SIMILARITY-BASED SEARCH METHOD BY RELEVANCE FEEDBACK

A method for retrieving information from a computer system including a user terminal and a storage area, includes retrieving first information from the storage area using a first search query, the first search query having a first element and a first weight that is associated with the first element. The first search query has been formulated to retrieve target information. The first information includes at least a first data block. Second information is retrieved from the storage area using a second search query. The second search query has the first element, and a second weight that is associated with the first element. The second search query is derived from a relevance feedback provided on the first data block of the first information. An end-search criterion is provided to the user terminal. The end-search criterion provides information as to whether or not to end a first retrieval procedure for the target information. The first retrieval procedure being associated with a search query set, the search query set including a plurality of search queries, each having the first element.