Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for generation, execution, and visualization of data queries (e.g., SQL statements) and their results, based on natural language input from a user. In one example implementation, a dashboard system provides a voting lounge and personalized and crowdsourced dashboards.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to updating an intent space and estimating intent based on an intent space. In one example, an initial intent space is obtained. Each intent in the initial intent space is characterized in one or more dimensions. At least one model is received. Each of the at least one model provides features in each of the dimensions and relationship thereof. A new intent associated with an intent in the initial intent space is determined based on the at least one model. Based on the new intent, the initial intent space is updated to derive an updated intent space.

Abstract: A learning apparatus in a digital environment is advantageous to interaction and communication among users who use a knowledge point structure for learning. The learning apparatus in the digital environment constructs a structurized knowledge library by editing knowledge points, tags of the knowledge points and a relationship among the knowledge points; then records a user's mastery degree for the knowledge points on the basis of the tags; and records knowledge learning information and social attribute information thereof for each user, so as to construct a general-class learning record, a single-class learning record and a general knowledge learning system of the user, which can also be used for the user to view the popularity of each tag in the knowledge library.

Abstract: Approaches for facilitating queries of a topic-based-source-specific search system are disclosed. In certain implementations, an input relating to a query may be received. Suggested ones of predefined sources and suggested ones of information items of the predefined sources may be determined based on the input. A set of suggestions including a group of suggestions relating to the suggested sources and a group of suggestions relating to the suggested information items may be provided for presentation on a user interface. In some implementations, metadata that indicates first, second, or other attributes relating to the predefined sources or the information items may be stored in association with the predefined sources or the information items. A second input relating to the query may be received responsive to providing the set of suggestions. A presentation of a comparison between the first attribute and the second attribute may be provided based on the second input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, a search query from a client device; obtaining, by the computing device, classification and confidence information by applying natural language classification to the search query; generating, by the computing device, search results based on the classification and confidence information, wherein a ratio of the search results is based on the classification and confidence information; and providing, by the computing device, the search results to the client device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to facilitate user purpose in a computing architecture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing relevant search result and query terms are disclosed herein. Natural language processing of the documents and previous search session history are used to dynamically determine document relevance, queries relevant to search categories prior to start of a search session, and query to query correlations.

Abstract: A computer program product and method provides a question and answer service that accepts an initial first question from a user and analyzes the question by a first generation subsystem to generate a first answer. A second generation subsystem of the question and answer service is configured to generate a second question based at least in-part on keywords from the first question and the first answer.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media for associating words or groups of words distilled from content, such as reported speech or an attitude report, of a document to form semantic relationships collectively used to generate a semantic representation of the content are provided. Semantic representations may include elements identified or parsed from a text portion of the content, the elements of which may be associated with other elements that share a semantic relationship, such as an agent, location, or topic relationship. Relationships may also be developed by associating one element that is in relation to, or is about, another element, thereby allowing for rapid and effective comparison of associations found in a semantic representation with associations derived from queries. The semantic relationships may be determined based on semantic information, such as potential meanings and grammatical functions of each element within the text portion of the content.

Abstract: A dictionary generation device according to one embodiment includes a determination unit configured to (A) refer to an item database that stores a plurality of records containing an item name/item description including a noun sequence, an item category, and a shop selling the item as fields and determine whether the noun sequence included in the item name/item description of each record is set corresponding to the item category, (B) count the number of selling shops in a record containing the noun sequence for each item category and calculate a shop intensity of each noun sequence based on the counted number of selling shops, (C) determine whether one item category uniquely derived from the noun sequence exists based on the shop intensity for each item category, and (D) determine the noun sequence as a definitive category word when the one item category exists.

Abstract: A method of semantic searching. The method may include receiving a first search query, obtaining a disambiguation term for semantically disambiguating the first search query, and creating, with a processor, a second search query based at least in part on the first search query and the disambiguation term. The method may also include at least one of outputting search results obtained from a search conducted based at least in part on the second search query and sending the second search query to a search service for outputting search results.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating replacement query terms that offer improved search efficiency. Recommended search query terms are generated based on statistic information derived from empirical data recording prior search sessions with respect to searching on a search engine. A query term entered later in a search session is treated as a possible replacement term for a query term entered earlier in the same session. Upon receiving an initial query term in a new search session, the replacement terms of the initial query term are identified from the empirical data and evaluated as candidates for replacing the initial query term in the new search session. The evaluation is based on the respective occurrence rates that the candidates are used as replacement terms for the initial query term in the empirical data, and based on the respective conversion rates of the candidates.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for identifying query formulation suggestions in response to receiving a search query. A portion of a search query is received. Query formulation suggestions are identified by semantically analyzing the search query. The query formulation suggestions are used to further formulate the received search query. The query formulation suggestions include semantic-pattern-based query suggestions that are derived from semantic query patterns, one or more entities, and information associated with these entities. The query formulation suggestions are transmitted for presentation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for identifying synonyms. One method includes receiving a query containing a first phrase, identifying one or more first synonym phrases that are synonyms for the first phrase, identifying a new synonym phrase that is a synonym for one of the first synonym phrases, determining that the new phrase is a synonym for the first phrase, and augmenting the query with the new phrase. Another method includes receiving a query including a first compound term having a first subterm, identifying a first synonym for a first subterm, generating a second compound term, wherein the second compound term is the first compound term modified by replacing the first subterm with the first synonym, and augmenting the query with the second compound term.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an automated keyword refinement tool for generating an output set of keywords. The keyword refinement tool may utilize or incorporate results from keyword suggestion tools and keyword ranking tools in order to determine a set of keywords that produce better search engine results that if the keyword suggestion tools or keyword ranking tools were utilized individually. The keyword refinement tool may use a variety of methods for determining input to keyword suggestions tools and keyword ranking tools and a variety of methods for combining the results from the keyword suggestion tools and keyword ranking tools.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for improving search results. A user query is analyzed to identify a set of characters in the user query and an encoding code point associated with each character. A determination is made as to whether any of the encoding code points exist within a historic code point table. Responsive to at least one encoding code point existing within the historic code point table, all code points associated with each identified encoding code point in the user query are retrieved from the historic code point table. A modified user query is then created that utilizes the encoding code points of the user query and the code points from the historic code point table. The modified user query is then executed.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and it includes identifying a root term and determining one or more other terms belonging to a group associated with the root term. The method also includes selecting one or more of the terms from the group and generating a concept based on the selected terms from the group, wherein the concept is applied to a rule that affects data management for one or more documents that satisfy the rule. In more specific embodiments, the root term is identified via a search or via an incident list. In other embodiments, a collection of meaningful terms is provided to assist in determining the other terms for the group, the collection of meaningful terms being generated based on the root term. The concept can be used to automatically mark one or more documents that relate to the concept.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow a linked-to web page to be provided using information about a linked-from web page. The linked-to web page, for example, may be provided with enhanced content, additional content, suggestion features, or searching features. Certain of the methods are useful in the context of a user using a search engine web page to search for and link to other web pages. An exemplary method can be performed by a server that provides such a linked-to web page. The server receives a request to provide the linked-to web page and parses the request to identify information, such as, search terms that were entered on the search engine web page. The server can use the search terms or other information associated with the linked-from web page to determine what content should be provided or how it should be provided for the linked-to web page.

Abstract: A system and method for indexing and searching a free format data source is provided. Indexing the free format data source includes normalizing data from the free format data source and creating a master index based on the normalized data. The master index may be updated through synchronization with the free format data source when a change in the data occurs. A search query may be executed against the master index and/or one or more child indexes to search for records. The search query may be normalized and transformed before being executed. The master index may be replicated into the one or more child indexes for scaling and load balancing purposes. Searches may be performed by search agents in parallel at the master index and/or the child indexes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing topical search suggestions are provided. Topical search suggestions allow a user to receive search results related to the designated topic or subject matter. The present invention may generate multiple topics based on search input provided by a user. The search input may be a search prefix that includes one or more words entered into the search query box before the completed search query is submitted to the search engine. A search interface then presents the topics derived from the search prefix to a user before the user submits the query. In another embodiment, the user designates multiple search inputs. The present invention generates search results based on the search inputs and then presents topics extracted from the search results. In one embodiment, the topics are extracted by performing a natural language analysis of search result metadata.

Abstract: Making an information retrieval process public, so that it can be followed by others, allows capturing of an interest graph that allows people to learn more about shared interests with other people. This also allows items of interest to a trusted resource (such as an expert) to be identified. These items can then be brought to the attention of other users that share the same interest as the expert. In addition, by keeping track of what particular content a user has already seen, the system can bring items of interest to the user's attention, where the user has not yet seen those items.

