Patent ID: 6484166
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A data storage device comprising:an informational resource divided into a plurality of finite elements, each of the finite elements including a categorical tag and a database record assigned thereto, the categorical tag including at least one information item taken from a group consisting of content data pertaining to the content of the finite element, location data pertaining to a location of the finite element with respect to the informational resource, organization data pertaining to the placement of the finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource, author data, owner data, and timing data; and software instructions programmed to direct retrieval and display of at least a portion of the informational resource, the software instructions being configured to perform the steps of: supplying a search query, searching through the database records for relevant database records matching the search query; arranging the results of the searching step in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the information in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records; and displaying identifying phrases for the finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records in the hierarchal structure.