Generating a semantic graph relating information assets using feedback re-enforced search and navigation

• US 8,782,039 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2012
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Byrne, Brian P., Oberhofer, Martin A., Pandit, Sushain, Wolfson, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhatia, Ajay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Jessica N
• Application Number:
  US13/553,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20120284261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• US Class Current: 707/723
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/334 Query execution G06F16/335 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90335 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an approach for creating, evolving and using a weighted semantic graph to manage and potentially identify certain information assets within an enterprise. The semantic graph may be generated by monitoring users navigating through search results which provide a set of information assets responsive to a search query. By recording the navigation path taken by many users, relationships between information assets may be identified. Further, once generated, the semantic graph may be used to present users with in indication of related information assets as part of the search results. Further still, the semantic graph may also be used to identify information assert “hubs” as well as information assets that may provide low utility to individuals within the enterprise.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for identifying relationships between a plurality of information assets managed by an enterprise, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of users navigating paths through respective search results provided by an enterprise information asset management application executed on a computing system having at least a processor and a memory;

generating a semantic graph capturing a set of relationships between information assets, of the plurality of information assets, based on a sequence of information assets selected by the plurality of users navigating the paths through the respective search results;

wherein monitoring the plurality of users and generating the semantic graph includes;

assigning a weight to a relationship between respective first and second information assets navigated by the plurality of users in the respective search results, wherein the weight assigned to a given first and second information asset is increased each time one of the plurality of users navigates from the given first information asset to the second information asset identified in the respective search results; and

upon determining the assigned weight exceeds a specified threshold, adding an edge to the semantic graph to connect nodes in the semantic graph corresponding to the given first and second information assets.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each respective search result identifies a subset of the plurality of information assets managed by the enterprise.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the semantic graph includes a plurality of nodes, each corresponding to one of the plurality of information assets and includes a plurality of weighted edges, each indicating a relationship strength between two information assets connected by a respective edge.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying at least a first node in the semantic graph having zero edges to other nodes; and

prompting an administrator to assign one or more edges to the first node.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the information assets include at least one of a database system, a web service, and a server application.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, updating the semantic graph according to a domain ontology associated with the plurality of information assets.