Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-17
2001-03-06
Black, Thomas G. (Department: 2771)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199061
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to on-line help topic titles utilized in software application programs and, more particularly, to on-line dynamic help topic titles that are revised based on a search query entered by a user to be more recognizable to the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the various types of computer systems currently used today, users often need help in using the application programs provided on the computer systems. Generally, a user is trying to accomplish a specific task within the application program and is having difficulty locating the command or the menu where the command is provided to accomplish the task. Typically, an on-line help feature is provided in the application program where the user can enter a query briefly describing the task which the user is attempting to accomplish. In response to the query, the on-line help feature will typically return to the user a list of topic titles which the user may use to find information to help accomplish the specific task at hand. Generally, the topic titles are fixed in form and are located and accessed using a search engine.
One problem that exists with the help systems currently available today is that the terminology used in the topic titles may differ from the terminology input by the user. Consequently, while the topic title which is on point may in fact be returned in response to the query, the user, not recognizing the terminology, may fail to recognize the topic title which is relevant to the problem at hand. Not seeing the expected terminology, the user may assume the help system did not understand the query or does not contain the needed information. Thus while the search engine may be very efficient in identifying the relevant topic titles, the help system as a whole is inefficient because the user does not recognize the relevant topic title and, as an end result, does not find the help needed to accomplish the desired task.
Another problem adding to the difficulty in the recognition of relevant topic titles by users is that the topic titles are often drafted to cover a broad and general range of tasks. Consequently, the topic titles tend to be generic and lengthy which typically cause users to ignore the topic titles if they fail to recognize some of the first few words in the topic title as being relevant.
Because of these problems that exist with the on-line help features presently available today in the computer/software industry, users continue to experience these difficulties with the on-line help features in application programs. Thus, the on-line help features currently available today continue to inadequately serve the users.
Consequently, there is a need for a system and method for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query by a user looking for help in accomplishing a task in an application program. That need is especially keen when dealing with highly task oriented application programs, such as word processing and data manipulation programs. Without the capability of presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query, the user will have to interpret the generic topic titles currently offered and hope that they select the most relevant ones to investigate further.
In providing a system and method for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query, there is a further need for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user that remain short in length after revision. Users tend to spend very little time reviewing the topic titles when they are returned to them. Typically, users tend to review the first few words in a topic title and then make their decision regarding the relevance of the topic title at that point in time. Further, users tend to not read the complete topic titles when the topic titles are lengthy. Thus, the topic titles that are finally presented to the user must be short in length.
In general, there is a need for providing a system and method for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query in application programs that provide an on-line help feature, such as for example, word processing and data manipulation oriented programs.
Therefore, in the context of application programs providing for an on-line help feature within, there is a need for the ability to provide recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query. Additionally, there is a need to provide for the resolution of conflicts that may arise when performing revisions to topic titles to make them more recognizable to users.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the above described needs by providing a system and method for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to a query. In one aspect, the system and method of the present invention swaps specified text into the topic titles presented to a user based on whether particular terms were used in the queries. The end result is that the users will be presented with shorter and more readily recognizable topic titles that contain some of the same or similar terminology that was initially used in the queries.
More particularly, the present invention utilizes a search engine that operates in conjunction with a database of links that are weighted and serve to link terms to individual topic titles. Upon receiving a query from a user, the search engine finds all the links in the database that are relevant, creates a link list of all the links located, groups the links in the link list by topic title, determines a weighted relevance for each topic title, and sorts the link list in the order of descending weighted relevance of each topic title. The sorting produces a list of groups of links for specific topic titles arranged in descending order from the most relevant to the least relevant. After forming a link list and sorting according to topic title and relevance, a substitution list is generated for each topic title referenced by links having substitution information attached. Each substitution list includes all the substitution information for all the links referencing the specific topic title.
Along with generating a substitution list for each topic title referenced by the links, the present invention further provides for the detecting and resolving of conflicts among the substitution information in the substitution list. More particularly, in resolving the conflicts, the present invention is directed to substituting into the topic title those replacement strings of text that are associated with the links having the highest probability value associated with the topic title.
In another aspect of the present invention, a computerreadable medium is described on which is stored a computer program for presenting recognizable topic titles to a user in response to receiving a query. The computer program instructions, when executed, analyze the query with a word breaking routine so to determine which terms in the query are substantively representative of the query. After determining the substantively representative terms in the query, the computer program searches a database containing weighted links to topic titles to find all the links referencing link table indices associated with the terms determined from the query. Thereafter, the computer program obtains substitution information associated with the links and generates a substitution list.
From the substitution list, the computer program then detects and resolves conflicts among the substitution information. When all conflicts have been resolved, the computer program proceeds with the revising of the topic titles by way of substituting replacement strings into the topic titles to enhance user recognition. The end result of executing the program instructions is the presenting of a list of the most relevant topic titles to a user. Further, the list of topic titles being presented to the user has been revised in such a manner that the topic titles utilize terminology that is the same as or similar to the terminology contained in the user's initial query. Further, the
Arcuri Michael Philip
Blewett William John
Hawley Eric Robert
Black Thomas G.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Microsoft Corporation
Mizrahi Diane D.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for providing dynamic help topic titles... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for providing dynamic help topic titles..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for providing dynamic help topic titles... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2481645