Database system with restricted keyword list and bi-directional keyword translation

• US 5,956,711 A
• Filed: 01/16/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter J. Sullivan
• Original Assignee: Walter J. Sullivan III
• Inventors: Saltz, Ivan K., Aponte, Carlos D., Sullivan, Walter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amsbury, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jung, David Yiuk
• Application Number:
  US08/784,940
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-206, 395/701-712
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3338 Query expansion
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/247 Thesauruses; Synonyms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting

Abstract

A system for use with a database selects keywords from a restricted keyword list for both updating and searching (i.e. bi-directional keyword translation). A keyword translator accepts a user entered keyword and selects a restricted keyword for use (e.g., entry or search) with a database. The keyword entered may be chosen by the user based on the user'"'"'s preference. The system compares the user-entered keyword with a list of restricted keywords to determine whether there exists in the list of restricted keywords a matching restricted keyword corresponding to the user-entered keyword. If there is a restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords that corresponds to the user-entered keyword, the system selects the matching restricted keyword for use with the database. If there is not a matching restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords corresponding to the user-entered keyword, the system compares the user-entered keyword with a list of synonyms to find in the list of synonyms a synonym that corresponds to the user-entered keyword. Each synonym in the list is associated with a restricted keyword. If a synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword is found, the system selects, for use with the database, the restricted keyword associated with (or corresponding to) the synonym found.

Claims

1. A database system, further comprising:

a database;

at least one data entry input for entering data records;

a restricted keyword list, having a limited set of restricted keywords used as input for database searching;

a synonym keyword list, having an expanded set of synonym keywords, each synonym keyword related to a corresponding restricted keyword;

at least one keyword translator, further comprising;

input means to accept the data record input by the data entry input;

means to compare the data record with restricted keywords in the restricted keyword list and the synonym keyword list;

means to select the restricted keyword when the data record contains the restricted keyword or its corresponding synonym keyword;

means to output the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator;

a database controller, further comprising;

means to input the restricted keyword output by the keyword translator;

means to update the database with the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator.

2. A system, as in claim 1, wherein the synonym list includes keywords from more than one dialect.

3. A system, as in claim 1, wherein the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms.

4. A system, as in claim 3, further comprising:

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

5. A system, as in claim 1, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

6. A system, as in claim 5, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

7. A system, as in claim 1, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user.

8. A system, as in claim 7, wherein the phrase is formed in a natural language form.

9. A system, as in claim 2, further comprising:

the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms;

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

10. A system, as in claim 2, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language form.

11. A system, as in claim 2, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

12. A system, as in claim 11, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

13. A system, as in claim 9, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user;

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data;

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

14. A system, as in claim 13, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language form.

15. A system, as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one query input for entering data queries;

the keyword translator further comprises;

input means to accept the data query input by the query input;

means to compare the data query with restricted keywords in the restricted keyword list and the synonym keyword list;

means to select the restricted keyword when the data query contains the restricted keyword or its corresponding synonym keyword;

means to output the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator;

the database controller further comprises;

means to search the database with the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator;

means to output database records located by the search;

at least one query output for displaying data query results output by the data controller.

16. A system, as in claim 15, wherein the synonym list includes keywords from more than one dialect.

17. A system, as in claim 15, wherein the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms.

18. A system, as in claim 17, further comprising:

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

19. A system, as in claim 15, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

20. A system, as in claim 19, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

21. A system, as in claim 15, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user.

22. A system, as in claim 21, wherein the phrase is formed in a natural language paragraph form.

23. A system, as in claim 16, further comprising:

the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms;

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

24. A system, as in claim 16, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language paragraph form.

25. A system, as in claim 16, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

26. A system, as in claim 25, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

27. A system, as in claim 23, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user;

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data;

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on previously selected keyword.

28. A system, as in claim 27, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language paragraph form.

29. A database query system, further comprising:

a database;

at least one query input for entering data queries;

a restricted keyword list, having a limited set of restricted keywords used as input for database searching;

a synonym keyword list, having an expanded set of synonym keywords, each synonym keyword related to a corresponding restricted keyword;

at least one keyword translator, further comprising;

input means to accept the data record input by the query input;

means to compare the data record with restricted keywords in the restricted keyword list and the synonym keyword list;

means to select the restricted keyword when the data record contains the restricted keyword or its corresponding synonym keyword;

means to output the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator;

a database controller, further comprising;

means to search the database with the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator;

means to output database records located by the search;

at least one query output for displaying data query results output by the data controller.

