EP1247208A1 - Technique et systeme d'agencement de l'information - Google Patents

Technique et systeme d'agencement de l'information

Info

Publication number
EP1247208A1
EP1247208A1 EP00964601A EP00964601A EP1247208A1 EP 1247208 A1 EP1247208 A1 EP 1247208A1 EP 00964601 A EP00964601 A EP 00964601A EP 00964601 A EP00964601 A EP 00964601A EP 1247208 A1 EP1247208 A1 EP 1247208A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
groups
item
group
items
profiler
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00964601A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Uri Lev Tagger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smashing Concepts Ltd
Original Assignee
Smashing Concepts Ltd
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 Smashing Concepts Ltd filed Critical Smashing Concepts Ltd
Publication of EP1247208A1 publication Critical patent/EP1247208A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • G06F16/903—Querying
    • G06F16/9032—Query formulation
    • G06F16/90324—Query formulation using system suggestions
    • G06F16/90328—Query formulation using system suggestions using search space presentation or visualization, e.g. category or range presentation and selection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to method and system for processing information in general, and to methods and systems for organizing and retrieving information, in particular.
  • a conventional information system includes a database, which contains a plurality of records, each heaving a plurality of fields.
  • the records are stored in a structured formation, according to a selected field for random access according to a given value of that field.
  • Methods for searching databases are also known in the art.
  • Traditional methods employ search engines which search the database according to a user given query.
  • the query is often defined according to a Boolean expression, including Boolean conditions such as logic AND, logic OR, logic terms.
  • the search engine scans each record in the database and determines if each record either complies with the Boolean expression or not.
  • the results are presented to the user in the form of a list or a statistical report table, sorted according to predetermined attributes and including selected information from the records.
  • the Boolean expression is entered by the user in a number of known ways such as free text, selecting from a list of fields and typing in a value for each of these selections, and the like. After receiving the search results, the user may want to narrow the scope thereof.
  • the user uses traditional search engines, the user adds terms using Boolean AND operators, in a trial and error process. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the user has no prior notion as to the effect of his or her additional terms on the search result list.
  • the database can be further indexed, according to other fields. Hence, records with specific values in these further indexed fields can be immediate accessed.
  • Electronic storage media today are capable of storing large amounts of digital information. The information can then be easily retrieved and displayed by an attached computer. However, in order to be useful, the information must be organized into units that are easily accessible and retrievable by the user.
  • Many currently available computer systems for the organizing such information rely upon organizational principles transferred from paper files and folders. For example, the concept of "folders" is typically used as the basic unit of organization for computer information, which is actually a metaphor taken from the physical world. The physical analogy progresses from folder to drawer to cabinet, and so forth, with each successively larger storage unit representing a higher level in the hierarchy. Unfortunately, such a system, although is relatively simple and easy to understand, does not fully meet the needs of users.
  • Computers, and their associated operating systems, are capable of providing many more features and mechanisms for the organization of information in a more efficient manner, rather than relying upon a single organizational hierarchy. Although various systems have been proposed which attempt to use these capabilities to a greater extent, none of these systems provides an efficient and useful solution for the organization of information.
  • a more useful solution would provide an organizational structure for a plurality of tags, in which one or more tags would be assigned to each unit of information. The user could potentially locate the same unit of information according to the selection of various tags, while viewing and selecting the tags according to various potential organizational structures. Such a solution would provide the most intuitive organizational structure for information, by providing both multiple tags for locating information, and multiple methods for organizing the tags. For example, in the systems existing today, when a user of an e-mail (electronic mail) program receives an e-mail message from a certain contact person regarding two projects on which they are collaborating, the user may have difficulty in filing the information.
  • e-mail electronic mail
  • the user may choose one project folder for storing the e-mail message, or alternatively copy the e-mail message into the folders of both projects or optionally create a shortcut in the folder of one project for pointing to the actual message residing in the folder of the other project.
  • the above mentioned possibilities are all far from ideal, since the e-mail message may not be found when information is sought for one of the projects, storage space may be wasted for duplicate storage of information, or the information is non-homogenous, including actual messages with shortcuts to messages in other locations.
  • an information system which includes an object locator coupled to an index database and to an item database, a dynamic builder coupled to the index database, and a graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to the dynamic builder and to the object locator.
  • the item database contains a plurality of items and the index database contains a plurality of indexes respective of the items.
