Device for constructing search inquiry and method and system for searching database

Abstract

A user interface for querying and displaying records from a database employs a physical metaphor for the process of constructing queries and viewing results. User profiles are presented and manipulated to operate with queries in the same way as other criteria. For example, in one embodiment, the search criteria are shown as the beads on respective strings, the strings representing categories of criteria. One of the strings is a set of user profiles that can be added to a query in the same manner as the addition of criteria. Criteria are selected to form a query by moving corresponding beads to a query string. User preference profiles can be constructed in the same manner. Profiles are saved and represented as bead strings that can be used in further interactions in the same manner as criteria beads, Profiles can also be the result of automatic machine-analysis of user interaction.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to searching, retrieving and organizing data in large data spaces such as CD ROM content, electronic program guides, the Internet, and the like. Background technique [0002] Due to the vast amount of information available on CD-ROMs, the Internet, television program guides, the proposed National Information Infrastructure, etc., there is an urgent need to be able to provide convenient access to many large information media. This increased access to information can be useful, but such a large amount of information also presents new challenges in the design of user interfaces for accessing information. For example, Internet users often have difficulty finding information resources, or give up when encountering difficulties in formulating search queries and viewing query results. tools such as electronic program guides, Internet search engines, and text search tools such as Folio Simple text lists such as the provided tex...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, Internet users often have difficulty finding information resources, or give up when encountering difficulties in formulating search queries and viewing query results

tools such as electronic program guides, Internet search engines, and text search tools such as Folio Simple text lists such as the provided text search tools are tedious to operate, often difficult to operate, and because they look very monotonous, viewing them for a long time will be very tiring

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