Catherine A Lofgren

US Patent:

60286016, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Apr 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/829862

Inventors:

Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA
Michael James Graves - Cupertino CA
Sunil Vemuri - Pleasanton CA
Ravinder Paul Chandhok - Waynesburg PA
Catherine Abbott Lofgren - Campbell CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345336

Abstract:

A user enters input, or a question in natural language form, and information is retrieved. A questions database is coupled to the input interface and contains questions which are comparable to the input and which the source retrieves in response to an input. An information source is coupled to the input interface and contains information which is relevant to retrieved questions. A searcher is coupled to the input interface for searching the information source for information which is relevant to the input. Information is ranked according to the entered query. A user's question is stored and linked to answers in the questions database. Users may add and link new questions which are not already stored in the questions database.

US Patent:

62430904, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Aug 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/383135

Inventors:

Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA
Michael James Graves - Cupertino CA
Sunil Vemuri - Pleasanton CA
Ravinder Paul Chandhok - Waynesburg PA
Catherine Abbott Lofgren - Campbell CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345338

Abstract:

A system for retrieving information which is relevant to a user's input. The system has an input interface through which a user can enter an input. A questions source is coupled to the input interface and contains questions which are comparable to the input and which the source retrieves in response to an input. An information source is coupled to the input interface and contains information which is relevant to retrieved questions. A searcher is coupled to the input interface for searching the information source for information which is relevant to the input. A method for a computer system to retrieve information relevant to a user's input includes the steps of: entering an input in an input interface; matching the input with a question stored in a questions source; and selecting a question in the questions source with which to retrieve information relevant to the question.