Patent ID: 6934718

Claim:
Data processing apparatus for categorizing items comprising: a user input device; a graphical user interface including first and second sections; and processing circuitry operable to display an electronic reference to an item to be categorized in the first section of the graphical user interface and to display a plurality of markers in the second section, wherein each of said plurality of markers is configured for applying a different individual indicium, each individual indicium being associated with an individual category from the plurality of categories; and wherein the circuitry being operable to generate marker signals corresponding to individual categories for said item when a user utilizes the user interface to select markers from said plurality of markers, whereby the data corresponding to said item to be categorized is collocated with a selection of said plurality of categories corresponding to the selected markers; the circuitry being operable to display an individual indicium in the first section of the graphical user interface when a marker signal is generated for an item, wherein said individual indicium is associated with the category corresponding to said marker signal; and said user interface being operable to retrieve those items that have been collocated with at least one said selectable marker signals corresponding to at least one of said individual categories.