Apparatus, method, and program for retrieving structured documents

• US 7,293,018 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Niina, Hiroshi, Hattori, Masakazu, Nonomura, Katsuhiko, Kanawa, Takuya, Isobe, Shozo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PULLIAM, CHRISTYANN R
• Application Number:
  US10/973,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/8373 Query execution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

When a retrieval condition including a first desired word and a first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included, is inputted, a first detecting device detects second desired components each being similar to the first desired component, an acquiring device acquirers second desired words each being similar to the first desired word, a first retrieving device retrieves first structured documents each including a first component including a value in which one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, a second retrieving device retrieves second structured documents each including a second component corresponding to one of the first desired component and the second desired components and including or corresponding to the first component.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

detecting a plurality of second desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to one of the first desired component and the second desired components and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the second components, from the structured-document-database.

2. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

acquiring a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the second components, from the structured-document-database.

3. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included, and at least one second desired component including the first desired component;

detecting a plurality of third desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of fourth desired components each being similar to the second desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to one of the first desired component and the third desired components and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of third components each corresponding to one of the second desired component and the fourth desired components and including or corresponding to one of the second components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the third components, from the structured-document-database.

4. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included, and at least one second desired component including the first desired component;

acquiring a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of third components each corresponding to the second desired component and including or corresponding to one of the second components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the third components, from the structured-document-database.

5. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, a first desired component, a second desired component, and a third desired component, each of the first and second desired components including a value in which the first desired word is included, the third desired component including both the first and the second components;

detecting a plurality of fourth desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of fifth desired components each being similar to the second desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of sixth desired components each being similar to the third desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to one of the first desired component and the fourth desired components and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of third components each corresponding to one of the second desired component and the fifth desired components and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of fourth components each corresponding to one of the third desired component and the sixth desired components and including or corresponding to one of the second components and one of the third components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the fourth components, from the structured-document-database.

6. A method for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the method comprising:

inputting at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, a first desired component, a second desired component, and a third desired component, each of the first and second desired components including a value in which the first desired word is included, the third desired component including both the first and the second components;

acquiring a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

detecting a plurality of first components each including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of second components each corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of third components each corresponding to the second desired component and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detecting a plurality of fourth components each corresponding to the third desired component and including or corresponding to one of the second components and one of the third components, from the structured-document-database; and

extracting a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the fourth components, from the structured-document-database.

7. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

detect a plurality of second desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

retrieve a plurality of first structured documents each including at least one first component including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database; and

retrieve a plurality of second structured documents each including a second component corresponding to one of the first desired component and the second desired components and including or corresponding to the first component, from the first structured documents.

8. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

acquire a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

retrieve a plurality of first structured documents each including at least one first component including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database; and

retrieve a plurality of second structured documents each including a second component corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to the first component, from the first structured documents.

9. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included, and at least one second desired component including the first desired component;

detect a plurality of third desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detect a plurality of fourth desired components each being similar to the second desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detect a plurality of first components each including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of second components each corresponding to one of the first desired component and the third desired components and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of third components each corresponding to one of the second desired component and the fourth desired components and including or corresponding to one of the second components, from the structured-document-database; and

extract a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the third components, from the structured-document-database.

10. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least a retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included, and at least one second desired component including the first desired component;

acquire a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

p2 detect a plurality of first components each including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of second components each corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of third components each corresponding to the second desired component and including or corresponding to one of the second components, from the structured-document-database; and

extract a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the third components, from the structured-document-database.

11. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, a first desired component, a second desired component, and a third desired component, each of the first and second desired components including a value in which the first desired word is included, the third desired component including both the first and the second components;

detect a plurality of fourth desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detect a plurality of fifth desired components each being similar to the second desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detect a plurality of sixth desired components each being similar to the third desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

detect a plurality of first components each including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of second component each corresponding to one of the first desired component and the fourth desired components, and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of third components each corresponding to one of the second desired component and the fifth desired components, and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of fourth components each corresponding to one of the third desired component and the sixth desired components, and including or corresponding to one of the second components and one of the third components, from the structured-document-database; and

extract a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the fourth components, from the structured-document-database.

12. An apparatus for retrieving structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein the processor executes instructions in the memory to;

input at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, a first desired component, a second desired component, and a third desired component, each of the first and second desired components including a value in which the first desired word is included, the third desired component including both the first and the second components;

acquire a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

detect a plurality of first components each including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of second components each corresponding to the first desired component, and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of third components each corresponding to the second desired component, and including or corresponding to one of the first components, from the structured-document-database;

detect a plurality of fourth components each corresponding to the third desired component, and including or corresponding to one of the second components and one of the third components, from the structured-document-database; and

extract a plurality of desired structured documents each including one of the fourth components, from the structured-document-database.

13. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium, to instruct a computer to retrieve structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the computer program comprising:

first program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to receive at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

second program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to detect a plurality of second desired components each being similar to the first desired component, in the hierarchical structure;

third program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to retrieve a plurality of first structured documents each including at least one first component including a value in which the first desired word is included, from the structured-document-database; and

fourth program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to retrieve a plurality of second structured documents each including a second component corresponding to one of the first desired component and the second desired components and including or corresponding to the first component, from the first structured documents.

14. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium, to instruct a computer to retrieve structured documents from a structured-documents-database having a hierarchical structure and storing a plurality of structured documents each having a document structure and a plurality of data items, each of the document structures being constructed by a plurality of components, each of the component constructing the hierarchical structure, and each of the data items being stored in the structured-documents-database as a value included in one of the components, the computer program comprising:

first program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to receive at least one retrieval condition including at least one first desired word, and at least one first desired component including a value in which the first desired word is included;

second program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to acquire a plurality of second desired words each being similar to the first desired word;

third program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to retrieve a plurality of first structured documents each including at least one first component including a value in which at least one of the first desired word and the second desired words is included, from the structured-document-database; and

fourth program instruction means for instructing a computer processor to retrieve a plurality of second structured documents each including a second component corresponding to the first desired component and including or corresponding to the first component, from the first structured documents.