in an imprecise syntax, wherein the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least (i) a query requesting information determinable by a formula having a plurality of mathematical or scientific parameters, and (ii) one or more indications of one or more parameter values corresponding to the formula, wherein the user input in the imprecise syntax is expressed using natural language and/or informal terminology provided by a user, and wherein receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least one of; a) receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax via a communication network, and b) receiving the user input in the imprecise syntax via a user interface device; analyzing, at one or more computer processors, the user input in the imprecise syntax to determine the formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula; calculating, at one or more computer processors, an answer to the query using the determined formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula; and wherein analyzing the user input in the imprecise syntax and calculating the answer to the query includes; generating a plurality of expressions in a precise syntax based on the user input in the imprecise syntax, providing the plurality of expressions in the precise syntax to a plurality of inputs of a plurality of modules, and selecting the answer as one of a plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules are coupled together such that a respective output of each of at least some of the plurality of modules is coupled to one or more respective inputs of one or more other modules, and such that at least some of the plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules are evaluations of outputs of the plurality of modules fed back as inputs to the plurality of modules; wherein each of at least some of the plurality of modules is configured to at least one of i) determine formulas corresponding to a respective subject matter category, among a plurality of different subject matter categories of formulas, by analyzing expressions provided to the module, and ii) evaluate formulas corresponding to the respective subject matter category; wherein each of the plurality of modules is implemented using software executed by the one or more computer processors; wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises generating, at one or more computer processors, electronic display information that, when displayed by a display device, renders an indication of the answer; and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises at least one of; i) transmitting the electronic display information via the communication network to a computer including, or coupled to, the display device, and ii) displaying the electronic display information on the display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a computing system having one or more processors communicatively coupled to at least one of;
i) a communication network, and ii) a user interface device and a display device;one or more memory devices coupled to the computing system, wherein the one or more memory devices store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to; implement a plurality of modules that are coupled together such that a respective output of each of at least some of the plurality of modules is coupled to one or more respective inputs of one or more other modules, and such that at least some results generated by the plurality of modules are evaluations of outputs of the plurality of modules fed back as inputs to the plurality of modules; wherein each of at least some of the plurality of modules is configured to at least one of i) determine formulas corresponding to a respective subject matter category, among a plurality of different subject matter categories of formulas, by analyzing expressions provided to the module, and ii) evaluate formulas corresponding to the respective subject matter category; wherein the one or more memory devices further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to; analyze a user input in an imprecise syntax to determine a formula with one or more parameter values, corresponding to the formula, integrated into the formula, wherein; the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least (i) a query requesting information determinable by the formula having a plurality of mathematical or scientific parameters, and (ii) one or more indications of the one or more parameter values corresponding to the formula, the user input in the imprecise syntax is expressed using natural language and/or informal terminology provided by a user, analyzing the user input in the imprecise syntax includes generating a plurality of expressions in a precise syntax based on the user input in the imprecise syntax, and at least one of; a) the user input in the imprecise syntax was received via the communication network, and b) the user input in the imprecise syntax was received via the user interface device; wherein the one or more memory devices further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to; calculate an answer to the query using the determined formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula, including i) providing the plurality of expressions in the precise syntax to a plurality of inputs of a plurality of modules, and ii) select the answer as one of a plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules, and generate electronic display information that, when displayed by the display device, renders an indication of the answer; and wherein the one or more memory devices further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to, at least one of; i) prompt the one or more processors to transmit the electronic display information via the communication network, and ii) control the display device to display the electronic display information on the display device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. One or more tangible non-transitory computer readable media storing machine readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
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implement a plurality of modules that are coupled together such that a respective output of each of at least some of the plurality of modules is coupled to one or more respective inputs of one or more other modules, and such that at least some results generated by the plurality of modules are evaluations of outputs of the plurality of modules fed back as inputs to the plurality of modules; wherein each of at least some of the plurality of modules is configured to at least one of i) determine formulas corresponding to a respective subject matter category, among a plurality of different subject matter categories of formulas, by analyzing expressions provided to the module, and ii) evaluate formulas corresponding to the respective subject matter category; wherein the one or more tangible non-transitory computer readable media further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to; analyze a user input in an imprecise syntax to determine a formula with one or more parameter values, corresponding to the formula, integrated into the formula, wherein; the user input in the imprecise syntax includes at least (i) a query requesting information determinable by the formula having a plurality of mathematical or scientific parameters, and (ii) one or more indications of the one or more parameter values corresponding to the formula, the user input in the imprecise syntax is expressed using natural language and/or informal terminology provided by a user, analyzing the user input in the imprecise syntax includes generating a plurality of expressions in a precise syntax based on the user input in the imprecise syntax, and at least one of; a) the user input in the imprecise syntax was received via a communication network, and b) the user input in the imprecise syntax was received via a user interface device; wherein the one or more tangible non-transitory computer readable media further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to; calculate an answer to the query using the determined formula with the one or more parameter values integrated into the formula, including i) providing the plurality of expressions in the precise syntax to a plurality of inputs of a plurality of modules, and ii) selecting the answer as one of a plurality of results generated by the plurality of modules, and generate electronic display information that, when displayed by a display device, renders an indication of the answer; and wherein the one or more tangible non-transitory computer readable media further store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to, at least one of; i) prompt the one or more processors to transmit the electronic display information via the communication network, and ii) control the display device to display the electronic display information on the display device. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification