System, method, and computer program product for displaying and processing notes containing note segments linked to portions of documents

• US 5,845,301 A
• Filed: 05/09/1996
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DataCloud Technologies, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Smartpatents Incorporated
• Inventors: Jackson, Adam, Ahn, Don, Kurata, Deborah, Rivette, Kevin Gerard, Florio, Michael Philip, Rappaport, Irving Shale
• Primary Examiner(s): Burwell, Joseph R.
• Application Number:
  US08/647,230
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 395/144-148, 395/155, 395/157, 395/761, 395/762, 395/773, 395/792, 395/802, 395/790, 707/512, 707/514
• US Class Current: 715/210
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4063 Device-to-bus coupling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/94 Hypermedia Hyperlinking G06F40/134

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product for annotating an electronic document. An electronic document is displayed. At least one note having at least one note segment is displayed. The note segment is linked to at least one portion of the electronic document. Location identification information is displayed that identifies a location of the portion in the electronic document that is linked to the note segment. This location identification information is displayed in the note, proximate to the note segment.

Claims

1. A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

(2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

(3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

(3a) enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(4) displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and

(5) displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

(6) displaying said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

(6) displaying said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein step (5) comprises the step of:

displaying said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

(6) highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

(7) highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein steps (6) and (7) collectively comprise the steps of color coding said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and color coding said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

(8) displaying at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

(9) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

(10) displaying a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment;

(11) displaying a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical;

(12) highlighting said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and

(13) highlighting said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(4) displaying a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(4) displaying a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and

(5) enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein step (4) comprises the step of displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu;

and

wherein step (5) comprises the step of enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

(6) enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference;

wherein step (4) further comprises the step of displaying said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein step (6) comprises the steps of:

enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title;

enabling a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and

enabling a user to specify note sorting according to note location;

wherein step (4) further comprises the steps of;

displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(4) enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least apart of said electronic document.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(4) enabling a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

(5) automatically creating a second new note segment in said at least one note; and

(6) automatically linking said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(4) enabling a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(4) enabling a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of

(a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document,

(b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and

(c) user-created work product.

30. A system for annotating an electronic document, comprising:

document displaying means for displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for displaying in said at least one proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

means for enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

33. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

first graphical icon displaying means for displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and

second graphical icon displaying means for displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

36. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for displaying said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

37. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for displaying said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein said second graphical icon displaying means comprises:

means for displaying said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

39. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

first highlighting means for highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

second highlighting means for highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said first highlighting means and said second highlighting means operate to color code said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and to color code said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

41. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for displaying at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for displaying a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment;

means for displaying a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical;

means for highlighting said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and

means for highlighting said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

48. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for displaying a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

49. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

list displaying means for displaying a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and

user enabling means for enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said list displaying means displays a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu;

and

wherein said user enabling means enables a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising:

sorting preference means for enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference;

wherein said list displaying means displays said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said sorting preference means comprises:

means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title;

means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and

means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to note location;

wherein said list displaying means comprises;

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

53. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least a part of said electronic document.

54. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for automatically creating a second new note segment in said at least one note; and

means for automatically linking said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

55. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

56. The system of claim 30, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

58. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of

(a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document,

(b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and

(c) user-created work product.

59. A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising:

document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

60. The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

61. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

62. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

first graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and

second graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

64. The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

65. The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

66. The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

67. The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said second graphical icon displaying means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

68. The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising:

first highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

second highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

69. The computer program product of claim 68, wherein said first highlighting means and said second highlighting means enable the computer to color code said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and to color code said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

70. The computer program product of claim 68, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for enabling the computer to display a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment;

means for enabling the computer to display a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical;

means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and

means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

72. The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

73. The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

75. The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

76. The computer program product of claim 75, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

77. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

78. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

list displaying means for enabling the computer to display a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and

user enabling means for enabling the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said list displaying means enables the computer to display a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu;

and

wherein said user enabling means enables the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

80. The computer program product of claim 79, said computer program logic further comprising:

sorting preference means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify a note sorting preference;

wherein said list displaying means enables the computer to display said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

81. The computer program product of claim 80, wherein said sorting preference means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to title;

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to note location;

wherein said list displaying means comprises;

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

82. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least a part of said electronic document.

83. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for enabling the computer to automatically create a second new note segment in said at least one note; and

means for enabling the computer to automatically link said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

84. The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

85. The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

86. The computer program product of claim 85, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

87. The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of

(a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document,

(b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and

(c) user-created work product.

88. A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

(2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

(3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

(4) displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment;

(5) displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion;

(6) highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

(7) highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

89. A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

(2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

(3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

(4) enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

90. A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

(2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and

(3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

91. A system for annotating an electronic document, comprising:

document displaying means for displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

first graphical icon displaying means for displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment;

second graphical icon displaying means for displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion;

first highlighting means for highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

second highlighting means for highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

92. A system for annotating an electronic document, comprising:

document displaying means for displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

means for enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

93. A system for annotating an electronic document, comprising:

document displaying means for displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and

location identification information displaying means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

94. A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising:

document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

first graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment;

second graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion;

first highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and

second highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

95. A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising:

document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

96. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising:

document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and

location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

97. A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

(2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

(3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

(4) enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments;

(5) enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference;

(6) displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and

(7) enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu;

wherein step (5) comprises the step of;

enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location;

wherein step (6) comprises the steps of;

displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

98. A system for annotating an electronic document, comprising:

document displaying means for displaying at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments;

sorting preference means for enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference;

list displaying means for displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and any other notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and

user enabling means for enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu;

wherein said sorting preference means comprises;

means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location;

wherein said list displaying means comprises;

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

99. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic when executed enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising:

document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document;

note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document;

location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document;

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments;

sorting preference means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify a note sorting preference;

list displaying means for enabling the computer to display a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and any other notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and

user enabling means for enabling the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu;

wherein said sorting preference means comprises;

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location;

wherein said list displaying means comprises;

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title;

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and

means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.