Method and apparatus for using faceted metadata to navigate through information resources
First Claim
1. A method for using faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources, comprising:
- receiving a query from a client at a server;
performing the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources, and wherein performing the query generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query;
constructing a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query; and
sending the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query;
whereby the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources. During operation, the system receives a query from a client at a server. The system then performs the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources. While performing the query, the system generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query. Next, the system constructs a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query. The system then sends the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query. In this way, the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for using faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources, comprising:
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receiving a query from a client at a server;
performing the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources, and wherein performing the query generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query;
constructing a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query; and
sending the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query;
whereby the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for using faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources, the method comprising:
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receiving a query from a client at a server;
performing the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources, and wherein performing the query generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query;
constructing a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query; and
sending the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query;
whereby the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for using faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive a query from a client at a server;
a database configured to perform the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources, and wherein performing the query generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query; and
a response generation mechanism configured to, construct a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query, and to send the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query;
whereby the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A means for using faceted metadata to facilitate navigation through information resources, comprising:
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a receiving means for receiving a query from a client at a server;
a database means for performing the query on metadata, wherein the metadata contains facets that describe characteristics of the information resources, and wherein performing the query generates results that identify information resources that satisfy the query;
a response generation means for generating a response containing the results, the query, and suggestions on how to refine the query; and
a sending means for sending the response to the client, thereby allowing the client to refine the query;
whereby the client and server can work together in a stateless manner to refine the query without having to maintain state information about the query on the server.
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Specification