Comparison system for identifying the degree of similarity between

Abstract

A data comparison system includes a database containing target object information which is compared with an individual source object, defined by the user. Computer systems known in the art are utilized to hold the assembled target object database including all information that is available, complete with errors, inaccuracies, and so forth. This database is searched and the computer sorts the information after comparison so that target objects are sorted based on the degree of similarity with the source object. Both target and source objects are defined by object types, components of each object type, subjects of each component, and at least one answer, that is language independent, for each subject. That is, statements may be received and entered in any language and the data derived therefrom, however, is language independent so that the results can be universally applied. Further, the source object can, as will naturally be the case, be comprised of incomplete and partial object descriptions of components, subjects, and answers. Importantly, the system of the present invention further comprises a link for each object, component, and subject so that the objects, components, and subjects are uniquely identified within the database. The system of the present invention uses almost all information available, complete with errors and inaccuracies, to identify similarities between objects and/or events quickly and efficiently. Since more of the information is used in the search, and an exact match is not the goal, the results are more accurate and, therefore, more useful. As a result, analysts can use the resulting list of objects or events, ordered by degree of similarity, to the object or event in questions, to focus their identification efforts.