Search tool that utilizes scientific metadata matched against user-entered parameters
View Patent ↗A method for providing proximate dataset recommendations can begin with the creation of metadata records corresponding to datasets that represent scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool. The metadata records can conform to a standardized structural definition, and may be hierarchical. Values for the data elements of the metadata records can be contained within the datasets. Metadata records with a value that is proximate to a user-entered search parameter can be identified. A proximity score can be calculated for each identified metadata record. The proximity score can express a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters. The identified metadata records can be arranged in descending order by the calculated proximity rating, creating a list of proximate dataset results. The proximate dataset results can be presented within a user interface.
1. A method for providing proximate dataset recommendations comprising:
creating of a plurality of metadata records that correspond to a plurality of datasets representing scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool, wherein said plurality of metadata records conform to a standardized structural definition, wherein values for data elements of a metadata record are contained within a corresponding dataset;
identifying at least one metadata record from the plurality of metadata records having a value that is proximate to one or more user-entered search parameters, wherein one of the search parameters is a temporal parameter, wherein proximity is determined with respect to a range represented by the corresponding user-entered search parameters;
calculating a proximity score for each identified metadata record, wherein said proximity score expresses a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters, wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a temporal proximity score, wherein calculating the temporal proximity score further comprises:
determining a temporal distance, d Tdist , from a central point of the user-entered temporal search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Tdist
=
{
0
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
+
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
+
d
Rmax
/
2
)
-
1
d
Tmin
>
Q
Tmin
or
d
Tmax
<
Q
Tmax
,
wherein Q Tmin and Q Tmax represent the minimum and maximum bounds of the temporal search parameter range, d Tmin and d Tmax represent the minimum and maximum time values of the dataset, and d Rmin and d Rmax represent the distance of d Tmin and d Tmax from the central point of the range; and
using the proximity score to filter or order metadata records to create a listing of dataset results.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
arranging the at least one identified metadata record in descending order by the calculated proximity rating, wherein said arranged metadata records create a listing of proximate dataset results; and
presenting the proximate dataset results within a user interface.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-entered search parameters comprise a geospatial parameter.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-entered search parameters comprise a numeric range or a non-numeric parameter or keyword that can be translated to a numeric range.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein creating the plurality of metadata records further comprises:
accessing a data store storing a dataset;
extracting from the dataset values for metadata record data elements, wherein the values comprise at least temporal bounds of the dataset, geospatial bounds of the dataset, and a unique identifier for the proximate dataset result;
populating a new metadata record with the extracted values; and
storing the new metadata record in a data store accessible by the geospatially/temporally proximate dataset search tool.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the proximity score for each identified metadata record further comprises:
calculating the temporal proximity score for the identified metadata record, wherein said temporal proximity score is weighted based upon a radius of a range expressed by the user-entered temporal search parameter;
calculating a geospatial proximity score for the identified metadata record, wherein said geospatial proximity score is weighted based upon a radius of a range expressed by the user-entered geospatial search parameter; and
combining the temporal proximity score and the geospatial proximity score into the proximity score.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
converting the determined d Tdist to the temporal proximity score, d Ts , using
d Ts =s ( d Tdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Tdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the search parameters is a geospatial parameter, and wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a geospatial proximity score.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein calculating the geospatial proximity score further comprises:
determining a geospatial distance, d Gdist , from a central point of the user-entered geospatial search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Gdist
=
{
0
d
Gmax
≤
r
(
d
Gmax
/
r
-
1
)
2
2
(
d
Gmax
-
d
Gmin
)
/
r
d
Gmin
≤
r
,
d
Gmax
≥
r
(
d
Gmin
+
d
Gmax
)
/
r
-
1
d
Gmin
>
r
,
wherein r is the radius of the range expressed by the user-entered geospatial search parameter and d Gmin and d Gmax are the minimum and maximum distances within the dataset from the central point.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
converting the determined d Gdist to the geospatial proximity score, d Gs , using
d Gs =s ( d Gdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Gtdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the proximity score utilizes a scale having a lower bound and an upper bound denoting a distant match and an exact match 0, respectively, to the user-entered geospatial and temporal search parameters.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
arranging the at least one identified metadata record in descending order by the calculated proximity score, wherein said arranged metadata records create a listing of proximate dataset results, wherein said arranging of the at least one identified metadata record further comprises: and
comparing the calculated proximity score of the at least one identified metadata record to the lower bound of the scale.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scientific dataset search tool is a component of a data analysis system.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the standardized structural definition of the plurality of metadata records utilizes a hierarchical configuration in which metadata records are able to be nested within a superior metadata record.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-entered search parameters include at least one limiting value for at least one of the user-entered search parameters, wherein the calculated proximity score is further scaled with respect to the at least one limiting value.
