System and method of generating string-based search expressions using templates
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a search expression for use in searching heterogeneous repositories, the method comprising:
- providing in computer memory of a computer a plurality of user-modifiable templates, each template being defined according to a different lexical structure and being associated with a user-modifiable, repository neutral template expression;
parsing user-supplied input received by the computer from a user-input device to produce one or more tokens therefrom and to identify a lexical structure of the user-supplied input;
selecting from the plurality of user-modifiable templates stored in computer memory a template with a lexical structure that matches the identified lexical structure of the user-supplied input; and
inserting each token produced from the user-supplied input into a designated location in the user-modifiable, repository neutral template expression of the selected template to produce a string-based, repository neutral search expression to be used in a computerized search of the heterogeneous repositories.
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Abstract
Described are a system and method for generating a search expression for use in searching heterogeneous repositories. An application program receives user-supplied input. A template is selected based on a structure of the input. The input is scanned and tokenized. Each token is substituted into one or more locations within the template designated for that token to produce a string-based search expression. The search expression can have logical OR and logical AND operations, parentheses to specify precedence of evaluation, and an infix notation. Templates are modifiable for changing the content of search expressions constructed for a given user input. User-specifiable and user-modifiable aspects include the selecting of particular attributes, operators, and evaluation precedence of template expressions, the tokenizing of user input, the mapping of token sequences to particular templates, and the designation of locations within a selected token expression in which to substitute tokens derived from the user input.
102 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for generating a search expression for use in searching heterogeneous repositories, the method comprising:
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providing in computer memory of a computer a plurality of user-modifiable templates, each template being defined according to a different lexical structure and being associated with a user-modifiable, repository neutral template expression; parsing user-supplied input received by the computer from a user-input device to produce one or more tokens therefrom and to identify a lexical structure of the user-supplied input; selecting from the plurality of user-modifiable templates stored in computer memory a template with a lexical structure that matches the identified lexical structure of the user-supplied input; and inserting each token produced from the user-supplied input into a designated location in the user-modifiable, repository neutral template expression of the selected template to produce a string-based, repository neutral search expression to be used in a computerized search of the heterogeneous repositories. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification