Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for merging metadata on files in a backup storage. A query is received for information on files from a file system for a client node. A determination is made of metadata for files in a backup storage for the client node stored external to backup sets. At least one backup set in the backup storage for the client node is processed to determine metadata for files included in at least one backup set. The determined metadata for files in the backup storage and for files included in at least one backup set is merged to form merged metadata. The query is executed against the merged metadata to determine files whose metadata satisfies the query. Results including information from the merged metadata on the determined files are returned.

Abstract: An exemplary system for managing an applications and data space includes a strategy layer configured to receive a query statement and to formulate one or more custom queries based on the query statement and a query scheduler layer configured to schedule issuance of the one or more custom queries to one or more query response modules associated with the applications and data space. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Query classification techniques attempt to classify user search queries in order to better understand user search intent. Understanding a user's search intent allows search engines to provide relevant content tailored to the user's interest. Unfortunately, current classification techniques do not take into account contextual information. Accordingly, as provided herein, a target query may be classified based upon contextual information. In particular, features may be extracted from contextual information and/or other sources. For example, features may be extracted from the target query, related queries, and/or invoked search results of the related queries. In this way, the target query may be classified based upon other queries performed by the user and/or search results of the queries the user found interesting. In addition, a CRF model may be utilized in classifying the target query by providing generalized parameters learned from labeled query sessions.

Abstract: Search results are generated using aggregated context data from two or more contexts. When two or more programmable search engines relate to a similar topic, context data associated with the programmable search engines are aggregated. The context is then applied to a query in order to present, in an integrated manner, relevant search results that make use of context intelligence from more than one programmable search engine.

Abstract: A supplier identification and locator system in that allows a user to identify a supplier of goods or services over the Internet; the system includes at least one directory Web site having a domain name that is at least partially descriptive of a class of goods or services. The directory Web site has a plurality of links that access suppliers' Web sites; a supplier descriptive portion located substantially adjacent to the link; a descriptive title portion substantially corresponding to the class of goods or services described in the domain name; a rollover window that displays information about at least one supplier; and an input receiving area where a user inputs data and ranked search results are displayed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstructing a full query based on a partial query are disclosed. Existing interfaces for search engines may be rigid and require users to submit full queries to perform searched. The methods and systems described herein may solve these problems by allowing a flexible way for users to submit a partial query and reconstruct a full query based on the partial query. A search may then be performed using the reconstructed query.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a computing system including a World Wide Web application. The application includes a pick field to receive a partial value. The application automatically transmits the partial value to a server. The server is coupled to a database. The server searches the database to find a complete value corresponding to the partial value. The complete value is transmitted to the application. The complete value replaces the partial value in the pick field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer with a user interface, the computer including central processing units, memories, and network interfaces, a program code that performs a search and transaction based on user input, the interface displaying in conjunction with code execution, an input environment adapted to search criteria input, the criteria defining a search for desired entities, the program code establishing a search engine that searches on different web sources to generate a search result, the engine searching using a combination of different input entities, a first entity and a second entity includable in the different entities, the engine searching for the configuration, the different entities being purchasable from different web sources, the engine searching on different web sources for the combination, and presenting found configurations, the engine providing at least one order input determined by at least one found configuration, the system taking mutual dependencies between the entities into consideration.

Abstract: Techniques and implementations for providing enhanced functionality for handling data in Internet browsers or other applications used for accessing data over a network, including providing thumbnail image displays of the current appearance of webpages referenced by URLs returned in a set of search results, providing thumbnail image displays of the webpages referenced by a list of favorite or bookmarked websites, providing thumbnail image displays of webpages which have been blocked from appearing on a user's screen, and providing thumbnail image displays of images which have been extracted from webpages and stored for potential future use.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that that uses geographic data to identify correlated geographic synonyms in search queries. A correlated geographic synonym occurs when two terms that are possible synonyms should not be considered synonyms because they are associated with related geographic context. During operation, the system receives a term and a possible synonym for the term. The system then determines whether the term and the possible synonym are both present in a geographic data set. If so, the system uses the geographic data set to determine whether the possible synonym is a correlated geographic synonym for the term.

Abstract: A corporate linkage system and method provides customers with complete, accurate, and timely lists of corporate linkage locations, including monitoring company lists for changes to location lists, matching stored locations to a company or third party list of locations, providing detailed coding on matches, and batch updates to global files.

Abstract: An information retrieval system is described for retrieving a list of documents such as web pages or other items from a document index in response to a user query. In an embodiment a prediction engine is used to predict both explicit relevance information such as judgment labels and implicit relevance information such as click data. In an embodiment the predicted relevance information is applied to a stored utility function that describes user satisfaction with a search session. This produces utility scores for proposed lists of documents. Using the utility scores one of the lists of documents is selected. In this way different sources of relevance information are combined into a single information retrieval system in a principled and effective manner which gives improved performance.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for helping a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility, where the computing facility may be a machine learning facility. The process may begin with an initial question being received by the computing facility from the user. The user may then be provided with a dialogue consisting of questions from the computing facility and the answers provided by the user. The computing facility may then provide a decision to the user based on the dialog and pertaining to the initial question, such as a recommendation, a diagnosis, a conclusion, advice, and the like. In embodiments, future questions and decisions provided by the computing facility may be improved through feedback provided by the user. In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a third-party application.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for helping a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility, where the computing facility may be a machine learning facility. The process may begin with an initial question being received by the computing facility from the user. The user may then be provided with a dialog consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user. The computing facility may then provide a decision to the user based on the dialog and pertaining to the initial question, such as a recommendation, a diagnosis, a conclusion, advice, and the like. In embodiments, future questions and decisions provided by the computing facility may be improved through feedback provided by the user. In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a third-party application.

Abstract: A content management system includes a content acquisition device that acquires content; and a management device. The content acquisition device performs the following operations including: transmitting the content; receiving a content ID for identifying the content and a plurality of keyword candidates associated with the content; displaying the keyword candidates; and transmitting a keyword candidate designated from among the displayed keyword candidates with the content ID.

Abstract: A system and method for URL based query for retrieving data related to a context. A request is received over a network from a user for data related to a context, wherein the request is a URL comprising a context query comprising at least one context criteria. The context criteria are parsed and translated and disambiguated. A network data query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search, via the network, for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data that is available via the network and relates to the context query so as to identify at least one data object that relates to context criteria. Permissions relating to the identified data objects are checked and references to the data objects are transmitted over the network to the user.

Abstract: An information display control apparatus includes an example sentence storage unit that stores a plurality of example sentences, an input unit that accepts a user's operation of inputting a string of characters, an example sentence search unit that, when a compound word consisting of a plurality of constituting words which are combinable and splittable is input via the input unit, searches the example sentences in the example sentence storage unit for an example sentence containing the compound word in a combined state where the plurality of constituting words are combined and an example sentence containing the compound word in a split state where the plurality of constituting words are split, and a display control unit that displays the example sentences searched by the example sentence search unit.

Abstract: A searching system may include a primary server with interfaces for communication with databases or with underlying search engines. The primary server may be adapted to receive a search query from a client under instructions from a user; and retrieve search results and transmit the results as a response to the client. The primary server may be adapted to store search data sets of relevant results for queries by users who are member of the set. The primary server may be adapted to select a search data set of which the user for the query is a member, and to use said search data set in providing the response to the query. The primary server may be adapted to download data concerning the selected search data set to the user. The primary server may be adapted to automatically update the search data set according to the results selected by the user.

Abstract: One embodiment generally pertains to a method of prediction. The method includes generating a set of affixes from a selected input sequence and comparing the set of affixes with a predictive set of affixes. The method also includes selecting an affix from the predictive set of affixes. The invention uses various input data sets and allows the ability to perfectly render the original data set and the minimal size of the predictive set of affixes.

Abstract: A first processor receives a request for records from a requester. The records include an index field and the records are stored in a plurality of storage devices associated respectively with a plurality of second processors. Individual storage devices of the plurality of storage devices are physically distinct from one another. Subsequent to the receiving of the request, the first processor retrieves the records from the plurality of storage devices using the plurality of second processors. The first processor then arranges the retrieved records in an order based at least on the index field and provides the retrieved records to the requestor in the order.

Abstract: Personal portal pages for individual users are integrated with web content syndication. For example, when a search query is received from the user, a list of hits is generated. For each hit, it is determined whether there is an associated syndication feed, such as an RSS feed. The list of hits is displayed for the user, and a syndication option is included for each hit that has an associated syndication feed. The user can select the syndication option and thereby subscribe their personal portal page to that syndication feed. In some embodiments, the user may also be able to select syndication feeds for subscription via an alternative interface.

Abstract: Computer-implemented system and methods are disclosed for optimizing the relative positions of sponsored and organic search results on a search results page displayed to a user, including calculating, by a search engine, a degree of commerciality of a search query; receiving the search query from a user by the search engine; and delivering, by the search engine to a browser of a user, a plurality of sponsored search results in at least two columns and a plurality of organic search results in at least a third column of one or more search results pages, wherein a layout of the at least three columns depends on the degree of commerciality of the search query.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus adapted to determine information, to be presented to a user, as to one or more contents, a calculation unit calculates the similarity between a first search axis, produced on the basis of information associated with the user, for use as a reference on the basis of which to present contents and a second search axis, produced on the basis of information associated with one of other users, for use as a reference on the basis of which to present contents, and a display control unit controls displaying of information associated with contents with reference to first and second search axes detected as being similar to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) sending to a geocoding service, an indicator of a location, where the geocoding service returns a bounding box that defines a geographic area, (b) sending to a search engine, a first query that includes the bounding box and a first parameter, where the search engine returns an identifier of a first business entity located within the geographic area and an indicator of an industry in which the first business entity is engaged, and (c) sending to the search engine, a second query that includes the bounding box and the indicator of the industry in which the first business entity is engaged, where the search engine returns coordinates of a second business entity located within the geographic area.

Abstract: A computer system configured to implement a method for document analysis and retrieval. A document that includes text is received from a host. Document keys (i.e., keywords and keyphrases) associated with the text are generated. In first embodiments, a provided document taxonomy has categories and associated category keys (i.e., keywords and keyphrases). The category keys of each category are compared with the document keys to determine a distance between the document and each category as a measure of how close the document is to each category. A subset of the categories is returned to the host, wherein the subset of the categories reflects the determined distances. In second embodiments, a search string is created as a logical function of a subset of the document keys. The search string is submitted to a search engine. Links to related documents are received from the search engine and returned to the host.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, mining pair-based data on the web. The technology involves an online pair-based data mining system as well as an offline SVM training system. By subjecting a pair-based input data to the systems, one may grow a pool of pair-based data which share characteristics of the pair-based input data in more efficient manner.

Abstract: A translation method for properly recognizing and automatically translating a sentence containing an emphasized word including two or more successive identical characters. First, words in a source text to be translated are looked up in a dictionary (step S201) to determine whether the text includes an unregistered word (step S203). Then, it is determined whether an unregistered word contains successive identical characters (step S205). If it contains successive identical characters, the number of the characters is reduced (step S207) and determines whether a modified word thus obtained is contained in the dictionary (step S209). If it is determined that the modified word is contained in the dictionary, the unregistered word is determined as the modified word (step S215), the part of speech and the attribute of the modified word are determined (step S217), and the unregistered word is replaced with the modified word to make translation.

Abstract: A system receives a document that includes new content and aged content, and compares the document with a prior version of the document that includes the aged content but not the new content. The system also separates the new content and the aged content based on the comparison, determines ages associated with the new content and the aged content, and determines whether the ages of the new content and the aged content are greater than or equal to an age threshold. The system further calculates a checksum of the document based on the aged content when the age of the aged content is greater than or equal to the age threshold, and the age of the new content is less than the age threshold, and stores the calculated checksum.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) for a web service. The UUID is stored in service metadata associated with the web service. The UUID can then be used to track services and correlate service information between multiple systems. In accordance with an embodiment, a method is provided for publishing Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI) service information from a metadata repository to a service registry. In accordance with an embodiment, a method is provided for receiving Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI) service information from a service registry into a metadata repository.

Abstract: The exchange of documents for execution can be performed efficiently using an automated system that routes and stores documents based on routing information. Routing may be accomplished with reminders for individuals of deadline for responding. After execution is confirmed, an executed copy may be forwarded to all parties and desired non-parties. If execution or approval is desired from a plurality of individuals, documents received from each of the plurality of individuals can be merged into a single, fully executed document if the approval/signatures are obtained simultaneously. Search capability for identifying data regarding the document, text within the document, or both may also be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing metadata search with plug-in applications is disclosed. In one embodiment, in response to a search request for metadata stored in a metadata store, a plug-in associated with the metadata store is invoked to perform the request search within the metadata store. In addition, according to another embodiment, a search result of the metadata search may be filtered based on user privileges of a client initiating the search request, and some or all of the metadata from the search result may be returned to the client dependent upon the user privileges of the client. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining a sentiment associated with an entity includes inputting a plurality of texts associated with the entity, labeling seed words in the plurality of texts as positive or negative, determining a score estimate for the plurality of words based on the labeling, re-enumerating paths of the plurality of words and determining a number of sentiment alternations, determining a final score for the plurality of words using only paths whose number of alternations is within a threshold, converting the final scores to corresponding z-scores for each of the plurality of words, and outputting the sentiment associated with the entity.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a search operation within a sequential access data storage subsystem are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a data storage subsystem is provided which comprises a search module and a communication channel interface to communicatively couple the data storage subsystem to a host data processing system via a communication channel. In the described embodiment, the search module is configured to receive search attribute data from the host data processing system via the communication channel interface, where the search attribute data specifies a search attribute. The search module is further configured to perform a search operation on data of a sequential access storage element utilizing the search attribute and to provide search result data to the host data processing system via the communication channel interface in response to a performance of the search operation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product is provided for constructing a domain-specific ontology for interpreting a policy. A phrase assumed to be associated with a policy is received. An indefinite term in the phrase is identified. Internet searches are performed on a plurality of terms from the phrase. A plurality of potential replacement terms is extracted from the Internet search results for the indefinite term. A context-specific ontology is built for the indefinite term based upon tracked occurrences of the plurality of potential replacement terms. The policy is interpreted by accessing the domain-specific ontology to interpret the indefinite term, where the indefinite term is interpreted by mapping the indefinite term to a plurality of potential replacement terms in the ontology for a plurality of contexts, and creating a policy based upon the interpretation of the indefinite term from the ontology.

Abstract: A virtual content repository (VCR) is a logical representation of one or more individual content repositories. The VCR uses a common Application Programming Interface (API) and a Service Provider Interface (SPI) to provide a single access point to one or more individual content repositories. The API describes how applications can interface with program logic and functionality provided by the content management system and the SPI describes how a content repository can be integrated into the VCR. A SPI adapter can be interposed between the at least one non-compliant repository in the VCR and the SPI. The SPI adapter can map a request to the non-compliant repository and provide content received from the non-compliant repository to originators of the requests.

Abstract: Parallel generic and non-generic versions of a Web site allow a user of the site to either remain anonymous (if accessing the generic version) or allow user information to be collected (if accessing the non-generic version). In one exemplary embodiment, a Web site may provide a user an interface for entering and processing a search query. A search query processed by a generic version of the Web site includes a marker that informs a Web server supporting the generic Web site that the user wishes to remain anonymous. A parallel non-generic version of the Web site may also interface with the same Web server as interfaced by the generic Web site, but permit a data collecting scheme at the Web server to collect user-specific or user-identifiable information. Such user information, if collected, can be used by the Web server to enhance the user's experience with the Web site.

Abstract: A method for managing the exchange of information is provided, wherein the method includes receiving at least one information location identifier, wherein the at least one information location identifier may be associated with at least one information portal and associating with at least one network browser. The method further includes generating an information location identifier template responsive to the at least one information portal and communicating with the at least one information portal to identify resultant information.

Abstract: A search enhancement system (whether linked through an API to a search engine or integral to a search engine) creates a series of different narrow searches through the selective use of synonyms, hyponyms for a narrower search, hypernyms for a broader search, and antonyms for a reverse search. Lexical analysis can also be used to create alternative narrow searches. This allows a user to explore different nuances of meaning in an original search phrase until the user finds what he or she wants, while keeping individual searches narrow, thus leading to more focused search results.

Abstract: An application such as a web browser obtains a set of data items, such as search results received in response to a search query, or a set of articles received from a web feed, the data items collectively comprising links to do external documents, such as web pages. Previewing functionality enables the application to pre-fetch content of the documents associated with the links, and to pre-render images of the documents. Thus, when the user selects a link to preview, a preview is rapidly displayed by reading the pre-rendered image corresponding to the selected link.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product is provided for querying an object database. In response to performing a first query, a first set of query results is generated from an object database. Metadata associated with and describing the first set of query results is generated. The first query results and the associated metadata are mapped to a results entity. A second set of query results is generated by querying the results entity using query terms from the metadata in response to performing a second query.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of instances in a federated deployment of SOA applications can include the steps of receiving a transaction request to retrieve data, the request specifying retrieving the data stored according to range of indices of the federated deployment, processing each of the instances in a predetermined order to retrieve the data; and calculating a total number of records in the federated deployment.

Abstract: In a natural language, mixed-initiative system, a method of processing user dialogue can include receiving a user input and determining whether the user input specifies an action to be performed or a token of an action. The user input can be selectively routed to an action interpreter or a token interpreter according to the determining step.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate evaluation of digital content preferences are provided. A user is presented with items of digital content and permitted to manipulate the arrangement of the digital content items in the context of a layout area. Based on the user's manipulation of the digital content items, a user preference regarding an arrangement of digital content, such as a location preference, a position preference, and/or a usage preference, is identified. In embodiments, such a user preference can be utilized to later display digital content to a user in accordance therewith.

Abstract: Performing location-aware search involves intercepting a network request targeted for an Internet-based search engine. The network request includes a location-dependent query containing a location term, and the location term cannot be used by the search engine to positively determine a target location. A location descriptor that can be used by the search engine to positively determine a target location is determined via a location database. The location database may include a location sensor such as GPS. The network request is modified to replace the location term with the location descriptor, and the modified network request is sent to the search engine.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for helping a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility, where the computing facility may be a machine learning facility. The process may begin with an initial question being received by the computing facility from the user. The user may then be provided with a dialog consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user. The computing facility may then provide a decision to the user based on the dialog and pertaining to the initial question, such as a recommendation, a diagnosis, a conclusion, advice, and the like. In embodiments, future questions and decisions provided by the computing facility may be improved through feedback provided by the user. In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a third-party application.

Abstract: In a method for information access, search, and retrieval over a data communication system generally, wherein a query is applied to a set of documents, a result set of the matching documents and query-dependent subsections of the matching documents are identified. The method comprises computing summary information on document scopes, values and associated weights across the result sets and weighting the values with a summary value metric which provides a measure of the probability of a value. In a search engine (100) capable of supporting and implementing the above method, the search engine comprises as per se known subsystems for performing search and retrieval in the form of one or more core search engines (101), a content application programming interface (102), a content analysis stage (103) and a client application programming interface (106) connected to the core search engine (101) via query analysis and result analysis stages (105; 106).

Abstract: Answering System enables a user to input a query and responds with answers. Server stores an indexed database of a plurality of S-A-O's (subject-action-object). User generates the query that includes query elements (A-O), (S-A), or (S-X-O), or element (S). The server identifies the database element S, O, or A, or elements (A-O) associated with a respective knowledge base S-A-O that includes the query element(s) in response to the server receiving the query and generates a natural language answer S-A-O that includes the identified and the query elements(s) and transmits the answer to the user apparatus that provides an audio or visual response. The server can conduct WWW searches for documents with S-A-O elements that match query element(s) and adds them to the database, thus treating the WWW as an available knowledge base.

Abstract: A system and method for a comparative web search engines, search result summarization, web snippet processing, comparison analysis, information visualization, meta-clustering, and quantitative evaluation of web snippet quality are disclosed. The present application extends the capabilities of web searching and informational retrieval by providing a succinct comparative summary of search results at either the object or thematic levels.

Abstract: A search engine is operable to receive keyword information and semantic information that gives meaning and context to the keyword information. The search engine searches a keyword database with the keyword information to determine a set of links to web pages. The search engine also searches a semantic database with the semantic information, and ranks the set of web links based on the search.

Abstract: Methods and systems for extending keyword searching techniques to syntactically and semantically annotated data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Syntactic Query Engine (“SQE”) that parses, indexes, and stores a data set as an enhanced document index with document terms as well as information pertaining to the grammatical roles of the terms and ontological and other semantic information. In one embodiment, the enhanced document index is a form of term-clause index, that indexes terms and syntactic and semantic annotations at the clause level. The enhanced document index permits the use of a traditional keyword search engine to process relationship queries as well as to process standard document level keyword searches. In one embodiment, the SQE comprises a Query Processor, a Data Set Preprocessor, a Keyword Search Engine, a Data Set Indexer, an Enhanced Natural Language Parser (“ENLP”), a data set repository, and, in some embodiments, a user interface or an application programming interface.