Methods and systems for context based query formulation and information retrieval

• US 8,799,316 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2011
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Bahrami, Ali, Yuan, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio, Vincent F
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, BAO G
• Application Number:
  US13/114,217
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 707/708, 707/779, 707/780
• US Class Current: 707/779
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9032 Query formulation

Abstract

A method for context-based query formulation and information retrieval and aggregation is described. The method includes modeling one or more workflow activities utilized to perform work tasks, preparing at least one meta-querying template, to generate queries that utilize the modeled workflow activities, retrieving information relevant to the work task as determined utilizing the at least one meta-querying template, and aggregating the retrieved information for presentation to the user.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving and aggregating information resulting from automatic context and work aware queries using a computer system including one or more programmed worklets operating within a plurality of interconnected computer systems, said method comprising:

modeling, with the computer system, one or more of the worklets distinct from assistlets to recognize work people perform and to suitably represent said work;

automatically generating, within the computer system, context and work-aware queries through a meta-querying template that utilize the modeled worklets received from a first processing unit;

aligning the queries with ontologies, semantic query manipulations, and user profiles;

leveraging executable program components within the computer system to detect and adapt to changes in data sources and increased availability of information;

retrieving information relevant to a work task in response to the queries from a plurality of data sources;

dynamically generating an information aggregation request using a binding technique, wherein the information aggregation request is dynamically generated based on a current state of a worklet, w, defining tasks to be performed, an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, s, and a user profile, p; and

adaptively combining and aggregating the retrieved information based on semantic understanding of user needs for presentation to the user.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising defining the meta-querying template as a function of an ontology describing basic semantic knowledge that has been captured in various data systems, a number of semantic query manipulations that explicitly reference the ontology, a worklet defining tasks to be performed, an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, a user profile, a variable which allows a transition from a query to set of queries, and an aggregation which allows a user to go forward from a set of queries to a single one.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein modeling one or more of the worklets comprises formulating user information needs based on a task the user is trying to achieve.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein generating context and work-aware queries comprises:

receiving contextual data including at least one of tasks, goals, knowledge and information requirements related to a user; and

utilizing the contextual data to improve relevance of queries and retrieved information.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising identifying which information sources are able to provide a user with information relevant to the worklets.

6. A computer system comprising an associated data repository for automatic context and work aware query formulation and information retrieval, said system programmed to:

accept worklet models to be used in information retrieval via a user interface of said computer system;

store the worklet models in said associated data repository;

provide the worklet models in said associated data repository to a plurality of source applications;

generate one or more context and work-aware executable queries in response to the worklet models in accordance with user needs, the queries further aligned with ontologies, semantic query manipulations, and user profiles, wherein a meta-querying template is defined as a function of an ontology describing basic semantic knowledge that has been captured in various data systems, a number of semantic query manipulations that explicitly reference the ontology, a worklet defining tasks to be performed, an executable program component configured to perform a defined task, a user profile, a variable which allows a transition from a query to a set of queries, and an aggregation which allows a user to go forward from a set of queries to a single one;

receive results from the executable queries from the plurality of source applications;

adaptively combine and aggregate received query results based on a semantic understanding of user needs;

dynamically generate an information aggregation request based on a current state of the worklet defining tasks to be performed, the executable program component configured to perform the defined task, and the user profile; and

display the combined and aggregated received query results via the user interface of said computer system.

7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein to dynamically generate an information aggregation request, said computer system is programmed to use a binding technique to dynamically generate an information aggregation request.

8. The computer system of claim 6 wherein to display the combined and aggregated received query results said computer system is programmed to display the aggregated received query results via a web interface.

9. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of source applications includes at least one member of the set consisting of an information integration application, a workflow engine, a monitor/change detection engine, an adaptation engine, and a runtime dashboard.

10. The computer system of claim 9 wherein said at least one member of the set is implemented as a web service utilizing at least one protocol selected from hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and simple object access protocol (SOAP).

11. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the worklet models include an ontology modeler, a process modeler, a profile modeler, and an information modeler.

12. The computer system of claim 6 wherein to generate one or more context and work-aware executable queries, said computer system is programmed to generate one or more queries in accordance with a worklet-specified concept of interest.

13. The computer system of claim 6 wherein to generate one or more context and work-aware executable queries, said computer system is programmed to utilize the meta-query template to extend a semantic definition of the one or more queries to accommodate context awareness based on a process model.

14. The computer system of claim 6 wherein to generate one or more context and work-aware executable queries, said computer system is programmed to generate one or more queries in accordance with network changes detected in at least one member of the group consisting of a heterogeneous computer environment, real-time accessibility of multiple heterogeneous data sources, and security access privileges to multiple heterogeneous data sources.