Information storage and retrieval

摘要

An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; comprises a data network; an information retrieval client system connected to the data network; and one or more information item storage nodes connected to the data network; in which: each storage node comprises means for storing a plurality of information items and indexing means for transmitting data derived from information items stored at that storage node to the client system via the data network; and the client system comprises means, responsive to data received from the indexing means of a storage node, for generating a node position in respect of each information item represented by the received data.