QUERY SYSTEM USING ITERATIVE GROUPING AND NARROWING OF QUERY RESULTS

摘要

A query system (200) comprises a search component (210), a grouping component (215), and a narrowing component (220). The search component (210) is configured to apply search criteria to an input data set (105) and to generate an output data set (110). The grouping component (215) is configured to divide an input data set (110) into multiple output data sets (115, 120, 125, 130) and to display aggregate information about the output data sets (115, 120, 125, 130). The narrowing component (220) is configured to receive a selection of input data sets (115, 120, 125, 130) and to generate an output data set (135) that comprises data items belonging to the selected input data sets. The grouping component (215) and the narrowing component (220) may be invoked iteratively to further group or narrow output data sets generated by the search component (210), the grouping component (215), or the narrowing component (220).