METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTEXT BASED QUERY FORMULATION AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

• US 20080313162A1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Yuan, Jun, Bahrami, Ali
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9032 Query formulation

Abstract

A method for context-based query formulation and information retrieval and aggregation is described. The method includes modeling one or more workflow activities utilized to perform work tasks, preparing at least one meta-querying template, to generate queries that utilize the modeled workflow activities, retrieving information relevant to the work task as determined utilizing the at least one meta-querying template, and aggregating the retrieved information for presentation to the user.

Claims

1. A method for context-based query formulation and information retrieval and aggregation, said method comprising:

modeling one or more workflow activities utilized to perform work tasks;

preparing at least one meta-querying template, to generate queries that utilize the modeled workflow activities;

retrieving information relevant to the work task as determined utilizing the at least one meta-querying template; and

aggregating the retrieved information for presentation to the user.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein preparing at least one meta-querying template comprises:

providing a contextual backdrop that includes at least one of tasks, goals, knowledge and information requirements related to the user; and

using the contextual backdrop to improve relevance of query results and reduce information overload.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising adjusting information retrievals in response to changes in the user information needs.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein aggregating the retrieved information for presentation to the user comprises determining which of the retrieved information is easiest for the user to understand and use.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein preparing at least one meta-querying template comprises adapting query formulations based on changes in the tasks being performed by the user.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising generating one or more executable query statements based on one or more of network changes detected in system, real-time accessibility of multiple heterogeneous data sources, and security access privileges of users to multiple heterogeneous data sources.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein modeling one or more workflow activities comprises modeling concepts of interests needed to perform a phase of work.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein preparing at least one meta-querying template comprises preparing a template according to mqt=(o, w, S, p, q, v, a), where o is an ontology describing basic semantic knowledge that has been captured in various data systems, q includes of a number of semantic query manipulations that explicitly reference the ontology o, w is a worklet defining tasks to be performed, s is an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, p is a user profile, v is a variable which allows a transition from a query to set of queries, and a is an aggregation which allows a user to go forward from a set of queries to a single one.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein retrieving information relevant to the work task comprises utilizing a binding technique to dynamically generate an information aggregation request given the current states of w, s, and p.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein modeling one or more workflow activities comprises formulating user information needs based on a task the user is trying to achieve.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein retrieving information relevant to the work task comprises identifying information sources best able to provide the user with relevant information.

12. A system for retrieval and aggregation of information resulting from context-based queries, said system comprising a plurality of interconnected computer systems collectively programmed to:

model one or more workflow activities utilized to perform work tasks;

generate queries through a meta-querying template that utilize the modeled workflow activities received from said first processing unit;

retrieve information relevant to the work task in response to the queries from a plurality of data sources; and

aggregate the retrieved information for presentation to the user.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the meta-querying template is defined according to mqt=(o, w, s, p, q, v, a), where o is an ontology describing basic semantic knowledge that has been captured in various data systems, q includes of a number of semantic query manipulations that explicitly reference the ontology o, w is a worklet defining tasks to be performed, s is an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, p is a user profile, v is a variable which allows a transition from a query to set of queries, and a is an aggregation which allows a user to go forward from a set of queries to a single one.

14. A system according to claim 12 wherein said computer systems are programmed to dynamically generate an information aggregation request given the current states of w, s, and p using a binding technique.

15. A system according to claim 12 wherein to model one or more workflow activities said computer systems are programmed to formulate user information needs based on a task the user is trying to achieve.

16. A system according to claim 12 wherein to generate queries, said computer systems are programmed to:

receive contextual data comprising at least one of tasks, goals, knowledge and information requirements related to a user; and

utilize the contextual data to improve relevance of queries and retrieved information.

17. A system according to claim 12 wherein said computer systems are programmed to identify which information sources are able to provide a user with information relevant to the work task.

18. A method for developing context-based queries and using the queries for information retrieval and aggregation, said method comprising:

providing workflow activities for a user, a profile for the user, and any semantic data related to the user to a process modeler;

generating a request for relevant information, relevance based on one or more modeled processes and a query template; and

receiving and aggregating the relevant information for presentation to the user.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the query template is defined according to mqt=(o, w, s, p, q, v, a), where o is an ontology describing basic semantic knowledge that has been captured in various data systems, q includes of a number of semantic query manipulations that explicitly reference the ontology o, w is a worklet defining tasks to be performed, s is an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, p is a user profile, v is a variable which allows a transition from a query to set of queries, and a is an aggregation which allows a user to go forward from a set of queries to a single one.

20. A method according to claim 18 further comprising dynamically generating an information aggregation request given the current states of w, s, and p utilizing a binding technique.