Patent ID: 7685106
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for providing a shared search index comprising: obtaining at least one document from a first one of a plurality of software applications sharing a search index; determining whether said document is a duplicate of a previously indexed document currently represented in said search index, wherein said previously indexed document was obtained from a second one of said plurality of software applications sharing said search index; responsive to determining that said document is not a duplicate of said previously indexed document currently represented in said search index, indexing said document such that said document is represented in said search index; and responsive to determining that said document is a duplicate of said previously indexed document currently represented in said search index, modifying an existing document representation for said previously indexed document in said search index, wherein said existing document representation for said previously indexed document includes is a first category identifier indicating said second one of said plurality of software applications sharing said search index, wherein said modifying includes adding a second category identifier to said existing document representation in said search index, wherein said second category identifier indicates said first one of said plurality of software applications sharing said search index; obtaining a search query; determining at least one category associated with said search query; determining, responsive to said search index, at least one document matching at least one token contained in said search query and associated with a category identifier matching said at least one category associated with said search query; providing search results indicating said document matching said at least one token contained in said search query and associated with said category identifier matching said at least one category associated with said search query; and determining, responsive to said search index, at least one document matching at least one token contained in said search query and not associated with said category identifier matching said at least one category associated with said search query; and wherein said search results do not indicate said document matching said at least one token contained in said search query and not associated with said category identifier matching said at least one category associated with said search query.