Patent ID: 8249885

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for locating information in a collection of one or more electronic data stores, including: constructing by a processor a find-tree, which includes a tree composed of nodes and branches, having a root node, and some number of intermediate and terminal or leaf nodes, wherein each node denotes a single term used in a search, that is, in an attempt to locate information in said collection of one or more electronic data stores, and each branch denotes a connection between two nodes, such that each path in said find-tree represents a sequence of terms used in said search, and said find-tree represents one or more paths taken in said search, including alternative paths to the same information, partial or incomplete paths, and paths that lead to different information, so that said find-tree depicts one or more sequences of terms, including the intermediate steps, in which each sequence comprises a search path employed in finding, or attempting to find, information in said collection of electronic data stores; retrieving and navigating an existing said find-tree or any previous tree to locate desired information in said electronic data stores; and changing, augmenting or extending said find-tree at any point in the process.