Information retrieval system using attribute normalization

• US 7,509,303 B1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Chen, Chung-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHECHTMAN, CHERYL MARIA
• Application Number:
  US10/349,762
• Time in Patent Office: 2,253 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/4, 707/10, 709/217, 715/763, 705/26, 711/100
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

Information retrieval system that allows a user to retrieve data having different attributes from different databases is provided. The information retrieval system associates a search attribute of a subject represented by a user input term, with one or more attributes of data stored in the databases. Based on this association, data whose attribute is associated with the search attribute is collected and provided to the user as feedback.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a query feedback to a user in an information retrieval system, comprising:

receiving a query input from a user, said query comprising one or more terms representing one or more subjects of interest to the user, each of said one or more subjects having a search attribute corresponding to a first database;

collecting data from a data source, said data having an attribute corresponding to a second database;

associating said search attribute corresponding to the first database with said attribute corresponding to the second database of said data from said data source, wherein said attribute is not said search attribute; and

executing the query input to generate a result based on said association, wherein the result comprises results from (a) querying the first database using said search attribute and a term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, and (b) querying the second database using said attribute and said term from said one or more terms for said search attribute.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said collecting comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifies said attribute of data that is to be collected from said data source.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said collecting comprises arranging said data from said data source into a searchable index.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein said searchable index is a search attribute based index.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency that is data source dependent.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency based on a type of said data source.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency when a criteria is met.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises displaying a window in a screen, said window comprising a field in which said user can input said one or more terms of said query input.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising identification of said search attribute associated with said subject represented by said one or more terms inputted in said field.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising a list of identification of one or more search attributes that are selectable by said user.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising an input field in which said user can type in a desired language.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising a menu identifying a list of one or more languages that are selectable by said user.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising an input field in which said user can type in an operator.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said window further comprising a menu identifying a list of one or more operators that are selectable by said user.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said search attribute is in a language that is different from that of said attribute of said data from said data source.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said associating comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifying said attribute of data that are to be associated with said search attribute.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, further comprising inputting said mapping information in said medium.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein said inputting is performed through a user interface displayed in a screen.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein said inputting comprises selecting a search attribute to be associated with said attribute of said data from said data source.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein said inputting comprises selecting an attribute of data from a data source to be associated with a search attribute.

21. A computer-implemented process that generates a display of information, said process comprising the steps of:

receiving a query input from a user, said query comprising one or more terms representing one or more subjects of interest to the user, each of said one or more subjects having a search attribute corresponding to a first database;

collecting data from a data source, said data having an attribute corresponding to a second database;

associating said search attribute with said attribute of said data from said data source, wherein said attribute is not said search attribute; and

generating a display of information comprising a result from executing the query input based on said association, wherein the result comprises results from (a) querying the first database using said search attribute and a term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, and (b) querying the second database using said attribute and said term from said one or more terms for said search attribute.

22. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said collecting comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifies said attribute of data that is to be collected from said data source.

23. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said collecting comprises arranging said data from said data source into a searchable index.

24. The computer-implemented process of claim 23, wherein said searchable index is a search attribute based index.

25. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency that is data source dependent.

26. The computer-implemented process of claim 25, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency based on a type of said data source.

27. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency when a criteria is met.

28. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said receiving comprises displaying a window in a screen, said window comprising a field in which said user can input said one or more terms of said query input.

29. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising identification of said search attribute associated with said subject represented by said one or more terms inputted in said field.

30. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising a list of identification of one or more search attributes that are selectable by said user.

31. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising an input field in which said user can type in a desired language.

32. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising a menu identifying a list of one or more languages that are selectable by said user.

33. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising an input field in which said user can type in an operator.

34. The computer-implemented process of claim 28, wherein said window further comprising a menu identifying a list of one or more operators that are selectable by said user.

35. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said search attribute is in a language that is different from that of said attribute of said data from said data source.

36. The computer-implemented process of claim 21, wherein said associating comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifying said attribute of data that are to be associated with said search attribute.

37. The computer-implemented process of claim 36, wherein said process further comprising inputting said mapping information in said medium.

38. The computer-implemented process of claim 37, wherein said inputting is performed through a user interface displayed in a screen.

39. The computer-implemented process of claim 37, wherein said inputting comprises selecting a search attribute to be associated with said attribute of said data from said data source.

