US 6,842,748 B1 · Usage based strength between related information in an information retrieval system

Abstract

An information retrieval system in accordance with the principles of the present invention maintains a database that defines a relational association between a plurality of informational items in the system. The relational association is based on historical navigational behavior of users of the information retrieval system, and includes a relationship type, which is based on the characteristic similarities between the informational items, and relationship strength, which is based on the historical frequency of any related informational items being selected by a user within the same information retrieval session. When a navigation from one informational item to another information item is detected, the relationship type and the relationship strength of the two informational items are determined and stored in the database. During a subsequent selection of an informational item, any related informational items related to the selected informational item are sorted based on the respective relationship types and relationship strengths, and are provided in a sorted list from which the user can select.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of providing related informational items having a usage based relationship strength in an information retrieval system, comprising:

detecting a selection of a first informational item and a second informational item, wherein the first informational item and the second informational item each include content;
assigning a first relationship type based on a first trait between the first informational item and the second informational item;
assigning a first relationship strength value based on historical frequency of the first informational item and the second informational item being selected together;
detecting a selection of the first informational item and a third informational item, wherein the first informational item and the third informational item each include content;
assigning a second relationship type based on a second trait between the first informational item and the third informational item;
assigning a second relationship strength value based on historical frequency of the first informational item and the third informational item being selected together;
and
upon detection of a selection of the first informational item, providing an access to either a location of the first informational item or a location of the second informational item depending on the assigned first and second relationship types and the assigned first and second relationship strength values.

5 more elements

An apparatus for providing related informational items having a usage based relationship strength in an information retrieval system, comprising:

means for detecting a selection of a first informational item and a second informational item, wherein the first informational item and the second informational item each include content;
means for assigning a first relationship type based on a first trait between the first informational item and the second informational item;
means for assigning a first relationship strength value based on historical frequency of the first informational item and the second informational item being selected together;
means for detecting a selection of the first informational item and a third informational item, wherein the first informational item and the third informational item each include content;
means for assigning a second relationship type based on a second trait between the first informational item and the third informational item;
means for assigning a second relationship strength value based on historical frequency of the first informational item and the third informational item being selected together;
and
means for providing an access to either a location of the first informational item or a location of the second informational item depending on the assigned first and second relationship types and the assigned first and second relationship strength values, upon detection of a selection of the first informational item.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Usage based strength between related information in an information retrieval system

Life of this patent

Usage based strength between related information in an information retrieval system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12