30. A system, as in claim 29, wherein the synonym list includes keywords from more than one dialect.

31. A system, as in claim 29, wherein the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms.

32. A system, as in claim 31, further comprising:

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

33. A system, as in claim 29, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

34. A system, as in claim 33, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

35. A system, as in claim 29, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user.

36. A system, as in claim 35, wherein the phrase is formed in a natural language paragraph form.

37. A system, as in claim 30, further comprising:

the synonym list includes at least one keyword in plural and singular forms;

means to recognize data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value, and means to set a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means to select the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

38. A system, as in claim 31, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language form.

39. A system, as in claim 30, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

40. A system, as in claim 39, further comprising:

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

41. A system, as in claim 37, further comprising:

means to display a list of available keywords for selection by a user;

means to limit subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data;

means to display a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

means to limit subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

42. A system, as in claim 41, further comprising:

means to display a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

means to update the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

means to form the phrase in a natural language form.

43. A method of creating and accessing a database with a restricted set of keywords, including the steps of:

using a database to store data records;

entering update data with at least one data entry input;

entering a data query with at least one query input;

comparing the update data with restricted keywords from a restricted keyword list and selecting the restricted keyword when a match occurs;

using a synonym list which contains synonyms that correspond to restricted keywords in the restricted keyword list;

using at least one keyword translator to translate update data and data queries to restricted keywords, including the following steps;

comparing the update data with synonym keywords from the synonym keyword list when the update data does not match any keywords in the restricted keyword list and selecting the corresponding restricted keyword when a match occurs;

comparing the data query with synonym keywords from the synonym keyword list when the update data does not match any keywords in the restricted keyword list and selecting the corresponding restricted keyword when a match occurs;

outputting the selected restricted keyword;

searching the database with a database controller, including the further steps of;

inputting the selected restricted keyword output by the keyword translator;

accessing the database with the restricted keyword selected by the keyword translator.

44. A method, as in claim 43, including the further step of including keywords from more than one dialect in the synonym list.

45. A method, as in claim 43, including the further step of including at least one keyword in plural and singular forms in the synonym list.

46. A method, as in claim 45, including the further steps of:

inputting non-specific plural quantity values;

setting a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

selecting the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

47. A method, as in claim 43, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

limiting subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

48. A method, as in claim 47, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

limiting subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

49. A method, as in claim 45, including the further steps of:

displaying a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

updating the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user.

50. A method, as in claim 49, including the further step of forming the phrase in a natural language form.

51. A method, as in claim 44, including the further steps of:

including at least one keyword in plural and singular forms in the synonym list;

recognizing data input which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value;

setting a many flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

selecting the plural form of the keyword from the synonym list when the many flag is set.

52. A method, as in claim 45, including the further steps of:

displaying a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

updating the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

forming the phrase in a natural language form.

53. A method, as in claim 44, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

limiting subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data.

54. A method, as in claim 53, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

limiting subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

55. A method, as in claim 51, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of available keywords for selection by a user;

limiting subsequent lists of available keywords based on previously entered data;

displaying a list of help menu data for selection by a user; and

limiting subsequent lists of help menu data based on the previously selected keyword.

56. A method, as in claim 55, including the further steps of:

displaying a phrase containing the keywords input by the user;

updating the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

forming the phrase in a natural language paragraph form.

57. A method for selecting a restricted keyword for use with a database, comprising the steps of:

receiving information including at least one user-entered keyword relating to data in a database;

comparing the user-entered keyword with a list of restricted keywords to determine whether there exists in the list of restricted keywords a matching restricted keyword which matches the user-entered keyword;

selecting the matching restricted keyword for use with the database when a restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords matches to the user-entered keyword;

comparing the user-entered keyword with a list of synonyms when there is not a matching restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords corresponding to the user-entered keyword to determine whether there exists in the list of synonyms, a matching synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword, each synonym is associated with a restricted keyword; and

selecting a restricted keyword associated with the matching synonym for use with the database if there does not exist a matching restricted keyword and there exists a synonym matching to the user-entered keyword.

58. A method, as in claim 57, including the further step of searching for the selected restricted keyword in the database.

59. A method, as in claim 57, including the further step of entering the corresponding restricted keyword in the database.

60. A method, as in claim 57, including the further step of providing a user prompt requesting a user to enter a different keyword, if there does not exist a matching restricted keyword and there does not exist a matching synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword.

61. A method, as in claim 58, including the further step of using synonyms from more than one dialect.

62. A method, as in claim 57, including the further steps of:

displaying a list of available keywords from the restricted keyword list for selection by a user; and

limiting the displayed list of available keywords based on previously entered data.

63. A method, as in claim 58, including the further steps of:

receiving from a user a dialectal preference for the restricted keyword indicating which of the set of restricted keywords, and its associated synonyms is preferred by the user for display; and

displaying the user-preferred restricted keyword or associated synonym.

64. A method, as in claim 59, including the further step of displaying a list of item sensitive help values for keyword modifiers wherein the displayed list depends on the selected keyword.

65. A method, as in claim 59, including the further steps of:

displaying a phrase containing the keywords entered by the user;

redisplaying the phrase when a keyword modifier related to a keyword is entered by the user; and

redisplaying the phrase when a keyword modifier is changed by the user.