  • a profiler including a profiler interface and a dynamic builder, coupled to a search engine and to the profiler interface.
  • the dynamic builder produces a list of groups, respective of a search result list produced by the search engine. Each of the groups is associated with at least one of the items included in the search result list.
  • the profiler interface displays the groups, each group together with the number of the items associated therewith.
  • a user interface which includes a search query group selection section, and a search result section.
  • the search query group selection section provides visual representations of a plurality of selectable groups.
  • a method for generating a searchable index structure including the step of generating a plurality of groups from a plurality of indexes, retrieved from an index database. It is noted that each of the groups is related to at least a portion of an item stored in an item database and each group is associated with all of the items stored in the item database, which include the portion (e.g. attribute, content object, portion of content object and the like) . Furthermore, there is provided a method for searching an item database, including the steps of: producing a visual representation of a plurality of groups, wherein each group respective of at least one class, receiving a user selection of at least one of the groups, and determining a search query according to the selected groups.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for organizing and retrieving data, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of objects, contained within the item database of the system of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of graphical user interface
  • GUI constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are schematic illustrations in detail of the top-level branches of Figure 3, in expanded modes;
  • Figure 5 is an illustration of the graphical user interface (GUI) of
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations of the graphical user interface (GUI) of Figure 3, at a later, more refined slice operation, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of the graphical user interface (GUI) of Figure 5, at an alternative, more refined slice operation, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG 8 is an illustration of the graphical user interface (GUI) of Figures 7A and 7B, demonstrating result weight criterion calibration adjustment, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 9A is a schematic illustration of one top level branch of Figure 3, after in an alternate expanded mode
  • Figure 9B is a schematic illustration of another top level branch of Figure 3, in an alternate expanded mode
  • Figure 10 is an illustration of a method for operating the system of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 1 1 is an illustration of a method for operating the system of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 12A is an illustration of the graphical user interface of Figure 5, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 12B is an illustration of the graphical user interface of Figure 12A in an advanced mode
  • Figure 12C is an illustration of the graphical user interface of Figure 12B in a further advanced mode; and Figure 12D is an illustration of the graphical user interface of
  • the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method and system for organizing, retrieving and presenting a plurality of items, using a unique Boolean structure, which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the disclosed technique provides a method, which includes a number of procedures, each novel and innovative by itself.
  • item database is scanned and hierarchically classified, according to predetermined and dynamic criteria, and a hierarchical index database is built, including a plurality of item-groups, each respective of a plurality of items within the item database.
  • a hierarchical index database is built, including a plurality of item-groups, each respective of a plurality of items within the item database.
  • portions of the hierarchy are displayed in a dynamic visual structure, which further provides selection of item-groups and determination of Boolean operations there between, in a simple point and click operation (or numeral selection) without resorting to keying textual queries.
  • the dynamic visual structure can be in the form of a tree, a list, a matrix, a three dimensional complex representation, and the like.
  • results of the query are displayed both as a list and further in a unique statistical structure, which further enables the user to refine the search query, again in a simple point and click operation (or numeral selection) without resorting to keying textual queries.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for organizing and retrieving data, generally referenced 100, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of objects, generally referenced 70, contained within the item database of the system of Figure 1.
  • System 100 includes an item database 102, an index database 104, an analyzer 106, an indexer 108, and a client 110.
  • Client 110 further includes a category database 112, a dynamic builder 114, an object locator 116, a graphical user interface (GUI) 118, and a bus 120.
  • item database 102 can be an already existing database, external to the system.
  • Analyzer 106 is connected to item database 102 and to indexer
  • Indexer 108 is connected to index database 104.
  • Index database 104 is connected to bus 120 of client 110.
  • Category database 112, dynamic builder 114, GUI 118 and object locator 116 are connected to bus 120.
  • GUI 118 is a user interface, which includes a display and an input device.
  • the input device can include a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a track ball, a touch pad and the like) an alphanumeric keyboard, a numeric key pad, a voice recognition module, a tactile input device and the like.
  • GUI 118 can further include an audible output device such as a speaker or a bell.
  • the term "item” refers to an information record, respective of a DVD movie title.
  • an item can include any data object which includes at least some data (fields or attributes) which can be classified.
  • An object can include text, multimedia, graphics, animation, audio, video, and other types of data residing in any type of database.
  • item database 102 contains a plurality of data objects, respective of a plurality of DVD movies, structured in a predetermined format and order.