40. The computer-implemented process of claim 37, wherein said inputting comprises selecting an attribute of data from a data source to be associated with a search attribute.

41. A method of retrieving information from a server, the method comprising:

inputting a query input through a user interface, said query input comprising one or more terms representing one or more subjects of interest to a user, each of said one or more subjects having a search attribute corresponding to a first database; and

receiving a feedback from a server that contains information generated by a process, said process comprising the steps of

collecting data from a data source, said data having an attribute corresponding to a second database

associating said search attribute with said attribute of said data from said data source, wherein said attribute is not said search attribute;

generating a feedback data comprising a result from executing the query input to generate a result based on said association, wherein the result comprises results from (a) querying the first database using said search attribute and a term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, and (b) querying the second database using said attribute and said term from said one or more terms for said search attribute; and

storing said feedback data in the server.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said inputting comprises typing said one or more terms of said query input into a field within a window.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said window further comprising identification of said search attribute associated with said subject represented by said one or more terms inputted in said field.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said inputting further comprises selecting said search attribute from a menu identifying a list of one or more search attributes.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein said inputting further comprises typing an identification of a desired language in a field presented in said window.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein said inputting further comprises selecting a desired language from a menu identifying a list of one or more languages.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein said inputting further comprises typing an operator in a field presented in said window.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein said inputting further comprises selecting an operator from a menu identifying a list of one or more operators.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein said collecting comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifies said attribute of data that is to be collected from said data source.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein said collecting comprises arranging said data from said data source into a searchable index.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said searchable index is a search attribute based index.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency that is data source dependent.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency based on a type of said data source.

54. The method of claim 41, wherein said collecting is performed at a frequency when a criteria is met.

55. The method of claim 41, wherein said search attribute is in a language that is different from that of said attribute of said data from said data source.

56. The method of claim 41, wherein said associating comprises accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifying said attribute of data that are to be associated with said search attribute.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising inputting said mapping information in said medium.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said inputting is performed through a user interface displayed in a screen.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said inputting comprises selecting a search attribute to be associated with said attribute of said data from said data source.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein said inputting comprises selecting an attribute of data from a data source to be associated with a search attribute.

61. An application server containing data generated by a process, said process comprising the steps of:

accessing mapping information stored in a medium, said mapping information identifying a search attribute corresponding to a first database, said mapping information identifying attributes from a plurality of different databases associated with said search attribute at a data source, said attributes are not said search attribute;

collecting said mapping information;

storing said mapping information in a server;

receiving a query input from a user, said query comprising one or more terms representing one or more subjects of interest to the user, each of said one or more subjects having a search attribute;

associating said search attribute corresponding to the first database with an attribute from said attributes;

generating a feedback data comprising a result from executing the query input based on said association, wherein the result comprises results from (a) querying the first database using said search attribute and a term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, and (b) querying the second database using said attribute and said term from said one or more terms for said search attribute; and

storing said feedback data in said server.

62. The application server of claim 61, wherein said medium is a computer diskette.

63. The application server of claim 61, wherein said medium is a server.

64. The application server of claim 61, wherein said mapping information identifying attributes of data in more than one languages.

65. The application server of claim 61, wherein said mapping information further identifying said attribute of data that are to be associated with said search attribute, and said associating comprises accessing said mapping information stored in said medium.

66. The application server of claim 61, wherein said search attribute is in a language that is different from that of said attribute of said mapping information from said data source.

67. A computer-readable storage medium for storing program instructions executed by a processor to provide:

mapping information for use in an information retrieval system, said information retrieval system receiving a query input from a user, said query comprising one or more terms representing one or more subjects of interest to said user, each of said one or more subjects having a search attribute corresponding to a first database, said information retrieval system is providing a feedback to said user, said feedback containing information generated as a result of executing the query input based on an association between said search attribute and an attribute corresponding to a second database of data from a data source, wherein the result comprises results from (a) querying the first database using said search attribute and a term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, and (b) querying the second database using said attribute and said term from said one or more terms for said search attribute, wherein said mapping information comprises;

data for use by said information retrieval system to create said association between said search attribute and said attribute of data from said data source, wherein said attribute is not said search attribute.

68. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein said data of said mapping information comprises identification of said search attribute.

69. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein said data of said mapping information comprises identification of said attribute of said data from said data sources.

70. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein said data of said mapping information comprises identification of said data source.

71. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein said data of said mapping information comprises identification of attributes in more than one languages.