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Method and apparatus for specifying a query to an information system using natural language-like constructs

  • US 5,592,668 A
  • Filed: 06/06/1995
  • Issued: 01/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus including a general purpose programmable digital computer, said computer having central processing means, bus means, display means, data entry means, memory means, data storage means, and graphical user interface for describing in a natural language a query to a database, said apparatus further comprising:

  • diagram means for producing a diagram on said display means;

    cursor control means for moving a cursor over said diagram;

    repository means further comprising relational database means implemented on said computer;

    fact tree formation means for forming a fact tree based on said query; and

    fact tree description means for describing said fact tree in said natural language, said fact tree description means including(a) first variable assignment means for assigning variables based on said fact tree, said variables comprising root, parent, child and node, wherein said root is the root of said fact tree, said parent is the parent of said root, said child is the child of the root and said node is the number of the child,(b) parent test means for testing if a value of said parent is null,(c) root text creation means, responsive to a determination by said parent test means that said value of said parent is null, for creating text for said root,(d) node text creation means, responsive to a determination by said parent test means that a value of said parent is not null, for creating text for said node,(e) print means for printing, on said display means, said text created by said root text creation means and said node text creation means,(f) counter means for counting an iteration as an iteration value,(g) node test means for determining if said iteration value is equal to a value of said node, and(h) recursive means for recursively invoking said fact tree description means using depth-first search means.

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