Patent ID: 7257588
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of formatting information within a directory tree structure comprising the steps of: a. performing a search by utilizing a research module, the research module includes a keyword search, a hierarchical search, a dichotomous key search, and a parametric search, wherein each utilization of the research module includes the availability of each search at any location, including at any displayed page, within a searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input, to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein the searchable database is formatted in the directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes comprising a collection of related data and branches comprising links between the nodes, and further wherein each matching item represents a node from within the directory tree structure; b. selecting one of the matching items; c. formatting the collection of related data corresponding to the node of the selected matching item into an encyclopedia-like entry; and d. displaying the encyclopedia-like entry corresponding to the node of the selected matching item.