Optimization-based data content determination

Abstract

Improved data content determination techniques are disclosed for use in accordance with information-seeking systems. For example, in one illustrative aspect of the invention, a technique for determining data content for a response to a query comprises obtaining a user query, and dynamically determining data content suitable for generating a response to the query, wherein data content determination is modeled as an optimization operation which attempts to balance context-based selection constraints. Further, the step of dynamically determining data content may further comprise modeling the context-based selection constraints as feature-based metrics. The feature-based metrics may be formulated using contextual information. Still further, the step of dynamically determining data content may further comprise performing the optimization operation such that one or more desirability metrics are maximized and one or more cost metrics are minimized, thus balancing the various constraints.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to information-seeking systems and, more particularly, to techniques for optimization-based data content determination in such information-seeking systems. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Given a user data query to an information-seeking system, there may be multiple ways for the system to respond to such a query. Ideally, the response should be tailored to the user interaction context, including the query expression, the retrieval result, and user interests. [0003] Since it is difficult to predict how a course of user interaction would unfold, it is impractical to plan all possible responses, including their content and form, in advance. Thus, researchers and practitioners have experimented with the concept of automating the generation of system responses. One key step in such an automation process is data content determination, a process that dynamically chooses data content in response to user queries. [0004] Ex...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides improved data content determinat

Problems solved by technology

Since it is difficult to predict how a course of user interaction would unfold, it is impractical to plan all possible responses, including their content and form, in advance.

Unfortunately, existing approaches do not have techniques for adequately handling these factors.

Images