  • Each of the objects includes a plurality of fields such as the text title 52 of the DVD title, the genres description 54 that apply thereto, the year 56 that feature film respective of this title was first issued, the studio 58 in which it was produced, the price 60 at which the title is offered, critic reviews 62, and the like.
  • Item database 102 can further include content objects of the DVD title movies, selected audio or video samples of that title, the title itself, a concise description thereof, and the like.
  • attributes can refer to a content object, such as the length thereof, and the like.
  • item database 102 includes a plurality of items, generally referenced 70, as listed below: Title 70A, called “Michael”, is classified as a comedy, family and fiction feature film, produced in the 1990's by Artisan, and is offered at a price of $55.
  • Title 70B called “King Lear” is classified as drama, produced in the 1990's by A&E, and is offered at a price of $50.
  • Title 70C called “The Birds”, classified as a horror and action movie, produced in the 1960's by Allsop, and is offered at a price of $80.
  • Title 70D called “Get Shorty”, is classified as comedy, family and action, produced in the 1990's by A&E, and is offered at a price of $70.
  • Title 70E called “Mary Poppins” is classified as a family movie, produced in the 1960's by CAV, and is offered at a price of $20.
  • Title 70F called "Animal House” is classified as a comedy and action feature film, produced in the 1970's by Capitol, and is offered at a price of $80.
  • Title 70N called “Fantasy” is classified as a comedy, animation and family feature film, produced in the 1950's by Disney, and is offered at a price of $60.
  • Analyzer 106 retrieves the attributes and the content objects of each of the items from item database 102, and determines for which attributes and content objects, a respective index has to be produced, and for which values thereof. In the example set forth in Figure 1 , analyzer 106 determines that genre, decade and studio, have to be directly indexed, according to the explicit values therein. Analyzer 106 further determines that the price attribute has to be indexed according to predetermined value ranges (e.g., in tens of dollars). The title attribute and critic review content object have to be indexed according to the content therein.
  • predetermined value ranges e.g., in tens of dollars
  • indexer 108 ( Figure 1) builds an index for the genre field with the values, which are detected in the DVD title records in item database 102.
  • This index includes the following index records:
  • one of the forms of indexing of items is in a hierarchical group structure. Items are grouped together into item-groups, and item-groups can be further grouped together as item-group-groups.
  • An item-group-group is defined as an aggregator of item-groups.
  • Genre is an aggregator of the various types of genres (i.e., Action, Fiction, Family, and the like) and in some cases, has no relevance as an independent search (e.g., item-group-group Genre, merely indicates that the records has a Genre attribute. When all of the items in the database have this attribute, then a selection thereof does not make any difference as to the outcome of the search).
  • an item-group can include item-group-groups or item-groups and an item-group-group can include item-groups or item-group-groups.
  • the number of cascaded item-groups and item-group-groups in a selected section in the tree is limitless.
  • the hierarchical relationships between item-groups and item-group-groups can either be determined manually or automatically, using a predetermined set of rules.
  • the above hierarchical group structure can be presented in the form of a tree as shall be described herein below.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of graphical user interface (GUI), generally referenced 150, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • GUI 150 includes a category bar 152, a main window 154, a search window 156, a text box 158, a tree 160 and a search button 162.
  • tree 160 includes presentation of top level branches 164, 166, 168 and 170.
  • the category bar 152 includes a plurality of category titles, which in the present example relate to ones which can be found in a conventional retail web site, such as DVD movies, music, books, games, auctions, and the like. It is noted that these categories can be further expanded to any type of item, file or object, relating to messaging (e.g., Email), inventory, currency, personnel, real-time events, and the like, category database, further includes information relating to characteristic similarities between the different categories, which are used when a search is performed on several categories, each including items having a different structure (heterogeneous item search). Accordingly, pressing more than one of these category titles, shall provide a combined search on both categories.
  • category titles which in the present example relate to ones which can be found in a conventional retail web site, such as DVD movies, music, books, games, auctions, and the like. It is noted that these categories can be further expanded to any type of item, file or object, relating to messaging (e.g., Email), inventory, currency, personnel, real-time events, and the
  • a user can select a category in category bar 152, by clicking the respective category with a pointing device (not shown).
  • category database 112 identifies DVD movies 172 as the selected category, and directs dynamic builder 114 to build tree 160 of DVD movies 172.
