US6029167A
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Method and apparatus for retrieving text using document signatures
Assignee: JustSystems Evans Research Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-25
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for retrieving similar or identical textual passages among different documents is disclosed. Normal discourse structures along with textual content attributes are used to encode a known passage with "marker sequences" that give a characterizing "signature" to the passage. The encoded known passage is then evaluated against similarly encoded passages appearing in a database of documents. If it is determined that there is a possible match between the encoded known passage and an encoded passage in a database document, a sequential string search is performed to determine whether the two passages are likely to be similar or identical. If the sequential string search records a probable match between the known passage and the database passage, the database passage is displayed for further review.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/20; G06F40/279; G06F40/284; G06F40/10; G06F40/194; G06F40/289; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for retrieving documents from a database, comprising: identifying markers in a first text passage, representing the number of non-marker characters between said identified markers in said first text passage to generate a first marker sequence; identifying markers in a plurality of documents from said database; representing the number of non-marker characters between identified markers in said plurality of database documents to generate a plurality of database marker sequences; and evaluating said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences to retrieve documents from said database.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for retrieving documents from a database, comprising: identifying markers in a first text passage, representing the number of non-marker characters between said identified markers in said first text passage to generate a first marker sequence; identifying markers in a plurality of documents from said database; representing the number of non-marker characters between identified markers in said plurality of database documents to generate a plurality of database marker sequences; and evaluating said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences to retrieve documents from said database.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said database documents contain passages that are identical to said first text passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first text passage is compared with said database documents using a sequential string search of said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said database documents contain passages that are similar to said first text passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said first text passage is compared with said database documents using a sequential string search of said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for retrieving documents from a database, comprising: an input device coupled to a processing unit for selecting a first text passage; a storage unit coupled to said processor unit for storing said database documents; wherein said processor unit identifies markers in said first text passage and represents the number of non-marker characters between markers in said first text passage to generate a first marker sequence; wherein said processor unit identifies markers in a plurality of documents from said database and represents the number of non-marker characters between markers in said plurality of documents from said database to generate a plurality of database marker sequences; and wherein said processor evaluates said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences to retrieve documents from said database.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for retrieving documents from a database, comprising: an input device coupled to a processing unit for selecting a first text passage; a storage unit coupled to said processor unit for storing said database documents; wherein said processor unit identifies markers in said first text passage and represents the number of non-marker characters between markers in said first text passage to generate a first marker sequence; wherein said processor unit identifies markers in a plurality of documents from said database and represents the number of non-marker characters between markers in said plurality of documents from said database to generate a plurality of database marker sequences; and wherein said processor evaluates said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences to retrieve documents from said database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said database documents contain passages that are identical to said known passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first text passage is compared with said database documents using a sequential string search of said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said database documents contain passages that are similar to said known passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first text passage is compared with said database documents using a sequential string search of said first marker sequence against said plurality of database marker sequences.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 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 |