EP 1282870 A2 20030212 - NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERFACE FOR DATABASE QUERIES
Title (en)
NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERFACE FOR DATABASE QUERIES
Title (de)
SCHNITTSTELLE FÜR DATENBANKABFRAGEN IN NATÜRLICHER SPRACHE
Title (fr)
INTERFACE POUR INTERROGATION DE BASE DE DONNEES EN LANGAGE NATUREL
Publication
Application
Priority
- US 0116459 W 20010521
- US 20572500 P 20000519
Abstract (en)
[origin: WO0190953A2] An NLI is provided that provides truly natural query capability to end users of enterprise databases as defined by its abilities to interpret any style of articulation and to learn from the users in a way that improves both effectiveness and efficiency. The strategy uses a concept referred to herein as search and learn. This approach recognizes implicit enumeration-evaluation as a basic solution paradigm to the problem of natural language queries. Based on this analysis, a reference dictionary is used that integrates enterprise metadata (information models and contextual knowledge) with case-based reasoning. The new design affects two vital functions: (1) the generation of all possible interpretations of a natural query suitable for evaluation, and (2) the reduction of the complexity of keywords and the growth of keywords. According to one aspect of the invention, a reference dictionary is used to search for an optimal solution and the dictionary "learns" from experience, achieving maximum naturalness with minimum enumeration. Compared to conventional approaches, this new approach promises realistic performance and completeness of a solution because the new reference dictionary and learning capability allows for it. In a broader sense, the new approach identifies that the NLI problem is primarily a search problem and relates it to the vast tradition of constrained optimization (e.g., scheduling and traveling salesman). Therefore, the NLI problem can be solved using bounded algorithms, and the use of exponential keywords permutations is avoided.
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
G06F 17/30 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
G06F 16/243 (2018.12); G06F 16/24522 (2018.12)
Citation (search report)
See references of WO 0190953A2
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE FR GB
DOCDB simple family (publication)
WO 0190953 A2 20011129; WO 0190953 A3 20020829; AU 6335401 A 20011203; CA 2409734 A1 20011129; EP 1282870 A2 20030212
DOCDB simple family (application)
US 0116459 W 20010521; AU 6335401 A 20010521; CA 2409734 A 20010521; EP 01937641 A 20010521