Abstract: One implementation provides a method for modifying a knowledge base on a client device. The method includes receiving input from a user of the client device specifying a first proposed modification to the knowledge base, modifying the knowledge base as specified by the first proposed modification, and subsequently receiving electronic information from a host server specifying a second proposed modification to the knowledge base. The method further includes comparing the second proposed modification to the first proposed modification previously made to the knowledge base and, upon comparison, determining whether to modify the knowledge base as specified by the second proposed modification.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method for acquiring knowledge from multiple knowledge bases in a knowledge repository. The method includes identifying first and second knowledge bases within the knowledge repository by analyzing a search request received from a client system. The first knowledge base contains knowledge of a first type and the second knowledge base contains knowledge of a second type. The method further includes generating instructions that, when executed, cause first and second requests to be sent to the knowledge repository in sequential fashion to acquire knowledge from the first and second knowledge bases, such that the second request is sent after the first request, and such that the second request includes knowledge of the first type from the first knowledge base acquired in response to the first request.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that are useful in generating a software configuration program that makes the configuration process simpler and more efficient. The techniques are especially useful in configuring a software application that is complex and may involve multiple steps to configure the application properly. The techniques provide both a design-time software tool that is used to design the software configuration program and a run-time software tool that is used to manage and control the execution of the software configuration program.

Abstract: A method to automatically generate a new knowledge base includes receiving a signal that defines content that is to be included in the new knowledge base. Tables within an existing database are searched to identify at least one candidate table that is associated with data that may be relevant to the defined content that is to be included in the new knowledge base. At least one candidate application programming interface (API) is determined for each candidate table. Combinations of the identified at least one candidate table and the determined at least one candidate API are assessed to select from those combinations a master table and a master API for the new knowledge base. The new knowledge base is accessible by more than one application program within an integrated system. A non-expert user may automatically generate a new knowledge base and associated API with a single mouse click.

Abstract: A method of performing diagnosis comprises performing in a computer system a plurality of automated diagnostic procedures that each either fails or passes depending on at least one condition in the computer system. If any of the automated diagnostic procedures fail, identifiers of failed automated diagnostic procedures are displayed on a graphical user interface of the computer system for selection by a user. Displayed on the graphical user interface is a user-selectable input control that, upon user selection of a displayed identifier, can initiate an automated remedy procedure that is associated with the failed automated diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: A method of performing diagnosis comprises receiving in a computer system executable program instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system to perform a first user-developed automated diagnostic procedure that either fails or passes depending on at least one condition in the computer system. The computer system has stored therein a program 1) that, when executed, performs a plurality of preconfigured automated diagnostic procedures and 2) that is configured to accept user-developed automated diagnostic procedures. The program is executed in the computer system and in so doing the plurality of preconfigured automated diagnostic procedures and the first user-developed automated diagnostic procedure are performed.

Abstract: A method of executing a diagnosis program including multiple procedures associated with remedy procedures wherein the diagnosis program does not specify an order in which the remedy procedures are executed comprises receiving, in a computer system wherein a plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is performed, priority information specifying an order in which failures of any of the plurality of automated diagnostic procedures are to be addressed. The plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is performed. Upon at least some of the automated diagnostic procedures failing, a plurality of automated remedy procedures is performed in the specified order, the automated remedy procedures being associated with the failed automated diagnostic procedures.

Abstract: A method of executing a diagnosis program including multiple procedures wherein the diagnosis program does not specify an order in which the procedures are executed comprises receiving priority information specifying an order in which a plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is to be performed in a computer system. The plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is performed in the specified order, wherein each of the plurality of automated diagnostic procedures passes or fails depending on at least one condition in the computer system. The priority information is updated if more than one of the plurality of automated diagnostic procedures fail.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method that includes receiving a first identification of one of several knowledge bases of electronically stored content, receiving a second identification of one of several executable software applications for which user-initiated knowledge base content searching services will be provided for the identified one of the knowledge bases, and receiving a third identification of one of several different search engines to be used in performing index searches when a request for a search is received from the identified software application and the request is directed to the identified one of the several knowledge bases. Received identifications are stored for later access to determine which of the several search engines is to execute a request to perform an index search that is received from the identified one of the several software applications and which index search request is directed to the identified one of the several knowledge bases.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method included in performing a computer-implemented search of electronically stored content. The method includes receiving from one of multiple software applications an input indicating a user request that a computer-implemented search be performed to identify content that, firstly, is stored in a specified one of multiple knowledge bases, and secondly, satisfies user-specified conditions. The method further includes determining which one of multiple search engines has been preconfigured to be used for searches involving the one software application from which the search request input was received and the selected one knowledge base, and initiating the requested search to be executed by the determined search engine.

Abstract: One implementation provides a method included in performing an action on a searchable index of content that is electronically stored in a knowledge base. The method includes receiving an input indicating a request that a computer-implemented process be performed that acts upon a specified index of content that is searchable using a predefined one of multiple search engines, wherein the content resides within a specified one of multiple electronic knowledge bases. The method further includes performing a computer-implemented process that composes, using the received request, a request to perform the computer-implemented process, wherein the request has a format that is compatible with the predefined one search engine. The composed request is submitted to the predefined one search engine for execution.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for obtaining information contained in multiple knowledge bases. In this embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for information from an application system, using the request to create a first search query, and using the first search query to obtain a first search result that includes information contained in a first knowledge base. The method further includes using the first search result to automatically create a second search query, and using the second search query to obtain a second search result that includes information contained in a second knowledge base.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for retrieving information from a knowledge base. In this embodiment, the method includes building a search request that contains a search query and a pattern having a set of attributes. The method further includes using the search request to retrieve information from the knowledge base. The retrieved information contains information associated with the search query. In addition, the retrieved information is associated with the set of attributes contained in the pattern.

Abstract: Various implementations are provided herein for information classification and retrieval. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for indexing document information. The method includes obtaining textual information associated with a document, and obtaining one or more attributes associated with the document. Each attribute defines a property of the document. The method further includes generating a lexical representation of the textual information, generating one or more attribute patterns (wherein each attribute pattern contains a unique combination of the attributes), and creating a search index entry for the document. The search index entry contains the lexical representation of the textual information and each of the attribute patterns.

Abstract: A system and techniques are disclosed to provide a multi-agent software environment. The system provides several service modules that may be used by software programs to accomplish specific tasks.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that generates a data source representation using at least one data source. The system includes a set of services that synchronize the data source representation with the data source, or sources, from which the data source representation is generated. The system also includes a set of services that operate on a data source representation to access and manage information stored in a data source, or sources, from which the data source representation is generated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system that allows a user to enter a search query, to explore a knowledge base through a hierarchical model of concepts each of which is mentioned in one or more documents stored in the knowledge base, and to refine the search query based on a displayed portion of the hierarchical model.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to provide associative learning and recommendations. The system includes a learning engine recommendation process that provides one or more recommendations based on user input, a learning engine initiation process that generates initial training data, and a learning engine training process that transforms initial training data and subsequent training data into entity-pair relationships. The system may include user interfaces that allow each user to request and receive recommendations and a confirmation process that captures and stores training data based on user feedback regarding recommendations.

Abstract: Various implementations for solution searching are provided. One implementation provides for solution searching during a session with a user. The user creates a search request for one or more solutions. A data store provides one or more refinement criteria that are displayed to the user. The refinement criteria are associated with the search request. The user then selects one or more of the refinement criteria. In response, the data store provides one or more solutions that are displayed to the user, the solutions being associated with the search request and the selected refinement criteria. The user selects one or more of the solutions. The search request, the selected refinement criteria, and the selected solutions for the session are then stored in the data store.