Associative Relevancy USPTO Patent 11263535 Granted On 3-1-2022

US011263535B2
(12) United States Patent
Prestigiacomo
(10) Patent No.: US 11,263,535 B2
(45) Date of Patent: Mar. 1, 2022
(54) ASSOCIATIVE RELEVANCY KNOWLEDGE
PROFILING ARCHITECTURE, SYSTEM,
METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
PRODUCT
(52) U.S. CI.
CPC G06N 5/04 (2013.01); G06F 16/9535
(2019.01); GO6N 5/02 (2013.01); GO6N 57022
(2013.01); G06F 16/3338 (2019.01)
(58) Field of Classification Search
CPC GOON 5/02
USPC 706/47; 707/776
See application file for complete search history.
(71) Applicant: Araicom Research LLC, Baton Rouge,
LA (US)
(72) Inventor: Anthony Prestigiacomo, Baton Rouge,
LA (US) (56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(73) Assignee: ARAICOM RESEARCH LLC, Baton
Rouge, LA (US) 5,499,340 A
6,094,650 A
3/1996 Barritz
7/2000 Stoffel et al.
(Continued)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 1151 days. OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(21) Appl. No.: 15/391,147 Chevalier et al (" A Profile-Based Architecture for a Flexible and
Personalized Information Access ” 2004) ( Year: 2004).*
(Continued)
(22) Filed: Dec. 27, 2016
4
(65) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner Lut Wong
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm
US 2017/0109635 A1 Apr. 20, 2017 Alston & Bird LLP
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 14/554,575, filed on
Nov. 26, 2014, now Pat. No. 9,530,097, which is a
continuation of application No. 12/597,286, filed as
application No. PCT/US2008/060984 on Apr. 21,
2008, now Pat. No. 8,914,318.
(57) ABSTRACT
Provided are architectures, system , methods, and computer
program products that provide a user with the ability to
define an association ofdata and/or information from known
reference sets perceived by the user as relevant to a subject
matter domain, thereby imparting and formalizing some of
the user's knowledge about the domain. An associative
relevancyknowledgeprofilermay also allow auserto create
a profile by modifying or restricting the known reference
sets andwindowing the results fromthe association as a user
might refine any other analysis algorithms. An associative
relevancy knowledge profiler may also be used to define a
user profile used by the user and others. A user profile may
beusable invarious manners depending upon, for example,
rights management permissions and restrictions for a user.
(60) Provisional application No. 60/913,929, filed onApr.
25, 2007.
(51) Int. Cl.
GOON 5/04
GO6F 16/9535
GOON 5/02
G06F 16/33
(2006.01)
(2019.01)
(2006.01)
(2019.01 ) 18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
100
start
· 102
SELECT KNOWN
REFERENCE SETS
RESTRICT SELECTED
KNOWN REFERENCE
SET(S)
104
106
CREATE ASSOCIATION
108
SELECT VIEW
PROPERTIES
110
SELECT
DATA / INFORMATION
SOURCE(S )
| 112
STORE KNOWLEDGE
PROFILE
114
PERFORM OPERATION
ON DATA / INFORMATION
SOURCE(S) USING
KNOWLEDGE PROFILE

US 11,263,535 B2
Page 2
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
6,115,709 A * 9/2000 Gilmour G06F 21/6245
706/50
6,233,609 B1
2004/0010483 A1
2004/0015464 A1
2006/0112029 Al
2013/0024295 A1
5/2001 Mittal
1/2004 Brands et al.
1/2004 Ii et al.
5/2006 Estes
1/2013 Shkedi
Lee, D. L. et al., Document Ranking and the Vector-Space Model,
IEEE Software, Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineering,
vol. 14, No. 2 (Mar. 1997) 67-75 (XP-002423629).
Limbu et al.; “Contextual Relevance Feedback in Web Information
Retrieval”; Oct. 2005.
Notice ofAllowancefromCanadianPatentApplicationNo. 2,684,892
dated Feb. 15, 2017.
Office Action from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,684,892
dated Feb. 24, 2016.
Office Action from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,684,892
dated Jan. 15, 2015.
Pratt, W. et al., LitLinker: Capturing Connections Across the
Biomedical Literature, Proceedings ofthe International Conference
onKnowledgecapture, K -CAP'03 (Jan.2003) 8pages(XP055181608).
Stegman, J. et al., Hypothesis Generation Guided by Co -Word
Clustering, Scientometrics, vol. 56, No. 1 (2003) 111-135
(XP055181621).
Supplementary European Search Report forApplication No. EP 08
74 6411 dated Apr. 20, 2015.
Weeber, M. et al., Text-Based Discovery in Biomedicine: The
Architecture of the DAD-System, AMIA Annual Symposium , A
Conference ofthe American Medical Informatics Association (Jan.
2000) 5 pages (XP-002460118).
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Chen et al ("Empowering Resource Providers to Buildthe Semantic
Grid”) (Year: 2004).*
Summons to Attend Oral Proceedings from European PatentAppli
cation No. 07746411.1 dated Feb. 15, 2019.
Bekhuis, T., Conceptual Biology, Hypothesis Discovery, and Text
Mining: Swanson's Legacy, Biomedical Digital Libraries, vol. 3,
No. 1, (Apr. 2006) 7 pages (XP021019206).
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Chapter II) for
International Application No. PCT/US08/60984 dated Oct. 2, 2009.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International
Application No. PCT/US08/60984 dated Jul. 2, 2008. * cited by examiner

U.S. Patent Mar. 1, 2022 Sheet 1 of 5 US 11,263,535 B2
26
I
KNOWN
REFERENCE
SET(S)
18 SEARCH
ENGINE 22
1
!
COMPUTING
SYSTEM
24
A
DATA /
| INFORMATION
1
30
I USER
INTERFACE 28
1
PROFILE
DATABASE
FIG. 1
24
I
DATAI
1 INFORMATION
22
20
COMPUTING
SYSTEM
26
I
KNOWN
REFERENCE
SET(S)
INTERNET
30 28
USER
INTERFACE !
*
PROFILE
DATABASE !
18 SEARCH
ENGINE
1
1
FIG . 2

26
KNOWN
REFERENCE
SET(S)
260 26E
I
PRECOMPUTE
SEARCH
RESULTS
26A 26B 260
VOCABULARY LIST OF INFO
ASSOCIATED
LIST OF INFO
RESTRICTION/
SELECTION
34 1
DOMAIN
EXPERT
ASSOCIATION
CONSTRUCT
DOMAIN
EXPERT
ASSOCIATION 1
CONSTRUCT
32A 32B
36
E
! VIEW OPTIONS
(FILTER, RANK,
| PREFERENCES)
1
22
COMPUTING SYSTEM
24 18
DATA /
INFORMATION
SERVER
SEARCH
SERVER
30
1 28 1
PROFILE
DATABASE
USER
INTERFACE
FIG . 3

100
start
102
SELECT KNOWN
REFERENCE SETS
-
1
RESTRICT SELECTED
KNOWN REFERENCE
SET(S )
104
106
CREATE ASSOCIATION
108
1 SELECT VIEW
PROPERTIES
110
SELECT
DATA I INFORMATION
SOURCE(S)
STORE KNOWLEDGE r 112
PROFILE
114
PERFORM OPERATION
SOURCE(S) USING
KNOWLEDGE PROFILE
FIG. 4

200
start
202
SELECT KNOWLEDGE
PROFILE
REVISE KNOWLEDGE
PROFILE
204
v
1 RESTRICTKNOWLEDGE v206
PROFILE
208
SELECT
DATA I INFORMATION
SOURCE(S)
210
PERFORM OPERATION
SOURCE(S) USING
KNOWLEDGE PROFILE
FIG. 5

