Method and system for processing a search request

摘要

The invention relates to a method and system for processing a search request. A search request including a sequence of data strings and representing a plurality of search parameters is received. The strings are parsed and the search request is interpreted so as to define search parameters by recognizing items reflecting search criteria within the sequence of data strings. A query is built based on the result of the preceding process and at least one travel data service can be interrogated. This improves the search for information based on free-text input from the user.;Application to methods for travel data service interrogation and to search engines.

主权项

1. A method for processing a travel-related search request comprising:
receiving, at one or more processors, a free-text input that relates to the travel-related search request, the free-text input comprising a sequence of data strings; matching, by the one or more processors, a first portion of the data strings to a first item from a set of pre-determined items and a second portion of the data strings to a second item from the pre-determined items, wherein each of the pre-determined items are associated with a search data field type; defining, by the one or more processors, a plurality of search parameters based on the search data field type of the first item and the search data field type of the second item; and building, by the one or more processors, a query for the travel-related search request based on the search parameters, wherein matching the first portion of the data strings to the first item from the pre-determined items comprises identifying a longest portion of the sequence of data strings that matches a first one of the pre-determined items and defining the first one of the pre-determined items as the first item, and wherein matching the second portion of the data strings to the second item from the pre-determined items comprises:
after matching the first portion of the data strings to the first item, defining a first remaining portion as the difference between the sequence of data strings and the longest portion of the sequence of data strings that matches the first one of the pre-determined items;identifying a longest portion of the first remaining portion that matches a second one of the pre-determined items; anddefining the second one of the pre-determined items as the second item.