  • Dynamic builder 114 ( Figure 1 ), builds tree 160 and the top level branches 164, 166, 168 and 170 of tree 160 are displayed in search window 156. It is noted that tree 160 can be built earlier, and merely presented when the respective category is selected.
  • the user can expand each of the top level branches 164, 166, 168 and 170, by clicking on the respective top level branch, which in the present example includes item-group-groups, wherein the branches associated with that top level branch will be displayed.
  • the user can further choose to expand each branch, wherein the sub-branches of the selected branch shall be displayed.
  • Each sub-branch can be further expanded, and so on.
  • Each branch and sub-branch represents an attribute of a DVD movie.
  • An attribute can be of any known type such as text (e.g., comedy), numeral (e.g., 1990), alphanumeric (e.g., 1980's), numerical range (e.g., 1990-1992), and the like.
  • a branch can represent the decade in which the movie was produced (e.g., the 1990's), and the respective sub-branch can represent a range in the decade (e.g., the years between 1992 and 1994) and yet a further sub-branch can represent the explicit year (e.g., 1993).
  • the user can navigate within the tree between the branches and the sub-branches, by clicking on the selected branch or sub-branch.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are schematic illustrations in detail of top level branches 164, 166, 168 and
  • genre top level branch 164 is expanded, showing its branches 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E and 220F, namely Comedy, Drama, Horror, Family, Fiction And Action.
  • the presentation of each of the branches 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E and 220F further includes a representation in brackets of the number of the items associated therewith. Accordingly, the user can learn that the comedy item-group is associated with one hundred and twenty items, while the family item-group is associated with three hundred and thirty three items.
  • Check-boxes 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, 222E and 222F are displayed contiguous to branches 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E and 220F, respectively.
  • decade top level branch 166 is expanded to branches 230A, 230B, 230C and 230D, namely the 60's, the 70's, the 80's and the 90's, respectively.
  • Branch 230D is further expanded to sub-branches 232A, 232B, 232C and 232D.
  • top level branch 168 (studio), is expanded to branches 240A, 240B, 240C, 240D and 240E, namely Artisan, Allsop, A&E, CAV and Capitol, respectively.
  • Check-boxes 242A and 242C are displayed contiguous to branches 240A and 240C, respectively. The user has marked check-boxes 242A and 242C.
  • top level branch 170 (price), is expanded to price ranges 0-25 $ (branch 250A), 26-50 $ (branch 250B), 51-75 $ (branch 250C), and 76-100 $ (branch 250D).
  • the disclosed technique further provides a unique and novel method for receiving a complex deterministic Boolean search query, without typing a single letter.
  • Each of the groups is classified according to the groups or items associated therewith, so as to determine which of the Boolean operators "AND” or “OR” apply thereto, when it is marked as "INCLUDE” and used with other sibling item-groups (i.e., which are included in the same superior group).
  • the Boolean "AND" operator shall be assigned to an item-group which includes mutually inclusive item-groups (i.e., the same item may be associated with two item-groups which are both included in the same superior item-group or item-group-group).
  • the genre top level branch 164 is a group, which includes mutually inclusive sub-groups.
  • the first item 70A is classified in the comedy, family and fiction categories and hence is included in sub-branches 220A, 220D and 220E ( Figure 4A).
  • the user For performing a Boolean "INCLUDE" operation on a selected group, the user has to click on the check box associated therewith, thereby marking it with the 'V sign.
  • the Boolean "OR" operator shall be assigned to a group containing other groups that are determined mutually exclusive (i.e., the same item cannot appear in two item-groups which are both included in a superior item-group or item-group-group). Hence, selecting both these item-groups as "INCLUDE” and using a Boolean AND operator there between shall result in zero items. Hence, when more than one of these item-groups are 1 selected as "INCLUDE", they are Booleanically unified using an OR operator.
  • EXCLUDE Another Boolean operator within the scope of the disclosed technique is the "EXCLUDE” operator, which can be assigned to any group.
  • the user For performing an "EXCLUDE” operation on a selected group, the user has to click (second click) on the check box associated therewith, thereby marking it with the "X” sign.
  • the user checks box 222B, thereby introducing a query which is "EXCLUDE drama". A search according to this query would exclude items, which are classified in the drama genre, such as item 70C ( Figure 2).
  • the decade top level branch 166 is a group, which includes mutually exclusive sub-groups.
  • each of the items 70 was issued at a specific date and hence can be classified only to one decade.
  • INCLUDE by clicking on the checkboxes associated therewith, these checkboxes are marked with an "O" sign.