U.S. Patent Mar. 1 , 2022 Sheet 5 of 5 US 11,263,535 B2
640 642
DISPLAY
USER INPUT
INTERFACE (S )
}
638
634
COMMUNICATION
INTERFACE(S) MEMORY
636
PROCESSOR
SPEAKER(S)
639
682
USER INTERFACE
MODULE
684
KNOWN REFERENCE
SET MODULE
686
ASSOCIATION
MODULE
688
STORAGE MODULE
690
RESTRICTION
MODULE
692
VIEW PREFERENCING
MODULE
FIG . 6

US 11,263,535 B2
1 2
ASSOCIATIVE RELEVANCY KNOWLEDGE improve upon these existing techniques and to provide the
PROFILING ARCHITECTURE, SYSTEM, further ability for a user to impart his or her knowledge
METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM about a domain, including to impart knowledge about a
PRODUCT domain separate andapart fromaparticular searchengine or
5 inferenceengine. While searchengines andinferenceengine
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED provide exceptionally important and useful advantages,
APPLICATIONS these systems, individually and in combination, are princi
pally limited to working with, managing, and creating data
This application is a continuation ofU.S. pre-grant appli- and information. For example, there is a need in the art for
cation Ser. No. 14/554,575, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,530,097, improved architectures, systems, methods, and computer
filed Nov. 26, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. pre program products for providing a user with the ability to
grant application Ser. No. 12/597,286, now U.S. Pat. No. define and modify an association ofdata and/or information
8,914,318, filed Oct. 23, 2009, which is a national phase that is perceived by the user as relevant to a subject matter
entry of International Application No. PCT/US/2008/
060984,filedApr.21, 2008,which claimsthebenefitofU.S. 15 domain, thereby imparting some ofhis or her knowledge
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/913,929, filed Apr. about the domain, and permitting use ofthat knowledge to
25, 2007. The entire contents ofall ofthe above applications perform discovery process operations on data and informa
are incorporated herein by reference. tion, i.e., to evaluate data and information.
a
10
FIELD OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY
20
a
2
Embodiments ofthe present invention relate generally to In light ofthe foregoing background, embodiments ofthe
information retrieval systems and, more particularly, to present invention provide associative relevancy knowledge
knowledge profiling architectures permitting capture and profiling architectures, systems, methods, and computer
use of associations between known reference sets, and 25 program products for capturing relevant associations
related systems, methods, and computer program products. betweenknownreference sets as a way ofcapturing knowl
edge from a domain expert, also referred to as a subject
BACKGROUND matter expert (SME). Embodiments ofthe present invention
are not intended to replace search engines or inference
Many differenttypes ofdataandinformationareavailable 30 engines, but are intended to provide a separate type of
such as text, articles, lists, and graphics, and manydifferent technology that may be used, for example, to improve upon
systems are available for recording and classifying data and search engines and inference engines. Notably, embodi
information invarious structure, such as a common database ments ofthe present invention should not be confused with
structure or a spreadsheet, all collectively referred to herein a search engine or inference engine, a search profile, a
as data and information sources regardless of the type, 35 navigation history, or a search history. Embodiments ofthe
system, or structure. And many different types of systems present invention are a separate technology designed to
have been developed for extracting specific information provide additional capabilities and functionalities that are
from various data and information sources, collectively not known to exist, apart from or in conjunction with use in
referred to herein as search engines, including Google® the context of a search engine or inference engine.
search of Google Corporation of Mountain View , Calif., 40 Embodiments ofthepresent inventionprovide auserwith
Baidu search of Baidu.com Corporation of Beijing, China, theabilityto defineanassociationofdataand/orinformation
Yahoo ! ® andAltaVista® searches ofYahoo!Corporation of that is perceived by the user as relevant to a subject matter
Sunnyvale, Calif., MSN® and Windows Live® searches of domain, thereby imparting and formalizing some ofhis or
Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash., and like general her knowledge about the domain. An embodiment of an
searching applications; SQL and like customized searching 45 associative relevancy knowledge profiler of the present
applications, and other information retrieval (IR) systems. invention may also allow a user to create a profile by
And even some systems have been developed for trying to modifying or restricting the known reference sets and win
infer and/or calculate information from one or more data dowing theresults fromthe associationas ausermightrefine
and/or information sources, such as identifying trends in any other analysis algorithms and for related evaluation
dataandhypothesis generation, including inference systems, 50 purposes, but here the user in effectively modifying or
deductive reasoning systems, artificial intelligence systems, restrictingknowledge, oftento improveorclarifytheknowl
neural network systems, semantic network systems, fuzzy edge, or to further define the knowledge. Further embodi
logic systems, and other expert systems, collectively ments ofthe present invention canbe usedto define a profile
referred to herein as inference engines. that can subsequently be used by the user who creates the
Further, some systems allow a user to save preferences 55 profile and/oruse by others.Auserprofile may be usable in
and establish preset conditions that can later be used again various manners depending upon, for example, rights man
and/orrefinedfor differentpurposes, such as a default search agement permissions and restrictions for a user. For
strategy that can be refined for various more specific example, the original author ofthe profile may be permitted
searches area. Some systems are designed for particular to revise the original profile, but another user may only be
types of data and information. And some systems are 60 able to further restrict the original profile. Similarly, a user
designed for a particular subject matter domain, and the profile may be usable in various domains and/or with
corresponding operations that might be performed on the different data and information sources, such as those data
data and information available for the particular subject sources available to a particular user. For example, an
matter domain. employee ofa companymay be ableto use aprofilewiththe
Butalthoughtechniqueshavebeendevelopedforworking 65 data and information sources availableto the company, such
with data and information, including many sophisticated asproprietary data andinformationavailableto, obtainedby,
search engines and inference engines, it is desirable to and/or generated by the company.

a
a
US 11,263,535 B2
3 4
Embodiments ofthepresent invention areprovided foran configured for providing at least two known reference sets;
associative relevancy knowledge profiling system that a program code portion configured for selecting at least two
includes a user interface module configured to generate a of said known reference sets up, including at least a first
user interface for presentation on a display screen and to known reference set and second known reference set; a
receiveuserinput; a knownreference setmodule configured 5 program code portion configured for creatingat least one
to provide at least two available known reference sets andto association between two of said at least two of said known
permit selection of at least two known reference sets by a reference sets to generate at least part of an associative
selective user input received by said user interface module; relevancy knowledge profile, wherein one of said at least
one association is between said first known reference set and
an association module configured to create an association said second known reference set; and a program code
between two of said available known reference sets based 10 portion configured for storing said associative relevancy
upon an associative user input received by said user inter knowledge profile.
facemodule,to generate aknowledge constructbasedupon One embodiment of a computer program product of the
said association and said two of said available known present invention also includes a program code portion
reference sets, and to generate a profile comprising said configured for inputting at least one reference set to be one
association between said two of said available known ref- 15 of said known reference sets. Another embodiment of a
erence sets; and a storage module configured to store said computer program product of the present invention also
profile and to provide said profile for subsequent use. includes a program code portion configured for modifying
One embodimentofa systemofthepresentinventionmay said an associative relevancy knowledge profile.A further
also include a restriction module configured to modify said embodiment of a computer program product ofthe present
profile to impose a restriction upon at least one of said two 20 invention also includes program code portions configured
ofsaid available known reference sets basedupon a restrict- for selecting at least one data source to evaluate using said
ing user input received by said user interface module. profile and for performing a discovery process operation
Another embodiment of a system of the present invention upon said at least one data source using said profile. Yet
may also include a preferencing module configured to another embodiment of a computer program product ofthe
modify saidprofileto imposeaviewingpreferenceuponany 25 present invention also includes a program code portion
use of said profile based upon a preference user input configured for storing a plurality of associative relevancy
received by said user interface module. knowledge profiles to create a knowledge repository. And
Embodiments ofthe present invention are also provided yet anotherembodiment ofa computer program product of
for a method of associative relevancy knowledge profiling the present invention also includes program code portions
that include providing at least two known reference sets; 30 configured for selecting one of said profiles in said knowl
edge repository, to identify a selectedprofile; for selecting at
selecting at least two of said known reference sets up, least one data source to evaluate using said selected profile;
including at least a first known reference set and a second and for performing a discovery process operation upon said
known reference set; creating at least one association at least one data source using said selected profile.
between two ofsaid at least two of said known reference sets These characteristics, as well as additional details, of the
to generate at least part ofan associative relevancyknowl- 35 present invention are described below. Similarly, corre
edge profile, wherein one of said at least one association is sponding and additional embodiments of associative rel
between said first known reference set and said second evancy knowledge profiling architectures and related sys
known reference set; and storing said associative relevancy tems, methods, and computer program products of the
knowledge profile. present invention are also described below.
One embodiment of a method of the present invention 40
also includes inputting at least one reference set to be one of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING (S )
saidknownreference sets. Anotherembodiment ofa method
of the present invention also includes modifying said an Having thus described embodiments of the invention in
associative relevancy knowledge profile.A further embodi- general terms, reference will now be made to the accompa
ment of a method of the present invention also includes 45 nying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
selecting at least one data source to evaluate using said and wherein:
profile and performing a discovery process operation upon FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a framework that would
said at least one data source using said profile. Yet a further benefit from embodiments of the present invention;
embodiment of a method of the present invention also FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network framework that
includes storing a plurality ofassociative relevancy knowl- 50 would benefit from embodiments ofthe present invention;
edge profiles to create a knowledge repository. And yet a FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram ofan embodiment of
further embodiment of a method of the present invention an associative relevancy knowledge profiling architecture of
also includes selectingone ofsaidprofiles insaidknowledge the present invention;
repository, to identify a selected profile; selecting at least FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for performing associative
one data source to evaluate using said selected profile;and 55 relevancyknowledge profiling accordingto anembodiment
performing a discovery process operation upon said at least ofthe present invention;
one data source using said selectedprofile. Andyet a further FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for using associative relevancy
embodiment of a method of the present invention also knowledge profiles generated according to an embodiment
includes calculating a charge for use ofsaid selected profile ofthe present invention; and
or calculating a charge for performing a discovery process 60 FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram ofan entity capable
operation upon said at least one data source. of operating as a computing system in accordance with an
Embodiments ofthe present invention are also provided embodiment ofthe present invention.
for a computer program product comprising a computer
readable storage medium having computer-readable pro DETAILED DESCRIPTION
gram code portions stored therein and providing for asso- 65
ciative relevancy knowledge profiling, the computer, the Embodiments of the present invention will now be
computerprogramproduct including aprogramcodeportion described more fully hereinafter with reference the
a
a

