Component-based control system for collaborative exploratory search systems

Abstract

Described is a component-based control system involving the interface and middleware layers for collaborative exploratory search. The components include modules for multi-user input and display capabilities, and are individually configurable to allow simultaneous manipulation of multiple search parameters and algorithms. In a collaborative exploratory search, a team of people with a shared information need engage in exploratory search together. This search happens synchronously, leveraging realtime feedback in the search loop. The search team works together, finding patterns and information that each player individually might not have found, and doing so more efficiently than any single person could have. Each team member brings their own expertise and point of view to a shared problem. Distributing tasks and roles among team members leverages individual expertise and creates efficiencies of scale. Supporting the different roles and tasks involves resolving complexities in control and display; a regulatory component performs this task.