Inventors:
Linda Allan Mosquera - Waltham MA 02453
Duane Steward - Arlington MA 02474
Brian C. Clark - Waltham MA 02453
Paul Stansbury - Londonberry MA 03053
International Classification:
G06F 1730
US Classification:
707 10, 707 5, 707100, 706 55
Abstract:
A system for evaluating information. The system defines a set of properties and one or more values for each property and then assigns property-value combinations to items of information and to profiles. Information is then evaluated by determining how the property-value combinations assigned to the items of information match those assigned to a profile. Assignments of property-value combinations have ratings and validities associated with them. In assignments to information items, the rating represents the relevance of the information item to the property-value pair; in assignments to profiles, it represents the relevance of the property-value pair to the profile. The validity for an assignment indicates a judgment concerning the strength of the assignment. The system further defines relationships between property-value combinations. When a property-value combination in a relationship is assigned, so are the related property-value combinations.