a
a
a
a
US 11,263,535 B2
5 6
accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all embodi- between two known reference sets, also referred to as
ments ofthe invention are shown. Indeed, embodiments of associative knowledge. Knowledge, as used herein, is not
the present invention may be embodied in many different merely some additional piece ofdata or information, but is
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi- a special form ofinformation that is generated by a domain
ments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are pro- 5 expert through awareness and comprehension ofa domain.
vided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal Knowledge may be found in many forms, but is often
requirements. Like reference numbers refer to like elements nonfunctional, such as embedded in the form in which it is
throughout found. For example, literature typically contains some rep
It will be appreciated from the following that many types resentation ofknowledge as the writing is typically created
ofdevices may beusedwiththepresent invention, including 10 with the subjective interpretation of the author. But, as
without limitation such as devices as servers and other embedded in the literature, the knowledge simply becomes
shared computing systems, personal computers, laptop com- part ofthe information and is nonfunctional. Embodiments
puters, and mobile stations such as handheld data terminals of the present invention make use of knowledge that is
and personal data assistants (PDAs). It will also be appre- functional, i.e., knowledge that can be represented in a
ciated that embodiments of the present invention may be 15 profile and used for a discovery process. Embodiments of
particularly useful with use in conjunction with search the present invention provide a vehicle in which a user can
engines and inference engines. However, embodiments of define at least some ofhis orherknowledge that canthenbe
the present invention are not limited to use applications usedto create, store, and furtherrefine a fixedrepresentation
involving search engines and inference engines, but may be ofthe user's knowledge in relation to known reference sets,
employed with a variety applicationsrelated to evaluating 20 i.e., known subjectmatter ofa domain.As defined andused
data and/or information. Similarly, although many of the herein, knowledge refers to associations between known
examples used herein relate to the medical and healthcare reference sets. Embodiments of the present invention rep
environment, it will be appreciated that embodiments ofthe resent knowledge using at least one association between
present invention may be used with any subject matter known reference sets premised upon a notion that knowl
domain, individually andalso collectivelywithothersubject 25 edge is appropriately represented through the associative
matter domains. nature of the human interpretation ofknown reference sets
It should also be noted that a domain need not be defined for a domain. Different types of associations are contem
merely by subject matter, such as medicine or sports, but plated for knowledge, including, for example, semantic
may also be defined by categorical distinctions and other enrichment such as by associating one or more elements of
similarities related to evaluating and analyzing the subject 30 a known reference set with one or more elements of an
matter ofthe domain, such as a domainrelatedto alljudicial external data set; cross maps, table joins; computational
opinions authored by a particular court or by a particular restrictions and like rules; fixed, linear, and non-linear
judge. Further, a domain may be defined in relation to a computational modifications and/or algorithms; and other
desire to exclude certain data and information, such as a associations between known reference sets that imparts an
domain related to the ability to exclude adult-oriented con- 35 awareness or comprehension of the subject matter domain
tent from the evaluation or analysis. Defining a domain by a user to permit the user to formalize his or her own
merely refers to a user representing himself or herselfas a conclusions, theories, anticipations, interpretations, impres
domain expert for relevant associations related to the data sions, and other preconceived notions about the domain as
and information represented by an related to any known represented by the known reference sets and the user's
reference sets; hence, embodiments ofthe present invention 40 associations between the known reference sets, thereby
provide associative relevancy knowledge profiling architec- permitting the creating ofa functional construct basedupon
tures and related systems, methods, and computer program the association.
products. As used herein, the term “known reference set” refers to
As used herein, the terms “data” and “ information” may a construct or organized structure of data, information,
be used independently, but collectively or independently 45 associations, orothercontent. Preferably, a knownreference
generally refer to any type of content. Data is considered set will represent an existing dataset agreed to, understood
generally tobe factual, oftenencompassing statistics with an by, and validated by peers in a particular domain, such as
emphasis on numerical values. And information, by com- standards set by peer groups or organizations, but a known
parison to data, is considered generally to not emphasize reference set may also be a dataset that has not been agreed
numerical values, but rather to emphasize the written word. 50 to and/or validated for a particular domain, but may merely
Thedistinctions betweenwhatkindofcontent is represented be, for example, a dataset generated by a domain expert or
by data andwhatkindofcontentis presentedby information other user generating an associative relevancy knowledge
is not specifically relevant to the present invention, and, profile. Example known reference sets include: a list of
thus, any reference herein solely to data or information vocabularies, such as a medical dictionary; a list of identi
without a particular distinction to the exclusion ofthe other 55 fiers and identified items, such as the ICD9 classification of
is intended to represent data and information collectively diseases and injuries andcorresponding codes andthe ICD9
suchthat as usedherein,the terms " data " and "information” classification ofprocedures and corresponding codes; a list
may be used interchangeably to refer any type of content. ofinformation such as a drug directory listing ingredients of
However, the separate terms data and information are gen- drugs; an associated list of information, such as a cross
erally used independently to be more descriptive ofvarious 60 reference chart between one classification system and
types ofcontent and also to distinguish the content of data another proprietary classification system; a dataset, such as
and information from “knowledge.” Boolean or SQL search results; and a precompute data
As used herein, the term “knowledge” refers to a higher source, such as the resulting dataset from running an infer
order ofinformation, or context in which to interpret infor- ence algorithm against a set ofarticles,the resulting data set
mation, that imparts an awareness or comprehension of a 65 from implementing an associative relevancy knowledge
subject matter domain by a user (referred to herein as a profile on an initial dataset, or any other existing or gener
domain expert), and is inclusive of at least one association ated dataset. Different types of structures are contemplated
a

