Data storage and retrieval system with parameterized category definitions for families of categories and dynamically generated search indices
First Claim
1. A method of providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, comprising:
- obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data storage and retrieval system with parameterized category definitions and dynamically generated search indices. A parameterized category definition for a family of categories is obtained consisting of a parameterized predicate, such that parameter values can be provided with a search query to identify information items that match a category within the family of categories. The parameterized category definition is divided into a parameterized part and a static part. The static part is used to create associations between information items and the family of categories. The disclosed system processes the parameterized part of the category family definition to dynamically generate one or more search indices. The disclosed system determines whether any existing indices match the parameters of the parameterized part, and can accordingly be re-used. In the case where one or more indices are missing that are needed to support the parameterized part of the category family definition, the disclosed system operates to create them based on information items associated with the family of categories based on the static part of the parameterized category definition. Queries supplying values for the parameters of the parameterized category definition for the family of categories are subsequently processed to identify information items belonging to specific, dynamically defined categories within the family of categories.
32 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, comprising:
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obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system including a computer readable medium, said computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:
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program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
program code for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
program code for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
program code for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product including a computer readable medium, said computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:
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program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
program code for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
program code for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
program code for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.
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14. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, said computer data signal including at least one computer program for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:
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program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
program code for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
program code for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
program code for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
program code for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.
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15. A system for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:
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program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
means for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition;
means for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
means for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
means for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part; and
means for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.
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Specification