Patent ID: 7428528

Claim:
A computer-implemented search and navigation system for a set of materials comprising: a plurality of attribute-value pairs associated with the materials, wherein each of a plurality of values has an association with at least one of a plurality of attributes characterizing the materials; a plurality of navigation states, wherein each navigation state corresponds to a particular expression of attribute-value pairs and to a particular subset of the materials, wherein for each navigation state the particular subset of the materials corresponding to the navigation state consists of those materials that are each described by every attribute-value pair in the particular set of attribute-value pairs corresponding to that navigation state; wherein within the plurality of navigation states, at least a first navigation state includes a first attribute-value pair having a first attribute in which the first attribute-value pair does not describe all the materials that the first attribute characterizes, and a second navigation state includes at least the first attribute-value pair and a second attribute-value pair having a second attribute, which is not the same as the first attribute, in which the second attribute-value pair does not describe all the materials that the second attribute characterizes; a set of rules for manipulating content provided in response to a query, a first query corresponding to a third navigation state corresponding to a third particular expression of attribute-value pairs and a third particular subset of materials, at least a first rule being composed of a first trigger for activating the first rule if the third particular expression of attribute-value pairs satisfies the trigger, the trigger including a third attribute-value pair, and a first action for providing a first manipulated subset of materials that is different from the third particular subset of materials if the first rule is activated; and an interface for providing a plurality of transitions, each transition providing a direct path between two of the navigation states, wherein each transition represents a change from the set of attribute-value pairs corresponding to an originating navigation state to the set of attribute-value pairs corresponding to a destination navigation state, wherein a series of one or more transitions provides a path between any two navigation states, for receiving the first query, for providing a representation of a response to the first query, the response including the third particular subset of materials if the first rule is not activated and including the first manipulated set of materials if the first rule is activated, for modifying one or more rules from the set of rules, and for providing a representation of how modification of one or more rules affects the response to the first query.