WO2001033424A2 - Method and system for information retrieval - Google Patents

Method and system for information retrieval Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001033424A2
WO2001033424A2 PCT/US2000/026703 US0026703W WO0133424A2 WO 2001033424 A2 WO2001033424 A2 WO 2001033424A2 US 0026703 W US0026703 W US 0026703W WO 0133424 A2 WO0133424 A2 WO 0133424A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information source
interactive information
requestor
interactive
query
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/026703
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001033424A3 (en
Inventor
Jared S. Weiner
Jonah Chongho Hong
Tracie Holm
Peter Kurto
John Lesica
Froyd L. Rivera
Sven Verbroekken
Suzanne Giardino
Original Assignee
General Electric Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Company filed Critical General Electric Company
Publication of WO2001033424A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001033424A2/en
Publication of WO2001033424A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001033424A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/953—Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/951—Indexing; Web crawling techniques

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to a computer-implemented method and system for information retrieval and in particular to a computer-implemented method and system for information retrieval which directs a requestor to static information and interactive information.
  • Current computer-implemented techniques for locating information allow a requestor to enter a search request in multiple formats.
  • existing Internet search engines e.g., the Lycos SM search service
  • requestors e.g., the Lycos SM search service
  • Other Internet information retrieval systems provide information based on a cataloged list of questions and predetermined answers (e.g. , Ask Jeeves SM search service).
  • Such systems allow the requestor to enter a request for information in a natural language format (e.g.
  • the provider system matches the requestor's question to a number of previously stored answers and provides the previously stored information to the requestor. Often the answer to the requestor's query is a link to a web site where the information can be found.
  • Such natural language systems may also perform a search for information on the Internet. While these systems are well suited for their intended purposes, it is understood that improvements are needed in systems for providing information to a requestor.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for locating information.
  • the method includes generating a query for information at a requestor system and submitting the query to an information provider system over a network.
  • a static information source and an interactive information source are located in response to the query.
  • the interactive information source provides for direct communication between a requestor at the requestor system and a person.
  • a list of the static information source and the interactive information source is provided to the requestor system.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing information in an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for providing information in an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary user interface for entering a query
  • FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary user interface for presenting information sources to a requestor.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the system includes at least one requestor system 2 coupled to an information provider system 4 over a network 6.
  • the network 6 may be any type of known network including a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), global network (e.g., Internet), etc.
  • the information provider system 4 may be implemented using a general-purpose computer executing a computer program for carrying out the process described herein.
  • the information provider system 4 acts as a server for the multiple requestor systems 2 which act as clients.
  • requestor systems 2 may be implemented using general-purpose computers executing a computer program for carrying out the process described herein.
  • Requestor systems 2 access the information provider system 4 over the network 6 using known user interface applications (e.g., web browsers).
  • the static information source 8 includes information which can be viewed at a requestor system 2.
  • the static information source 8 may be implemented on a general-purpose computer coupled to the information provider system 4 and the requestor system 2 through network 6.
  • the information provider system 4 directs the requestor system 2 to the static information source 8 through known techniques such as a hyperlink.
  • the static information source 8 includes information that a requestor at requestor system 2 can view, but there is no interaction between a requestor (i.e., a person) at the requestor system 2 and another person at static information source 8. It is understood that there may be multiple static information sources 8 and multiple interactive information sources 10 coupled to the network 6.
  • the interactive information source 10 may be implemented through a general-purpose computer coupled to information provider system 4 and the requestor systems 2 through network 6.
  • the information provider system 4 directs the requestor system 2 to the interactive information source 10 through known techniques such as a hyperlink.
  • the interactive information source 10 provides the ability for the requestor at the requestor system 2 to communicate with one or more other persons in a real time or near real-time, interactive nature.
  • the interactive information source 10 may include chat rooms, discussion boards, forums, immediate phone access through applications such as Tele Web, video conferences, one-on-one chats, etc.
  • the interactive information source 10 places the requestor at requestor system 2 in direct, interactive communication with one or more persons.
