Pivot facets preserve relational data in text search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search and text analytics systems lose relational data when it is flattened to conform to a simple document model, making it difficult for users to navigate and drill down into linked information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pivot facets, which map metadata fields to clickable links that allow users to generate and execute new queries to locate related documents, preserving relational data and enabling hierarchical navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If relational data is flattened to conform to a simple document model, then the data structure becomes simpler and easier to store, but the relationships between information are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pivot facets as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the flattened document model and the original relational structure. Pivot facets extract key fields from documents and present them as navigable facets, allowing users to reconstruct relational views without altering the underlying flattened storage structure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining storage simplicity while restoring relational accessibility through the intermediary facet layer.
2Loss of information
If users manually navigate relational data by clearing queries and issuing new searches, then relational information can be accessed, but the navigation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-extracting key fields from documents and organizing them into pivot facets before user interaction. When users perform a search, the pivot facets are already prepared and can be immediately selected for navigation, eliminating the need for users to manually clear queries and reconstruct search terms. This pre-computation of navigational structures significantly reduces navigation time while maintaining access to relational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot facet mechanism enables self-service navigation where the system automatically generates and executes follow-up queries based on user selections. When a user selects a pivot facet value, the system autonomously reformulates the query to include the selected value and retrieves related documents without requiring user intervention to clear or reconstruct queries. This automation eliminates manual navigation steps and reduces time loss.
3Ease of operation
If traditional faceted navigation is used on flattened data, then navigation is possible, but the ability to drill down into linked information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes pivot facets universal by enabling them to serve multiple functions: they act as both traditional navigation filters and as drill-down portals to related documents. Pivot facets can be selected to either filter current results or to navigate to documents that contain the selected value in key fields, providing versatile access paths. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while significantly enhancing drill-down capability into linked information.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are techniques for providing and using pivot facets for text mining and search. A metadata field is mapped to a pivot facet. In response to executing a first query, at least a first document and the pivot facet are displayed. In response to selection of the pivot facet, a second query that includes a value of the metadata field is generated, and the second query is executed to locate at least a second document that includes the value of the metadata field.