  • the user checks boxes 234C and 234D, thereby introducing a query which is "'80 OR '90".
  • a search according to this query shall yield only items, which were issued either in the '80 or '90 decades, such as items 70A, 70B and 70D ( Figure 2).
  • checkbox 234D is also automatically marked with an "O" mark, denoting the Boolean operator which shall be used when including the item-groups 232B and 232D therein with item-groups 230C.
  • the "O" sign is not used and a V" sign is used throughout the tree to denote INCLUDE. It will be appreciated that this approach may be regarded as less confusing for low level users.
  • checkboxes 222A, 222B and 222C are replaced with [ ⁇ ], J2J and J, respectively. This is especially useful in small devices such as old models of cellular phones, which have limited input options, and do not include integrated pointing input devices. Accordingly, the user can select item-group 220A, by pressing three on the cellular phone key pad, thereby marking it for INCLUDE.
  • a second press of that key shall select that item-group for EXCLUDE.
  • a third press shall un-select that item-group.
  • Multiple character marks can be handled by defining a mark length, after which the mark is considered as entered, or by adding the use of special keys at the end of the input mark.
  • the disclosed technique enables the user to produce complex Boolean expressions, using the above operations.
  • the user can designate Boolean operations for selected branches, or designate Boolean relations between a plurality of branches.
  • the user has marked check boxes 222A and 222F with the 'V" sign, check box 222B with the "X" sign ( Figure 4A) and check boxes 234C, 234D 236B, 236D ( Figure 4B), 242A, 242C (Figure 4C) and 252C ( Figure 4D) with the "O" sign.
  • the respective Boolean expression reads as follows:
  • the user can alternate between the various Boolean operations, by sequentially clicking on the check-box. For example, the first click on the check-box marks it with a 'V, the second click marks it with an "X”, the third click un-marks the check-box, and so on.
  • object locator 116 Figure 1
  • search button 162 Figure 3
  • object locator 116 Figure 1
  • searches index database 104 and identifies at least one item (e.g., a DVD movie title) which complies with the selected branches (i.e., attributes and respective criteria), and which satisfies the Boolean relation which the user had designated.
  • the user can introduce a conventional text phrase, as a search query.
  • This text phrase can include the entire query or a portion of the query, which is added with an "INCLUDE" operator to another portion of the query, defined using the above tree 160 structure.
  • the user can direct object locator 116 ( Figure 1 ) to search DVD movies having a selected content object, by entering a text in text box 158, and clicking search button 162.
  • the user can enter the text by employing Boolean operations, such as "INCLUDE", "OR”, “EXCLUDE”, “XOR”, and the like.
  • the item-group respective of Genre Family points to item records 1 , 5 and N, referenced 70A, 70E and 70N ( Figure 2), respectively.
  • GUI 150 displays a list of the search results in the result section 180.
  • the list can include a plurality of items, which qualified the query of the search.
  • the object locator may discard certain mutually inclusive item-groups selected for the query to increase the scope of the search query, thereby providing some results for the user.
  • the object locator may include certain mutually exclusive item-groups, which were not selected for the query, but are siblings of other mutually exclusive item-groups, which were selected for the query, so as to achieve the same result.
  • the object locator can discard certain portions within the search query, thereby potentially increasing the number of items in the search result list. Other such rules may be applied to modify the query, for providing a search result list, which includes at least several items.
  • a tolerance value is assigned to each of item-groups and hence, the object locator can discard item-groups according to the tolerance level thereof.
  • item-groups respective of price are defined at a higher tolerance level than item-groups respective of media format (e.g., VHS, DVD, BETAMAX and the like).
  • the GUI shall notify the user when such query alteration is performed.
  • the number of search result items can exceed the number of items that can be displayed on screen at one time, in the result section 180. Accordingly, the result section 180 can be defined a scrolling list, and hence include a scroll bar 184. In the example set forth in Figure 5, only four items can be presented at a given time in search result section 180.
  • the displayed items include the following DVD titles: "Michael”, “Animaland”, “Get Shorty” and "My Girl”.
  • GUI 180 presents each of the result items, in a predetermined format, which can either be defined by the maker of the system, or by the user of the GUI, according to preferences thereof.
  • each of the presented items requires three lines, where the first line is used for displaying the name of the DVD title, the second line is used for displaying the price thereof and the third line is used for displaying the initial words from a summary thereof.
  • GUI 150 further updates the presentation of each of the item-groups in the tree to indicate the number of items in the search result list which apply thereto. Hence, the number in brackets associated with each item is updated and item-groups, which include none of the items in the search results, can be withdrawn from the tree.
  • Figure 9A is a schematic illustration of top level branch 164 of Figure 3, after in an alternate expanded mode.
  • the items associated with the genres in the list Comedy, Drama, Horror, Family, Fiction And Action are associated now with eighty, eleven, four, eighty, twenty one and fifty three items, respectively.
  • these zero search result item-groups can still be displayed in case that the user would like to use them in an alternate strategy search query.
  • This feature helps the user to decide, which of the item-groups to include in a more refined version of the query, so as to limit the number of the search results in a given direction. For example if the number of items in the search result list is five hundred and the search result items in a non-selected mutually inclusive item-group is twenty, then by selecting that mutually inclusive item-group the number of items in the search result list shall be reduced to twenty (i.e., since all of the items in the twenty item-group are included in the search result list, an intersection operation between the search result list and the twenty item-groups, yields a list including only twenty items).
  • the number of items in the search result list is forty and the search result items in a non-selected mutually exclusive item-group is thirty five, then by selecting that mutually exclusive item-group the number of items in the search result list shall be increased to seventy five.
  • GUI 150 provides a profiler section 182, which provides statistical information related to the search results.
  • This profiler section is managed and controlled by the dynamic builder 114 ( Figure 1 ).
  • the profiler 182 includes a selection of item-groups from the tree, which apply to at least some of the search result items.
  • the profiler further displays the number of items within the search results, which apply to each item-group, next to the representation thereof. This feature further helps the user to decide, which of the item-groups to include in a more refined version of the query, so as to limit the number of the search results in a given direction.
  • the item-groups in the profiler can be selected arbitrarily or according to any given criteria.
  • the profiler can determine any criteria for selecting the item-groups included therein, such as:
  • Item-groups which include a large number of items in the database.
  • Item-groups which include a large number of items from the search results. • Item-groups, which were previously selected by other users in similar queries.
  • Item-groups which comply with customized characteristics of the user, his general preferences, and the like. • Item-groups, which have the maximal number of items within the search result list.
  • Item-groups which were not selected for the search query. • Item-groups, which were predetermined for system 100.
  • profiler 182 provides a list of item-groups, which are relevant to the search results and include for example: • "Genre: Comedy (80)", denotes that item-group 220A of
  • Figure 4A applies to eighty items within the search result list.
  • 4B applies to twenty items within the search result list.
  • the profiler can sort the presented item-groups according to any given criteria.
  • the top presented item-groups are the ones, which are included in the query of the search.
  • these item-groups exhibit the maximal number of items (eighty) within the search result list.
  • the profiler displays additional item-groups, which exhibit less than that maximal number, below the item-groups included in the search query.
  • the profiler 182 can limit the number of item-groups therein to the number of item-groups which can be displayed therein or provide a scroll bar 188, for scrolling in the list of item-groups.
  • the profiler 182 allows the user to refine the search results by adding conditions to the search query, which are selected from the item-groups presented in the profiler.
  • the profiler 182 adds a checkbox adjacent to each of the item-groups therein.
  • the checkboxes marked with a 'V sign indicate that the respective item-groups were selected in the search query which produced the search result list.
  • the item-groups, which were used in the search are removed from the profiler and can be displayed in another section, which represents the current search query.
  • the profiler 182 allows the user to check additional checkboxes therein and refine the search query, by either reducing or increasing the number of items therein.
  • the user can use any pointing device, associated with the device displaying GUI 150, to select any of these checkboxes.
  • the item-groups, which are selected by the user in the profiler, are added to the search query using either INCLUDE or EXCLUDE operators, as shall be described further herein below.
  • Figures 6A and 6B are illustrations of the graphical user interface (GUI) 150 of Figure 3, at a later, more refined slice operation, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Object locator 116 ( Figure 1 ) repeats the slicing operation on the updated search query.
  • GUI 150 displays the updated results in search-result section 180 and updates the item-group list of the profiler 182. Item-groups, which do not include items from the updated result list are removed and the statistical numbers associated with the remaining item-groups are updated. In addition, other item-groups, which were not present in the original tree, may be added, for example, since they have particular relevance regarding the search result list.
  • the updated profiler includes, among others, the following item-groups: • "Genre: Comedy (20)", denotes that item-group 220A of
  • Figure 4A applies to twenty items within the updated search result list.
  • the profiler 182 allows the user to exclude selected item-groups therein.
  • Figures 7A and 7B are illustrations of the graphical user interface (GUI) 150 of Figure 5, at an alternative, more refined slice operation, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • Object locator 116 ( Figure 1 ) repeats the slicing operation on the updated search query.
  • GUI 150 displays the updated results in search-result section 180 and updates the item-group list of the profiler 182. Item-groups, which do not include items from the updated result list are removed and the statistical numbers associated with the remaining item-groups are updated.
  • the updated profiler includes, among others, the following item-groups:
  • Figure 4A applies to sixty items within the updated search result list.
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of the graphical user interface (GUI) 150 of Figures 7A and 7B, demonstrating result weight criterion calibration adjustment, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the user points the cursor 194 of the pointing device at an item-group "Genre: Comedy", presses the pointing device button and holds it in position for at least a predetermined time period. This initiates a weight change procedure and the display thereof.
  • Weight bar 196 is a simple scale, ranging from zero to one hundred, and including a level indicator for the level that is set.
  • GUI 150 at the right bottom corner thereof, provides a numeric representation of that set level, which in the present example equals eighty. Keeping that button pressed initiates a rise of the level indicator, thereby adjusting the weight level of that item-group. Pressing that button for the second time in the same manner, initiates a descend of the level indicator.
  • key combinations and key sequences can also be predefined for such operations.
  • the profiler approach can be coupled to a conventional search engine, for the purpose of refining conventional search result lists.
  • a dynamic builder can analyze the statistical distribution of these results in various categories or predetermined item-groups, and provide suggestions for potential search refining directions, using a profiler section as described above. It is noted that the analysis is not limited to the search results, rather it can be applied also to the search query, to the database from which the search results were retrieved, previously analyzed queries and the like. It is noted that the same analysis can be applied to the innovative group related search engine of the invention, which makes it even easier, since its structure embeds a significant portion of the analysis.
  • Figure 9B is a schematic illustration of top level branch 166 of Figure 3, in an alternate expanded mode.
  • Figure 9B provides another method for selecting item-groups, operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the expanded tree is presented here together with a representation of a basket 238.
  • the user uses the pointing device cursor 194 to drag item-groups into the basket, thereby selecting them for the query.
  • the user can do the same with item-groups, which reside in the profiler.
  • additional baskets can be added (e.g., for explicitly determining excluded groups, and the like).
  • FIG. 10 is an illustration of a method for operating system 100 of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • step 300 a plurality of items are retrieved from an item database, and then analyzed (step 302). It is noted that the format and characteristics of these items need not be identical or similar.
  • analyzer 106 retrieves item records from item database 102 and analyzes them. Each item is analyzed so as to determine a plurality of attributes, item-groups and content objects associated therewith
  • step 304 the items are classified according to the attributes and the content objects, thereby producing a plurality of indexes (step 306).
  • the indexes are stored in an index database (step 308).
  • step 310 a plurality of item-groups and item-group-groups are produced from the indexes (step 310).
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of a method for operating system 100 of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a request to display at least search structure, in at least one selected class is received.
  • the user provides the request through GUI 1 18, according to the predetermined classes in category database 1 12.
  • a visual representation of the item-groups respective of the selected classes is produced.
  • dynamic builder 1 14 generates a visual structure, which includes the item-groups respective of the selected classes.
  • the generated visual structure is displayed on GUI 1 18. It is noted that this visual structure can be made to look like a tree, a list, a multi-dimensional structure such as a maze, a multi-level drawer system, and the like.
  • step 324 a user selection of item-groups, is received.
  • the user selects a number of item-groups using the innovative mechanisms provided by GUI 1 18, as described herein above.
  • step 326 a search query is determined according to the selected item-groups and items, which comply with at least a portion of that search query, are retrieved (step 328).
  • object locator determines a query according to the selected item-groups and their respective position in the visual structure, accesses the index database so as to locate items which comply with at least a portion of that query (i.e., in case that the number of the results of the complete search query is not sufficient) and retrieves these items.
  • a representation of the retrieved items is displayed.
  • GUI 118 displays a list of the retrieved items, in one of a plurality of formats, such as those presented in Figure 5.
  • the visual item-groups representation is updated, according to the search results.
