Methods and system for information search and retrieval

Abstract

An information search and retrieval process using geographical coordinates. An index of coordinates is built for a plurality of text based references, resources or sites, each having a set of said coordinates. A user inquiry is accepted containing a text reference. The text reference specified in the user inquiry is converted to a set of coordinates. A search is thereafter conducted against the index of coordinates based on the converted coordinates of the user inquiry reference. All information retrieved from the search is returned in a text based format.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information search and retrieval process using geographical coordinates, which process comprises: 
 building an index of coordinates for a plurality of text based references, resources or sites, each having a set of said coordinates;    accepting a user inquiry containing a text reference;    converting said text reference specified in said user inquiry to a set of coordinates;    searching against said index of coordinates based on the converted coordinates of said user inquiry reference; and    returning all information retrieved from said searching in a text based format.    
     
     
         2 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said references, resources or sites each refers to travel references, such as hotels.  
     
     
         3 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said text based references, resources and sites are obtained from documents in a file.  
     
     
         4 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 3  including a plurality of said files such as the World Wide Web.  
     
     
         5 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 4  including the additional step of retrieving the location of said documents from those identified in said searching.  
     
     
         6 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said index of coordinates comprise latitude and longitude coordinates.  
     
     
         7 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  including the additional step of searching against the coordinates index based on proximity to said user inquiry set of coordinates.  
     
     
         8 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  including the additional step of expanding the coordinates in the event that references are not returned from the initial searching.  
     
     
         9 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  including the additional step of updating the coordinate index with additional documents.  
     
     
         10 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 3  including the additional step of updating said index of coordinates with additional references, resources or sites.  
     
     
         11 . An information search and retrieval process as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of accepting a user inquiry and converting said text reference includes checking multiple entries for place names.  
     
     
         12 . A geographical coordinates information search and retrieval system which comprises: 
 an index of coordinates for a plurality of text based references, resources or sites, each having a set of said coordinates;    means to accept a user inquiry containing a text reference;    a set of coordinates for said user inquiry text reference converted from said text reference; and    means to search against said coordinates index for said inquiry set of coordinates and to return information retrieved from said search.    
     
     
         13 . A geographical coordinates information search and retrieval system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said text based references, resources or sites are obtained from documents in a file.  
     
     
         14 . A geographical coordinates information search and retrieval system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said means to return information retrieved includes return of the location of said documents to said user.  
     
     
         15 . A geographical coordinates information search and retrieval system which comprises: 
 a plurality of documents from a source file or source files such as the world wide web;    a geographical index containing text based references, resources or sites, each cross-referenced to a set of coordinates; and    a document index categorized by said coordinates with cross references to said text based references, resources, or sites.    
     
     
         16 . A geographical coordinates information search and retrieval system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said geographical index is stored on a database connected to a central processing unit.