Structured search via key-objects

A method performed by one or more computers, the method comprising:

• collecting a plurality of key object instances linked or embedded in respective documents of a plurality of websites, wherein each key object instance is an instance of a key object, wherein each key object has a key object name that identifies a key object structure, and wherein a key object structure is defined by a set of named data structures belonging to the key object structure;
• maintaining a collection of the collected key object instances, wherein each key object instance is associated in the collection of key object instances with the respective document from which it was collected;
• receiving a structured search query expressed in a structured query language, wherein the structured search query specifies a particular key object name and one or more predicates specifying the conditions under which key object instances in the collection of key object instances satisfy the structured search query;
• searching the collection of key object instances for i) key object instances matching the particular key object name and ii) key object instances matching one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in a key object thesaurus;
• obtaining key object instances that satisfy the one or more predicates and that match the particular key object name or any of the one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in the key object thesaurus;
• and
• returning the obtained key object instances and the associated documents of the obtained key object instances in response to receiving the structured search query.

A system comprising:

• one or more computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more computers, to cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:
• collecting a plurality of key object instances linked or embedded in respective documents of a plurality of websites, wherein each key object instance is an instance of a key object, wherein each key object has a key object name that identifies a key object structure, and wherein a key object structure is defined by a set of named data structures belonging to the key object structure;
• maintaining a collection of the collected key object instances, wherein each key object instance is associated in the collection of key object instances with the respective document from which it was collected;
• receiving a structured search query expressed in a structured query language, wherein the structured search query specifies a particular key object name and one or more predicates specifying the conditions under which key object instances in the collection of key object instances satisfy the structured search query;
• searching the collection of key object instances for i) key object instances matching the particular key object name and ii) key object instances matching one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in a key object thesaurus;
• obtaining key object instances that satisfy the one or more predicates and that match the particular key object name or any of the one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in the key object thesaurus;
• and
• returning the obtained key object instances and the associated documents of the obtained key object instances in response to receiving the structured search query.

One or more non-transitory computer storage media encoded with computer program instructions that when executed by one or more computers cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:

• collecting a plurality of key object instances linked or embedded in respective documents of a plurality of websites, wherein each key object instance is an instance of a key object, wherein each key object has a key object name that identifies a key object structure, and wherein a key object structure is defined by a set of named data structures belonging to the key object structure;
• maintaining a collection of the collected key object instances, wherein each key object instance is associated in the collection of key object instances with the respective document from which it was collected;
• receiving a structured search query expressed in a structured query language, wherein the structured search query specifies a particular key object name and one or more predicates specifying the conditions under which key object instances in the collection of key object instances satisfy the structured search query;
• searching the collection of key object instances for i) key object instances matching the particular key object name and ii) key object instances matching one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in a key object thesaurus;
• obtaining key object instances that satisfy the one or more predicates and that match the particular key object name or any of the one or more other key object names that are associated with the particular key object name in the key object thesaurus;
• and
• returning the obtained key object instances and the associated documents of the obtained key object instances in response to receiving the structured search query.