×

System and method for query translation/semantic translation using generalized query language

  • US 6,009,422 A
  • Filed: 11/26/1997
  • Issued: 12/28/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In an information network, an information retrieval system including client stations, broker stations, agent stations and using heterogenous, dissimilar and multiple search engines, a method for providing combined search results in a common format to a single query by a client station, comprising:

  • a) translating the single query into search phrases contained in a programming library;

    b) constructing a complex search query using the search phrases which relate to the search engines associated with data bases;

    c) transmitting the query to a broker station which checks the query for syntax errors;

    parses the associated query into individual search or partial queries terms and associated logical operation for combining the partial searches;

    d) transmitting the individual or partial queries to agent stations for distribution to the search engines, each search engine translating the partial queries into database search grammar for searching purposes and retrieving search information in the form of a "Hit List" related to the query;

    e) combining the "Hit List" in accordance with the logical operations associated with the partial queries and any constraints specified in the query to generate a search result having a common format appearance with other search engines;

    f) combining and forwarding the "Hit List" results from the associated search engines to the broker station; and

    g) generating and forwarding to the requesting client station a single response from the heterogeneous, dissimilar, multiple search engines to the single query.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×