Systems and methods for using lexically-related query elements within a dynamic object for semantic search refinement and navigation

A method for identifying a query element suitable for use in connection with an information system of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) associating a controlled vocabulary database with a remotely connected information system, the controlled vocabulary database comprising content that is related to at least a portion of a content of the remote information system, the relationship being dictated by one or more predetermined lexical and semantic criteria;
• b) receiving from a network connected client at least one initial query element;
• c) at substantially the time of receipt of a received portion of the query element, comparing the received portion of the query element to the controlled vocabulary database content and identifying content that satisfies a predetermined match criteria, wherein the matching content comprises one or more alternative query elements;
• d) at substantially the time of identification, forwarding the one or more alternative query elements to the network connected client for presentation to a user;
• e) upon selection of an alternative query element by a user, receiving the selected alternative query element from the network connected client;
• f) performing a predetermined function against the remotely connected information system in accordance with the received alternative query element.

A computer-based method for identifying a query element suitable for use in search refinement and navigation of a network-connected information system having a predetermined lexical content, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) in a client computing device that is operatively connected to an information system via a first network, visually providing a graphical search interface including a search query receiver and a search query element viewer;
• b) receiving input of a query element on a character-by character basis from a user via the search query receiver;
• c) forwarding of the received portion of the query element to a query controller;
• d) receiving a plurality of alternative query elements from a controlled vocabulary database via the query controller, the alternative query elements each having a predetermined lexical relationship to the forwarded portion of the query element;
• e) displaying the plurality of alternative query elements to a the user via the search query element viewer, wherein the step of displaying occurs dynamically as input is received via the search query receiver;
• and
• f) upon selection of an alternative query element within the search query element viewer by a the user, performing one of the following steps:
• (i) navigating the information system in accordance with the selected alternative query element;
• (ii) replacing the received portion of the query element with the selected alternative query element and repeating steps (c) through (d).

A method for dynamic refinement of a search query for use in connection with the searching of content within an information system, the method comprising:

• a) providing a dynamically generated graphical interface screen on a display of a client computing device including at least one search query receiver GUI input box and a corresponding search query element viewer display box;
• b) iteratively receiving portions of an initial query element via the search query receiver;
• and
• c) as the portions of the initial query element are received, displaying in substantially real time at least one grouping of alternative query elements within the search query element viewer display box, the alternative query elements each having a predetermined lexical or semantic relationship to the received portion of the initial query element, the alternative query elements obtained from a controlled vocabulary database comprising content that is related to at least a portion of a content of the information system, the relationship being dictated by one or more predetermined lexical and semantic criteria and wherein the alternative query elements are displayed in a manner that complies with at least one predefined preference.

A system for dynamic refinement of a search query of an information system, the system comprising:

• a search query receiver configured to receive a search query from a user entered by a user via a client computing device;
• a controlled vocabulary database which contains an indexed lexicon of elements of the information system;
• a query controller configured to handle communication between the search query receiver and the controlled vocabulary database;
• a search query submission control configured to allow the user to submit the search query for a full search of the information system;
• and
• a dynamic semantic list object configured to:
• automatically present a list of all search elements that are lexically-related alternatives to the search query each time the search query is modified but before the search query is submitted for a full search of the information system, the lexically-related alternatives contained on the controlled vocabulary database;
• and
• allow the user to replace the search query in the search query receiver with one or more of the lexically-related alternative elements;
• and
• a presentation control coupled to the dynamic semantic list object, configured to allow the user to set presentation attributes for arranging the presentation of the lexically-related alternative elements within the dynamic semantic list object.

A method for identifying a query element suitable for use in search refinement and navigation in connection with an information system of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving an initial query element on a character-by-character basis;
• b) identifying one or more alternative query elements contained in a first database, the alternative query elements having a predetermined lexical relationship to the received portion of the initial query element;
• c) dynamically presenting the one or more alternative query elements to a user as the initial query element is received;
• and
• d) upon selection of an alternative query element by a user, performing one of the following steps:
• (i) navigating the information system in accordance with the selected alternative query element;
• and
• (ii) replacing the received portion of the initial query element with the selected alternative query element and repeating steps (b) through (c).

A method for identifying a query element for use in connection with an information system of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a query element entered by a user at a client computing device;
• upon receipt of at least a portion of the query element, dynamically searching for a plurality of alternative query elements contained in a first computer-based database, the alternative query elements having a predetermined lexical relationship to at least one of a received portion of the query element and a lexicon of the information system of interest;
• dynamically presenting the plurality of alternative query elements to the user via a visual display operably connected to the client computing device, wherein the plurality of alternative query elements fall within two or more groupings, each grouping having associated therewith alternative query elements that have a different predetermined lexical relationship from that of another grouping and each grouping is presented so as to be visually associated with a given category;
• receiving an alternative query element selected by the user via an input device operably connected to the client computing device;
• and
• optionally navigating the information system in accordance with the selected alternative query element.