Abstract: A store of electronic documents is automatically searched by controlling a user interface to permit a user to enter a search term, carrying out a search using the search term, the documents returned by the search into a plurality of distinct categories, and controlling the user interface to present in a left-hand panel the plurality of distinct categories and in a right-hand panel the documents returned by the search, or references thereto, in a grouped manner such that documents, or references thereto, of a particular category are grouped together, wherein the categories are selected in dependence upon the search term.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accessing a relevant information resource in response to a user query. An ontology is provided, defining relationships between a plurality of predefined concepts, and between each of the predefined concepts and one or more predefined context phrases. On receipt of a user query, portions of the received query are compared with the context phrases to identify one or more matching phrases and hence, from the predefined relationships with concepts in the ontology, one or more relevant concepts. Concepts identified in respect of the received user query are used to identify a relevant action using predefined relationships between concepts in the ontology and predefined actions, wherein an action comprises providing access to an information resource.

Abstract: A method of automatically searching through a store of electronic documents comprises controlling a user interface to permit (410) a user to enter a search term, carrying out a search using the search term, categorising the documents returned by the search into a plurality of distinct categories, and controlling the user interface to present in a left-hand panel (512) the plurality of distinct categories and in a right-hand panel (514) the documents returned by the search, or references thereto, in a grouped manner such that documents, or references thereto, of a particular category are grouped together, wherein the categories are selected in dependence upon the search term.

Abstract: Appropriate updates to a respective user profile are inferred from monitored user activity. Such updates are suitable for use with applications programs that customize services based upon data and attributes stored in a user profile. The apparatus is arranged to personalize various aspects of a preferred profile updating process on the basis of stored user preferences, applying meta-rules to apply those user preferences to the definition of a set of personalized rule weights to be applied in a fuzzy inference process that infers profile updates by applying fuzzy rules and fuzzy sets to the analysis of event statistics derived from the results of user monitoring. The personalized rule weights are applied to selectively adjust the effect of particular fuzzy rules. In addition, mapping of event statistics to fuzzy rule premises in the fuzzy inference process may be personalized through the use of user-defined fuzzy sets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to infer, from monitored user activity, appropriate updates to a respective user profile. The method and apparatus are suitable for use with applications programs that customise services based upon data and attributes stored in a user profile. The apparatus is arranged to personalise various aspects of a preferred profile updating process on the basis of stored user preferences, applying meta-rules to apply those user preferences to the definition of a set of personalised rule weights to be applied in a fuzzy inference process that infers profile updates by applying fuzzy rules and fuzzy sets to the analysis of event statistics derived from the results of user monitoring. The personalised rule weights are applied to selectively adjust the effect of particular fuzzy rules. In addition, mapping of event statistics to fuzzy rule premises in the fuzzy inference process may be personalised through the use of user-defined fuzzy sets.

Abstract: A profile management system, for use with information processing applications which retrieve information on behalf of a user. The system comprises a profile generator which generates default user profiles. The profile generator can identify user-specific information from, for instance, an organisation chart such that new members of an organisation are automatically assigned a profile. This enables information processing applications to provide new members with information that is relevant to their role within an organisation.

Abstract: A profile management system, for use with information processing applications which retrieve information on behalf of a user. The system comprises a profile generator which generates default user profiles. The profile generator can identify user-specific information from, for instance, an organisation chart such that new members of an organisation are automatically assigned a profile. This enables information processing applications to provide new members with information that is relevant to their role within an organisation.