Patent ID: 7003511
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for searching for one or more relevant publications in a collection of publications, the method comprising: receiving a search-phrase whose occurrence is to be searched for in a selected collection of publications: determining if at least one publication in the collection, referred to as a “found publication,” contains the search-phrase; when at least one found publication is identified: providing said secondary measure of significance for at least one of said found phrases as a sum over all of said found publications of a primary measure of significance computed for said at least one found phrase; computing said primary measure for said at least one found phrase by a procedure including: where said at least one found phrase appears at least twice in said found publication, determining a smallest separation distance d(min;N;W) between two occurrences of said at least one found phrase in said found publication; determining a distance measure of significance based upon the distance d(min;N;W); providing at least one synonym-phrase for said at least one found phrase in said found publication; determining a number N(syn) of occurrences of the synonym-phrase in said found publication; determining a synonym measure of significance based upon the number N(syn); and providing said primary measure as a weighted sum of said first measure, the distance measure and the synonym measure for said at least one found phrase.