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

Abstract

A method and system for dynamically refining and navigating between alternative search query elements are disclosed. The method and system are applicable to searching an information system such as the Internet, an intranet, or any database, lexicon, or collection of documents, disk drive, images or video or audio content. A user enters their search query into a search query receiver. As the user enters their search query, they see, in real-time in a dynamically-generated object, such as a drop-down menu, iFrame, or browser window, possible matches to their search query string, and more specifically, the user receives within the dynamic object alternative semantically- and lexically-related search elements that relate to the search query string and from which the user can either make a selection to further refine their search query, or the user can proceed to view search results based on the selected query element. The relation of alternate lexical elements is based on a controlled or structured vocabulary (for example a thesaurus).

1 . 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:
 receiving a query element on a character-by-character basis entered by a user at a client computing device;   upon receipt of each entered character of the query element, searching for one or more alternative query elements contained in a first computer-based database, the first database being separate from the information system of interest, the one or more alternative query elements having a predetermined lexical relationship to a received portion of the query element;   for each entered character of the query element resulting in the location of one or more alternative query elements, presenting the one or more alternative query elements to the user via a visual display operably connected to the client computing device;   receiving an alternative query element selected by the user; and   optionally navigating the information system in accordance with the selected alternative query element.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the query element is received at the client computing device via a client browser environment presented via the visual display, and wherein the client computing device, the information system of interest and the first database are interconnected by way of a network. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the network is a wide area network (WAN). 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 optionally searching for one or more alternative query elements contained in the first computer-based database, the one or more alternative query elements having a predetermined lexical relationship to the selected alternative query element.   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 for each of the one or more alternative query elements, determining a number of potential search results that would be returned in the event that the information system were searched using the alternative query element; and   for each presented alternative query element, presenting to the user the determined number of potential search results.   
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of searching one or more alternative query elements comprises the step of searching a previously indexed first computer-based database for a content that satisfies a predetermined match criteria, wherein the matching content is returned as the one or more alternative query elements. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of alternative query elements are presented to the user, the plurality of alternative query elements falling within two or more groupings, each grouping having associated therewith alternative query elements that have a different predetermined lexical relationship to the received portion of the query element from that of another grouping. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each grouping is presented in a visually discernable manner that is distinct from the other groupings. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each grouping is presented in a columnar format. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method for identifying a query element, the method executed by one or more computing systems and comprising:
 receiving a query element via a client browser at a client computing device;   as the query element is received, dynamically searching for previously stored alternative query elements that have a predetermined lexical relationship to a received portion of the query element;   dynamically presenting one or more of any located alternative query elements via the client browser; and   invoking a search of an information system of interest by selecting an alternative query element and using that selection as a candidate search query.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the query element is received on a character-by-character basis and the dynamically searching step is performed as each character is received. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the information system of interest comprises one or more web sites accessible via the world wide web (WWW). 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the previously stored alternative query elements are contained in a first computer-based database, the first database being separate from the information system of interest. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of dynamically searching for previously stored alternative query elements that have a predetermined lexical relationship to a selected alternative query element. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more alternative query elements are presented via a dynamically programmed screen object. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship includes at least one of the following criteria: lexically broader terms; synonyms; partial forms of terms; sub-strings; graphical symbols having a predetermined lexical relationship; narrower terms; associate terms; homograms; sub-strings; title portions; pre-defined information elements; and foreign language translation equivalents. 
     
     
         17 . A computer-implemented method for dynamic refinement of a search query, the method comprising:
 a) providing a dynamically generated graphical interface 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 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.   
     
     
         18 . 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. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a network which facilitates communication between the search query receiver and the query controller. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a network which facilitates communication between the query controller and the controlled vocabulary database. 
     
     
         21 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising an administration module coupled to the controlled vocabulary database configured to allow an administrator to modify the elements within the controlled vocabulary database. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited m  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a synonym. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a lexically narrower term. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a lexically broader term. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited m  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises sub-strings. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited m  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a homogram. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a language translation equivalent. 
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises a partial forms of terms. 
     
     
         29 . The method as recited m  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises title portions. 
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined lexical relationship comprises pre-defined information elements.