Knowledge storage and retrieval system and method

A computer-implemented method for providing access to a knowledge base, comprising:

• converting a natural language question to an internal query that represents an interpretation of the natural language question and has an internal format compatible with structured data of the knowledge base, the structured data representing first knowledge;
• computing one or more responses to the natural language question by processing the internal query with reference to the structured data, wherein the one or more responses include second knowledge derived from the first knowledge, the second knowledge not being stored in the knowledge base prior to receipt of the natural language question;
• and
• generating a definitive natural language answer corresponding to at least one of the one or more responses.

A computer program product for providing access to a knowledge base, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the computer program instructions being configured when executed to cause a computing device to:

• receive a natural language question as input;
• transmit the natural language question to the knowledge base for translation to an internal query that represents an interpretation of the natural language question and has an internal format compatible with structured data of the knowledge base, the structured data representing first knowledge;
• and
• present a definitive natural language answer responsive to the natural language question received from the knowledge base and including second knowledge derived from the first knowledge, the second knowledge not having been stored in the knowledge base prior to transmission of the natural language question to the knowledge base.

A computer-implemented method for providing access to a knowledge base, comprising:

• receiving a natural language question as input;
• transmitting the natural language question to the knowledge base for translation to an internal query that represents an interpretation of the natural language question and has an internal format compatible with structured data of the knowledge base, the structured data representing first knowledge;
• and
• presenting a definitive natural language answer responsive to the natural language question received from the knowledge base and including second knowledge derived from the first knowledge, the second knowledge not having been stored in the knowledge base prior to transmission of the natural language question to the knowledge base.