A method performed in connection with an arrangement of nodes representable as a graph, and an inverted index containing a correlation among keywords and nodes such that at least some nodes containing a given keyword are indexed to that given keyword, involves receiving a word, searching the inverted index to determine whether the word is a keyword and, if the word is a keyword, jumping to a node identified in the inverted index as correlated to that keyword, otherwise, learning a meaning for the word based upon reaching a result node and applying at least one specified rule such that a new input containing the word can be received thereafter and the word from the new input will be treated according to the learned meaning.

A system and method for ranking the results of a search on a collection of linked documents. Documents found on the Web are typically referred to as Web pages. The system utilizes various information relating to the collection of linked documents, including the topology, content and historical usage of the linked collections of documents. The ranking is based on historical patterns and information about the current context of interest (e.g. what the user or group seems to be currently interested in doing). A spreading activation technique is used to identify the frequency of activation of the documents in the search results. Spreading activation techniques are based on representations of Web pages as nodes in graph networks representing usage, content, and hypertext relations among Web pages. After performing the spreading activation based on an initial set defined by the search results, each document from the results may be ranked based on their level of activation.

A knowledge management database system and method for building such a system relies on input from various subject matter experts to review and validate the structure of the database (in terms of substantive subject matter areas included in the database, their definitions, focus) and the various items stored in the database. The review and validation renders the database as "easy to use" by a novice in the particular situation, allowing that user to easily navigate through the database system and find a response to a particular issue or problem. Such a database management system is particularly useful in a large organization, or one with rapid turnover in certain jobs, allowing a user who may be unfamiliar with various aspects of a particular issue to readily find the relevant information.

A system and method for searching websites that use category information to narrow the range of a website content search. Website content is retrieved through a network and stored. A user starts a search by selecting a category or categories in which information Pertinent to the user's needs is likely to be found. The user then performs a keyword search on the content of websites that fall within the selected category or categories. The results of this category-content search are sent and displayed to the user.

A knowledge acquisition and retrieval apparatus and method that emulate the human brain and comprise at least one first memory segment, and a distinct second memory segment, wherein elements of the at least one first memory segment are reciprocally associated to elements of the second memory segment, and vice-versa. The at least one first memory segment comprises categorized data from the physical world, known as representational data, while the second memory segment contains abstract or conceptual data, otherwise known as consciousness data. Physical data comprises auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, and sensory data, and each element of the at least one first memory segment is identified as auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, or sensory data. By reciprocally associating the physical (representational) and conceptual (consciousness) data, a hierarchical structure is created that allows information retrieval by traversing the reciprocal associations. Varying retrieval algorithms traverse the hierarchical structure differently to generate specified system outputs. Retrieval algorithms are implemented to represent human information retrieval functions commonly known as reduction, imaging, deduction, recognition, recall, categorization, and reasoning.