a
a
US 11,263,535 B2
7 8
for known reference sets, including, for example, a single is a block diagram of a network framework that would
level hierarchy; multiple level hierarchies such as for a benefit from embodiments ofthe present invention. Unlike
lexicon, taxonomy, ontology, thesaurus, and index; a pre- the diagram of FIG. 1, which is representative of a more
defined associated listed information or association con- local or direct configuration, the diagram of FIG. 2 is
struct such as a cross map ortablejoins; and enrichedand/or 5 representative of embodiments of the present invention
refined known or created reference sets such as a proprietary which rely upon a network connection such as the Internet
reference set that is a semantically enriched dataset gener- for availability and communicationbetween elements ofthe
atedby supplementing aknownreference setwith additional system. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the
proprietary information of a company. elements of the system may be separately located in inter
Further, it should be noted that embodiments of the 10 connected through the Internet 20 four substantiating an
present invention are not search engines or inference embodiment ofthe present invention.
engines, but are intended to provide a separate type of Systems, methods, and computer program products of
systemthatmaybeusedto improveuponsearchengines and embodiments of the present invention will be primarily
inference engines. Although embodiments of the present described in conjunction with local or direct configuration
invention are a separate technology designed to provide 15 applications, such as generally represented by FIG. 1, and
additional capabilities andfunctionalities thatarenotknown some networked configuration applications, such as repre
to exist, it may be useful to think ofan embodiment ofthe sented in FIG. 2. It should be understood, however, that
present invention as an add-on for improving a search systems, methods, and computer program products of
engine or inference engine, or a related precursor system to embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in
using a search engine or inference engine. 20 conjunction with a variety of other configurations with
Embodiments of the present invention provide advances various means of communication and connection. For
inthegeneral fieldofinformationretrievalby facilitatingthe example, systems, methods, andcomputerprogramproducts
ability for users to build a structure (profile) that represents of embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in
at least some ofthe users knowledge and thereby allows use conjunctionwithwireline and/orwireless connections andin
of the structure (profile) for use when investigating other 25 local/direct andnetworkedapplications. For example, wired
resources (data sources). A profile (also referred to as a connections may include any one or more of an Ethernet
knowledge profile or discovery profile) provides a domain connection, a serial (RS-232) connection, a parallel (IEEE
expert the ability to build an expert system that incorporates 1284) connection, a USB connection, a SCSI connection,
existingknowledgeofthe domainexpertthatcanbeusedfor and other means ofachieving a wired or contact electronic
a discoveryprocess.Aprofileprovides aperspective ofhow 30 connection capable ofproviding communications between
a domain expertviews a domainandrepresents at least some two computing devices. Wireless connections may include
of the knowledge of the domain expert by at least one any one or more ofradio frequency (RF), Bluetooth (BT),
association between two known reference sets for the infrared (IR, IrDA), wireless LAN (WLAN, IEEE 802.11),
domain. In addition to at least one association between two WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), ultra wideband (UWB, IEEE
known reference sets for the domain, the perspective of a 35 802.15), microwave (u), ultraviolet (UV), and other means
profile may include, for example, additional selections, of achieving a wireless, non -contact electronic connection
restrictions, rankings, and other preferences they represent capable ofproviding communications between two comput
how the domain expert views or recommends to view the ing devices. Further, network applications can be of any
construct of an association between two known reference variety, including without limitation a Local Area Network
sets for the domain and/or the results of performing a 40 (LAN ), a Campus Area Network (CAN), a Metropolitan
discoveryprocess operationupononeormore datasetsusing Area Network (MAN ): a Wide Area Networks (WAN ), an
the profile. As such, a profile generally provides a perspec- intranet, and an extranet.
tive withboth an association andhow to view the association FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram ofan embodiment of
or results ofthe association. anassociativerelevancy knowledge profiling architecture of
Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram ofa computing 45 the present invention with the functional schematics of
framework that would benefit from embodiments of the computing system 22 shown in detail. Embodiments ofthe
present invention is shown. At the center ofthe system is a present invention provide a tool that allows a user (domain
computing system22, suchas apersonal computeror server. expert) to develop an associative relevancy knowledge pro
Shown connected to the computing system 22 are several file, also referred to as a knowledge discovery profile, or
additional elements that may be separately connected to the 50 simply as a profile. A selection offive known reference sets
computing system 22, interconnected by communications 26 are shown as being included in the computing system : a
with the central computing system 22, were part of the vocabulary 26A, a list ofinformation 26B, an associated list
computing system 22. One ormore known reference sets 26 of information 26C, a set of search results 26D, and a
are available to the computing system 22. Data and/or precompute 26E. By using known reference sets, a user is
information 24 representing existing content may be avail- 55 able to take advantage ofusing a reference framework and
able to the computing system 22. A profile database 28 for ontologies that ordinarily are common to others in a par
storing associative relevancy knowledge profiles and ticulardomain, suchthat otherusers who mightdesireto use
referred to herein as a knowledge repository may be avail- a profile createdby a domain expert will be familiarwiththe
able to the computing system 22. A user interface 30, such subject matter ofthe known reference sets and, thus, able to
as aweb-basedASPinterfaceorstandaloneapplication, may 60 examine and presumably comprehend the knowledge
be available to the computing system 22. And a search imparted by the domain expert about the domain. At least
engine 18 (or inference engine, or the like) may also be one association is createdby a domainexpertto memorialize
available to the computing system 22. The particular an association between two ofthe known reference sets 26.
arrangements, connections, and physical localities of all of The association defines an associated relationship between
these elements are not specific to the present invention, but 65 known reference sets as perceived by a domain expert, and
simply that the elements required for a specific embodiment as the domain expert believes may be relevant to under
are available to the computing system . For example, FIG. 2 standing the subject matter of the domain. This provides a
a