Abstract: A system and method for searching data, such as, text data, using a processing component. A query including one or more terms may be received. At least one term may be automatically added to the query to generate an expanded query set. Entries from one or more information sources, such as, Internet posts, may be retrieved. The retrieved entries may include terms that match terms in the expanded query set. The relevancy of each retrieved entry to the query may be automatically determined. A search result may be provided including a subset of the retrieved entries that are determined to have sufficient relevancy to the query. An output device may display the search result to a client or user.

Abstract: An approach is provided for search services. User-defined search input is received by at least one processor. At least a portion of the user-defined search input is determined, via the at least one processor, as corresponding to at least one functional keyword associated with a type of object to be searched. Classification information is generated to facilitate identification of the at least one functional keyword among at least one other portion of the user-defined search input. Search information is generated about at least one object relating to at least some of the user-defined search input based on at least some of the classification information.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for accessing versioned data objects within a database, comprising creating a first new connection to a database stored in a memory, receiving a first query from a first client that requests access to a versioned data object stored in the database, and modifying the received first query to add contextual information configured on the first new connection, so that the modified first query is able to retrieve a first version of the versioned data object that corresponds to the contextual information.

Abstract: A search technology generates recommendations with minimal user data and participation, and provides better interpretation of user data, such as popularity, thus obtaining breadth and quality in recommendations. It is sensitive to the semantic content of natural language terms and lets users briefly describe the intended recipient (i.e., interests, eccentricities, previously successful gifts). Based on that input, the recommendation software system and method determines the meaning of the entered terms and creatively discover connections to gift recommendations from the vast array of possibilities. The user may then make a selection from these recommendations. The search/recommendation engine allows the user to find gifts through connections that are not limited to previously available information on the Internet. Thus, interests can be connected to buying behavior by relating terms to respective items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing and utilizing a query formulation service are described herein. In accordance with certain embodiments, an application is configured to obtain data from a target data source by interacting with a data service that makes data from a plurality of data sources available, each data source supporting a different method of query formulation. To obtain data from the target data source, the application requests a query formulation user interface (UI) associated with the target data source from a query formulation service and embeds the requested query formulation UI when it is received from the query formulation service. A user of the application then interacts with the embedded query formulation UI to formulate a query that is suitable for obtaining data from the target data source and the application sends the query to the data service for execution against the target data source.

Abstract: Given a set of training documents relevant to a litigation hold, properties common to the documents relevant to the case and not common or missing in the non-relevant documents can be identified and used to generate a litigation hold query to be suggested to a user. After receiving a training set of documents, one or more common properties between the relevant training documents are identified. Based on the common properties, a suggested litigation hold query can be generated to return documents in a larger set that are representative of the relevant documents in the training set. Additionally, a query can be generated by iteratively improving a base query to return documents sharing characteristics of a training set of documents. Suggested queries may evolve as the training set evolves.

Abstract: A system and method functions to automatically invoke a selection guide when the search term(s) provided in a freeform search query are determined to be associated with a category of item for which a selection guide will provide the most efficient means for the user to locate items of interest.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for identifying query formulation suggestions in response to receiving a search query. A portion of a search query is received. Query formulation suggestions are identified by semantically analyzing the search query. The query formulation suggestions are used to further formulate the received search query. The query formulation suggestions include semantic-pattern-based query suggestions that are derived from semantic query patterns, one or more entities, and information associated with these entities. The query formulation suggestions are transmitted for presentation.

