Information storage and retrieval system and method
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a CPU, input/output apparatus electronically coupled to said CPU, and a storage means electronically coupled to said CPU, a method of information storage and retrieval comprising the steps of:
- (a) logically classifying a plurality of data files and arranging said data files in the form of a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive branches corresponding to the data files classified at various levels in the hierarchal structure of said tree;
(b) assigning a unique alphanumeric address to each said mutually exclusive branch of said hierarchal information tree, each said address identifying a data file so as to link said data files together to form an expandable hierarchal tree in which the data files corresponding to each mutually exclusive branch are generally addressed as follows;
##STR1## (c) storing said logically classified data files on said storage means;
(d) initializing said CPU at said input/output apparatus;
(e) said CPU retrieving from said storage means the data file corresponding to the first branch of the first level in the hierarchal structure of said tree;
(f) said CPU thereafter selecting another data file from the information contained in the data file retrieved by said CPU in step (e);
(g) said CPU translating said selection into the unique alphanumeric address of the corresponding branch in the next level of said tree;
(h) said CPU retrieving from said storage means the data file identified by the unique alphanumeric address identified in step (g); and
(i) said CPU outputting at said input/output apparatus at least a portion of the information contained in said data file retrieved in step (h).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system for electronically storing and retrieving data files which have been linked together to form a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive branches corresponding to the information represented by the data files and which has been classified at various levels in the hierarchal structure of the tree. The computer system has a central processing unit that is electronically coupled to input/output apparatus which includes a keyboard, a CRT screen, a printer and, if desired, an analog/digital input device. An electronic storage means is electronically coupled to the CPU. The storage means contains a system control program together with the data base of files linked together to form the expandable hierarchal tree. A separate portion of the storage means, or a second storage device also contains a system control program together with addressable files which may be used to store information which is retrieved as the CPU searches the data base.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a CPU, input/output apparatus electronically coupled to said CPU, and a storage means electronically coupled to said CPU, a method of information storage and retrieval comprising the steps of:
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(a) logically classifying a plurality of data files and arranging said data files in the form of a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive branches corresponding to the data files classified at various levels in the hierarchal structure of said tree; (b) assigning a unique alphanumeric address to each said mutually exclusive branch of said hierarchal information tree, each said address identifying a data file so as to link said data files together to form an expandable hierarchal tree in which the data files corresponding to each mutually exclusive branch are generally addressed as follows;
##STR1## (c) storing said logically classified data files on said storage means;
(d) initializing said CPU at said input/output apparatus;(e) said CPU retrieving from said storage means the data file corresponding to the first branch of the first level in the hierarchal structure of said tree; (f) said CPU thereafter selecting another data file from the information contained in the data file retrieved by said CPU in step (e); (g) said CPU translating said selection into the unique alphanumeric address of the corresponding branch in the next level of said tree; (h) said CPU retrieving from said storage means the data file identified by the unique alphanumeric address identified in step (g); and (i) said CPU outputting at said input/output apparatus at least a portion of the information contained in said data file retrieved in step (h). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a computer system comprising:
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a CPU; first and second programmed storage means electronically coupled to said CPU; an input/output apparatus comprising a keyboard, a CRT screen and a printer electronically coupled to said CPU; and a data base stored on said first storage means, said data base comprising a plurality of data files logically classified and arranged in the form of a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive branches corresponding to the data files classified at various levels in the hierarchal structure of said tree, each said branch having a unique alphanumeric address which identifies a data file stored on said first storage means and which is generally determined as follows;
##STR2## a method of information storage and retrieval comprising the steps of;
(a) initializing said CPU at said input/output device by loading said logically classified data files and a program incorporating said method on said first storage means into said CPU;(b) generating at said CRT screen a display of the data file corresponding to the first branch of the first level in the hierarchal structure of said tree; (c) inputting to said CPU through said keyboard at least one selection from the information contained in the data file displayed in step (b); (d) translating said selection input to said CPU into the unique alphanumeric address of the corresponding branch for another data file corresponding to said selection; (e) retrieving from said first storage means the data file identified by the unique alphanumeric address determined in step (d); (f) displaying on said CRT screen the data file retrieved in step (e); (g) inputting through said keyboard one or more commands to said CPU so as to select information from the data file displayed in step (f); (h) transferring the information selected in step (g) to said second storage means; (i) initializing said CPU at said input/output device by loading said second programmed storage means into said CPU; and (j) outputting at said printer a written description of at least a portion of the information transferred to said second storage means in step (h). - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification