US5659724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive data analysis apparatus employing a knowledge base
Assignee: Teradata US Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-06
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Granted: 1997-08-19
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Expires: 2012-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An information retrieval system implemented as a virtual data base management system which uses a knowledge base management system to provide a problem-oriented conceptual schema for one or more standard data base management systems. In the conceptual schema, a hierarchy of concepts is used to organize individual objects. A classifier determines which concepts an individual object is a representative of and determines the relationship of new concepts to existing concepts. The use of a knowledge base with a classifier permits conversion of queries into concepts and detection of changes in the relationships between individual objects and the concepts. A window-based user interface permits flexible and experimental access to the information. Special features of the user interface permit the user to specify conversion of a query into a concept, to establish monitors to detect such changes, and to define a query by specifying a portion of a graph.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Tiberiu Borgida
- 👤 Ronald Jay Brachman
- 👤 Thomas Kirk
- 👤 Peter Gilman Selfridge
- 👤 Loren Gilbert Terveen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; G06F16/288; G06F16/24; G06F16/242; G06F16/2428; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for providing an organization for a body of information comprising: a knowledge base wherein the body of information includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering; means coupled to the knowledge base for responding to a query specifying a collection of the individuals by making a collection specification which is one of the descriptions and which specifies the collection of individuals; and means coupled to the knowledge base for receiving the collection specification and classifying the collection specification into the generalization ordering.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for providing an organization for a body of information comprising: a knowledge base wherein the body of information includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering; means coupled to the knowledge base for responding to a query specifying a collection of the individuals by making a collection specification which is one of the descriptions and which specifies the collection of individuals; and means coupled to the knowledge base for receiving the collection specification and classifying the collection specification into the generalization ordering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein: the collection specification is a concept description for a concept which includes the collection of individuals specified by the query.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein: the collection specification further comprises a test function which limits the concept.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2 further comprising: means for defining a further concept from the collection specification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein: the means for defining a further concept is interactive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further comprising: means for naming the collection specification.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further comprising: means for displaying a template which defines the query; and means responsive to the template for producing the query and providing the query to the means for responding to the query.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 7 further comprising: means for editing the template, the means responsive to the template responding to the edited template.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 7 further comprising: means for saving and recalling the template.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further comprising: means for segmenting the collection of individuals specified by the query to produce a new query specifying a subcollection of the individuals and providing the new query to the means for responding to the query.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein: the means for segmenting comprises interactive means for specifying a segment by filling out a displayed form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 further comprising: means for saving and restoring the filled-out form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein: the means for segmenting comprises interactive means for specifying a segment by specifying a division in a graph showing information about the collection.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
26 words
The apparatus set forth in any of claims 10, 11, 12, or 13 wherein: the means for segmenting operates on the collection or any subcollection thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for detecting a change in a body of information comprising: a knowledge base wherein the body of information includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering; means for making an alteration with regard to one or more of the individuals; means responsive to the alteration for making a change in a relationship between the one or more individuals and the concepts as required by the alteration and the concepts; and means responsive to the change for indicating an effect of the change with regard to the one or more individuals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for detecting a change in a body of information comprising: a knowledge base wherein the body of information includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering; means for making an alteration with regard to one or more of the individuals; means responsive to the alteration for making a change in a relationship between the one or more individuals and the concepts as required by the alteration and the concepts; and means responsive to the change for indicating an effect of the change with regard to the one or more individuals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein the means responsive to the change comprises: means for determining whether the effect of the change on an individual is to be noted by the apparatus; means for establishing a collection consisting of individuals for which the effect of the change is to be noted; and means for determining from the collection whether a user of the apparatus is to be notified of the effect of the change.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein: the means for determining whether an effect of the change on an individual is to be determined so determines when the individual belongs to a different concept after the change.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 17 wherein: the means for determining so determines for the individual when the individual in the alternative ceases belonging to a first given concept and belongs to a second given concept; ceases belonging to a third given concept; or belongs to a fourth given concept.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 17 wherein: the means for determining from the collection so determines in accordance with the number of individuals which belong to a different concept.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 19 wherein: the means for determining from the collection so determines in accordance with in the alternative the number of individuals who belong to a different concept; or the percentage of the number of individuals who belong to a different concept with regard to another collection.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of any of claims 15 and 16 through 20 further comprising: interactive means for indicating when and the means responsive to the change is to indicate the effect.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising: display means responsive to the means for indicating an effect for displaying the effect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the display means further comprises means for indicating why the displayed effect was noted.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
193 words
A virtual data base management system comprising: one or more data base-management systems for receiving first queries and returning data in response thereto; a knowledge base management system for organizing the data into a knowledge base which includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering, and operating on the data in response to expressions stated in a description language which employs the concepts; means for receiving the expressions from the knowledge base, translating the expressions into the first queries and providing the first queries to the data base management system, receiving the data from the data base management system, and returning the data together with the expressions to the knowledge base management system for incorporation into the knowledge base; and means for receiving second queries specifying certain of the data and responding thereto by translating the second queries into certain of the expressions which specify retrieval of the certain data from the knowledge base management system, providing the certain expressions to the knowledge base management system, receiving the certain data from the knowledge base management system, and providing the certain data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
193 words
A virtual data base management system comprising: one or more data base-management systems for receiving first queries and returning data in response thereto; a knowledge base management system for organizing the data into a knowledge base which includes descriptions of individuals and of concepts to which the individuals belong, the descriptions being classified into a generalization ordering, and operating on the data in response to expressions stated in a description language which employs the concepts; means for receiving the expressions from the knowledge base, translating the expressions into the first queries and providing the first queries to the data base management system, receiving the data from the data base management system, and returning the data together with the expressions to the knowledge base management system for incorporation into the knowledge base; and means for receiving second queries specifying certain of the data and responding thereto by translating the second queries into certain of the expressions which specify retrieval of the certain data from the knowledge base management system, providing the certain expressions to the knowledge base management system, receiving the certain data from the knowledge base management system, and providing the certain data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 24 wherein: the expressions into which the means for receiving second queries translates the second queries are included in a collection specification which is one of the descriptions and which specifies a collection which is the certain data; and the apparatus further comprises means coupled to the knowledge base management system for receiving the collection specification and classifying the collection specification into the generalization ordering.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 25 wherein the collection specification is a concept description for a concept which includes the collection.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 26 wherein: the collection specification further comprises a test function which limits the concept of the collection specification.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 25 further comprising: means for naming the collection specification.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 25 further comprising: means for defining a further concept from the collection specification.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 29 wherein: the means for defining a further concept is interactive.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 24 further comprising: means in the knowledge base management system for responding to the returned data and the expressions by using the expressions to make a classification of the returned data; and means responsive to the classification for indicating an effect of the classification with regard to the returned data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-02-17 | 2001-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-02-17 | 2005-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-18 | 2009-02-17 | 2009-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |