Method and system for retrieving search results from multiple disparate databases

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for retrieving search results. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for retrieving search results concurrently from multiple disparate databases, whether such databases be available through the Web, or other proprietary internal networks. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a user interface, a control engine, and a number of translators which are used to communicate with a number of corresponding databases. During exemplary operation, a user uses the user interface to enter search term(s) and other pertinent information relating to his/her search and specify which ones of the databases are to be searched. The search term(s) and other pertinent information are then relayed to the control engine which, in turn, forwards them to the appropriate translators which correspond to the specified databases to be searched. These translators then concurrently formulate and issue their respective search requests to the corresponding databases. Concurrent searches are then carried out in the specified databases. Search results from each of the specified databases are then returned and consolidated for display by the user interface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for retrieving search results from a plurality of databases, comprising: 
 an interface configured to receive search information; and    a plurality of translators configured to retrieve search results from said plurality of databases respectively based on said search information;    wherein each of said plurality of translators formulates a search request using said search information and syntax and protocol information specific to its corresponding database; and    wherein said plurality of translators use said respective search requests to retrieve said search results from their corresponding databases in a concurrent manner.    
     
     
         2 . The system of    claim 1    further comprising: 
 a control engine configured to forward said search information to said plurality of translators and to consolidate said search results retrieved by said plurality of translators.  
 
     
     
         3 . The system of    claim 2    wherein said search results consolidated by said control engine are passed to said interface for display to a user.  
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 2    wherein said search results consolidated by said control engine are passed to said interface for further processing.  
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 3    wherein said consolidated search results are formatted using a markup language.  
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 5    wherein said markup language is selected from a group consisting of HTML, DHTML and XML.  
     
     
         7 . The system of    claim 1    wherein each of said translators is further configured to perform one or more authorization steps so as to communicate with its corresponding database.  
     
     
         8 . The system of    claim 1    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are Web-accessible.  
     
     
         9 . The system of    claim 8    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are locally accessible.  
     
     
         10 . The system of    claim 1    wherein each of said plurality of translators communicates with its corresponding database using an interface protocol.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10    wherein said interface protocol is selected from a group consisting of HTTP, telnet, Z39.50 and ODBC.  
     
     
         12 . The system of    claim 1    wherein said interface is implemented using a Web browser; and 
 wherein said interface receives said search information from a user.  
 
     
     
         13 . The system of    claim 1    wherein said system is implemented using computer software.  
     
     
         14 . A system for retrieving search results from a plurality of databases, comprising: 
 a user interface configured to receive search information entered by a user;    a plurality of translators, wherein each translator is configured to communicate with a corresponding database so as to allow a search to be performed in said corresponding database; and    a control engine configured to forward said search information to said plurality of translators, wherein each translator uses said search information and protocol information specific to its corresponding database to formulate a search request to effectuate said search;    wherein said plurality of translators use said respective search requests to effectuate said respective searches and retrieve said search results from said plurality of databases in a concurrent manner.    
     
     
         15 . The system of    claim 14    wherein said control engine is further configured to consolidate said search results retrieved from said plurality of databases.  
     
     
         16 . The system of    claim 14    wherein each translator is further configured to perform one or more authorization steps so as to communicate with its corresponding database.  
     
     
         17 . The system of    claim 14    wherein said search results consolidated by said control engine are passed to said user interface for display to a user or returned to a calling program.  
     
     
         18 . The system of    claim 17    wherein said consolidated search results are formatted using a markup language.  
     
     
         19 . The system of    claim 18    wherein said markup language is selected from a group consisting of HTML, DHTML and XML.  
     
     
         20 . The system of    claim 14    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are Web-accessible.  
     
     
         21 . The system of    claim 20    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are locally accessible.  
     
     
         22 . The system of    claim 14    wherein each of said plurality of translators communicates with its corresponding database using an interface protocol.  
     
     
         23 . The system of    claim 22    wherein said interface protocol is selected from a group consisting of HTTP, telnet, Z39.50 and ODBC.  
     
     
         24 . A method for retrieving search results from a plurality of databases, comprising: 
 receiving search information from a user or a user agent;    formulating a plurality of search requests using said search information and database syntax and protocol information, wherein each search request is recognizable by a corresponding database;    executing said plurality of search requests in their corresponding databases in a concurrent manner;    returning search results from said plurality of databases after execution of said plurality of search requests; and    consolidating said search results for display to the user or the user agent.    
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 24    further comprising: 
 communicating said plurality of search requests to their corresponding databases using an interface protocol.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 25    wherein said interface protocol is selected from a group consisting of HTTP, telnet, Z39.50 and ODBC.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 24    further comprising: 
 formatting said consolidated search results using a markup language.  
 
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 27    wherein said markup language is selected from a group consisting of HTML, DHTML and XML.  
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 24    further comprising: 
 performing one or more authorization procedures respectively in said plurality of databases in a concurrent manner.  
 
     
     
         30 . The method of    claim 24    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are Web-accessible.  
     
     
         31 . The method of    claim 30    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are locally accessible.  
     
     
         32 . A method for retrieving search results from a plurality of databases, comprising: 
 receiving search information from a user;    generating a plurality of search requests using said search information and database syntax and protocol information, wherein each search request is tailored to be understood by a corresponding database;    retrieving search results from said plurality of databases in a concurrent manner pursuant to said plurality of search requests; and    consolidating said search results.    
     
     
         33 . The method of    claim 32    further comprising: 
 performing one or more authorization procedures respectively in said plurality of databases in a concurrent manner.  
 
     
     
         34 . The method of    claim 32    further comprising: 
 communicating said plurality of search requests to their corresponding databases using an interface protocol.  
 
     
     
         35 . The method of    claim 34    wherein said interface protocol is selected from a group consisting of HTTP, telnet, Z39.50 and ODBC.  
     
     
         36 . The method of    claim 32    further comprising: 
 formatting said consolidated search results using a markup language.  
 
     
     
         37 . The method of    claim 36    wherein said markup language is selected from a group consisting of HTML, DHTML and XML.  
     
     
         38 . The method of    claim 32    further comprising: 
 presenting the consolidated search results to the user or a user agent.  
 
     
     
         39 . The method of    claim 32    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are Web-accessible.  
     
     
         40 . The method of    claim 39    wherein at least one or more of said plurality of databases are locally accessible.  
     
     
         41 . A computer-readable medium having program code configured to retrieve search results from a plurality of databases, said program code comprising: 
 a program code segment configured to receive search information from a user;    a program code segment configured to formulate a plurality of search requests using said search information and database syntax and protocol information, wherein each search request is recognizable by a corresponding database;    a program code segment configured to perform one or more authorization procedures respectively in said plurality of databases in a concurrent manner;    a program code segment configured to execute said plurality of search requests in their corresponding databases in a concurrent manner;    a program code segment configured to return search results from said plurality of databases after execution of said plurality of search requests; and    a program code segment configured to consolidate said search results for display to the user.