16. A method for providing proximate dataset recommendations comprising:
creating of a plurality of metadata records that correspond to a plurality of datasets representing scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool, wherein said plurality of metadata records conform to a standardized structural definition, wherein values for data elements of a metadata record are contained within a corresponding dataset;
identifying at least one metadata record from the plurality of metadata records having a value that is proximate to one or more user-entered search parameters, wherein proximity is determined with respect to a range represented by the corresponding user-entered search parameters, wherein one of the search parameters is a geospatial parameter;
calculating a proximity score for each identified metadata record, wherein said proximity score expresses a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters, wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a geospatial proximity score, wherein calculating the geospatial proximity score further comprises:
determining a geospatial distance, d Gdist , from a central point of the user-entered geospatial search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Gdist
=
{
0
d
Gmax
≤
r
(
d
Gmax
/
r
-
1
)
2
2
(
d
Gmax
-
d
Gmin
)
/
r
d
Gmin
≤
r
,
d
Gmax
≥
r
(
d
Gmin
+
d
Gmax
)
/
r
-
1
d
Gmin
>
r
,
wherein r is the radius of the range expressed by the user-entered geospatial search parameter and d Gmin and d Gmax are the minimum and maximum distances within the dataset from the central point; and
using the proximity score to filter or order metadata records to create a listing of dataset results.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
converting the determined d Gdist to the geospatial proximity score, d Gs , using
d Gs =s ( d Gdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Gdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
arranging the at least one identified metadata record in descending order by the calculated proximity rating, wherein said arranged metadata records create a listing of proximate dataset results; and
presenting the proximate dataset results within a user interface.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the user-entered search parameters comprise a temporal parameter.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the user-entered search parameters comprise a numeric range or a non-numeric parameter or keyword that can be translated to a numeric range.
21. A computer program product comprising:
a non-transitory computer usable storage medium storing computer usable program code executable by one or more processors, the computer usable program code comprising:
computer usable program code configured to create of a plurality of metadata records that correspond to a plurality of datasets representing scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool, wherein said plurality of metadata records conform to a standardized structural definition, wherein values for data elements of a metadata record are contained within a corresponding dataset;
computer usable program code configured to identify at least one metadata record from the plurality of metadata records having a value that is proximate to one or more user-entered search parameters, wherein one of the search parameters is a temporal parameter, wherein proximity is determined with respect to a range represented by the corresponding user-entered search parameters;
computer usable program code configured to calculate a proximity score for each identified metadata record, wherein said proximity score expresses a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters, wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a temporal proximity score, wherein the computer usable code to calculate the temporal proximity score is further configured to:
determine a temporal distance, d Tdist , from a central point of the user-entered temporal search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Tdist
=
{
0
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
+
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
+
d
Rmax
/
2
)
-
1
d
Tmin
>
Q
Tmin
or
d
Tmax
<
Q
Tmax
,
wherein Q Tmin and Q Tmax represent the minimum and maximum bounds of the temporal search parameter range, d Tmin and d Tmax represent the minimum and maximum time values of the dataset, and d Rmin and d Rmax represent the distance of d Tmin and d Tmax from the central point of the range; and
computer usable program code configured to use the proximity score to filter or order metadata records to create a listing of dataset results.
22. The computer program product of claim 21 , the computer usable program code further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to convert the determined d Tdist to the temporal proximity score, d Ts , using
d Ts =s ( d Tdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Tdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.
23. A computer program product comprising:
a non-transitory computer usable storage medium storing computer usable program code executable by one or more processors, the computer usable program code comprising:
computer usable program code configured to create of a plurality of metadata records that correspond to a plurality of datasets representing scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool, wherein said plurality of metadata records conform to a standardized structural definition, wherein values for data elements of a metadata record are contained within a corresponding dataset;
computer usable program code configured to identify at least one metadata record from the plurality of metadata records having a value that is proximate to one or more user-entered search parameters, wherein proximity is determined with respect to a range represented by the corresponding user-entered search parameters, wherein one of the search parameters is a geospatial parameter;
computer usable program code configured to calculate a proximity score for each identified metadata record, wherein said proximity score expresses a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters, wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a geospatial proximity score, wherein the computer usable program code configured to calculate the geospatial proximity score further comprises:
computer usable program code configured to determine a geospatial distance, d Gdist , from a central point of the user-entered geo spatial search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Gdist
=
{
0
d
Gmax
≤
r
(
d
Gmax
/
r
-
1
)
2
2
(
d
Gmax
-
d
Gmin
)
/
r
d
Gmin
≤
r
,
d
Gmax
≥
r
(
d
Gmin
+
d
Gmax
)
/
r
-
1
d
Gmin
>
r
,
wherein r is the radius of the range expressed by the user-entered geospatial search parameter and d Gmin and d Gmax are the minimum and maximum distances within the dataset from the central point; and
computer usable program code configured to use the proximity score to filter or order metadata records to create a listing of dataset results.
24. The computer program product of claim 23 , the computer usable program code further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to convert the determined d Gdist to the geospatial proximity score, d Gs , using
d Gs =s ( d Gdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Gdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.
25. A system comprising:
one or more processors;
at least one non-transitory computer usable storage medium storing computer usable program code executable by the one or more processors, the computer usable program code comprising:
computer usable program code configured to create of a plurality of metadata records that correspond to a plurality of datasets representing scientific data by a scientific dataset search tool, wherein said plurality of metadata records conform to a standardized structural definition, wherein values for data elements of a metadata record are contained within a corresponding dataset;
computer usable program code configured to identify at least one metadata record from the plurality of metadata records having a value that is proximate to one or more user-entered search parameters, wherein proximity is determined with respect to a range represented by the corresponding user-entered search parameters, wherein one of the search parameters is a geospatial parameter;
computer usable program code configured to calculate a proximity score for each identified metadata record, wherein said proximity score expresses a relevance of the corresponding dataset to the user-entered search parameters, wherein calculating the proximity score comprises calculating a geospatial proximity score, wherein the computer usable program code configured to calculate the geospatial proximity score further comprises:
computer usable program code configured to determine a geospatial distance, d Gdist , from a central point of the user-entered geo spatial search parameter for the dataset using the following formula or a variation or derivative thereof:
d
Tdist
=
{
0
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
≥
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
≤
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
+
(
d
Rmax
-
1
)
2
2
d
Rmax
-
d
Rmin
d
Tmin
<
Q
Tmin
,
d
Tmax
>
Q
Tmax
(
d
Rmin
+
d
Rmax
/
2
)
-
1
d
Tmin
>
Q
Tmin
or
d
Tmax
<
Q
Tmax
,
wherein r is the radius of the range expressed by the user-entered geospatial search parameter and d Gmin and d Gmax are the minimum and maximum distances within the dataset from the central point; and
computer usable program code configured to use the proximity score to filter or order metadata records to create a listing of dataset results.
26. The system of claim 25 , the computer usable program code further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to convert the determined d Gdist to the geospatial proximity score, d Gs , using
d Gs =s ( d Gdist ),
wherein s is a scaling function that translates d Gdist into a value within a scale defined for the proximity score.