System and method for retrieving information from a database using an index of XML tags and metafiles
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for creating a database and an index to search the database, comprising the steps of:
- creating the index by defining a plurality of XML tags including domain tags and category tags;
creating a first metafile that corresponds to a first domain tag; and
creating the database by providing a plurality of records, each record having an XML index component.
3 Assignments
Litigations
3 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Retrieving information from a database using an index of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) tags and metafiles. The index includes XML tags that correspond to domains and categories. The domains and categories are selected to facilitate searching of the database. An XML tag can have a corresponding metafile that includes XML tags for related domains and categories. The metafile can also establish a hierarchy for the tags within the metafile. Each record of the database includes an index component which lists the domain tags and category tags that are associated with the record. When a search request is received, the request is parsed to identify the terms in the request. The terms are predetermined and generally correspond to the domains and categories of the index. The terms are mapped to tags. Once the appropriate tags are identified, then the metafiles that correspond to those tags are identified. The metafiles can be used to identify additional tags that are relevant to the search. The identified tags are combined to create a unique key. The key is used to search the database to locate records that include the tags in their index component.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for creating a database and an index to search the database, comprising the steps of:
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creating the index by defining a plurality of XML tags including domain tags and category tags;
creating a first metafile that corresponds to a first domain tag; and
creating the database by providing a plurality of records, each record having an XML index component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
for each record, creating an alpha portion of the record that comprises identifying information for the record; and
for each record, creating the XML index component by selecting from the defined XML tags a selected set of XML tags that are associated with the record.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating a first metafile, comprises the steps of:
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selecting a first set of domain tags from the defined XML tags that are related to the first domain tag; and
selecting a first set of category tags from the defined XML tags that are related to the first domain tag.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first domain tag is related to a first product and the first set of domain tags includes a selected domain tag that identifies a second product related to the first product so that the second product is marketed to a user when information related to the first product is provided to the user.
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5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:
creating a hierarchy between the tags in the metafile.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating a first metafile comprises the steps of:
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selecting a first set of XML tags from the defined XML tags that are related to the first domain tag; and
creating a hierarchy between the tags in the first set of XML tags.
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7. A method for searching a database of records using an index including a plurality of tags, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for information;
identifying a first tag that is associated with the request;
determining whether a first metafile comprising a second tag corresponds to the first tag;
if the first metafile corresponds to the first tag, then determining whether the second tag is relevant to the request;
if the second tag is relevant to the request, then combining the first tag and the second tag to create a key; and
using the key to search the database to locate at least one record that includes the first tag and the second tag. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
parsing the request to identify a first term; and
identifying the first tag that corresponds to the first term.
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9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:
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identifying a third tag that corresponds to the first term;
determining whether the first tag and the third tag indicate that the request is ambiguous;
if the first tag and the third tag indicate that the request is ambiguous, then determining whether the first tag is related to the request; and
if the first tag is related to the request, then using only the first tag to create the key.
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10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
if the first tag and the third tag do not indicate that the request is ambiguous, then using the first tag and the third tag to create the key.
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11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first metafile includes a fourth tag, further comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the second tag and the fourth tag indicate that the request is ambiguous;
if the second tag and the fourth tag indicate that the request is ambiguous, then determining whether the second tag is related to the request; and
if the second tag is related to the request, then using only the second tag to create the key.
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12. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of tags include a plurality of category tags and a plurality of domain tags, each category tag associated with a term that provides information and each domain tag associated with a group of category tags.
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13. The method of claim 12, wherein the category tags include a brand tag, a cuisine tag, a payment option tag, and an amenity tag.
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14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for searching a database of records using an index including a plurality of tags, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for information;
identifying a first tag that is associated with the request;
identifying a second tag that is associated with the request by determining that the second tag is included in a metafile associated with the first tag;
combining the first tag and the second tag to create a key; and
using the key to search the database to locate records including the first tag and the second tag. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
determining whether the first tag and the second tag indicate that the request is ambiguous;
if the first tag and the second tag indicate that the request is ambiguous, then conducting a query to determine whether the first tag or the second tag is relevant to the request;
if the determination is that the first tag is relevant to the request, then using the first tag, but not the second tag to create the key; and
using the key to search the database to locate records including the first tag, but not the second tag.
