IP Library Granted Patent US 9,361,365
Granted Patent B2
US 9,361,365 · App. 13/162,069 · Granted Jun 7, 2016

Methods and apparatus for searching of content using semantic synthesis

Inventors: Peter J. Sweeney (Kitchener, CA); Robert Charles Good (Waterloo, CA)
Assignee: Primal Fusion Inc.
G06F17/30663G06F17/2785G06F17/30734
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,361,365
App. No.
13/162,069
Granted
Jun 7, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of semantic searching. The method may include receiving a first search query, obtaining a disambiguation term for semantically disambiguating the first search query, and creating, with a processor, a second search query based at least in part on the first search query and the disambiguation term. The method may also include at least one of outputting search results obtained from a search conducted based at least in part on the second search query and sending the second search query to a search service for outputting search results.

Claims (47)

1. A method comprising:

using at least one processor to perform:

receiving a first search query;

obtaining a disambiguation term for semantically disambiguating the first search query, the obtaining comprising: presenting a plurality of terms in one or more semantic representations of the first search query to a user; and

receiving user input identifying the disambiguation term in the plurality of terms;

after obtaining the disambiguation term,

generating a semantic network comprising a hierarchy of concepts related to a first semantic representation identified based on the disambiguation term, the one or more semantic representations comprising the first semantic representation, and

generating a second search query based at least in part on the first search query and at least one concept in the hierarchy of concepts in the generated semantic network; and

outputting search results obtained from a search conducted based, at least in part, on the second search query.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

ranking the search results, filtering the search results, or ranking and filtering the search results.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the disambiguation term further comprises:

generating the one or more semantic representations of the first search query using a semantic lexicon.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

adding terms to the semantic lexicon, removing terms from the semantic lexicon, or adding and removing terms from the semantic lexicon.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising adding to the semantic lexicon terms obtained from a real-time Internet information stream.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the second search query comprises:

identifying the first semantic representation of the first search query based on the disambiguation term.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying terms appearing in a body of information content with a trend score higher than a predetermined threshold; and

generating the semantic network further based on the identified terms.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

annotating the search results based on the semantic network.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the search results from the search based at least in part on the second search query comprises:

sending the second search query to a search service to conduct the search; and

in response, receiving the search results from the search service.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the search results further comprises:

displaying the search results to a user.

11. A system, comprising:

at least one hardware processor configured to perform:

receiving a first search query;

obtaining a disambiguation term for semantically disambiguating the first search query, the obtaining comprising:

presenting a plurality of terms in one or more semantic representations of the first search query to a user; and

receiving user input identifying the disambiguation term in the plurality of terms;

after obtaining the disambiguation term,

generating a semantic network comprising a hierarchy of concepts related to a first semantic representation identified based on the disambiguation term, the one or more semantic representations comprising the first semantic representation, and

generating a second search query based at least in part on the first search query and at least one concept in the hierarchy of concepts in the generated semantic network; and

outputting search results obtained from a search conducted based, at least in part, on the second search query.

12. At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising:

receiving a first search query;

obtaining a disambiguation term for semantically disambiguating the first search query, the obtaining comprising:

presenting a plurality of terms in one or more semantic representations of the first search query to a user; and

receiving user input identifying the disambiguation term in the plurality of terms;

after obtaining the disambiguation term,

generating a semantic network comprising a hierarchy of concepts related to a first semantic representation identified based on the disambiguation term, the one or more semantic representations comprising the first semantic representation, and

generating a second search query based at least in part on the first search query and at least one concept in the hierarchy of concepts in the generated semantic network; and

outputting search results obtained from a search conducted based, at least in part, on the second search query.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 2, 2025
From: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA
To: PRIMAL FUSION INC.
Reel/Frame 069720/0916 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2023
From: PRIMAL FUSION INC.
To: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 063425/0274 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2011
From: SWEENEY, PETER J.; GOOD, ROBERT CHARLES
To: PRIMAL FUSION INC.
Reel/Frame 026486/0428 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 12671846
Provisional Application 61049581 · May 1, 2008
Provisional Application 61357512 · Jun 22, 2010
Provisional Application 61430141 · Jan 5, 2011
Provisional Application 61430143 · Jan 5, 2011
Provisional Application 61430138 · Jan 5, 2011
Related Publication 20110314006A1 · Dec 22, 2011