  • Interactive communications refers to communications in which each party is continuously monitoring responses of the other party. This type of interactive communication can augment static information source 8 and help the requestor at requestor system 2 more easily obtain information.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method implemented by the system of FIG. 1.
  • a requestor at requestor system 2 enters a query for information.
  • the requestor system 2 may execute a user interface application (e.g., a web browser) that allows the requestor to contact the information provider system 4.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exemplary user interface generated by information provider system 4 and produced at requestor system 2 upon the requestor system 2 contacting information provider system 4.
  • the user is provided with a query entry field 110 in which the user can enter a query.
  • the query may be based on a Boolean text search or be a natural language based search.
  • the query is then sent to the information provider system 4 at step 102 by selecting a submit icon 112 show in FIG. 3.
  • the information provider system 4 locates static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10 as shown at step 104. This may be done in a variety of ways using existing techniques. If the query is a boolean text statement, the information provider system 4 can perform a search of information sources (including static and interactive) using existing text searching techniques. The information provider system 4 may include its own search application or the information provider system 4 may contact an existing search application (e.g., the Lycos SM search service) to locate information sources. Another technique is for the information provider system 4 to maintain a list of static information sources and/or interactive information sources 10 indexed by question.
  • the information provider system 4 can index static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10 by question. It is understood that one or both of these methods, and/or additional methods, may be used by the information provider system 4 to locate static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10.
  • FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary display at the requestor system 2 listing the information sources located by information provider system 4.
  • the query 110 is provided to the requestor system 2 along with static information sources 114 and interactive information sources 1 16.
  • the list of static information sources 114 and list of interactive information sources 116 may include hyperlinks to web sites implemented by general-purpose computers.
  • static information source 8 and/or the interactive information source 10 may be implemented by the information provider system 4 and need not be implemented on separate general-purpose computers. If a requestor selects a hyperlink, the requestor system 2 is connected to the general-purpose computer which provides the specified information.
  • the information provider system 4 may also present the requestor system 2 with a list of questions similar to the query 110. As described above, both static and interactive information sources may be indexed by question. The information provider system 4 can match terms from the requestor query 110 with previously stored questions 120 which are already associated with static information sources and interactive information sources. The requestor at requestor system 2 can then select one of the previously stored questions 120 and view the lists of static information sources and interactive information sources associated with a question.
  • the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer- implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes.
  • the present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention.
  • the present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention.
  • computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for locating information. The method includes generating a query for information at a requestor system and submitting the query to an information provider system over a network. A static information source and an interactive information source are located in response to the query. The interactive information source provides for direct communications between a requestor at the requestor system and a person. A list of the static information source and the interactive information source is provided to the requestor system.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a computer-implemented method and system for information retrieval and in particular to a computer-implemented method and system for information retrieval which directs a requestor to static information and interactive information. Current computer-implemented techniques for locating information allow a requestor to enter a search request in multiple formats. For example, existing Internet search engines (e.g., the LycosSM search service) allow requestors to enter keywords and perform a search of information on the Internet for content that matches the keywords. Other Internet information retrieval systems provide information based on a cataloged list of questions and predetermined answers (e.g. , Ask Jeeves SM search service). Such systems allow the requestor to enter a request for information in a natural language format (e.g. , Where can I find information on The Boston Symphony?). The provider system matches the requestor's question to a number of previously stored answers and provides the previously stored information to the requestor. Often the answer to the requestor's query is a link to a web site where the information can be found. Such natural language systems may also perform a search for information on the Internet. While these systems are well suited for their intended purposes, it is understood that improvements are needed in systems for providing information to a requestor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for locating information. The method includes generating a query for information at a requestor system and submitting the query to an information provider system over a network. A static information source and an interactive information source are located in response to the query. The interactive information source provides for direct communication between a requestor at the requestor system and a person. A list of the static information source and the interactive information source is provided to the requestor system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing information in an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for providing information in an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary user interface for entering a query; and
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary user interface for presenting information sources to a requestor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method and system for providing information to a requestor. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes at least one requestor system 2 coupled to an information provider system 4 over a network 6. The network 6 may be any type of known network including a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), global network (e.g., Internet), etc. The information provider system 4 may be implemented using a general-purpose computer executing a computer program for carrying out the process described herein. The information provider system 4 acts as a server for the multiple requestor systems 2 which act as clients. Similarly, requestor systems 2 may be implemented using general-purpose computers executing a computer program for carrying out the process described herein. Requestor systems 2 access the information provider system 4 over the network 6 using known user interface applications (e.g., web browsers).