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16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the request includes a first term, and wherein the step of identifying a first tag that is associated with the request, comprises:
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identifying the first term in the request; and
matching the first term to the first tag.
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17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the metafile includes a third tag, further comprising the steps of:
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if the first tag and the second tag do not indicate that the request is ambiguous, then combining the first tag, the second tag, and the third tag to create a key; and
using the key to search the database to locate records including the first tag, the second tag, and the third tag.
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18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the plurality of tags include a plurality of domain tags and a plurality of category tags, and wherein each domain tag identifies a group of selected category tags and each category tag identifies a group of terms providing business information.
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19. A method for searching a database of information, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for information from a client, the request having a first term;
identifying a first XML tag that is associated with the first term;
determining whether a first metafile corresponds to the first XML tag;
if the first metafile corresponds to the first XML tag, then transmitting the first XML tag, the first metafile and query code to the client;
once the client conducts a query by executing the query code using the first XML tag and the first metafile, then receiving query results including a first set of XML tags from the client;
combining the first set of XML tags into a key;
using the key to search the database to locate records including the first set of XML tags; and
delivering the records including the first set of XML tags to the client. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
searching the database to locate a record with an XML index component that include the first set of XML tags.
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22. A method for identifying a record from a database of records that satisfies a request for information, comprising the steps of:
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receiving the request for information;
sending the request to a server;
receiving a first XML tag and a first metafile that are associated with the request and query code from the server;
executing the query code to determine a first set of XML tags that are associated with the request;
sending the first set of XML tags to the server;
receiving the record from the server; and
delivering the record. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
determining whether the second XML tag is associated with the request; and
if the second XML tag is associated with the request, then including the second XML tag in the first set of XML tags.
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24. The method of claim 22, wherein a third XML tag and a fourth XML tag are received from the server, and wherein the step of executing the query code to determine a first set of XML tags that are associated with the request, comprises the steps of:
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if the third XML tag and the fourth XML tag indicate that the request is ambiguous, then determining whether the third XML tag is related to the request; and
if the third XML tag is related to the request, then including the third XML tag, but not the fourth XML tag in the first set of XML tags.
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25. A method for creating a metafile that can be used to locate records in a database that are related to a trade name, comprising the steps of:
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selecting an XML tag that is associated with the trade name; and
creating a metafile that is associated with the first domain tag by;
selecting a first XML tag that is associated with an authorized dealer of a product associated with the trade name;
selecting a second XML tag that is associated with an authorized service provider for the product;
selecting a third XML tag that is associated with an authorized parts provider for the product, so that the metafile can be used to locate records in the database that are related to the trade name. - View Dependent Claims (26)
in response to a request for information about authorized service providers of the product associated with the trade name, identifying the XML tag using the trade name;
identifying the metafile using the XML tag;
identifying the second XML tag using the metafile;
creating a key using the XML tag and the second XML tag;
using the key to search for records including the XML tag and the second XML tag.
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27. A method for locating records related to a trade name, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for information that includes the trade name;
identifying a first tag that is associated with the trade name;
identifying a metafile that is associated with the trade name;
determining whether the metafile identifies additional tags that are associated with the trade name;
if the metafile identifies additional tags that are associated with the trade name, then conducting a query to determine which of the additional tags are relevant to the request;
if the query determines that a second tag is relevant to the request, then combining the first tag and the second tag to create a key;
using the key to search a database to locate records that include the first tag and the second tag. - View Dependent Claims (28)
if the query determines that none of the additional tags are relevant to the request, then using the first tag as the key; and
using the key to search the database to locate records that include the first tag.
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Specification