Method and apparatus for defining data of interest

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention include tools for extracting data of interest from the world wide web (WWW). The extraction is accomplished using descriptions of data of interest. The descriptions of data of interest can include computer programs comprising a sequence of instructions and extractor patterns. The extractor patterns can be developed interactively using a web browser integrated into the graphical development environment for creating the descriptions of data of interest. The instructions can be selected from a predetermined list of instructions designed for extracting information from the WWW. The descriptions of data of interest can be grouped into categories sharing common query elements.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A method for extracting data from a data source, the method comprising:
 applying an extractor pattern to a data source;   retrieving data from the data source that corresponds to the extractor pattern; and   storing the data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising creating the extractor pattern by selecting at least one set of predetermined instructions through a user interface. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for extracting data from a data source, the apparatus comprising;
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 apply an extractor pattern to a data source; 
 retrieve data from the data source that corresponds to the extractor pattern; and 
 store the data. 
   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the extractor pattern is created by selecting at least one set of predetermined instructions through a user interface.