Abstract: A method and apparatus for sub-topic identification from a search result that matches a query, said method including the steps of receiving a search result, extracting snippets from said search result that contain said query, truncating snippets on an instance of a boundary token, identifying phrases within said snippets that include the query, comparing all said phrases to determine optimal phrases, and presenting said optimal phrases. The apparatus for sub-topic identification from a search result that matches a query may include a dedicated server or a proxy for processing the search and sub-topic query.

Abstract: A method of encoding on a computer system for information retrieval in an inverted list structure of annotation includes collecting a group of documents and storing them in a digital format, determining a group of annotations referencing the group of documents, and forming a snippet index by grouping the group of annotations by unique annotation identifier. The method also includes forming a snippet dictionary which, for each unique annotation identifier, indexes a corresponding position in the snippet index for the group of annotations having that unique annotation identifier.

Abstract: A method of encoding on a computer system for information retrieval in an inverted list structure of annotation includes collecting a group of documents and storing them in a digital format, determining a group of annotations referencing the group of documents, and forming a snippet index by grouping the group of annotations by unique annotation identifier. The method also includes forming a snippet dictionary which, for each unique annotation identifier, indexes a corresponding position in the snippet index for the group of annotations having that unique annotation identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sub-topic identification from a search result that matches a query, said method including the steps of receiving a search result, extracting snippets from said search result that contain said query, truncating snippets on an instance of a boundary token, identifying phrases within said snippets that include the query, comparing all said phrases to determine optimal phrases, and presenting said optimal phrases. The apparatus for sub-topic identification from a search result that matches a query may include a dedicated server or a proxy for processing the search and sub-topic query.