Information retrieval system and method for retrieving information
First Claim
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1. An information retrieval system comprising:
- memory means for storing a set of predefined queries and a set of predefined data categories;
first selection means for selecting a predefined query from the set of predefined queries;
second selection means for selecting at least one data category from the set of predefined categories;
first limiting means for limiting the set of predefined queries upon selection by a user of predefined categories;
second limiting means for limiting the set of predefined categories upon selection by a user of a predefined query;
data entry means for entering at least one first data item by a user, and for associating the at least one first data item with the at least one selected data category;
query forming means for forming a query based on the selected predefined query, the at least one selected category and the at least one associated first data item;
submission means for submitting the formed query;
receiving means for reception of a result set in response to the submitted query, the result set including records and fields in the records; and
display means for displaying the received result set.
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Abstract
An information retrieval system and method are provided. The system includes a retrieval unit for combining query type of searches and browsing type of searches. A user forms a query by selecting predefined queries, predefined data categories and entering data. The system indicates which combinations are allowed given the available stored data. Results are displayed as a result set. Data from the result can be clicked upon for insertion into a new query.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An information retrieval system comprising:
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memory means for storing a set of predefined queries and a set of predefined data categories; first selection means for selecting a predefined query from the set of predefined queries; second selection means for selecting at least one data category from the set of predefined categories; first limiting means for limiting the set of predefined queries upon selection by a user of predefined categories; second limiting means for limiting the set of predefined categories upon selection by a user of a predefined query; data entry means for entering at least one first data item by a user, and for associating the at least one first data item with the at least one selected data category; query forming means for forming a query based on the selected predefined query, the at least one selected category and the at least one associated first data item; submission means for submitting the formed query; receiving means for reception of a result set in response to the submitted query, the result set including records and fields in the records; and display means for displaying the received result set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for retrieving information from a database system using a computer display device and a user interface that provides output on the computer display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a predefined query from the set of predefined queries; selecting at least one data category from the set of predefined categories; limiting the set of predefined queries upon selection by a user of predefined categories; limiting the set of predefined categories upon selection by a user of a predefined query; entering at least one first data item by a user; associating the at least one first data item with the at least one selected data category; forming a query based on the selected predefined query, the at least one selected category and the at least one associated first data item; submitting the formed query; receiving a result set in response to the submitted query, the result set including records and fields in the records; and displaying the received result set. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A computer program product embodied on at least one computer-readable storage medium, for retrieving information from a storage using a display device and a user input device, the computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for:
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selecting a predefined query from the set of predefined queries; selecting at least one data category from the set of predefined categories; limiting the set of predefined queries upon selection by a user of predefined categories; limiting the set of predefined categories upon selection by a user of a predefined query; entering at least one first data item by a user; associating the at least one first data item with the at least one selected data category; forming a query based on the selected predefined query, the at least one selected category and the at least one associated first data item; submitting the formed query; receiving a result set in response to the submitted query, the result set including records and fields in the records; and displaying the received result set. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An information retrieval system comprising:
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memory means for storing a set of predefined queries and a set of predefined data categories; display means for displaying the set of predefined queries and for displaying the set of predefined data categories; first selection means for selecting a predefined query from the set of predefined queries; second selection means for selecting at least one data category from the set of predefined categories; first limiting means for limiting the set of predefined queries upon selection by a user of predefined categories; second limiting means for limiting the set of predefined categories upon selection by a user of a predefined query; data entry means provided on the display means for entering at least one first data item by a user, and for associating the at least one first data item with the at least one selected data category; query forming means provided on the display means for forming a query based on the selected predefined query, the at least one selected category and the at least one associated first data item; submission means provided on the display means for submitting the formed query;
means for limiting the number of user selectable data categories depending on a selected predefined query by graying out display elements corresponding to certain user selectable data categories;receiving means for reception of a result set in response to the submitted query, the result set including records and fields in the records; and display means for displaying the received result set.
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Specification