US 5,794,237 A · System and method for improving problem source identification in computer systems employing relevance feedback and statistical source ranking

Abstract

Objects or files are created containing problem source identification information. The database of problem source identification methods is provided to the user through a computer user interface with statistical ranking according to the problem symptom provided by the user. The user provides to the system relevance feedback for the particular problem source identification method, appending the symptom to the method, marking the method for review update and/or deletion. A simple method is provided for searching the solution database once the cause has been identified. Problem source identification methods of the most use and/or most common frequency of occurrence are ranked accordingly, obviating the problem of creating and maintaining cases associated with case-based systems. In addition to the database of problem source identification (PSI) methods for a particular problem domain and a database of solutions to problems in such domains, a search engine order search hits based on statistical ranking. Each PSI method contains hyperlinks into the solution database to create a network of methods and solutions.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for providing support for problem resolution in a computer system, comprising:

building a problem solution identification (PSI) database of diagnostic methods;
receiving a user-defined definition of said problem associated with said computer system;
searching said database with a semantic distance search in response to said received definition;
generating a plurality of hierarchically-ranked diagnostic methods identifying prospective sources of said problem in response to said searching;
executing one of said diagnostic methods;
recording the result of said executing one of said diagnostic methods comprising the steps of
compiling a relevance feedback file having search texts appended thereto corresponding to different ones of said methods;
periodically appending said relevance feedback file to said database;
statistically analyzing said appended relevance feedback file to generate statistical indexes for weighting said methods;
altering said database with relevance feedback from said user as a function of said recording;
and wherein said searching is performed with said statistical indexes.

8 more elements

A computer program product for providing support for problem resolution in a computer system, comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said program code means comprising:
computer readable program code means for building a problem solution identification (PSI) database of diagnostic methods;
computer readable program code means for receiving a user-defined definition of said problem associated with said computer system;
computer readable program code means for searching said database with a semantic distance search in response to said received definition;
computer readable program code means for generating a plurality of hierarchically-ranked diagnostic methods identifying prospective sources of said problem in response to said searching;
computer readable program code means for executing one of said diagnostic methods;
computer readable program code means for recording the result of said executing one of said diagnostic methods including
computer readable program code means for compiling a relevance feedback file having search texts appended thereto corresponding to different ones of said methods;
computer readable program code means for periodically appending said relevance feedback file to said method database;
computer readable program code means for statistically analyzing said appended relevance feedback file to generate statistical indexes for weighting said methods;
computer readable program code means for altering said database with relevance feedback from said user as a function of said recording.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for improving problem source identification in computer systems employing relevance feedback and statistical source ranking

Life of this patent

System and method for improving problem source identification in computer systems employing relevance feedback and statistical source ranking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27