Systems and methods for determining semiotic similarity between queries and database entries

Abstract

A semiotic analysis system, computer readable medium and method are described. The system has a computer and a searchable database in communication with the computer. The database has a piece of media, a portion of which is associated with a semiotic describer. The computer readable medium has pieces of media, at least one of which has a portion identified by a semiotic describer. The method includes providing a database of pieces of media, portions of which are associated with a semiotic describer. A query having a semiotic signifier is provided, and the query is used to search for and retrieve possibly relevant media corresponding to the query.

1 - 83 . (canceled)  
   
   
       84 . A computer readable medium including at least one entry stored thereon, wherein at least one portion of the at least one entry includes entry signs and is associated with at least one describer that identifies at least one semiotic property among at least some of the entry signs included in the at least one portion, wherein the at least one semiotic property is a member of a group of semiotic properties, in which the group includes between two and ten different dimensions of semiotic relations, in which each dimension is divided into at least three types of sign elements, each of which can be further subdivided, and in which each semiotic property is independent of the thematic content denoted by signs.  
   
   
       85 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and an immediate object.  
   
   
       86 . The computer readable medium of  claim 85 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a descriptive, a denominative, and a distributive element.  
   
   
       87 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a dynamic object.  
   
   
       88 . The computer readable medium of  claim 87 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of an iconic, an indexic, and a symbolic element.  
   
   
       89 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a mode of being of an object.  
   
   
       90 . The computer readable medium of  claim 89 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of an abstractive, a concretive, and a collective element.  
   
   
       91 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and an immediate occurent interpretant.  
   
   
       92 . The computer readable medium of  claim 91 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a hypothetical, a categorical, and a relative element.  
   
   
       93 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a dynamic occurent interpretant.  
   
   
       94 . The computer readable medium of  claim 93 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a sympathetic, a percussive, and a usual element.  
   
   
       95 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a final occurent interpretant.  
   
   
       96 . The computer readable medium of  claim 95 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a term, a proposition, and an argument element.  
   
   
       97 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and an immediate continuant interpretant.  
   
   
       98 . The computer readable medium of  claim 97 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of an instinctive, an experiential, and a formal element.  
   
   
       99 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a dynamic continuant interpretant.  
   
   
       100 . The computer readable medium of  claim 99 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a suggestive, an imperative, and an indicative element.  
   
   
       101 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation between a representamen and a final continuant interpretant.  
   
   
       102 . The computer readable medium of  claim 101 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of an emotional, an energetic, and a logical element.  
   
   
       103 . The computer readable medium of  claim 84 , wherein the dimension is a relation of a representamen to itself, separated from its relations to objects and interpretants.  
   
   
       104 . The computer readable medium of  claim 103 , wherein the dimension includes at least one of a tone, a token, and a type element.