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domain expert with the ability to impart at least some ofhis computationally ranking or otherwise modifying some por
or her knowledge about the domain in a formalized manner tion oftheknownreference set, suchas semantically enrich
that can later be used by the domain expert or others to ing a portion ofthe known reference set.
analyze and evaluate the subject matter ofthe domain. For Similarly, FIG. 3 also shows that a domainexpert canalso
example, domain expert association construct 32A is iden- 5 impart restrictions upon the associative relevancy knowl
tified as an association between the vocabulary known edge profile regarding how the profile is used and the
reference set 26A and the list of information known refer- outcome ofresults from using the profile, as shown at block
ence set 26B. An additional domain expert association 36. This functionality is referred to herein as modifying
construct 32B is identified as an association between the viewing preferences or "windowing” the profile. Use of an
associated list ofinformation known reference set 26C and 10 existing profile may entail modification ofthe profile, such
the precompute known reference data set 26E. as refining a profile by editing the original profile. Modifi
A profile is domain dependent, at least in so far as the cation of the profile may also involve a user (either the
profile relies upon known reference sets which, at least in original domain expert or a subsequent user) enhancing a
theory, are derived from orthemselves define a domain; and profileby addingadditional knowledgeto anexistingprofile
preferably, a profileis created to be domain dependent such 15 by building upon the existing profile. Modification ofthe
that the known reference sets, knowledge, and viewing profile may also involve a user further restricting a profile,
preferences, respectfully, selected, imparted, and defined by such as restrictions of a user without rights to edit the
the domain expert are designed so that the profile is par- existing profile or add additional knowledge to the existing
ticularized and effective for discovery in the domain. But a profile. A domain expert can, thus, define an association to
profile need not be specific to a certain subject matter ofthe 20 create a construct representing knowledge, and then restrict
domain, such that a domain may be exceptionally broad and the construct to form a reference in which to view the
inclusive ofnumerous subject matters.And, as noted above, knowledge construct, i.e., a reference in which to view the
a domainneednot be definedmerely by subject matter, such one association between two known reference sets, or any
as medicine or sports,butmay also be definedby categorical numberofassociations definedfortheprofile. Thus,not only
distinctions and other similarities related to evaluating and 25 do embodiments of the present invention allow a user to
analyzing the subject matter of the domain or defined in impartknowledge into aprofileto storehis orherknowledge
relation to a desire to exclude certain data and information. about a domain, such as knowledge to obtain desired data
It should be noted that an aspect ofthe present invention, and information, but also to store his or her perspective on
which is not apparent from the representation of FIG. 3, is how to evaluate data and information and also to represent
the scalability ordimensionality ofthe associativerelevancy 30 the results of a discovery process according to how the
knowledge profiling architecture. Each ofthe known refer- domain expert believes the results should may be viewed,
ence sets may be considered a dimension. Thereby, the more explored, and/or evaluated. These further restrictions upon
reference sets that are included in embodiment, the higher the profile may include many preferences, which might be
the dimensionality of the associative relevancy knowledge typical for viewing any type of content, including, for
profiling architecture. For example, an embodiment with 35 example, refining search results. Viewing preferences may
only two known reference sets may be considered a two include, forexample, rankings orbiasings, filters,a selective
dimensional architecture, and any association construct filters, clustering, and computational clustering. Even such
between the two known reference sets may be thought ofas simple and somewhat administrative preferences may be
the intersection of two axes (or dimensions) of the two included as part of a profile, such as the number ofresults
known reference sets. Similarly, for example, an embodi- 40 that will be visible in a window , the type and/or amount of
ment with five known reference sets, as shown in FIG. 3, content that may be provided for a result, and even the style
may be considered a fifth dimensional architecture with ofthe graphical user interface presenting results. In effect, a
possible associations between any of the five axes (or domain expert is able to formalize his or her knowledge
dimensions) of the five known reference sets. As such, the about the domain not only by defining associations between
present invention provides a framework in which the asso- 45 known reference sets but also by such actions as modifying
ciative relevancy knowledge profiling architecture is scal- the known reference sets and modifying the manner in
able over any number of dimensions without limitation. which a profile will operate to be used on one or more data
As is usedby conventionhereinthroughout, an element of orinformation sources.And, as such, a domain expert is able
a figure may be shown in dashed lines representing an to addhis or herhuman element to a profile frombeginning
optional elementofanembodimentofthepresentinvention. 50 to endbecause a profile is, inessence,an attemptto capture
For example, only one association is necessary for an the human element as it relates to discovery based upon
embodiment of the present invention, so the additional knowledge.
domain expert association construct 32B is shown in dashed Also shown in FIG. 3 is a data/information server 24 that
lines. However, because various embodiments the present is connected to or in communicationwith computing system
invention may employ different capabilities and function- 55 22 to provide one or more data and information sources for
alities, one or more elements shown in dashed lines may be evaluation using a profile generated by the computing sys
a required element ofa specific embodiment ofthe present tem 22. As such, the data/information server 24 provides
invention. subject matter ofthe domain that can be analyzed according
FIG. 3 also shows that a domain expert can modify and to the knowledge of a profile generated by the computing
refine the profile being created, such as by including a 60 system 22. The use ofa profile, by performing an operation
restrictionor selectionuponone ormore ofknownreference upon one or more data and information sources using the
sets before an association is made, such as the restrictions/ profile, such as searching a data source, is referredto herein
selection 34 shown modifying the vocabulary known refer- as a discovery process and usually refers to the evaluation
ence set 26A before the domain expert creates the associa- and/or analysis of the one or more data sources in accor
tion 32A. For example, a known reference set may be 65 dancewiththeknowledgeoftheprofile.Adiscoveryprocess
restricted for a profile to only a desiredportion ofthe known may involve running a profile upon (over oragainst) a single
reference set, or a known reference set may be restricted by data source or multiple data sources. For example, a user

