System and method for query translation/semantic translation using generalized query language

In an information network, an information retrieval system using heterogenous, dissimilar and multiple search engines and providing combined search results in a common format to a single query by a client station, comprising:

• a) means for translating the single query into search phrases contained in a programming library;
• b) means for constructing a complex search query using the search phrases which relate to the search engines associated with data bases;
• c) means for transmitting the query to a broker station which checks the query for syntax errors;
• parses the associated query into individual search or partial queries terms and associated logical operation for combining the partial searches;
• d) means for transmitting the individual or partial queries to agent stations for distribution to the search engines, each search engine translating the partial queries into database search grammar for searching purposes and retrieving search information in the form of a "Hit List" related to the query;
• e) means for combining the "Hit List" in accordance with the logical operations associated with the partial queries and any constraints specified in the query to generate a search result having a common format appearance with other search engines;
• f) means in each agent station for combining and forwarding the "Hit List" results from the associated search engines to the broker station;
• and
• g) means for generating and forwarding to the requesting client station a single response from the heterogeneous, dissimilar, multiple search engines to the single query.