Robert R. Korfhage

Visualization of a document collection: the vibe system

Abstract The idea of using visualization for document retrieval is introduced through a new paradigm for query response handling. The paradigm is based on parallel queries or points of interest . Each point of interest is defined by a number of key terms and a display position. Documents, represented by icons, are positioned in the display based on the frequency count of word matches in the document to key terms in the points of interest. This visualization method has been implemented through a visualization system called VIBE.

To see, or not to see— is That the query?

An automatic transmission having a torque converter comprising an impeller connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a turbine driven by the impeller by oil, an automatic transmission apparatus comprising a planetary gear device and a fluid operated brake and clutch devices connected to an output shaft of the turbine, and a final reduction gear device connected to an output shaft of the automatic transmission apparatus. An overdrive device comprising an overdrive clutch and overdrive gears is connected to the output shaft of the turbine. An intermediate shaft is connected between an output shaft of the overdrive gears and the final reduction gear device, and a valve is provided for applying pressure oil to the overdrive clutch for engagement thereof.

Integration of user profiles: models and experiments in information retrieval

Abstract One difficult problem in information retrieval (IR) is the proper interpretation of user queries. It is extremely hard for users to express their information needs in a specific yet exhaustive way. In an effort to alleviate this problem, two theoretical models have been proposed to utilize user characteristics maintained in the form of a user profile. Although the idea of integrating user profiles into an IR system is intuitively appealing, and the models seem viable, no research to date has established a foundation for the roles of user profiles in such a system. Aiming at the investigation of the roles of user profiles, therefore, this study first identifies and extends various query/profile interaction models to provide a ground upon which the investigation can be undertaken. From a continuum of models characterized on the basis of interaction types, metrics, and parameters, nearly 400 models are chosen to investigate the “model space.” New measures are developed based on the notion of user satisfaction/frustration. In addition, three different criteria are used to guide users in making judgments on the quality of retrieved items. Analysis of the data obtained from the experiments shows that, for a wide variety of criteria and metrics, there are always some query/profile interaction models that outperform the query alone model. In addition, preferable characteristics for different criteria are identified in terms of interaction types, parameters, and metrics.

A distance and angle similarity measure method

This article presents a distance and angle similarity measure. The integrated similarity measure takes the strengths of both the distance and direction of measured documents into account. This article analyzes the features of the similarity measure by comparing it with the traditional distance-based similarity measure and the cosine measure, providing the iso-similarity contour, investigating the impacts of the parameters and variables on the new similarity measure. It also gives the further research issues on the topic.

Features and a model for icon morphological transformation

The study proposes several criteria and a system model for morphological construction and transformation of icons. From this point of view, several important concepts, such as meta/actual-use of icons; icon homonyms/synonyms; local/global context; location sensitivity; icon orthogonality/consistency; degree of fusion and combination adequacy; or top-down/bottom-up transformation are discussed. Based on this discussion, a general framework of iconic systems is proposed. In this model, icons are system independent objects, and are morphologically (e.g., incorporation) transformed.<<ETX>>

BIRD: browsing interface for the retrieval of documents

BIRD (Browsing Interface for Retrieval of Documents) is an interface that helps in information seeking tasks by simplifying the organization of documents into lists. It provides a visual interface for dividing and merging lists of documents on the basis of document contents. Users can categorize sets of documents into lists while browsing documents, and thus keep track of the progress of browsing sessions.<<ETX>>

DARE: distance and angle retrieval environment: a tale of the two measures

This article presents a visualization tool for information retrieval. Some retrieval evaluation models are interpreted in the two-dimensional space comprising direction and distance. The two different similarity measures-angle and distance-are displayed in the visual space. A new retrieval means based on the visual retrieval tool, the controlling bar, is developed for a search.

GUIDO, a visual tool for retrieving documents

GUIDO (Graphical User Interface for Document Organization) uses an iconic interface to display large numbers of documents. The interface, whose emphasis is on the retrieval of information, reduces the dimensionality of vector space model to comprehensible two-dimensional distance display. The information hidden as the result of iconization and dimension reduction is displayed using several GUIDO tools. These include coordinations among multiple GUIDO displays.<<ETX>>

Information display: control of visual representations

To display large quantities of information in a form that the user can readily comprehend, one turns to visual techniques. But one must provide at least the same type of control that the user has over textual displays-an ability to modify and tune the visual display to his or her own particular interests and preferences easily. The authors describe two systems, GUIDO and VIBE, that provide this ability. Both systems allow the user to handle and organize larger amounts of information than is possible with traditional retrieval methods, with better control over the information organization.<<ETX>>

The Use of Visual Representations in Information Retrieval Applications

Information retrieval (IR) is concerned with the representation, storage, and retrieval of documents or document surrogates. The output of an IR system in response to a user’s request consists of a set of references which are intended to provide the user with information relevant to his or her information needs as expressed by a query.1 Conventional information retrieval systems operate on large-scale computing systems in an environment where direct access to system facilities is generally limited to search intermediaries and to a few researchers who have been trained to use somewhat complex user—system interfaces. However, poor query formulations and inadequate user—system interaction may still occur even with skilled users. For example, Cleverdon1 has noted that “if two (trained) search intermediaries search the same question on the same database on the same host, only 40 percent of the output may be common to both searches.” Since skilled users often find it difficult to formulate effective search requests and to interact usefully with document retrieval systems, less competent users may be faced with insurmountable problems. This situation is especially critical at the present time; a large number of casual users will soon obtain access to very large information resources through the combination of powerful microcomputers and optical storage technology.