  • the number of items associated with a group is updated to be the number of items associated with a group, which comply with the search query.
  • item-groups which are not associated with any of the items, which comply with the search query, are removed from display.
  • step 334 a limited number of item-groups is selected according to various profiling selection procedures.
  • some of the item-groups within the visual structure are selected according to a profiling selection algorithm, as presented above and displayed in the profiler (step 336).
  • system 100 returns to step 324 and receives a user selection of item-groups, which can be selected either in the updated visual structure or in the profiler
  • Figure 12A is an illustration of the graphical user interface (GUI) 150 of Figure 5, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 12B is an illustration of GUI 150 of Figure 12A in an advanced mode.
  • Figure 12C is an illustration of GUI 150 of Figure 12B in an advanced mode.
  • Figure 12D is an illustration of GUI 150 of 12C in an advanced mode.
  • GUI 150 includes a text-bar 200, a text cursor 202, and a local pop-up menu 204. The user clicks check-boxes 222A and 222F in tree 160, thereby selecting Comedy branch 220A and Action branch 220F from Genre root 164.
  • Local pop-up menu 204 includes a plurality of options such as "Undo”, “Cut”, “Copy”, “Paste”, “Search”, “Select All”, and the like.
  • the user locates arrow 194 on the "Search" option of local pop-up menu 204, and clicks on the pointing device, wherein a root pop-up menu 206 branches out of the "Search” option.
  • the options in root pop-up menu 206 are identical to the roots of tree 160 which is displayed in search window 156 (e.g., "Genre”, “Decade”, “Studio”, “Price”, and the like).
  • Pop-up menu 212 further includes a "Search Operators" option, which when accesses, provides a plurality of search operators such as INCLUDE, EXCLUDE, boolean operators (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NOR, and the like) hierarchy operators such as brackets and the like.
  • search operators such as INCLUDE, EXCLUDE, boolean operators (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NOR, and the like) hierarchy operators such as brackets and the like.
  • the user locates arrow 194 on one of the options in root pop-up menu 206 (e.g., "Decade"), and a branch pop-up menu 208 branches out of the respective option.
  • the options in branch pop-up menu 208 are identical to the branches of the respective root, as they would be displayed in tree 160, if the user had opened the root.
  • a check-box such as check-box 210 is displayed contiguous to each branch in branch pop-up menu 208.
  • the user selects the "Decade” root, and therefore the branches of "Decade", such as '60, 70, '80 and '90 are displayed in pop-up menu 208.
  • the user locates arrow 194 on check-box 210 of branch pop-up menu 208, and clicks with the pointing device, wherein check-box 210 will be marked with an "O", indicating to the user that the branch '70 is selected with an "OR" operator.
  • the new selection is immediately displayed in text format in text-bar 200, as an addition to the previous selection.
  • the user selects "Comedy” and “Action” from tree 160, and the decade of 70 from branch pop-up menu 208. Therefore, the selection "Comedy AND Action AND 70" is displayed in text-bar 200, indicating to the user the up to date selection that she has performed.
  • GUI 150 to display the tree in main window 154, in the format of a set of pop-up menus.
  • GUI 150 to display the tree in main window 154, in the format of a set of pop-up menus.
  • the user can perform selections more efficiently, while viewing an up to date textual version of the selections at the bottom of the main window 154. This way the user can monitor her selections continuously, and rectify the selections if necessary.

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Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système d'information comprenant un localisateur (116) d'objet couplé à une base (104) de données d'index et à une base (102) de données d'articles, un générateur (104) dynamique couplée à la base (104) de données d'index, et une interface (118) utilisateur couplée au générateur (114) dynamique et au localisateur (116) d'objet. La base (102) de données d'articles renferme une pluralité d'articles et la base (104) de données d'index une pluralité d'index se rapportant aux articles correspondants.
EP00964601A 1999-09-27 2000-09-27 Technique et systeme d'agencement de l'information Withdrawn EP1247208A1 (fr)

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US15579699P 1999-09-27 1999-09-27
US155796P 1999-09-27
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US9563657B2 (en) * 2008-01-08 2017-02-07 International Business Machines Corporation Generating data queries using a graphical selection tree

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US5544352A (en) * 1993-06-14 1996-08-06 Libertech, Inc. Method and apparatus for indexing, searching and displaying data
US5842196A (en) * 1996-04-03 1998-11-24 Sybase, Inc. Database system with improved methods for updating records

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