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Information retrieval apparatus using a hierarchical structure of schema

  • US 5,937,407 A
  • Filed: 12/11/1997
  • Issued: 08/10/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An information retrieving apparatus comprising:

  • a meta-data storage section for storing meta-data stored in various formats;

    a schema declaration section for extracting a schema associated with meta-data for each of predetermined items of information from meta-data stored in said meta-data storing section to define a method of describing attributes;

    a relation declaration section for defining a hierarchical relation between the attributes defined by said schema declaration section and attributes of other schemata;

    a retrieve instruction executing means for executing a retrieve instruction based on a retrieval formula described based on an arbitrary schema;

    a schema conversion means for converting said retrieval formula into another retrieval formula according to another schema based on said hierarchical relation defined by said relation declaration section;

    a schema management means for managing said hierarchical relation for converting said retrieval formula into said other retrieval formula; and

    a data base for storing retrieval object information consisting of a pair of attribute data and a value, wherein said retrieve instruction executing means retrieves desired information based on said other retrieval formula.

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