Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2003-02-25
Homere, Jean R. (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06526404
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The invention which is the subject of this application relates to a system of information storage, information appraisal and information retrieval and provision which is provided for users of the system, said users enabled to request, receive and, if selected, provide specific information.
The invention is provided in the form of a system which includes an information library comprising of a plurality of information sources which can be accessed via the Internet, Intranet or, within organisations, via interlinked or networked computer systems. Thus, for example, a relatively large organisation will have a centralised information library which can be accessed by its employees.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
A common problem with all information libraries is the difficulties which users face in trying to correctly identify the information which is sought and, once identified, specifying and framing the request so that it can then be interpreted by the information retrieval system. Frequently, and unless the user is specifically skilled in the information request procedure, the request which is sent to the database from the user's terminal is incorrect and thus the information “hits” which the user receives from the system are largely irrelevant to the user. Thus the information library, while it may hold the required information is not used as the information is frequently not easily or conveniently retrievable.
At the present time two broad forms of information systems have been developed, Database systems and Information Retrieval systems. Database systems rely upon definitive information types and require specific requests to be made such, as for example, a database will hold a telephone number in a field which is known as “telephone number” and can therefore be definitively catalogued and stored for relatively easy retrieval.
Information retrieval systems relate to less clearly definable material such as for example, a series of numbers which could be a telephone number but could also be a number having another use or meaning, can be processed and retrieved from the information library by using less closely defined information requests.
Thus information retrieval systems allow the user of the information library to specify the object of interest rather than the specific interest. However a continuing problem is the need to ensure that the information which is returned to the user is relevant to their needs and to avoid the need for the user to look through a list of references, only a few of which may be relevant to their needs. At the present time there is a tendency for information received to be “all encompassing” and this does require the user to sort through the references given. This can be time consuming and irritating to the user to such an extent that the user may, in due course, be prejudiced against using the information library because the relevant information is so difficult to reach.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a system including an accessible information library comprising a number of information sources and a means for ordering the sources and accessing information from the same, which allows requests for information to be directed towards the most relevant information source in response to the information request thereby improving the relevance of the subsequent information provided to the user.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic system for the provision of information to a user, comprising an information library having a plurality of information sources, at least one of said sources comprising stored information, a computer linked connection to said library by which a request for information can be made by a user by generating a request, a processor for processing the request, analysing the same to identify the request and address the request to the information source or sources in the library and identify the return information to the user; and wherein the information library includes at least one link to a human resource to which the request can be passed.
Typically the information returned to the user is any, or any combination of, information stored in the library memory and/or links to the sources to be contacted.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an information system, said system accessible by at least one user by inputting an information request; said system including at least one information source, comprising a database of human resource profiles, each of said profiles selectable with respect to an information request.
Typically the human resource profile or profiles is/are selected with respect to the relevance of the human resource expertise and/or interest to the subject matter of the request.
In one embodiment the information request is in the form of a series of key words, letters or phrases which are indicative of the subject matter of interest. In an alternative embodiment the reference code input is a series of characters which are recognised by the system. In a further alternative embodiment the information request is based on any of the information within the system.
Typically the human resource profiles are assessed as to whether they should be altered.
In one embodiment the human resource profiles are adaptive in response to requests for information and information supplied via the system.
In one feature of the invention the human resource profile is dynamically created by profiling various aspects of the human resource such as with reference to any, or any combination of, another human resource profile, multiple human resource profiles, other information library source or information sources external to the system in order to support them most effectively in their interactions with, and through, the system. Similarly, other information sources such as news-feeds, web sites, databases, email lists, previous dialogue and the like can all be included in the information library of the information system in addition to the human resource profiles. Typically the dialogue information source relates to previously submitted requests and answers and/or information.
It is a preferred feature of the system that profiles are updated on an ongoing basis based upon all available evidence. For example, reports/emails/memos written by a human resource, dialogues in which they participate, news and information feeds to which they subscribe, satisfaction with requests they have answered over a period of time, the success with which they have answered questions, the number of questions they have asked, are all possible factors. As new information becomes available it can be incorporated into the profile of the human resource so allowing the profile to track the changing nature of the human resource's expertise and interest, both of which are aspects which can be analysed and addressed with information requests.
Typically, each request is sent to a number of human resources, but prior to this it is typically the case that the other information sources in the library are first addressed to assess whether the answer information can be derived from there.
The reasons for sending the information request to a number of human resources can be that some human resources, despite their profiles indicating the contrary, will not actually be available to answer the request in the required time, the matching of the subject matter of the request to the profiles may not be perfect, and multiple human resource recipients means that the chances of at least one appropriate human resource receiving the question will be improved; and among the human resources appropriateness may vary. Preferably, all of the human resources will be aware of who else has received the question, and so have the opportunity to arrange amongst themselves who will actually answer the question to prevent duplication of work; some human resources may take an extended time to answer, and during the delay, another human resource may answer the request, so that the possible delay in an answer being generated is reduced. In som
Slater Falconer Alan
Smeaton John Calum
Foley & Hoag LLP
Homere Jean R.
Le Debbie M.
Sopheon Edinburgh Limited
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