Abstract: The invention relates to a method implemented by a computer for searching in a plurality of data sets. In the method a search query is received and a partial quantity having terms similar to or identical to the search term is derived from a reference quantity. A similarity measure to the search term and the probability of the occurrence of the term is then determined for each term. Furthermore, a weighted distribution depending on the term is applied to the terms, and a modified probability is determined for the term. The data sets are further evaluated with respect to the relevance thereof to the search query, and at least one partial data set quantity is output as a function of the relevance value thereof. The invention further relates to a search engine for performing said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating device for a user interface and a method for generating a control signal by way of a user interface. For example, the operating device comprises operating elements and a control device, by means of which at least one control signal can be generated in a manner dependent on the state of the operating elements. The operating device comprises a first at least two-dimensional element and a second elongate element, which are displaceable relative to one another in at least two different directions. Furthermore, the operating device comprises a control device, by means of which, on the basis of the relative position of the second elongate element with respect to the first at least two-dimensional element, an overlap of the two elements can be detected and at least one control signal with interval values can be generated in a manner dependent on said overlap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method implemented by a computer for searching in a plurality of data sets. In the method a search query is received and a partial quantity having terms similar to or identical to the search term is derived from a reference quantity. A similarity measure to the search term and the probability of the occurrence of the term is then determined for each term. Furthermore, a weighted distribution depending on the term is applied to the terms, and a modified probability is determined for the term. The data sets are further evaluated with respect to the relevance thereof to the search query, and at least one partial data set quantity is output as a function of the relevance value thereof. The invention further relates to a search engine for performing said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating device for a user interface and a method for generating a control signal by way of a user interface. For example, the operating device comprises operating elements and a control device, by means of which at least one control signal can be generated in a manner dependent on the state of the operating elements. The operating device comprises a first at least two-dimensional element and a second elongate element, which are displaceable relative to one another in at least two different directions. Furthermore, the operating device comprises a control device, by means of which, on the basis of the relative position of the second elongate element with respect to the first at least two-dimensional element, an overlap of the two elements can be detected and at least one control signal with interval values can be generated in a manner dependent on said overlap.

Abstract: The invention describes a computer-aided method for automatically valuating the similarity of two character strings which are stored in a computer or to which the computer has access via an interface. First of all, associations which are present in the character strings are sought using a specification stored in the computer. The sought associations are then valuated using a first rule stored in the computer, with cohesive associations—subsequently also referred to as association strings—being given a higher valuation for the similarity of the character strings than non-cohesive associations. Finally, a second rule stored in the computer is used to derive a value, particularly a numerical value, from the valuation of the sought associations as a measure of the similarity of the two character strings.

Abstract: The invention describes a computer-aided method for automatically valuating the similarity of two character strings which are stored in a computer or to which the computer has access via an interface. First of all, associations which are present in the character strings are sought using a specification stored in the computer. The sought associations are then valuated using a first rule stored in the computer, with cohesive associations—subsequently also referred to as association strings—being given a higher valuation for the similarity of the character strings than non-cohesive associations. Finally, a second rule stored in the computer is used to derive a value, particularly a numerical value, from the valuation of the sought associations as a measure of the similarity of the two character strings.