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may be able to select a profile and run the profile in a may be used for performing a discovery process operation
discovery process over one or more of a plurality of data upon one or more data and information sources using the
sources. Typically, a plurality of data/information sources profile. For example, a search engine may be used to search
may be used for performing a discovery process operation a data source using a profile according to the knowledge of
using a profile generated by the computing system 22, and, 5 theprofile, ratherthan, forexample, onlyusing searchterms
typically more than one data/information servers may be and operators such as for a Boolean search. Similarly, an
involved for providing the plurality of data/information inference engine may be used to perform inference algo
rithms according to the knowledge of a profile.
Also connected to the computing system 22 is a profile And a user interface 30 is shown in FIG. 3 connected to
database28, referredtohereinas aknowledgerepository.An 10 or in communication with the computing system 22.
embodiment ofthe present invention may be used to create interface generally is an integral software module with an
a knowledge repository by creating and/or storing multiple associative relevancy knowledge profiling software module
associative relevancy knowledge profiles and maintaining operatingonthecomputing system22, butmay alternatively
the profiles in storage for subsequent use, and may also be separate from the computing system 22 and/or an asso
involve modification/revision and/or further restriction of 15 ciative relevancy knowledge profiling software module
the stored profiles. Knowledge repositories may be created operating on the computing system 22. For example, one or
withmultiple profiles foruse with a single data source or for more user interfaces may be provided separate from the
use withmultiple data sources. Knowledge repositories may computing system22, suchas where a companyprovides its
be created where domain experts store and publish/share own proprietary profiling user interface through the com
their profiles for use (and/or for re-use) oftheir knowledge 20 pany intranet for generating profiles using an associative
by others, such as for other researchers, other employees, or relevancy knowledge profiling software module operating
any other type or classification ofusers. And any variation onthe computing system 22. Similarly, a knowledge reposi
ofaccess management, editorialrights management,anduse tory user interface may be provided by a separate applica
management may be employed for operating a knowledge tion, such as associated with a search server or other service
repository, including, for example, such standard adminis- 25 apartfromthecomputing system22.Auserinterface 30 may
trative functions as creating user accounts with defined be designed in any number ofmanners, including providing
rights management values that determine what rights a user agraphicaluserinterface (GUI) forpresentationonadisplay
has to view , use, modify, refine, etc. one or more profiles in screen and that receives a user input for an associative
the knowledge repository. For example, certain users may relevancy knowledge profiling system. One or more user
have access rights to access all or only a subset of the 30 interfaces may be designed for the creation ofprofiles, the
profiles stored in a knowledge repository while other users maintenance and use ofa knowledge repository, and use of
may only have access rights to access a limited subset ofall profiles. For example, a specially designed user interface
ofthe profiles or a different subset ofthe profiles. Similarly, may be created that also implements additional technologies
certain users may have unlimited editorial rights to modify, that may be similarly useful in using a profile according to
enhance, refine, etc. profiles stored in a knowledge reposi- 35 anembodiment ofthepresentinvention, suchas aprofileuse
tory while other users may have limited or no editorial interfacethatalso implementsthe ThinkMapTM visualization
rights. For example, those users with limited editorial rights technology of ThinkMap Corporation of New York, N.Y.,
may be restricted to use an existing profile that can only be fordisplaying andviewing, navigating andexploring, and/or
further restricted, but cannot be modified, similar to a evaluating resultsof a discovery process.
pre-populated search or inference template that cannot be 40 An optional enhancement to an embodiment ofthe pres
modified. But a user with editorial rights may be able to ent invention may be using fixed and/or dynamic “contain
modify an existing profile. And use of profiles may be ers ” for known reference sets, associations, rules, and data
managed in any variety of manners, including fee-based sources. A container is a predefined constraint for an aspect
rights management such as to charge users on a transaction ofan associative relevancyknowledge profiling system. For
basis for use ofprofiles. And profiles may vary in cost such 45 example, a known reference set container may be a pre
as where certain profiles may be free, certain profiles may defined constraint that is used with one or more known
have a low cost basis, and other profiles may have a high reference sets included as part ofa profile. Containers may
cost basis. Any one or more subscription based service use fixedconstraints, suchas aconstantnumerical multiplier
arrangements may be established for an associative rel- that may be used, for example, to dynamically bias a
evancy knowledge profiling system or a knowledge reposi- 50 weighted importance of a known reference set. Alterna
tory. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, a knowl- tively, containers may use dynamic constraints, such as a
edge profile may be used by multiple companies to facilitate variable numerical multiplierthatmay be used, for example,
a joint venture and/or sharing of research capabilities to bias a weighted importance ofa known reference set. By
between the companies. For example, two or more compa- using a dynamic constraint, aprofile may be createdthathas
niesmayshareanassociativerelevancyknowledgeprofiling 55 the subsequent ability to dynamically adjust to a change in
system that permits the two companies to each offer their the domain, such as a changeto a knownreference set orany
respective proprietary known reference sets for use in cre- other influence on the dynamic constraint. A dynamic con
ating profiles, which may ormay not be shared between the straint may be updated manually, automatically, or periodi
companies. In addition, or alternatively, two or more com- cally. A manual update may occur, for example, if a user
panies may share a knowledge repository that permits the 60 selects a profile with a dynamic constraint for a container,
two companies to each offer their respective profiles for use the system alerts the user of the dynamic constraint and
bythe other company to usewiththe company's proprietary requesting theuserto confirmordeny updating the dynamic
data sources and/or with proprietary data sources of the constraint, and the user chooses to update the dynamic
other company. constraint. An automatic update may occur, for example,
FIG. 3 also shows a search server 18 connected to or in 65 each time the profile is selected for use or modification. A
communication with the computing system 22. The search periodic update may occur, for example, at a predefined
server 18 (i.e., search engine, inference engine, or the like) frequency oftime, such as to maintain profiles in a knowl
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edge repository that are generally up-to -date and current for shown at block 206. Theuser also selects or chooses the data
the domain, regardless whether or not the profile has been and/or information source or sources, as shown at block 208
selected for use ormodification, and, thus, a profile may not that the user desires to run against the knowledge profile.
require furtherupdating atthetime ofuse ormodificationby And then the user is able to perform a discovery process
a user because it is constantly (periodically) kept up to date 5 operation upon the data and/or information source(s) using
and current for the domain. Use of fixed and dynamic the knowledge profile, as shown at block 210. A discovery
constraints for containers allows a domain expert the ability process may be a search, evaluation, or other analysis ofthe
to define, for example, if certain aspects of a profile are data source(s) based upon the knowledge and other user
important and should change or should not change. Con- preferences built into the profile. And the results of a
tainers may be used with any aspect ofa profile, including, 10 discovery process, or any other search, evaluation, or analy
for example, to constrain and/or modify a known reference sis operation may be used as a known reference set for
set, an association, a construct from an association, or a creating another profile.
viewing preference. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram ofan entity capable
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for performing associative of operating as a computing system in accordance with an
relevancy knowledge profiling according to an embodiment 15 embodiment of the present invention. Although shown as
of the present invention. Associative relevancy knowledge separate entities, such as in FIG. 1, in some embodiments,
profiling, also referred to as the creation of a profile, is one or more entities may support one or more ofa comput
identified as starting at block 100. A user selects or chooses ing system, known reference set data source(s), data and/or
two or more known reference sets, as shown at block 102. information source(s), a profile database (knowledge reposi
Optionally, theusermay furtherrefinetheprofile, suchas by 20 tory), a user interface, and/or a search engine or inference
restricting one or more of these selectedknown reference engine, logically separated but co-located within the entit
sets, as shown at block 104. Auser and then creates at least (ies). For example, a single entity may support a logically
one association between two ofthe known reference sets, as separate, but co-located, computing system and knowledge
shown at block 106. Optionally, the user may further refine repository. Also, for example, a single entity may support a
the profile, as shown at block 108 by the selecting view 25 logically separate, but co-located computing system and
properties. The selection of view properties refers to any search engine. The entity capable ofoperating at least as a
number of modifications that a user may impose upon a computing system22 includes various means forperforming
profile, including, for example, filters, rule sets, rankings, one or more functions in accordance with exemplary
and other preferences that the user imposes to control the embodiments ofthe present invention, including thosemore
manner in which either the profile operates or the results of 30 particularly shownanddescribedherein. It shouldbe under
using the profile may be viewed. Such further refinements stood, however, that one or more ofthe entities may include
are intended to permit the userthe ability to impart upon the alternative means forperforming one ormore like functions,
profile, not only the basic structure ofthe users knowledge without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
in the form of associations between known reference sets, invention. More particularly, for example, as shown in FIG.
but also the user's knowledge encompassed in the form of 35 6, the entity can include a processor, controller, or like
howtheuserperceives theprofile shouldbeusedand/orhow processing element 634 connected to a memory 636. It is
the user perceives the results ofusing the profile should be understood that the processor 634 may include the circuitry
viewed. Optionally, theusermay furtherrefinetheprofileby required for implementing the logic functions ofa comput
pre-selecting one or more data and/or information sources ing system 22 for an embodiment ofthe present invention.
that shouldbe orare intendedto beusedwiththeprofile for 40 For example, the processor 634 may be comprised of a
performing a discoveryprocess, as shownatblock 110. This digital signal processordevice, amicroprocessordevice, and
may also involve identifying a particulartype ofrequired or various analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog con
intended discovery process for the profile, potentially even verters, and other support circuits. The control and signal
to the extent of identifying a required or intended system processing functions of a computing system may be allo
(search engine or inference engine) to perform the discovery 45 cated between these devices according to their respective
process on the one or more data and/or information sources capabilities. Further, the processor 634 may include the
using the profile. Typically, an embodiment of present functionality to operate one or more software programs,
invention will permit the user to store the profile, as shown which may be stored in memory 636.
at block 112, such as in a knowledge repository, which The memory 636 can comprise volatile and /or non
permits the profile to be used and/orre-used at a subsequent 50 volatile memory, and typically stores content, data or the
time by the domain expert or anotheruser. Further, typically like, either orboth on a temporary basis or for a longerterm
the user will then perform a discovery process operation on and/or permanent basis. For example, the memory typically
one or more data and/or information sources using the stores content created by, transmitted from , and/or received
profile, as shownatblock114.Andwhenknowledgeprofiles by, the entity.Also forexample, the memorytypically stores
are stored, such as to be shared in a knowledge repository, 55 computer program code, such as for operating systems and
often the profile is not restricted to a particular one ormore client applications, for the processor to perform steps asso
data sources, but permits the selection or choice ofthe one ciated with operation of the entity in accordance with
or more data sources that is analyzed with the profile to embodiments ofthepresent invention. Memory 636 may be,
occur after selection of the profile for subsequent use. for example, read only memory (ROM), random access
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for using associative relevancy 60 memory (RAM ), a flash drive, a hard drive, and/or other
knowledge profiles generated according to an embodiment fixed data memory or storage device. For example, non
ofthe present invention. A discovery process is identified as volatile memory may include a flash memory, or the like,
starting at block 200. Auser selects or chooses a knowledge such as available from the SanDisk Corporation of Sunny
profile, as shownatblock202. Depending onthe capabilities vale, Calif., or Lexar Media Inc., of Fremont, Calif. The
ofthe system and/or the rights ofthe user, the user may be 65 memories can store any ofa number and amount ofdata and
able to revise the knowledge profile, as shown at block 204 information, including known reference sets, profiles, and
or to further enhance or restrict the knowledge profile, as data sources.
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As describedherein, the computerprogram productmod- nection for communication interface 638 might include an
ule(s) and/ or application(s) may each comprise software antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller for the
operated by the respective entities. It should be understood, wireless operation.
however, that any one or more ofthe modules and applica- If the entity is, for example, an associative relevancy
tions described herein can alternatively comprise firmware 5 knowledge profiling system , the entity may also include a
or hardware, without departing from the spirit and scope of user interface module 682, a known reference set module
the presentinvention. Generally, then, a computingsystem 684, an association module 686, a storage module 688, a
may include one or more logic elements for performing restrictionmodule 690, anda view preferencingmodule 692
various functions of one or more module(s) and/or applica- connected to the processor 634. These modules may be
tion(s). As will be appreciated, the logic elements can be 10 software and/or software-hardware components, such as
embodied in any of a number of different manners. In this computer-readable program code portions stored on a com
regard, thelogic elements performingthefunctions ofoneor puter-readable storage medium , and one or more modules
more client applications can be embodied in an integrated may be combined into a single module. For example, a user
circuit assembly including one or more integrated circuits interface module 682 may include software and /or software
integral or otherwise in communication with a respective 15 hardwarecomponents capableofandconfiguredto generate
entity (i.e., computing system , known reference set data a user interface forpresentationon a display screen and also
source(s), data and/or information source(s), a profile data- to receive user input from a domain expert. A known
base (knowledge repository), a user interface, and/or a reference set module 684 may include software and/or
search engine orinference engine, etc.) ormore particularly, software-hardwarecomponents capable ofandconfiguredto
forexample, a processor 634 ofthe respective entity. The 20 provide at least two available known reference sets to the
design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly auto- domain expert and to permit the selection of at least two
mated process. In this regard, complex and powerful soft- known reference sets by the domain expert according to a
ware tools are available for converting a logic level design selective user input of the domain expert received by, for
into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and example, the user interface module 682. A selective user
formed on a semiconductor substrate. These software tools, 25 input may be, for example, highlighting the identification
such as those provided by Avant! Corporation of Fremont, (name) ofa knownreference set, selecting a radio button for
Calif. and Cadence Design, of San Jose, Calif., automati- a known reference set, checking a checkbox for a known
cally route conductors and locate components on a semi- reference set, or any similar means to indicate to the known
conductorchip using well establishedrules ofdesign as well reference set module 684 that the domain expert desires a
as huge libraries of pre-stored design modules. Once the 30 particular known reference set to be used. A known refer
design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed, the ence set module 684 may also be capable ofand configured
resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., to input at least one known reference set as one of the
Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semicon- available knownreference sets, such as to permitthe domain
ductor fabrication facility or “fab” for fabrication. expert to create a known reference set, to permit the domain
In additionto thememory 636, theprocessor 634 can also 35 expertto uploada file representing aknown reference set, to
be connected to at least one interface or other means for retrieve a known reference set from memory, or a similar
displaying, transmitting and/orreceiving data, content orthe meanstoprovidethecontents ofaknownreference settothe
like. In this regard, the interface(s) can include at least one knownreference setmodule 684. Further, aknownreference
communication interface 638 or other means for transmit- set module 684 may also be capable of and configured to
ting and/or receiving data, content or the like. For example, 40 identify the at least one known reference set input by the
the communication interface(s) may include a first commu- known reference set module 684, such as based upon an
nicationinterfaceforconnectingto a firstwireless connected identifying user input ofthe domain expert received by, for
entityand/ornetworkanda secondcommunicationinterface example, the user interface module 682. Identifying user
for connecting to a second wired connected entity and/or input may be, for example, selecting a known reference set
network. When an entity provides wireless communication 45 such as a known reference set input by the known reference
to operate wirelessly with a connected entity orto operate in set module 684 from a list ofavailable knownreference sets,
a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth network, a wireless locating a known reference set on a local or network storage
network, or other mobile network, the processor 634 may device, or any similar means to indicate for the known
operate with a wireless communication subsystem of the reference set module 684 that the domain expert desires a
interface 638. In additionto the communication interface(s), 50 particular known reference set to be used with the profile.
the interface(s) can also include at least one user interface An association module 686 may include software and/or
that caninclude one ormore earphones and/or speakers 639, software-hardwarecomponents capable ofandconfiguredto
a display 640, and/or a user input interface 642. The user create an association between two of the available known
input interface, in turn, can comprise any of a number of reference sets according to an associative user input ofthe
devices allowing the entity to receive data from a user, such 55 domain expert received by, for example, the user interface
as a microphone, a keypad, a touch display, a joystick or module 682. A created association may be, for example,
otherinputdevice. Oneormoreprocessors,memory, storage semantic enrichment such as associating one or more ele
devices, and other computer elements may be used in ments of a first known reference set with one or more
common by a computer system and subsystems, as part of elements of a second known reference set; a cross map
the sameplatform , orprocessors maybe distributedbetween 60 betweentwo knownreference sets; atablejoinbetweentwo
a computer system and subsystems, as parts of multiple known reference sets; one or more computational restric
platforms. It should be understood that an embodiment ofa tions or like rules applied to one or more elements ofa first
computing system of the present invention may include knownreference set andpossibly also one ormore elements
alternative means and/or additional supporting software of a second known reference set based upon one or more
and/or hardware for performing one or more like functions, 65 elements of the second known reference set and possibly
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present also one or more elements ofthe first known reference set,
invention. More particularly, for example, a wireless con- respectively; a fixed, linear, or non-linear computational
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restriction/modification and/or numerical algorithm applied methods, apparatus (and systems), and computer program
to one or more elements of a first known reference set and products according to embodiments ofthe invention. In this
possibly also one or more elements of a second known regard, each block or step of a block diagram or flowchart,
reference setbaseduponone ormore elements ofthe second and combinations ofblocks in a block diagram or flowchart,
knownreference set andpossibly also one ormore elements 5 can be implemented by various means, such as hardware,
of the first known reference set, respectively; or a similar firmware, and/or software including one or more computer
means ofassociating two known reference sets that imparts program instructions embodied in computer-readable pro
an awareness or comprehension of the subject matter gram code logic. As will be appreciated, any such computer
domain by a domain expert to permit the domain expert to program instructions may be loaded onto a computer,
formalizehis orher ownconclusions, theories, anticipations, 10 including without limitation a general purpose computer or
interpretations, impressions, andotherpreconceivednotions
aboutthe domain as representedby theknownreference sets special purpose computer, or other programmable process
and the domain expert's association(s) between the known ing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer
reference sets, therebypermittingthecreatingofafunctional program instructions which execute on the computer or
other
construct based upon the association(s). Similarly, acreated 15 programmable processing apparatus create means for
association may be, for example, different from or in addi implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams'
tionto an association creatinga one-to-one correspondence and flowchart's block(s) or step (s).
linking between at least two components (two or more Accordingly,blocks oftheblockdiagrams andflowcharts
elements and/or two or more groups ofelements) from two support combinations ofmeans forperforming the specified
known reference sets, such as, in addition to or as an 20 functions, combinations of steps for performing the speci
alternative to a cross map or table join, an association may fied functions, and computer program instructions, such as
be created that provides semantic enrichment of a first embodied in computer-readable program code logic means,
known reference set based upon one or more elements of a for performing the specified functions. It will also be under
second known reference set. The association module 686 stood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart
may be further capable of and configured to generate a 25 illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block dia
knowledge constructbaseduponthe associationandthetwo grams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by
available known reference sets of the association. Further, special purpose hardware -based computer systems which
the association module 686 may be further capable of and perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of
configured to generate a profile comprising the association special purpose hardware and computer-readable program
between the two available known reference sets of the 30 code logic means.
association. Furthermore, these computer program instructions, such
A storage module 688 may be capable ofand configured as embodied incomputer-readableprogram code logic, may
to store a profile and provide the profile for subsequent alsobe storedinacomputer-readablememorythatcandirect
use. For example, a storage module 688 may be capable of a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to
and configuredto store profiles generatedby the association 35 function in a particular manner, such that the instructions
module 686 in one or more memories for temporary and/or stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article
more permanent storage and subsequent use. A storage of manufacture including instruction means which imple
module 688 may also be capable ofand configured to store ment the function specified in the block diagrams' and
profiles that may be published and/or shared, maintained, flowchart's block(s) or step (s). The computer program
and subsequently used as part of a knowledge repository. 40 instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other
A restriction module 690 may be capable of and config- programmable processing apparatus to cause a series of
uredto modify a profile to impose a restrictionupon at least operational steps to be performed on the computer or other
two known reference sets of an association of the profile, programmable processing apparatus to produce a computer
such as based upon a restricting user input of the domain implemented process such that the instructions which
expert received by, for example, the user interface module 45 execute on the computer or other programmable processing
682. Arestricting user input may define a restriction that is, apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions
for example, a selection, a ranking, a filter, a semantic specified in the block diagrams' and flowchart's block(s) or
enrichment, a computational restriction, a fixed, linear, or step (s).
non -linear computational restriction/modification and/or Provided herein are improved architectures, systems,
numerical algorithm . 50 methods, andcomputerprogramproducts thatprovide auser
A preferencing module 692, also referred to as a view with the ability to define an association of data and/or
preferencing module, may be capable of and configured to information from known reference sets that is perceived by
modify a profile to impose a viewing preference upon any the user as relevant to a subject matter domain, thereby
use oftheprofile, suchas baseduponapreferenceuserinput imparting and formalizing some of the user's knowledge
of the domain expert received by, for example, the user 55 about the domain. An associative relevancy knowledge
interface module 682. Apreference user input may define a profiler may also allow a user to create a profile by modi
viewing preference that is, for example, a ranking prefer- fying orrestrictingtheknownreference sets andwindowing
ence, a quantity preference, a content preference, or a the results from the association as a user might refine any
filtering preference. other analysis algorithms and for related evaluation pur
Similar other modules comprising software and/or soft- 60 poses.Anassociativerelevancyknowledgeprofilermayalso
ware-hardware components may also be connected to the be used to define a user profile that can be used by the user
processor 634 including software capable ofperforming one and others. Àuser profile may be usable invarious manners
ormore of the additionallydescribed functions and capa- depending upon, for example, rights management permis
bilities ofan embodiment ofthe present invention and/or a sions andrestrictions forauser. Similarly, auserprofilemay
system related to an embodiment ofthe present invention. 65 be usable in various domains and/or with different data and
Embodiments ofthe present invention are described with information sources, such as those data sources available to
reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of a particular user.