66. A method, as in claim 65, including the further steps of:

receiving a quantity value related to at least one of the keywords from the user; and

displaying the plural form of the selected keyword when the quantity received is more than one.

67. A method, as in claim 66, including the further steps of:

receiving a non-specific plural quantity value from the user;

entering a many-flag in the database when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

displaying the plural form of the selected keyword when the many-flag is entered.

68. A method, as in claim 66, including the further step of displaying the keywords and keyword modifiers associated with a data object in natural language form.

69. A system for selecting a restricted keyword for use with a database, comprising:

means for receiving information including at least one user-entered keyword relating to data in a database;

means for comparing the user-entered keyword with a list of restricted keywords to determine whether there exists in the list of restricted keywords a matching restricted keyword corresponding to the user-entered keyword;

means for selecting the matching restricted keyword for use with the database when there is a restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords matching the user-entered keyword;

means for comparing the user-entered keyword with a list of synonyms when there is not a matching restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords corresponding to the user-entered keyword to determine whether there exists in the

list of synonyms a matching synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword, each synonym associated with a restricted keyword; and

means for selecting a restricted keyword associated with the matching synonym, for use with the database, when there does not exist a matching restricted keyword and there exists a synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword.

70. A system, as in claim 69, further comprising means for searching for the selected restricted keyword in the database.

71. A system, as in claim 69, further comprising means for entering the selected restricted keyword in the database.

72. A system, as in claim 69, further comprising means for providing a user prompt requesting a user to enter a different keyword if there does not exist a matching restricted keyword and there does not exist a matching synonym corresponding to the user-entered keyword.

73. A system, as in claim 69, wherein the synonym list includes keywords from more than one dialect.

74. A system, as in claim 69, wherein the keyword list includes at least one keyword in plural and one keyword in singular forms.

75. A system, as in claim 74, further comprising means for automatically selecting the plural form of the selected keyword when the quantity associated with the data is greater than one.

76. A system, as in claim 75, further comprising:

means for recognizing data which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value; and

means for automatically selecting the plural form of the keyword when a non-specific plural quantity is indicated.

77. A system, as in claim 69, further comprising:

means for displaying a list of available restricted keywords for selection by a user; and

means for limiting the displayed list of available restricted keywords based on previously entered data.

78. A system, as in claim 71, further comprising means for displaying a list of item sensitive help values for keyword modifiers wherein the displayed list of items depends on the selected keyword.

79. A system, as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for displaying a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

means for redisplaying the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is changed by the user, said changes further comprising modifications, initial data entry, and deletions.

80. A system, as in claim 70, further comprising:

means for displaying the results of the search for selected restricted keywords when at least one is found in the database; and

means for displaying the keywords and the keyword modifiers in a natural language form.

81. A system, as in claim 80, further comprising:

keywords from more than one dialect; and

means for entering a dialectal preference.

82. A programmable data processing apparatus;

comprising;

means for accessing a database comprising information including data records, wherein each set of data records contains at least one keyword;

input means for receiving information including data record entries, the data record entries comprising at least one user-entered keyword;

means for accessing a restricted keyword list, comprising a set of restricted keywords;

means for accessing a synonym keyword list, having a set of synonym keywords, each synonym keyword related to a corresponding restricted keyword; and

at least one keyword translator for translating a received user-entered keyword into a restricted keyword.

83. An apparatus, as in claim 82, further comprising means for searching the database for the restricted keyword.

84. An apparatus, as in claim 82, further comprising means for entering in the database the selected restricted keyword.

85. An apparatus, as in claim 82, further comprising means for updating the database with the restricted keyword provided by the keyword translator.

86. An apparatus, as in claim 83, further comprising means for displaying database search results.

87. An apparatus, as in claim 86, wherein the keyword list includes keywords from more than one dialect.

88. An apparatus, as in claim 87, further comprising:

means for receiving a dialectal preference from a user; and

means for displaying the dialectal preferred synonym associated with a keyword instead of the keyword provided by the database.

89. An apparatus, as in claim 86, wherein the means for displaying and the means for redisplaying, respectively, display and redisplay in a natural language form.

90. An apparatus, as in claim 84, farther comprising:

means for displaying a phrase containing the keywords input by the user; and

means for redisplaying the phrase each time a keyword modifier related to a keyword is changed by the user.

91. An apparatus, as in claim 90, wherein the keyword list includes at least one keyword in plural and at least one keyword in singular forms.

92. An apparatus, as in claim 91, further comprising:

means for recognizing received data which indicates a non-specific plural quantity value;

means for setting a many-flag when the non-specific plural quantity value is detected; and

means for selecting the plural form of the keyword from the keyword list when the many-flag is set.

93. An apparatus, as in claim 84, further comprising:

means for displaying to a user a list of available keywords for selection by a user; and

means for limiting the displayed list of available keywords based on previously entered data.

94. An apparatus, as in claim 93, further comprising means for displaying a list of item sensitive help values for keyword modifiers, wherein the displayed list of items depends on the selected keyword.