Index Substitution Storage for Multi-Word Search Terms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Search engines face challenges in identifying responsive documents that contain substitute terms for original query terms without revising the search query, especially when query terms consist of multiple words, as existing methods struggle to efficiently store and retrieve substitution information for such terms.
Innovation Solution
Storing substitution information in an index associated with documents, where each word of a substitute term is indexed separately, along with its order and span information, allowing for the identification of responsive documents without revising the search query by matching query terms with substitute terms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If substitution information for multi-word query terms is stored in an index, then search accuracy is improved by identifying responsive documents without query revision, but index complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multi-word query terms into individual words for indexing. Each word of a substitute term is indexed separately with metadata indicating its position (order) and coverage (span) within the original multi-word term. This segmentation allows the index to handle complex substitutions while maintaining a manageable structure, resolving the contradiction between improved search accuracy and reduced index complexity.
2Productivity
If substitute terms and substitution information are stored in the index, then the ability to identify responsive documents without revising queries is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing substitution information in the index during document indexing, rather than computing substitutions at query time. The index is pre-populated with substitute terms and their corresponding original terms, enabling fast lookups during search operations. This shifts the computational burden to the indexing phase, improving query processing speed while maintaining comprehensive substitution capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed substitution information including word order and span data is stored, then substitution precision is improved for multi-word terms, but memory usage and index size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by storing detailed substitution information (word order and span data) only where needed - specifically for multi-word terms that require precise substitution. Single-word terms use simpler substitution records. This selective approach maintains high substitution precision for complex terms while minimizing the overall increase in index storage requirements, resolving the contradiction between substitution precision and storage volume.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing, in an index associated with a document, a particular term that occurs in the document, wherein the particular term comprises n words, and wherein n is greater than 1; identifying a substitute term of the particular term; and in response to identifying the substitute term of the particular term, storing, in the index associated with the document, (i) the substitute term of the particular term, and (ii) data indicating that the substitute term spans the n words of the particular term.