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US 11,263,535 B2
19 20
Many modifications and other embodiments ofthe inven- 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the processor is further
tions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the configured to:
artto whichtheseinventionspertainhavingthebenefitofthe identify user preferences built into the associative rel
teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the evancy knowledge profile; and
associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that 5 cause performance ofthe discovery process based on the
the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodi- identified user preferences.
ments disclosed and that modifications and other embodi 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
ments are intended to be included within the scope of the the association module configured to store and curate the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed new associative relevancy knowledge profile in a
herein,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only 10 knowledge repository accessible to a plurality of com
and not for purposes of limitation. puting devices.
What is claimed: 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the domain expert
1. Asystem for associative relevancy-based discovery, the selection restrictions comprise a selection, a ranking, and a
system comprising: filter, or plurality thereof.
at least one user interface module configured to: 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
receive selection of an associative relevancy knowl domain expert association construct among the plurality of
edge profile, and known reference sets imparts an awareness or comprehen
receive selection ofat least one data source to evaluate sion of a subject matter domain by the domain expert.
using the associative relevancy knowledge profile; 11. The systemofclaim 1, whereintheprocessoris further
a processor configured to cause performance ofa discov- configured to:
ery process operation upon the at least one data source apply a dynamic constraint comprising a variable numeri
using the associative relevancy knowledge profile; cal multiplier to bias a weighted importance of the
an association module configured to utilize results from plurality of known reference sets of the associative
the discovery process as a precompute data source for 25 relevancy knowledge profile, and subsequently, the
creating a new associative relevancy knowledge profile associative relevancy knowledge profile is adjusted to
to form a multi-layered collection of associative rel the bias.
evancy knowledge profiles, the multi-layered collec- 12. A method for associative relevancy-based discovery,
tion ofassociative relevancy knowledge profiles com- comprising:
prising a plurality of domain expert association 30 selecting an associative relevancy knowledge profile;
constructs among a plurality of known reference sets selecting at least one data source to evaluate using the
comprising ontologies, dictionaries, metadata, struc- associative relevancy knowledge profile;
tures, and schemata, wherein the plurality of domain performing a discoveryprocess operationuponthe atleast
expert association constructs comprise: (i) new , domain one data source using the associative relevancy knowl
expert associations among the plurality of known ref- 35 edge profile;
erence sets; and (ii) at least one viewing preference for utilizing results from the discovery process as a precom
presenting results from use ofthe associative relevancy pute data source for creating a new associative rel
knowledge profile; and evancy knowledge profile to form a multi-layered col
a restriction module configured to restrict the associative lectionofassociativerelevancyknowledgeprofiles, the
relevancy knowledge profile by imposing restrictions 40 multi-layered collection of associative relevancy
upon the plurality of known reference sets of the knowledge profiles comprising a plurality of domain
associative relevancy knowledge profile, wherein the expert association constructs among a plurality of
restrictions comprise computational modification, known reference sets comprising ontologies, diction
domain expert selection, and semantic enrichment aries, metadata, structures, and schemata, wherein the
restrictions. plurality ofdomain expert association constructs com
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: prise: (i) new , domain expert associations among the
a preferencing module configured to modify the associa plurality of known reference sets; and (ii) at least one
tive relevancy knowledge profile. viewing preference for presenting results from use of
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the preferencing the associative relevancy knowledge profile; and
module is configured to modify the associative relevancy 50 restricting the associativerelevancy knowledge profile by
knowledge profile by modifying the plurality of known imposing restrictions upon the plurality ofknown ref
reference sets before the at least one domain expert asso erence sets of the associative relevancy knowledge
ciation construct is created. profile, wherein the restrictions comprise computa
4. The system of claim 1, tional modification, domain expert selection, and
wherein the user interface module is further configured to 55 semantic enrichment restrictions.
receive user input defining the restrictions, and 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
wherein the restriction module is further configured to modifying the associative relevancy knowledge profile.
restrict the associative relevancy knowledge profile 14. The method of claim 13, wherein modifying the
based on the user input defining the restrictions. associative relevancy knowledge profile:
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computational 60 comprisesmodifyingthepluralityofknownreference sets
modification restrictions comprise a computational restric before the at least one domain expert association con
tion, a fixed numerical modification, a linear numerical struct is created.
computation, and a non -linear numerical computation. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the discovery process receiving user input defining the restrictions,
comprises a search or evaluation of the at least one data 65 wherein restricting the associative relevancy knowledge
source based upon the associative relevancy knowledge profile is based on the user input defining the restric
profile. tions.
45
a

