Patent ID: 7165070

Claim:
A method of retrieving information by navigating within a web browsing session, in which the information is represented by a plurality of information units and stored in a hierarchical tree comprising a root node, a plurality of top-level child a nodes representing information categories, and a plurality of leaf nodes each having, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a first information unit in an information space, said first information unit associated with said root node; performing navigation operations from the root node, by expanding a first child node of said plurality of top-level child nodes, traversing said plurality of leaf nodes and selecting a first leaf node of said plurality of leaf nodes; in response to said selecting step, displaying a second information unit first of leaf in said information space, said second information unit associated with said first leaf node of said plurality of leaf nodes; storing said first information unit; repeating each of said performing step, said displaying step and said storing step, for a second child node of said plurality of top-level child nodes whereby a said second information unit is stored, and a third information unit is displayed in said information space, said third information unit associated with a second leaf node of said plurality of leaf nodes; re-expanding said first child node of said plurality of top-level child nodes, and in response to said re-expanding step, automatically re-displaying said second information unit in said information space.