Abstract: A product search engine uses web-crawling software to index textual webpage content from multiple internet sources. The product data obtained from the web-crawling process is then granulized by parsing methods into key words, such as, words and/or phrases. These components are compared with existing key words from search queries or webpage content. Each key word includes component tags, where the component tags map each component to product classification information in the form of structural parameters; and other product information such as, URLs, product images and product descriptions. When at least one matching key word is found, structural parameters are extracted from the matching components and assigned to the received key words. A search results webpage including product information grouped by associated structural parameter may be provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for processing data, and more specifically to retrieving results for a query from one or more devices coupled to a network. A first device may receive an abstract query including logical fields defined by a first data abstraction model and retrieve query results stored in the first device. The query may be sent to one or more other devices via the network. The one or more other devices may be configured to convert the abstract query to local abstract queries including logical fields defined in local data abstraction models. The local queries may be issued against local databases to retrieve additional results for the query. The local queries may not include all the fields of the abstract query.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for identifying query rewriting replacement terms are provided. A list of related string pairs each comprising a first string and second string is received. The first string of each related string pair is a user search query extracted from user click log data. For one or more of the related string pairs, the string pair is provided as inputs to a statistical machine translation model. The model identifies one or more pairs of corresponding terms, each pair of corresponding terms including a first term from the first string and a second term from the second string. The model also calculates a probability of relatedness for each of the one or more pairs of corresponding terms. Term pairs whose calculated probability of relatedness exceeds a threshold are characterized as query term replacements and incorporated, along with the probability of relatedness, into a query rewriting candidate database.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media for generating Boolean search queries based on a graphical user interface are disclosed. The system can provide a graphical user interface and extract search terms and relationship control element values from the graphical user interface. The system can generate a Boolean query string based on the search terms and control values. The Boolean query string can be used to query a database. The Boolean query string can be used to generate a search query agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for identifying related strings for search query rewriting are provided. Session data for a user search query session in an accessed click log data is identified. It is determined whether a first additional search query in the session data is related to a first user search query based on at least one of: dwell time; a number of search result links clicked on; and similarity between web page titles or uniform resource locators (URLs). When related, the first additional search query is incorporated into a list of strings related to the first user search query. One or more supplemental strings that are related to the first user search query are also identified. The identified supplemental strings are also included in the list of strings related to the first user search query.

Abstract: Location-based conversational understanding may be provided. Upon receiving a query from a user, an environmental context associated with the query may be generated. The query may be interpreted according to the environmental context. The interpreted query may be executed and at least one result associated with the query may be provided to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for presenting content in response to receiving a portion of a search query. A computing device receives, over a network from a user computer, a portion of a search query submitted by a user in a search query entry area. The computing device receives, from a search suggestion module, one or more search suggestions related to the portion of the query. The computing device transmits, to the user computer, the one or more search suggestions for display in a search suggestion region, the search suggestion region displayed differently than a search results area. The computing device transmits a search suggestion of the one or more search suggestions to a rich content module. The rich content module generates rich content related to the transmitted search suggestion. The computing device transmits, to the user computer, the rich content for display in the search suggestion region.

Abstract: Data-mining software receives a user query as an input and segments the user query into a number of units. The data-mining software then drops terms from a unit using a Conditional Random Field (CRF) model that combines a number of features. At least one of the features is derived from query logs and at least one of the features is derived from web documents. The data-mining software then generates one or more candidate queries by adding terms to the unit. The added terms result from a hybrid method that utilizes query sessions and a web corpus. The data-mining software also scores each candidate query on well-formedness of the candidate query, utility, and relevance to the user query. Then the data-mining software stores the scored candidate queries in a database for subsequent display in a graphical user interface for a search engine.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for search query extension are disclosed. A particular method retrieves a set of queries related to a search query from a query repository. The search query includes one or more search words and at least one search word is included in each query in the set of queries. A set of context words based on one or more computer-readable files accessible to a computer is generated and an intersection is calculated. The intersection is based on the set of queries and the set of context words. An extended search query is generated based on the calculated intersection and the search query.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for processing database queries formatted differently than the database storage model being queried are disclosed. Processing database queries independent of the storage model of the queried database may be performed by receiving a query for one or more data items stored in a database, determining whether to use at least one query operator that uses data having a format different from the storage model format of at least one of one or more data items stored in the database and converting the format of the data used by the at least one query operator to a format that matches the storage model format of at least one of one or more data items stored in the database. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive searching for healthcare information are disclosed. An example apparatus for searching healthcare information systems includes a search term counter to receive searched query terms and to receive roles of searchers entering the searched query terms, the search term counter to maintain statistics indicative of usage of the searched query terms according to roles of the corresponding searchers; an interface to receive one or more characters entered into a search field of a search service by a user; a user identifier to determine a role associated with the user; and a term selector to reference the statistics using the role associated with the user to identify a query term for suggestion to the user based on the received one or more characters and the role of the user, wherein the interface is to facilitate presentation of the identified query term as a suggestion to the user for the search service.

