Hierarchical query feedback in an information retrieval system
First Claim
1. A method for providing hierarchical query feedback to a user in an information retrieval system, said method comprising the step of:
- receiving a query, comprising one or more terms, input to said information retrieval system that identifies one or more subject matters of interest to a user;
storing a knowledge base comprising a plurality of nodes of terminology, arranged hierarchically, that reflect associations among said terminology;
processing said query by selecting nodes of terminology in said knowledge base that reflect concepts at different levels of abstraction with respect to concepts associated with said terms in said query so as to identify hierarchical query feedback terminology; and
displaying, in response to said query, said hierarchical query feedback terminology, whereby a user may utilize said hierarchical query feedback terminology to formulate a new query that more particularly identifies said subject matters of interest.
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Abstract
An information retrieval system generates hierarchical query feedback to a user to facilitate the user in reformulating the query. The information retrieval system, which supports both text and theme queries, includes a knowledge base comprising a plurality of nodes of terminology, arranged hierarchically, that reflect associations among the terminology. For the hierarchical query feedback terms, the information retrieval system selects terminology that broadens and narrows the query terms by selecting parent nodes and child nodes, respectively, of the nodes for terminology that corresponds to the terms of the query. The information retrieval system also selects terminology that is generally related to the query terms by selecting nodes of the knowledge base that are cross linked to the nodes for terminology that corresponds to the terms of the query. Normalization processing, which generates canonical forms for query processing, and a content processing system, which generates themes for theme queries, are also disclosed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for providing hierarchical query feedback to a user in an information retrieval system, said method comprising the step of:
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receiving a query, comprising one or more terms, input to said information retrieval system that identifies one or more subject matters of interest to a user; storing a knowledge base comprising a plurality of nodes of terminology, arranged hierarchically, that reflect associations among said terminology; processing said query by selecting nodes of terminology in said knowledge base that reflect concepts at different levels of abstraction with respect to concepts associated with said terms in said query so as to identify hierarchical query feedback terminology; and displaying, in response to said query, said hierarchical query feedback terminology, whereby a user may utilize said hierarchical query feedback terminology to formulate a new query that more particularly identifies said subject matters of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed, causes the computer to perform the steps of:
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receiving a query, comprising one or more terms, input to said information retrieval system that identifies one or more subject matters of interest to a user; storing a knowledge base comprising a plurality of nodes of terminology, arranged hierarchically, that reflect associations among said terminology; processing said query by selecting nodes of terminology in said knowledge base that reflect concepts at different levels of abstraction with respect to concepts associated with said terms in said query so as to identify hierarchical query feedback terminology; and displaying, in response to said query, said hierarchical query feedback terminology, whereby a user may utilize said hierarchical query feedback terminology to formulate a new query that more particularly identifies said subject matters of interest. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer system comprising:
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a user input device for receiving a query, comprising one or more terms, input to said information retrieval system that identifies one or more subject matters of interest to a user; storage device for storing a knowledge base comprising a plurality of nodes of terminology, arranged hierarchically, that reflect associations among said terminology; processing unit, coupled to said storage device, for processing said query by selecting nodes of terminology in said knowledge base that reflect concepts at different levels of abstraction with respect to concepts associated with said terms in said query so as to identify hierarchical query feedback terminology; and an output display for displaying, in response to said query, said hierarchical query feedback terminology, whereby a user may utilize said hierarchical query feedback terminology to formulate a new query that more particularly identifies said subject matters of interest.
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Specification