Patent ID: 6353827
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for determining a measure of similarity between at least a first and a second data set, said apparatus comprising:i) input means for receiving at least said first and second data sets; ii) processing means for identifying a set of keywords in at least the first of the data sets, the processing means having access to at least one rule set and identifying the set of keywords by use of said at least one rule set, the processing means further determining said measure of similarity; and iii) output means to output said measure of similarity; wherein said rule set includes a rule concerning relative location of data items in a respective data set, and wherein said processing means determines the measure of similarity by comparing at least one set of key words, identified by said processing means in the first data set, with a set of keywords comprising or derived from said second data set; said relative location of data items in a respective data set comprises adjacent location of at least two potential key words with respect to each other in the data set, the processing means identifying such adjacent potential key words as together providing a single key word in an identified set of key words; and said at least one rule set comprises at least one of the following criteria: 1) a noun followed by a noun or a predetermined set of indicia; 2) a verb followed by a noun or a predetermined set of indicia; 3) an adjective followed by a noun or a predetermined set of indicia; and 4) a predetermined set of indicia followed by a noun or a verb or a further predetermined set of indicia; the processing means identifying adjacent potential key words as together providing a single key word in an identified set of key words only when they meet said at least one criterion.