US6028601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
FAQ link creation between user's questions and answers
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-01
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A user enters input, or a question in natural language form, and information is retrieved. A questions database is coupled to the input interface and contains questions which are comparable to the input and which the source retrieves in response to an input. An information source is coupled to the input interface and contains information which is relevant to retrieved questions. A searcher is coupled to the input interface for searching the information source for information which is relevant to the input. Information is ranked according to the entered query. A user's question is stored and linked to answers in the questions database. Users may add and link new questions which are not already stored in the questions database.
Inventors
- 👤 Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju
- 👤 Michael James Graves
- 👤 Sunil Vemuri
- 👤 Ravinder Paul Chandhok
- 👤 Catherine Abbott Lofgren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/30; G06F16/33; G06F16/3331; G06F16/334; G06F40/00; G06F40/30; G06F16/3344; G06F40/20; G06F40/205; G06F40/211; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99935; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to information in said information source and to be stored in said questions source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to information in said information source and to be stored in said questions source.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to a question in said questions source.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to a question in said questions source.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits removal of a question from said questions source.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface and containing questions which are comparable to said input and which said questions source retrieves in response to an input; an information source coupled to said input interface and containing information which is relevant to retrieved questions; and a searcher coupled to said input interface for searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input; wherein said input interface permits removal of a question from said questions source.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to information in said information source and to be stored in said questions source.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to information in said information source and to be stored in said questions source.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to a question in said questions source.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits said input to be linked to a question in said questions source.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits removal of a question from said questions source.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input, comprising: an input interface through which a user can enter an input; a questions source coupled to said input interface, said questions source containing questions which are comparable to said input and which are retrieved in response to said input; and an information source coupled to said input interface, said information source containing information which is relevant to said questions and being capable of searching said information source for information which is relevant to said input and retrieving said information in response to said input; wherein said input interface permits removal of a question from said questions source.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits said query to be linked to information in said document collection and to be stored in said questions database.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits said query to be linked to information in said document collection and to be stored in said questions database.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits said query to be linked to a question in said questions database.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits said query to be linked to a question in said questions database.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits removal of a question from said questions database.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a query, comprising: a client application through which a user can input a query; a questions database coupled to said client application, said questions database containing questions which are comparable to said query and which are retrieved in response to said query; a document collection coupled to said client application, said document collection containing information which is relevant to said questions; and a search and index engine coupled to said client application and to said document collection for searching said document collection for information which is relevant to said query; wherein said client application permits removal of a question from said questions database.
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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) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |