Method and system to search objects in published literature for information discovery tasks

Abstract

The present invention relates to the identification, extraction, linking, storage and provisioning of data that constitute the captioned components of published or “print ready” literature for computerized information discovery activities including search, browse and data mining. These components, or objects, include the tabular presentation of data (“tables”) and graphics such as “figures”, “images” and “illustrations” typically used to supplement the textual narrative of the publication.

1 - 68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . A system for processing information from a plurality of objects contained in a plurality of documents, the system comprising: an objects content processing system including a processor to extract data from the plurality of objects; an image repository system including computer readable media that stores object images and images of the plurality of documents; and an index that stores data extracted from the plurality of objects, associations between the plurality of objects, and index descriptors assigned to each of the plurality of objects. 
     
     
         70 . A system as claimed in claim  1 , further comprising a first interface that receives queries to search the index for extracted data responsive to each of the queries. 
     
     
         71 . A system as claimed in claim  2 , further comprising a second interface that displays objects and objects in response to a request. 
     
     
         72 . A system as claimed in claim  3 , wherein the objects content processing system further includes a computer program that links each of the plurality of objects with a respective one of the plurality of documents. 
     
     
         73 . A system as claimed in claim  4 , wherein the objects content processing system further includes a user interface for accessing data extracted from the plurality of objects and links between the plurality of objects with a respective one of the plurality of documents. 
     
     
         74 . A system as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the user interface is adapted to allow for indexing the plurality of objects based on the data extracted from the plurality of objects. 
     
     
         75 . A system as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the objects content processing system further includes a computer program that indexes the plurality of objects based on data extracted from the plurality of objects. 
     
     
         76 . A method of identifying information in a database responsive to a query from a user, the database containing information regarding a plurality of documents, at least some of the plurality of documents containing objects, containing extracted information regarding the objects, and containing assigned index descriptors relating to the information contained in the objects, the method comprising: receiving the query from the user; accessing the database in response to the query; determining whether any objects are responsive to the query; and transmitting information regarding the responsive objects to the user.