Patent ID: 6594657
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for enhancing an online support system using a natural language interface, the online support system being used by a user to search and retrieve information from a database, the method comprising the steps of:accessing a server computer by the user computer; entering a query in natural language form; processing the query by the natural language interface coupled to the server computer; searching the database coupled to the server computer using the processed query; retrieving results from the database; providing the results; creating a preference file for the user; storing information about the user in the preference file, the information including information relating to the user's identification and information regarding the user's own vocabulary, use of synonyms, common spelling errors, and unique writing style; retrieving stored information from the preference file to analyze the query; generating synonyms of the query by the natural language interface; searching the database using the synonyms; assigning a coefficient to each of the synonyms based on closeness of meaning to associated words in the query, wherein each original word in the query has the highest coefficient with respect to each of the synonyms associated with each original word; and prioritizing the synonyms.