Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for query clarification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in computer-implemented methods that include the actions of receiving in a search interface a user input associated with a search query; determining whether the associated search query is a trigger query, the trigger query being a query identified for clarification; when the search query is a trigger query, prompting the user for additional information to form a clarified search query, the clarified search query including the additional information, the prompting occurring prior to submission of the search query to a search system; and submitting the clarified search query to the search system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for query clarification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in computer-implemented methods that include the actions of receiving in a search interface a user input associated with a search query; determining whether the associated search query is a trigger query, the trigger query being a query identified for clarification; when the search query is a trigger query, prompting the user for additional information to form a clarified search query, the clarified search query including the additional information, the prompting occurring prior to submission of the search query to a search system; and submitting the clarified search query to the search system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for query clarification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in computer-implemented methods that include the actions of receiving in a search interface a user input associated with a search query; determining whether the associated search query is a trigger query, the trigger query being a query identified for clarification; when the search query is a trigger query, prompting the user for additional information to form a clarified search query, the clarified search query including the additional information, the prompting occurring prior to submission of the search query to a search system; and submitting the clarified search query to the search system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of suggesting replacement words for words of a string. In the method, an input string of input words is received. The input words are then matched to subject words of a candidate table. Next, candidate replacement words and scores from the candidate table corresponding to the matched subject words are extracted. Each score is indicative of a probability that the input word should be replaced with the corresponding candidate replacement word. Finally, replacement of the input words with their corresponding candidate replacement words is selectively suggested based on the scores for the replacement words. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a spell checking system that is configured to implement the method.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of suggesting replacement words for words of a string. In the method, an input string of input words is received. The input words are then matched to subject words of a candidate table. Next, candidate replacement words and scores from the candidate table corresponding to the matched subject words are extracted. Each score is indicative of a probability that the input word should be replaced with the corresponding candidate replacement word. Finally, replacement of the input words with their corresponding candidate replacement words is selectively suggested based on the scores for the replacement words. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a spell checking system that is configured to implement the method.

Abstract: Method of integrating Flex and Yacc (or their respective equivalents) into a named entity recognition engine used as a component of a general text processing system is provided. The named entity recognition engine adds results into a central representation or lattice for use by various subsequent applications. The applications can configure which named entity classes or types are recognized via an application program interface. The text processing system configures input and output through the lattice for Flex and Yacc to maintain high performance. Optionally, the text processing system minimizes expensive lexicon look-up by maximizing named entity constituents matched by Flex-generated recognizers.