Apparatus and method for finding records in a database by formulating a query using equivalent terms which correspond to terms in the input query
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of retrieving a record for an item in an information database in response to an input string of target words, the method comprising the steps of:
- comparing each word contained in the input string of target words with words contained in a search expression database associated with the information database;
generating a set of search expressions for each one of multiple ordered queries, each search expression including words from the search expression database for providing an equivalent representation of one or more of the input string of target words;
retrieving records from the information database, each record retrieved in each of the multiple ordered queries containing the set of search expressions respectively generated for one of the multiple ordered queries, the multiple ordered queries being arranged in order of a most restrictive query to a least restrictive query; and
selecting in accordance with a predetermined parameter a retrieved one of the records that best matches the input string of target words.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for searching for records of database items with incomplete or incorrectly provided input data. Database queries are automatically created and executed in a manner that has a high probability of selecting the correct record indicative of a desired item from a retrieved set of candidates. The queries comprise search expressions which are generated for supplementing each one of a series of input words comprising the input data. These search expressions include terms and phrases that are equivalent to each input word and also include expanded acronyms and abbreviations. When required, the search expressions further include words that are close to an input word when it appears to be misspelled.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of retrieving a record for an item in an information database in response to an input string of target words, the method comprising the steps of:
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comparing each word contained in the input string of target words with words contained in a search expression database associated with the information database; generating a set of search expressions for each one of multiple ordered queries, each search expression including words from the search expression database for providing an equivalent representation of one or more of the input string of target words; retrieving records from the information database, each record retrieved in each of the multiple ordered queries containing the set of search expressions respectively generated for one of the multiple ordered queries, the multiple ordered queries being arranged in order of a most restrictive query to a least restrictive query; and selecting in accordance with a predetermined parameter a retrieved one of the records that best matches the input string of target words. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of retrieving a record for an item in an information database in response to an input string of target words, the method comprising the steps of:
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comparing each word contained in the input string of target words with words contained in a first search expression database associated with the information database; generating a plurality of search expressions, each search expression including a word from the string of target words and words from the search expression database for providing art equivalent representation of one or more of the input string of target words, and one or more selected words close in character content to one of the target words not located in the first search expression database, the one or more selected words being obtained from a second search expression database for supplementing said target word; retrieving records from the information database, each record containing the words included in each of the search expressions; and selecting in accordance with a predetermined parameter a retrieved one of the records that best matches the input string of target words. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of retrieving a record of an item from a plurality of information databases in response to a series of input words, the method comprising the steps of:
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comparing each word contained in the series of input words with words contained in a first and a second one of a plurality of search expression databases associated with a first one of the plurality of information databases; generating a set of search expressions, each search expression in the set including words from the first search expression database for providing an equivalent representation of one or more of the series of input words and words from the second search expression database for providing selected words close in character content to one or more of the series of input words; searching in the first one of the plurality of information databases for retrieving records containing the search expressions; searching in other of the plurality of information databases for retrieving records containing the search expressions when none of the retrieved records in the first one of the plurality of information databases best matches the series of input words in accordance with a predetermined parameter; and selecting in accordance with the predetermined parameter the retrieved record from any of the plurality of information databases that best matches the series of input words. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for retrieving a record of an item in an information database in response to an input string of target words, the system comprising:
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means for comparing each word contained in the input string of target words with words contained in a search expression database associated with the information database; means for generating a set of search expressions for each one of multiple ordered queries, each search expression including words from the search expression database for providing an equivalent representation of one or more of the input string of target words; means for retrieving records from the information database, each record retrieved in each of the multiple ordered queries containing the set of search expressions respectively generated for one of the multiple ordered queries, the multiple ordered queries being arranged in order of a most restrictive query to a least restrictive query; and means for selecting in accordance with a predetermined parameter a retrieved one of the records that best matches the input string of target words. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification