Abstract: A set of keywords is extracted from a query. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is performed on the query to extract a set of contextual words for a keyword from the query. For the query, a first score of a first vector is computed, where the first vector represents a first contextual word. For a first result in a result set, a first result score of a first result vector is computed, where the first vector represents a first result contextual word in a set of result contextual words corresponding to the keyword in the first result. Using the first score and the first result score, a first similarity value is computed for the first result. The first result is re-ranked relative to a second result according to the first similarity value for the first result and a second similarity value for the second result in the result set.

Abstract: Approaches for facilitating queries of a topic-based-source-specific search system are disclosed. In certain implementations, an input relating to a query may be received. Suggested ones of predefined sources and suggested ones of information items of the predefined sources may be determined based on the input. A set of suggestions including a group of suggestions relating to the suggested sources and a group of suggestions relating to the suggested information items may be provided for presentation on a user interface. In some implementations, metadata that indicates first, second, or other attributes relating to the predefined sources or the information items may be stored in association with the predefined sources or the information items. A second input relating to the query may be received responsive to providing the set of suggestions. A presentation of a comparison between the first attribute and the second attribute may be provided based on the second input.

Abstract: Embodiments include a program product and a method for providing responses to questions provided on a social media site. The method includes receiving, via a processor, a user question from a social networking site and decomposing and filtering the user question so that it can be further analyzed. The method also includes generating a list of most closely matched potential responders based on analysis of the user question and sending the most closely matched potential responders the user question. Upon receiving responses back from the most closest matched potential responders, these responses are aggregated by the processor in a final response format.

Abstract: An augmented conversational understanding architecture may be provided. Upon receiving a natural language phrase from a user, the phrase may be translated into a search phrase and a search action may be performed on the search phrase.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a natural language query system and method for processing and analyzing multimodally-originated queries, including voice and proximity-based queries. The natural language query system includes a Web-enabled device including a speech input module for receiving a voice-based query in natural language form from a user and a location/proximity module for receiving location/proximity information from a location/proximity device. The query system also includes a speech conversion module for converting the voice-based query in natural language form to text in natural language form and a natural language processing module for converting the text in natural language form to text in searchable form. The query system further includes a semantic engine module for converting the text in searchable form to a formal database query and a database-look-up module for using the formal database query to obtain a result related to the voice-based query in natural language form from a database.

Abstract: One particular embodiment accesses a first set of search queries comprising one or more first search queries; extracts one or more features based on the first set of search queries, trains a search-query classifier using the features; accesses a second search query provided by a user; determines whether the second search query has implicit and general local intent using the search-query classifier; if the second search query has implicit and general local intent, then determines a location associated with the user; and identifies a search result in response to the second search query based at least in part on the location associated with the user; and presents the search result to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a text searching method including the steps of: extracting initials of corresponding words in a text to be searched according to a predetermined extracting rule to form an initial character string; creating mapping relation between the extracted initial character string and the text to be searched; performing matching between the initial character string and an abbreviation character string to be searched for; and determining an expanded phrase corresponding to the abbreviation character string to be searched for and a location of the expanded phrase in the text to be searched according to a result of the matching and the mapping relation. The invention further provides a text searching device for implementing the method and a text processor including the text searching device.

Abstract: The invention answers a user's information request, stated in the user's natural language, by dynamically retrieving and merging facts and information from disparate and possibly geographically dispersed databases and presenting a single answer to the user. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adaptive service selection comprising a semantic analyzing means which analyzes a query from a user semantically, an adaptive service selecting means which generates a new service mapping rule so as to obtain a selected service, when the semantically-analyzed query does not match with a rule in a service mapping rule base, and a retrieving means which retrieves and obtains an answer according to the selected service. The present invention also relates to a method for adaptive service selection, a system and method for adaptive service selection as well as a query system and method thereof. With the system and method of the present invention, a new service mapping rule can be generated and added automatically when a user query is not included in a service mapping rule base. It is thus possible to improve the accuracy of natural language based service selection and provide the user with a selected service as well as the corresponding query answer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for combining natural language generation with query retrieval for context appropriate query recommendation. For example, a computer-implemented method for generating a recommended query for a conversation system in response to an original user query, wherein at least a portion of the original user query is not understandable to a query interpretation process, includes the following steps. Recommendation results are computed, in response to the original user query, using a natural language generation-based recommendation process. Recommendation results are computed, in response to the original user query, using a retrieval-based recommendation process. A recommended query is generated based on consideration of at least a portion of the natural language generation-based recommendation results and at least a portion of the retrieval-based recommendation results.