Method and system for performing classified document research

Abstract

A system and method for efficiently and accurately identifying relevant document classifications is contemplated. The document analysis system receives classified reference documents along with a relevancy indicator for each document and generates sensory indicators that assist a researcher in identifying relevant classifications that have not been previously researched. In one aspect, the document analysis system generates a table of classifications, the classifications being determined by scoring of each classification cited within each relevant document. The system then determines a sensory indicator (e.g. a color) for each classification that indicates the extent to which the classification has been previously searched. The classification analysis window thus allows the researcher to quickly determine (e.g. by visual inspection) which classification codes have been cited most frequently as well as which classification codes require further search. In this manner the researcher may quickly determine where to direct a next iteration of a search.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 250,557 filed on Oct. 11, 2009 by the inventor of the present invention, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of document research, and more particularly to methods and systems for locating relevant classifications.BACKGROUND[0003]Document research involves finding relevant subject matter within a set of documents as may be found in a document repository. Search engines, for example, use “key” words or phrases as search arguments to locate text passages containing those words or phrases. Classification systems provide another means for assessing context. In a classification system, documents with common threads are grouped together in classes. A field of context, therefore, can be narrowed by selecting relevant classes. Patents and patent-related documentation databases are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]It is a first object of the present invention to provide a classification analysis system that equips a researcher with broad scope reporting for the initial phase of a search project. It is a second object to enable the researcher to progressively narrow the scope of the search project. Yet another object of the present invention is to enable the researcher to track a classification search history such that duplication is avoided. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system of narrow classification analysis cross referenced against the classification search history. Yet another object of the present invention is to enable the researcher to effectively cycle through the narrow phase of a search project. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system that permits the researcher to confidently end a classification based search project.

Problems solved by technology

However, in many large-scale databases the classification system itself may be complex.

However, the analysis is broad, and does not show a researcher where he or she needs to search, which is important because a patent search involves many iterations of polling a database, and with each iteration, the researcher should progressively narrow the size of the field of interest.

While Chen has shown the method of removing classifications and counting frequency, Chen fails to show the additional function of comparing classification frequencies to search histories, nor does Chen show additional broad and narrow reporting schemes for use at different stages of a patent search.

The method shows the researcher a quality of a search, but falls short in that Huang does not assist the researcher in locating additional classification areas to search in a next iteration.

In addition, Ohga fails to show additional modes of class counting and weighting that are used at different stages of a patent research project, such that the researcher can use broad analysis in the beginning and narrow analysis during the iterative part of the patent search.

While Tropper realizes the benefits of using latest search results to form new searches, he fails to teach the accumulation of classification codes, weighting the codes, ranking of the codes and then comparing the rankings to the researchers search history.

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