US6009422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for query translation/semantic translation using generalized query language
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract An information retrieval system and method translates a single search request or query across heterogenous databases independent of the database search grammar(s). A client uses a process to express the query in a powerful programming language, i.e., Generalized Query Language (GQL) which has a wide variety of operators to precisely specify the conditions of the query and enable a fused response to be provided by the databases to the query. The process translates the query into phrases contained in a GQL and constructs a complex search query which bridges the gap between the query and the low level of functionality provided in search engines associated with the databases. A search broker receives the GQL query and using a process (i) checks for syntax errors; (2), if correct, parses the complex query into individual search or partial queries and associated logical operations, and (3) forwards the partial queries and operations to the database search engines. Each search engines translates the partial queries into database search grammar for searching purposes and retrieves search information in the form of a "HitList" related to the query. Each search engines combines the "HitList" in accordance with the operations associated with the partial queries and any constraints specified in the query to generate a search result having a format common in appearance with other search engine results which serves as a fused response from the heterogenous databases.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Matthew Ciccarelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2458; G06F16/2471; G06F16/2452; G06F16/24528; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: a) performing query translation into partial queries using a query parsing library.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: a) modifying and reducing the search results from agent and broker stations using a "Hit List" processing library.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: a) determining which documents meet a given search condition set from the search engines responses to the partial queries assigned to the search engines by the agent station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of: a) identifying search patterns and search operations to be performed by an associated search engine using a Query Translator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: a) mapping the fields or regions specified by the partial queries to a search engine database using a field translation library.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of: a) translating the partial queries into a search grammar associated with the search engine associated with the partial query using a query translator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: a) minimizing accesses to the database for search purposes using a query optimizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: a) logically combining search results from the search engines in accordance with the single search query using an operation processing unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: a) reducing the search results of the associated search engine using source attributes and properties of the single query a constraint processing unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
242 words
In an information network, an information retrieval system using heterogenous, dissimilar and multiple search engines and providing combined search results in a common format to a single query by a client station, comprising: a) means for translating the single query into search phrases contained in a programming library; b) means for constructing a complex search query using the search phrases which relate to the search engines associated with data bases; c) means for 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) means for 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) means for 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) means in each agent station for combining and forwarding the "Hit List" results from the associated search engines to the broker station; and g) means for generating and forwarding to the requesting client station a single response from the heterogeneous, dissimilar, multiple search engines to the single query.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
242 words
In an information network, an information retrieval system using heterogenous, dissimilar and multiple search engines and providing combined search results in a common format to a single query by a client station, comprising: a) means for translating the single query into search phrases contained in a programming library; b) means for constructing a complex search query using the search phrases which relate to the search engines associated with data bases; c) means for 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) means for 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) means for 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) means in each agent station for combining and forwarding the "Hit List" results from the associated search engines to the broker station; and g) means for generating and forwarding to the requesting client station a single response from the heterogeneous, dissimilar, multiple search engines to the single query.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The information retrieval system of claim 11 further comprising: a) a query parsing library for performing query translation into partial queries.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The information system of claim 12 further comprising: a) "Hit List" processing library for modifying and reducing the search results from agent and broker stations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The information retrieval system of claim 13 further comprising: a) means for determining which documents meet a given search condition set from the search engines responses to the partial queries assigned to the search engines by the agent station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The information retrieval system of claim 14 further comprising: a) Query translation means for identifying search patterns and search operations to be performed by an associated search engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information retrieval system of claim 15 further comprising: a) a field translation library for mapping the fields or regions specified by the partial queries to a search engine database.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The information retrieval system of claim 16 further comprising: a) a query translator for translating the partial queries into a search grammar associated with the search engine associated with the partial query.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The information retrieval system of claim 17 further comprising: a) a query optimizer for minimizing accesses to the database for search purposes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information retrieval system of claim 18 further comprising: a) an operation processing unit for logically combining search results from the search engines in accordance with the single search query.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The information retrieval system of claim 19 further comprising: a) a constraint processing unit for reducing the search results of the associated search engine using source attributes and properties of the single query.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |