Information retrieval system and method for retrieving information

• US 7,664,745 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Océ-Technologies B.V. (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Océ-Technologies B.V. (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Romijn, Onno, Janssen, Timotheus J. W. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cottingham; John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rayyan; Susan F
• Application Number:
  US10/866,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20050021553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,072 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 6, 715/700
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3323 using document space presentation or visualization, e.g. category, hierarchy or range presentation and selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3325 Reformulation based on results of preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

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.

Claims

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.

2. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, where the result set comprises second data items associated with a predefined data category and stored in the fields, and

the system further comprises:

third selection means for selecting a second data item from the result set and for moving the second data item to the data entry means as a first data item in conformance with the associated predefined data category.

3. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for forming a result page with second data items in dependence of the selected predefined query.

4. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for ordering the records and fields in the result page in dependence of the selected predefined query.

5. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for saving the submitted query.

6. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the system retrieves information related to documents.

7. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, further comprising:

search means for searching data based on the submitted query and returning the result set to the receiving means.

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:

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.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprises the steps of:

limiting the set of user selectable categories, upon selection of a predefined query; and

limiting the set of user selectable predefined queries, upon selection of a user selectable category.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

limiting the set of user selectable queries, upon selection of a result item by the user from the result set;

submitting a next query based on user selected predefined query and the result item, upon a next confirmation by a user; and

displaying the next result set, upon reception of a next result set in response to the submitted next query.

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:

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.

12. The product according to claim 11, further comprising computer-executable instructions for:

limiting the set of user selectable categories, upon selection of a predefined query; and

limiting the set of user selectable predefined queries, upon selection of a user selectable category.

13. The product according to claim 11, further comprising computer-executable instructions for:

limiting the set of user selectable queries, upon selection of a result item by the user from the result set;

submitting a next query based on user selected predefined query and the result item, upon a next confirmation by a user; and

displaying the next result set, upon reception of a next result set in response to the submitted next query.

14. The product according to claim 11, further comprising computer-executable instructions for:

searching data based on the submitted query and returning the result set for display.

15. An information retrieval system comprising:

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.