System and method for dynamic context-sensitive federated search of multiple information repositories
First Claim
1. A method for context-sensitive querying and retrieval of search results from a plurality of heterogeneous data sources simultaneously, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving search query information from a user;
b. interpreting the context of the search query;
c. identifying a plurality of data sources for searching, the data sources being relevant to the identified context of the search query;
d. framing a plurality of search requests pertinent to each of the plurality of data sources identified for searching, each of the search requests being framed in accordance with the search query information in a syntax specific to the data source being searched;
e. executing the plurality of framed search requests via communication protocols specific to each of the data sources being searched, the search requests being executed simultaneously;
f. retrieving search results from the plurality of data sources searched; and
g. consolidating the search results to produce an integrated search result.
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Abstract
A system and method for context-sensitive federated search across multiple heterogeneous data sources in real-time are disclosed. A user interface receives search query context information from a user. A decision engine interprets the search query context through an internal query classification system. Data sources relevant to the search query are identified for searching. The identification of data sources is aided by dynamically updated source statistics where relevance factors of various sources with respect to different input search categories are stored. These data sources are suggested to the user. Based on the user selection, search queries are formulated for each source and search results are retrieved via associated communication protocols. These search results are consolidated and formatted for presenting to the user. Further, the relevance of the sources to the input categories are automatically updated based on the result sets and user selections.
270 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for context-sensitive querying and retrieval of search results from a plurality of heterogeneous data sources simultaneously, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving search query information from a user;
b. interpreting the context of the search query;
c. identifying a plurality of data sources for searching, the data sources being relevant to the identified context of the search query;
d. framing a plurality of search requests pertinent to each of the plurality of data sources identified for searching, each of the search requests being framed in accordance with the search query information in a syntax specific to the data source being searched;
e. executing the plurality of framed search requests via communication protocols specific to each of the data sources being searched, the search requests being executed simultaneously;
f. retrieving search results from the plurality of data sources searched; and
g. consolidating the search results to produce an integrated search result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for dynamically determining and suggesting appropriate data sources to a user from amongst a plurality of heterogeneous data sources for searching context-sensitive information in response to a search query by the user, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. interpreting the context of the search query, the context being dependent on the current user activity and the specific content of the search query, the step of interpreting the context comprising the steps of;
i. using statistical or mathematical models for analyzing patterns in the search query; and
ii. identifying the current activity of the user, and the application within which the user is working;
b. mapping the context of the search query to a set of search categories;
c. identifying a plurality of data sources relevant to the identified set of search categories using source statistics information, the source statistics information comprising weighted relevance factors of each of the configured data sources with respect to various search categories;
d. recommending data sources identified as relevant to the context of the search query to the user;
e. registering user specified choices for determining the data sources to be searched subsequently;
f. updating the source statistics information in accordance with user specified choices of data sources with respect to the search query categories;
g. updating the source statistics information in accordance with relevance of search results returned by each of the searched data sources; and
h. updating the source statistics information in accordance with implicit and explicit user feedback. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A system for context-sensitive querying and retrieval of search results from a plurality of heterogeneous data sources simultaneously, the system comprising:
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a. a user interface receiving search query information;
b. a plurality of source modules, each source module configured to query and retrieve search results based on the search query information, the search results being retrieved from at least one of the plurality of heterogeneous data sources, the source modules storing specific syntax and communication protocol information regarding the associated data sources; and
c. a decision engine interpreting the search query and conducting federated search across relevant data sources, the decision engine comprising;
i. a classification module interpreting the context of the search query and returned results, the context being defined through the specific content of the search query and optionally the current user activity;
ii. a source mapping module identifying a plurality of data sources relevant for searching in accordance with the context of the search query; and
iii. a source module control engine controlling the plurality of source modules for querying and retrieving data from the plurality of heterogeneous data sources. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product for providing context-sensitive federated search from a plurality of heterogeneous data sources, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable medium comprising;
a. program instruction means for receiving search query information from a user;
b. program instruction means for classifying search query information into a set of input search categories;
c. program instruction means for mapping the identified categories to a plurality of data sources relevant for searching in accordance with the context of the search query; and
d. program instruction means for querying and retrieving search results from each of the data sources being searched using source specific syntax and communication protocol information. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification