Federated Search System with Query Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search systems are limited to searching only internal content and metadata, failing to effectively integrate and retrieve data from both internal and external repositories and resources, requiring users to know specific query languages and lacking seamless authentication and result re-accessibility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a federated search system that translates search requests across internal and external repositories, integrates type-aware search results, and provides transparent access to external resources by using configuration adapters and an enterprise content integration server, allowing unified searching without requiring users to know the query language of external systems and maintaining authentication for seamless re-access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If search is provided only for internal content and metadata, then the search service is simple and reliable, but the search capability is limited and cannot access external data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a query translator as an intermediary component that converts search queries from a universal query language into query languages specific to different external data sources. This mediator enables the search system to access external repositories without requiring users to learn multiple query languages, thereby extending search capability while managing system complexity through abstraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system implements a universal query language that can be used to search across multiple different data sources including internal repositories and external systems. This multi-functional query interface allows a single search mechanism to serve multiple purposes and access diverse data sources, enhancing versatility without requiring separate search systems for each source.
2Ease of operation
If users must know specific query languages for each external system, then each external system can be accessed with optimized queries, but user operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The query translator serves as an intermediary that automatically converts user queries written in a universal query language into the specific query languages required by different external systems. This eliminates the need for users to learn and remember multiple query languages while maintaining the ability to access diverse external systems with optimized queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically handling query language translation and authentication management. The query translator and configuration adapters automatically adapt queries to external systems without user intervention, and the system maintains authentication states to enable seamless re-access to external resources.
3Ease of operation
If authentication is required for external resources, then security is maintained, but re-access to search results requires re-authentication which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions when a user first accesses external resources, and then maintains this authentication state for subsequent re-access to the same resources. This preliminary authentication setup allows users to re-access search results without repeating the authentication process, combining security with convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to track authentication states and resource access patterns. When a user accesses external resources, the system records authentication information and uses this feedback to enable seamless re-access to the same resources, eliminating the need for repeated authentication while maintaining security.
4Adaptability or versatility
If search results from external sources are integrated into internal repositories, then unified search is achieved, but data migration and integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search system into distinct components: internal repository, external repositories, query translator, and configuration adapters. This segmentation allows search results from external sources to be integrated into the internal repository through well-defined interfaces, achieving unified search while managing integration complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The query translator and configuration adapters act as intermediaries that facilitate data integration between external systems and the internal repository. These intermediaries handle the complexity of data format conversion, authentication, and result mapping, enabling unified search functionality without requiring direct complex integration between all system components.
Data Source
AI summary
Federated search is disclosed. A result associated with a search of a content source not natively configured to provide content type data for content items is received. A content type is associated with a content item included in the result based at least in part on information associated with the result.