Math Search for the Masses: Multimodal Search Interfaces and Appearance-Based Retrieval

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent developments in math search engines designed for non-experts, emphasizing multimodal interfaces and appearance-based retrieval methods to make mathematical information more accessible.

Contribution

It introduces and discusses the min math search interface and Tangent search engine, focusing on usability for non-expert users and providing publicly available source code.

Findings

Systems enable browsing based on visual appearance of formulae

Tools support defining unfamiliar notation for non-experts

Source code for systems is publicly available

Abstract

We summarize math search engines and search interfaces produced by the Document and Pattern Recognition Lab in recent years, and in particular the min math search interface and the Tangent search engine. Source code for both systems are publicly available. "The Masses" refers to our emphasis on creating systems for mathematical non-experts, who may be looking to define unfamiliar notation, or browse documents based on the visual appearance of formulae rather than their mathematical semantics.