US5761497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Associative text search and retrieval system that calculates ranking scores and window scores
Assignee: Relx Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1998-06-02
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An associative text search and retrieval system uses one or more front end processors to interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system. The system also includes storage for a plurality of text documents, and at least one processor, coupled to the front end processors and the document storage. The processor(s) search the text documents according to a search request provided by the user and provide to the front end processor a predetermined number of retrieved documents containing at least one term of the search request. The retrieved documents have higher ranks than documents not provided to the front end processor. The system includes a display for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the score varying according to the number of search terms in the window and the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window.
Inventors
- 👤 John Holt
- 👤 David James Miller
- 👤 Ray Daley
- 👤 Thomas Pease
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/30; G06F16/31; G06F16/316; G06F16/319; G06F16/33; G06F16/3331; G06F16/334; G06F16/3346; G06F40/00; G06F40/20; G06F40/253; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99935; Y10S707/99936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks, the retrieved documents having higher ranks than text documents not provided to the front end processing means, wherein the ranks are calculated using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks, the retrieved documents having higher ranks than text documents not provided to the front end processing means, wherein the ranks are calculated using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, according to claim 1, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term that is also preceded by a different search term.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing the user to enter mandatory terms which be present in each of the retrieved documents, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms and mandatory terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term that is also preceded by a different search term or mandatory term.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
238 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
238 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
289 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term that is also preceded by a different search term.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
289 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, comprising: front end processing means for interacting with a network having one or more user terminals connected thereto to allow a user to provide information to the system and receive information from the system; storage means for storing a plurality of text documents; processor means, coupled to the front end processing means and the storage means, for performing a search of the text documents using a plurality of search terms provided by the user, for calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms, for ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores, and for providing to the front end processing means a predetermined number of retrieved documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; and means for displaying a window of text of one of the retrieved documents, the window having a highest window score of all possible windows of the retrieved document, the window score being based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term that is also preceded by a different search term.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
An associative text search and retrieval system, according to claim 5, further comprising means for allowing the user to enter mandatory terms which must be present in each of the retrieved documents, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms and mandatory terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term that is also preceded by a different search term or mandatory term.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term that is also preceded by a different search term; and displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window, wherein the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term in the window that is preceded by a different search term that is also preceded by a different search term; and displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
294 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window; displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document; and allowing the user to enter mandatory terms which must be present in each of the retrieved documents; wherein in said calculating step, the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms and mandatory terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term that is also preceded by a different search term or mandatory term.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
294 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window; displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document; and allowing the user to enter mandatory terms which must be present in each of the retrieved documents; wherein in said calculating step, the window score is calculated by adding one to the window score for the number of search terms and mandatory terms in the window, adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term, and by adding two to the window score for each search term and mandatory term in the window that is preceded by a different search term or mandatory term that is also preceded by a different search term or mandatory term.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window; and displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating an associative text search and retrieval system, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to provide a plurality of search terms; performing a search of text documents using the plurality of search terms provided by the user; calculating a ranking score for each of the text documents containing at least one of the search terms using a formula that varies according to the square of the frequency in each of the text documents of each of the search terms; ranking the text documents based on their ranking scores; providing the user with a predetermined number of documents that are a subset of the text documents based on the documents' ranks; for a selected one of the retrieved documents, calculating a window score for each of all possible windows of the retrieved document based upon the number of occurrences and diversity of search terms in the window, the diversity of search terms in the window being calculated based on the number of search terms in the window preceded by a different search term in the window; and displaying the window of text for the selected retrieved document having the highest window score of all possible windows of the selected retrieved document.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4706212A
Cited
US4270182A
Cited
US4241402A
Cited
US4358824A
Cited
US4384329A
Cited
US4471459A
Cited
US4499553A
Cited
US4688195A
Cited
US4554631A
Cited
US4580218A
Cited
US5109509A
Cited
US4760528A
Cited
US4787035A
Cited
US4819156A
Cited
US5123103A
Cited
US4972349A
Cited
US4918588A
Cited
US4965763A
Cited
US4862408A
Cited
US4931935A
Cited
US4974191A
Cited
US4823306A
Cited
US4991087A
Cited
US4868750A
Cited
US5005127A
Cited
US4852003A
Cited
US4914590A
Cited
US4839853A
Cited
US5099425A
Cited
US4991094A
Cited
US5117349A
Cited
US5321833A
Cited
US5265065A
Cited
US5544352A
Cited
WO1995014973A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |