Google patents AI model that decides when to search for extra facts
Google describes a system called NatRAG that combines a text generator with a built-in search function. When the AI starts answering a question, it checks if it needs more information; if so, it automatically pulls in extra data to refine its response.
In the filing’s own words
Various implementations include a method for processing a natural language user query using a native retrieval augmented generation (NatRAG) model. The method includes receiving a natural language (NL) user query and processing it using a NatRAG model comprising a generative portion with decoder layers and a retrieval portion. Processing involves generating NatRAG input, processing it with the generative portion to produce output tokens, and determining if a “need to retrieve” (N-t-R) token is present. If so, the retrieval portion processes decoder layers to generate retrieval tokens, which are appended to the input to create updated NatRAG input. This updated input is then processed by the NatRAG model to generate output, enabling the device to perform actions based on the generated output.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising: receiving a natural language (NL) user query at a computing device; processing the NL user query using a native retrieval augmented generation (NatRAG) model to generate NatRAG output responsive to the NL user query, wherein the NatRAG model includes a generative portion and a retrieval portion, wherein processing the NL user query using the NatRAG model to generate NatRAG output comprises: generating NatRAG input based on at least the NL user query; processing the NatRAG input using the generative portion of the NatRAG model to generate one or more output tokens, in a sequence of output tokens, wherein the generative portion of the NatRAG model includes at least a set of decoder layers; determining whether the one or more output tokens includes a need to retrieve (N-t-R) token, wherein the N-t-R token indicates the generative portion of the NatRAG model requires additional information; processing one or more portions of the set of decoder layers using the retrieval portion of the NatRAG model to generate one or more retrieval tokens in a sequence of retrieval tokens; appending the one or more retrieval tokens to the NatRAG input to generate updated NatRAG input; processing the updated NatRAG input using the NatRAG model to generate NatRAG output responsive to the NL user query; and causing the computing device to perform one or more actions based on the NatRAG output.
Facts
- Company
- Google (GOOGLE LLC)
- Official title
- NATIVE RETRIEVAL AUGMENTED GENERATION MODEL(S)
- Publication number
- US20260310702A1
- Application number
- 19570852
- Filed
- Mar 18, 2026
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 16/3344 Physics & computingG06F 16/3329 Physics & computingMore from Google in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.