Abstract: Contextual or cumulative interpretation is applied to individual user queries to improve the accuracy of sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results. Queries are interpreted based on present features derived from a user query in the context of past features derived from qualified past queries such as those previously received during a user query session. Based on contextual interpretation, present features may be augmented using past features. A search is performed using augmented features instead of present features. Contextual interpretation of queries improves search system understanding of the context in which queries are submitted, which is particularly helpful when interpolating query intent to develop features not expressed in a query. Contextual interpretation permits queries to be interpreted and treated more uniformly and more intelligently. As a result, users and advertisers benefit from more precise sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments described herein relate to techniques for user feedback driven dynamic query rewriting in complex event processing (CEP) environments. In certain example embodiments, the adjustment of already-initiated queries may be permitted during runtime in order to help continuously or substantially continuously meet a user's requirements. In certain example embodiments, parameters of a query may be adapted dynamically, e.g., without the need to redeploy it. Adaptable parameters in certain example embodiments may be identified and/or based on, for instance, an automatic determination from original query creation, user specifications, the way in which a user interacts with a user interface for visualizing the results of queries, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for providing value help. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving at least one field of a row of a list presented at a user interface; transforming, at a service component rather than the user interface, the at least one field into a query; and sending the transformed query to a database. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: An alteration candidate for a query can be scored. The scoring may include computing one or more query-dependent feature scores and/or one or more intra-candidate dependent feature scores. The computation of the query-dependent feature score(s) can be based on dependencies to multiple query terms from each of one or more alteration terms (i.e., for each of the one or more alteration terms, there can be dependencies to multiple query terms that form at least a portion of the basis for the query-dependent feature score(s)). The computation of the intra-candidate dependent feature score(s) can be based on dependencies between different terms in the alteration candidate. A candidate score can be computed using the query dependent feature score(s) and/or the intra-candidate dependent feature score(s). Additionally, the candidate score can be used in determining whether to select the candidate to expand the query. If selected, the candidate can be used to expand the query.

Abstract: Query suggestion and other features are provided that include using an advanced query syntax, but are not so limited. A computer-implemented query service of an embodiment, operates to provide advanced query translations and suggestions based in part on a query rewriting algorithm that uses mappings and an advanced query syntax. A query method of one embodiment operates to provide one or more advanced queries that include one or more replacement queries that contain advanced query syntax. The method of an embodiment can automatically execute a rewritten query and/or present the rewritten query to the user as a query suggestion. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Searching a shared corpus is used to supplement word prediction, completion, and/or correction of text entry. A user input device at a client device receives user entry of text input comprising a string of symbols. The client device wirelessly transmits instructions to a remote site to conduct a search of a corpus using the string as a contiguous search term. From the remote site, the client device receives results of the search, including multiple sets of one or more words, each set occurring in the corpus immediately after the search term. The client device uses the received sets in word prediction, completion, and/or correction.

Abstract: Name retrieval methods and name retrieval apparatuses that detect retrieval-target names that are representable as character strings including a ligature taking arbitrary property of a ligature into consideration in both a case where the ligature is input, and a case where the series of characters corresponding to the ligature is input, are provided so that convenience and reliability of name retrieval are improved. When a specific ligature is input, the specific ligature is converted into the series of characters corresponding to the specific ligature in accordance with the corresponding relationship TB stored in a storage device M, and specific retrieval-target names that include the series of characters obtained by the conversion in an input position of the specific ligature and an arrangement position of the series of characters corresponding to the number of coupled characters are retrieved from a database DB by character-string matching.

Abstract: A system and method for providing search query refinements are presented. A stored query and a stored document are associated as a logical pairing. A weight is assigned to the logical pairing. The search query is issued and a set of search documents is produced. At least one search document is matched to at least one stored document. The stored query and the assigned weight associated with the matching at least one stored document are retrieved. At least one cluster is formed based on the stored query and the assigned weight associated with the matching at least one stored document. The stored query associated with the matching at least one stored document are scored for the at least one cluster relative to at least one other cluster. At least one such scored search query is suggested as a set of query refinements.

Abstract: Speculative query expansion is a way to increase the effectiveness of relevance feedback. Instead of picking the best expansion query beforehand, multiple queries are executed and the best expansion query is selected afterward, but with no additional effort (or information) required from the user. From the best expansion query, search results and expanded queries more pertinent to the user can therefore be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for responding to a query. An original query is received. A first semantic query and a second semantic query are extracted from the information of the original query. The first semantic query is transformed, based upon semantic analysis, into a numeric model query. The second semantic query is submitted to a semantic analyzer and the numeric model query is submitted to a numeric model analyzer. A response for the second semantic query and a response for the numeric model query are integrated into an answer for the original query.