Also coupled to the information provider system 4 are static information source 8 and interactive information source 10. The static information source 8 includes information which can be viewed at a requestor system 2. For example, the static information source 8 may be implemented on a general-purpose computer coupled to the information provider system 4 and the requestor system 2 through network 6. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the information provider system 4 directs the requestor system 2 to the static information source 8 through known techniques such as a hyperlink. The static information source 8 includes information that a requestor at requestor system 2 can view, but there is no interaction between a requestor (i.e., a person) at the requestor system 2 and another person at static information source 8. It is understood that there may be multiple static information sources 8 and multiple interactive information sources 10 coupled to the network 6.
The interactive information source 10 may be implemented through a general-purpose computer coupled to information provider system 4 and the requestor systems 2 through network 6. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the information provider system 4 directs the requestor system 2 to the interactive information source 10 through known techniques such as a hyperlink. The interactive information source
10 provides the ability for the requestor at the requestor system 2 to communicate with one or more other persons in a real time or near real-time, interactive nature. For example, the interactive information source 10 may include chat rooms, discussion boards, forums, immediate phone access through applications such as Tele Web, video conferences, one-on-one chats, etc. The interactive information source 10 places the requestor at requestor system 2 in direct, interactive communication with one or more persons. Interactive communications refers to communications in which each party is continuously monitoring responses of the other party. This type of interactive communication can augment static information source 8 and help the requestor at requestor system 2 more easily obtain information.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method implemented by the system of FIG. 1. At step 100, a requestor at requestor system 2 enters a query for information. As described above, the requestor system 2 may execute a user interface application (e.g., a web browser) that allows the requestor to contact the information provider system 4. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary user interface generated by information provider system 4 and produced at requestor system 2 upon the requestor system 2 contacting information provider system 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the user is provided with a query entry field 110 in which the user can enter a query. The query may be based on a Boolean text search or be a natural language based search. The query is then sent to the information provider system 4 at step 102 by selecting a submit icon 112 show in FIG. 3.
Once the information provider system 4 receives the query from the requestor system 2, the information provider system then locates static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10 as shown at step 104. This may be done in a variety of ways using existing techniques. If the query is a boolean text statement, the information provider system 4 can perform a search of information sources (including static and interactive) using existing text searching techniques. The information provider system 4 may include its own search application or the information provider system 4 may contact an existing search application (e.g., the LycosSM search service) to locate information sources. Another technique is for the information provider system 4 to maintain a list of static information sources and/or interactive information sources 10 indexed by question. By monitoring questions it can be determined that certain queries are asked repeatedly and thus the information provider system 4 can index static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10 by question. It is understood that one or both of these methods, and/or additional methods, may be used by the information provider system 4 to locate static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10.
Once the information provider system 4 has located static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10, the information provider system 4 provides the located static information sources 8 and interactive information sources 10 to the requestor system 2 as shown at step 106. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary display at the requestor system 2 listing the information sources located by information provider system 4. A shown in FIG. 4, the query 110 is provided to the requestor system 2 along with static information sources 114 and interactive information sources 1 16. The list of static information sources 114 and list of interactive information sources 116 may include hyperlinks to web sites implemented by general-purpose computers.
It is understood that the static information source 8 and/or the interactive information source 10 may be implemented by the information provider system 4 and need not be implemented on separate general-purpose computers. If a requestor selects a hyperlink, the requestor system 2 is connected to the general-purpose computer which provides the specified information.
