Patent ID: 6484190
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A graphical method for searching a hierarchical information structure and for indicating results of said searching using a tree structure on a display device, said hierarchical information structure having more than one hierarchical level wherein each level has at least one node, said method comprising steps of:displaying each hierarchical level of said hierarchical information structure at a different level of indentation in said tree structure on said display device, wherein subordinate levels of said hierarchical information structure are indented in said tree structure from superior levels; displaying two or more search fields, wherein each of said displayed search fields is associated with a different one of said displayed hierarchical levels and is displayed in a presentation space adjacent to said displayed hierarchical level in said tree structure; entering, by a user, search criteria into a selected one of said displayed search fields, wherein said selected one is associated with a particular one of said displayed hierarchical levels; processing said entered search criteria by searching for occurrence of said entered search criteria within said hierarchical levels which are subordinate to said particular displayed hierarchical level; displaying to said user a number of said hierarchical levels matching said entered search criteria; and displaying to said user only said hierarchical levels matching said entered search criteria.