System and method for enabling a user to search and retrieve individual topics in a visual mapping system
First Claim
1. In a visual mapping system, a method for enabling a user to search and retrieve topics in a visual map on an individual basis, the method comprising:
- providing a client visual mapping application through which a user can view, create, and edit topics in a visual map;
in response to a user creating topics through the client visual mapping application, sending the created topics to a server in the visual mapping system;
storing the created topics individually in a database, where each of the created topics is stored in a manner that enables the topic to be separately retrieved, viewed, and edited;
maintaining an index of all topics in the database;
in response to a user editing a topic stored in the database through the client visual mapping application, sending the edit to a server in the visual mapping system;
in response to a user deleting a topic stored in the database through the client visual mapping application, sending notice of the deletion to a server in the visual mapping system;
providing in the client visual mapping application an interface through which a user can search for topics individually in the database;
in response to a user entering search criteria for a topic search, sending the search criteria to a server in the visual mapping system;
searching the index for topics in the database satisfying the search criteria; and
enabling the user to load one or more topics matching the search criteria into a visual map.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for storing, searching, and retrieving topics in a visual map. The visual mapping system of the present invention is based on a client-server architecture. Client visual mapping applications on users'"'"' computers enable users to create, edit, and view visual maps. The storage and retrieval of data associated with such visual maps is managed by a server in the visual mapping system. The server stores the topics in the visual map in a database. The topics are stored individually and not as part of a visual map file. The topics are indexed to enable the system to quickly perform searches for the topic. The client visual mapping application includes an interface through which a user can enter search criteria for a topic search. Because topics are stored individually in the database and indexed, user can search for topics individually and separately from the visual map file associated with the topics. Topics can be shared across users and across maps. Also, user can simultaneously, view, edit and collaborate on different topics associated with the same map file.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a visual mapping system, a method for enabling a user to search and retrieve topics in a visual map on an individual basis, the method comprising:
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providing a client visual mapping application through which a user can view, create, and edit topics in a visual map; in response to a user creating topics through the client visual mapping application, sending the created topics to a server in the visual mapping system; storing the created topics individually in a database, where each of the created topics is stored in a manner that enables the topic to be separately retrieved, viewed, and edited; maintaining an index of all topics in the database; in response to a user editing a topic stored in the database through the client visual mapping application, sending the edit to a server in the visual mapping system; in response to a user deleting a topic stored in the database through the client visual mapping application, sending notice of the deletion to a server in the visual mapping system; providing in the client visual mapping application an interface through which a user can search for topics individually in the database; in response to a user entering search criteria for a topic search, sending the search criteria to a server in the visual mapping system; searching the index for topics in the database satisfying the search criteria; and enabling the user to load one or more topics matching the search criteria into a visual map. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A visual mapping system comprising:
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a client computer with a client visual mapping application that provides an interface through which a user can view, edit, and create visual maps and through which a user can enter search criteria to search for one or more topics; a database for storing topics in visual maps, where the topics are stored individually; and a server, connected via a network to the client computer, for storing topics in the database individually, for initiating searches for topics in response to receiving search criteria from the client visual mapping application, and for retrieving topics in the database and sending topics to the visual mapping application. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium and comprising code, that, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the following method:
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receiving topics created in a visual mapping system; storing the created topics individually in a database, where each of the created topics is stored in a manner that enables the topic to be separately retrieved, viewed, and edited; maintaining an index of all topics in the database; in response to receiving an edit to a topic in the database, updating the data for the topic in the database; receiving search criteria for topics in the database from a client visual mapping application; searching the index for individual topics in the database that match the search criteria; sending a list of topics matching the search criteria to the client visual mapping application; receiving a request to retrieve one or more of the topics from the list from the client visual mapping application; and sending the requested topics to the client visual mapping application. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification