User Interface Mechanisms for Query Refinement
First Claim
1. A method, performed by one or more computing devices, for processing queries, comprising:
- receiving an input query, corresponding to a complete query or a yet-to-be-completed query;
matching the input query against query-detection grammars defined by respective rule modules, with reference to a structured knowledge base, to generate a matching result;
generating a first set of one or more synthetic query suggestions based on the matching result;
presenting the first set of synthetic query suggestions;
in response to the input query, or a later modification of the input query, further generating a query refinement tool, the query refinement tool specifying a plurality of refinement options;
presenting the query refinement tool;
receiving a selection of a refinement option identified by the query refinement tool; and
in response to the selection, presenting a second set of one or more synthetic query suggestions, the second set of synthetic query suggestions being more refined compared to the first set of synthetic query suggestions,each synthetic query suggestion in the first set and the second set;
being predicated on one or more matching query-expression grammars,being formed as an expressive natural language modification of an input query, andpertaining to at least one information item contained in the structured knowledge base.
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Abstract
A query processing system (QPS) for generating query suggestions to a user by matching the user'"'"'s input query against a set of query-detection grammars defined by respective rule modules, and with respect to a structured knowledge base. In response to the matching operation, the QPS may generate a set of synthetic query suggestions to the user, representing refinements of the user'"'"'s input query. The QPS can also present a refinement tool that conveys refinement options to the user. The QPS may also present one or more preview items to the user upon the user'"'"'s selection of one of the synthetic query suggestions. Each synthetic query suggestion and each preview item is guaranteed to having a matching counterpart information item in the structured knowledge base.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, performed by one or more computing devices, for processing queries, comprising:
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receiving an input query, corresponding to a complete query or a yet-to-be-completed query; matching the input query against query-detection grammars defined by respective rule modules, with reference to a structured knowledge base, to generate a matching result; generating a first set of one or more synthetic query suggestions based on the matching result; presenting the first set of synthetic query suggestions; in response to the input query, or a later modification of the input query, further generating a query refinement tool, the query refinement tool specifying a plurality of refinement options; presenting the query refinement tool; receiving a selection of a refinement option identified by the query refinement tool; and in response to the selection, presenting a second set of one or more synthetic query suggestions, the second set of synthetic query suggestions being more refined compared to the first set of synthetic query suggestions, each synthetic query suggestion in the first set and the second set; being predicated on one or more matching query-expression grammars, being formed as an expressive natural language modification of an input query, and pertaining to at least one information item contained in the structured knowledge base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer readable storage medium for storing computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions performing a method, when executed by one or more processing devices, that comprises:
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displaying a user input query in a query input section of a user interface presentation; displaying a set of query suggestions in a suggestion section of the user interface presentation, at least one of the query suggestions corresponding to a synthetic query suggestion that is; predicated on one or more matching query-expression grammars defined by one or more corresponding rule models, and is supported by at least one associated information item in a structured knowledge base; and displaying at least one preview item in a preview section of the user interface presentation, said at least one preview item corresponding to a particular synthetic query suggestion that has been selected in the suggestion section, and each preview item corresponding to an information item, in the structured knowledge base, which corresponds to the particular query suggestion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system, implemented by one or more computing devices, for processing queries, comprising:
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a data store that provides a structured knowledge base; a data store that provides a plurality of rule modules associated with respective grammars; a suggestion generating module configured to generate query suggestions based on input queries; and a user interface module configured to interact with a user via a user interface presentation, the user interface presentation comprising; a query input section for receiving an input query from the user; a suggestion section for presenting query suggestions that pertain to the input query; the query suggestions including, in one case, a first set of one or more synthetic query suggestions; each synthetic query suggestion;
(a) being predicated on a one or more matching query-expression grammars identified by the suggestion generating module;
(b) being supported by at least one associated information item in the structured knowledge base; and
(c) being formed as an expressive natural language extension of an input query; anda tool section for presenting a query refinement tool, the query refinement tool specifying a plurality of refinement options, the suggestion generating module and the user interface module being configured to present a second set of synthetic query suggestions in response to selection of a refinement option identified by the query refinement tool. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification