Decision-theoretic methods for identifying relevant substructures of a hierarchical file structure to enhance the efficiency of document access, browsing, and storage
First Claim
1. A computer implemented system for predicting a target file directory, comprising the following computer executable components:
- a first component that infers and/or determines expected costs for directory operations associated with navigating potential target directories for storing and accessing data, based on a probabilistic or utility analysis, wherein the target directories are selected from the file directory tree structure residing on one of a local or remote computer based at least on values assigned to directories within the tree structure, the values indicate likelihood of each of the directories being the target directory; and
a second component that displays a subset of the potential target directories determined by selecting target directories with high likelihood values, based at least in part on the expected navigation cost which are inversely proportional to the utility, in order to minimize a cost of traversing directories.
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Abstract
A system and methodology is provided for improving directory operations within a system providing an electronic hierarchical directory of items. The system includes a component which analyzes probabilities and utilities associated with determining potential target directories for storing and accessing data, and a component for building a subset of the potential target directories that are predicted to be the target directory. The probabilities and/or utilities are functions of expected navigation costs associated with traversing from a displayed directory to at least one of the potential target directories. Methods in accordance with the present invention can be coupled with displays of substructures that format the substructures into a coherent hierarchical view.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer implemented system for predicting a target file directory, comprising the following computer executable components:
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a first component that infers and/or determines expected costs for directory operations associated with navigating potential target directories for storing and accessing data, based on a probabilistic or utility analysis, wherein the target directories are selected from the file directory tree structure residing on one of a local or remote computer based at least on values assigned to directories within the tree structure, the values indicate likelihood of each of the directories being the target directory; and a second component that displays a subset of the potential target directories determined by selecting target directories with high likelihood values, based at least in part on the expected navigation cost which are inversely proportional to the utility, in order to minimize a cost of traversing directories. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for determining a potential target node for directory operations, comprising:
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assigning probabilities and utilities to a plurality of nodes based at least on their likelihoods of being potential target nodes, the utilities being related to navigation costs associated with traversing from a displayed node to at least one of the potential target nodes, the navigation costs are inversely proportional to the utilities being assigned by at least user selections and encoded within the system, wherein the target nodes are selected from the nodes in the file directory tree structure residing on one of a local or remote computer; determining an expected utility from the probabilities and utilities associated with the plurality of target nodes; and displaying a candidate list of likely nodes to a user based upon the expected utility. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer implemented system for determining a potential target node for directory operations, comprising:
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means for assigning probabilities and utilities to a plurality of nodes based on likelihoods of the plurality of nodes being a target node, wherein the utilities are functions inversely proportion to cost of navigating from one node to another, and the target nodes are selected from the nodes of the file directory tree structure residing on one or more of a local or remote computer; means for determining an expected utility from the probabilities and utilities associated with the plurality of nodes; and means for displaying a candidate list of likely nodes to a user based upon the expected utility, the candidate list comprises a subset of the potential target nodes.
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Specification