Automatic topic identification and switch for natural language search of textual document collections
US6574624B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99935
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for iteratively drilling-down on a user's textual free-form natural language query uses a session history to interpret successive queries in the context of previous queries on a topic or topics and to detect an implicit switch in topic. By maintaining a session history of the user's free-form natural language input and by automatically determining whether there is a topic or context switch, the search process is substantially simplified and is more effective; that is, more accurate answers to a user's queries are found faster. In addition, as the system operates on free-form natural language input, automatically constructing the actual search expressions, the complexity of constructing successive search expressions is obviated. If the system determines the user is, according to its session history and tests, asking successive questions within a given topic or context, the system keeps searching within a previously determined given set of previous responses on that context or topic. This effectively narrows the documents found allowing the user to quickly and accurately find just the documents of interest. If the system determines the user has implicitly changed context or …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.