Thomson Reuters Global Resources

Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre Gmbh

West Services, Inc.

West Publishing Company

Joanne R S Claussen

Jack G Conrad

Jie Lin

Jack S Conrad

A method for enabling a user to search database profiles includes receiving user input categorizing an information need, and determining whether the user input corresponds to a first or a second type of category. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to the first category type, the method includes requesting user input defining a first query, and in response to receipt of the query, and executing the defined first query against a set of one or more databases based on the user input categorizing the information need. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to the second category type, the method includes requesting additional user input regarding the information need.

Information retrieval systems with database-selection aids

Some information retrieval systems, such as the Westlaw&#x2122; system, empower users to search thousands of databases. One problem with some systems is that the large number of databases makes it difficult for some users to identify the right database(s) to search. Thus, the inventors devised, among other things, new options for helping users target searches on the right databases. One option enables users to search sample-based database profiles. Another enables users to navigate to a category or subcategory in an online database directory and search databases or database profiles associated with the category. And, yet another enables users to select a query-category and receive a list of relevant database choices, a list of links into a database directory, or a sequence of follow-up questions. One or more of these or other disclosed innovations enable users to execute more effective search strategies, while potentially reducing computational burdens on information retrieval systems.

Many companies provide online search facilities that enable users to conduct computerized searches for documents. Unfortunately, these searches frequently provide results that include duplicate documents&#x2014;that is, documents that are completely or substantially identical to each other. This problem is particularly vexing when searching news stories, for example. Moreover, the duplicate documents are intermixed in the search results, leaving users to manually manage the complexities of identifying and/or filtering them. Accordingly, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software that facilitate the identification and/or grouping of duplicate documents in search results. One exemplary system includes a signature generation module which generates document signatures based on length, temporal, and/or content components; a real-time duplicate detection module which uses the document signatures to identify 'exact' or 'fuzzy' duplicate documents; and a user-interface or presentation module which controls how duplicate documents are presented or suppressed in search results.

Growing community of inventors

Eagan, MN, United States of America

Joanne R S Claussen