The information provider system 4 may also present the requestor system 2 with a list of questions similar to the query 110. As described above, both static and interactive information sources may be indexed by question. The information provider system 4 can match terms from the requestor query 110 with previously stored questions 120 which are already associated with static information sources and interactive information sources. The requestor at requestor system 2 can then select one of the previously stored questions 120 and view the lists of static information sources and interactive information sources associated with a question.
As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer- implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method for locating information, the method comprising:
generating a query for information at a requestor system;
submitting said query to an information provider system over a network;
locating a static information source and an interactive information source in response to said query, said interactive information source providing for direct communications between a requestor at said requestor system and a person; and
providing a list of said static information source and said interactive information source to said requestor system.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said list of static information source and said interactive information source includes at least one hyperlink for coupling said requestor system to a computer which serves as one of said static information source and said interactive information source.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said interactive information source is a chat room.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said interactive information source is a discussion board.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said interactive information source is a forum.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein: said interactive information source is a telephone connection.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said interactive information source is a video conference.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said interactive information source is a one-on-one chat.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein:
said network is the Internet.
10. A system for locating information, the system comprising:
a requestor system for generating a query for information and submitting said query to a network;
an information provider system coupled to said network for receiving said query and locating a static information source coupled to said network and an interactive information source coupled to said network in response to said query, said interactive information source providing for direct communications between a requestor at said requestor system and a person;
said information provider system providing a list of said static information source and said interactive information source to said requestor system.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said list of static information source and said interactive information source includes at least one hyperlink for coupling said requestor system to a computer which serves as one of said static information source and said interactive information source.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a chat room.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a discussion board.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a forum.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a telephone connection.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a video conference.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said interactive information source is a one-on-one chat.
48. The system of claim 10 wherein:
said network is the Internet.
19. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for locating information, the storage medium including instructions for causing a computer serving as an information provider system to implement a method comprising:
receiving a query for information from a requestor system; locating a static information source and an interactive information source in response to said query, said interactive information source providing for direct communications between a requestor at said requestor system and a person; and
providing a list of said static information source and said interactive information source to said requestor system.
20. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said list of static information source and said interactive information source includes at least one hyperlink for coupling said requestor system to a computer which serves as one of said static information source and said interactive information source.
21. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said interactive information source is a chat room.
22. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said interactive information source is a discussion board.
23. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said interactive information source is a forum.
24. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said interactive information source is a telephone connection.
25. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said interactive information source is a video conference.
26. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein: said interactive information source is a one-on-one chat.
27. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein:
said network is the Internet.
PCT/US2000/026703 1999-10-29 2000-09-28 Method and system for information retrieval WO2001033424A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43011099A 1999-10-29 1999-10-29
US09/430,110 1999-10-29

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WO2001033424A2 true WO2001033424A2 (en) 2001-05-10
WO2001033424A3 WO2001033424A3 (en) 2003-12-04

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0944002A1 (en) * 1998-03-18 1999-09-22 SONY EUROPE GmbH User profile substystem
US5974409A (en) * 1995-08-23 1999-10-26 Microsoft Corporation System and method for locating information in an on-line network
US6029195A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-02-22 Herz; Frederick S. M. System for customized electronic identification of desirable objects
US20010032203A1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2001-10-18 Gonzalez Carlos M. Apparatus and method of implementing fast internet real-time search technology (FIRST)

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6029195A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-02-22 Herz; Frederick S. M. System for customized electronic identification of desirable objects
US5974409A (en) * 1995-08-23 1999-10-26 Microsoft Corporation System and method for locating information in an on-line network
EP0944002A1 (en) * 1998-03-18 1999-09-22 SONY EUROPE GmbH User profile substystem
US20010032203A1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2001-10-18 Gonzalez Carlos M. Apparatus and method of implementing fast internet real-time search technology (FIRST)

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