US 11,263,535 B2
21 22
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the discovery knowledge profile to form a multi-layered collection of
process comprises a search or evaluation ofthe at least one associative relevancy knowledge profiles, the multi
datasourcebaseduponthe associativerelevancyknowledge layered collection ofassociative relevancy knowledge
profile. profiles comprising a plurality of domain expert asso
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing 5 ciationconstructs among aplurality ofknownreference
and curating the new associative relevancy knowledge pro sets comprising ontologies, dictionaries, metadata,
file in a knowledge repository accessible to a plurality of
computing devices. structures, and schemata, wherein the plurality of
18. A computer program product for associative rel- domainexpertassociationconstructs comprise: (i)new ,
evancy-based discovery, the computer program product domain expert associations among the plurality of
comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable known reference sets; and (ii) at least one viewing
storage medium storing computer-readable program code preference for presenting results from use ofthe asso
portions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to: ciative relevancy knowledge profile; and
select an associative relevancy knowledge profile; restrict the associative relevancy knowledge profile by
select at least one data source to evaluate using the
associative relevancy knowledge profile; imposing restrictions upon the plurality ofknown ref
perform a discovery process operation upon the at least erence sets of the associative relevancy knowledge
one data source using the associative relevancyknowl profile, wherein the restrictions comprise computa
edge profile; tional modification, domain expert selection, and
semantic enrichment restrictions.
utilize results fromthe discovery process as a precompute
data source for creating a new associative relevancy
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Associative Relevancy USPTO Patent 11263535 Granted On 3-1-2022

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