Computer based system, method, and computer program product for selectively displaying patent text and images

• US 5,991,780 A
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DataCloud Technologies, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Aurigin (The Woodbridge Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rivette, Kevin Gerard, Florio, Michael Philip, Rappaport, Irving Shale, Jackson, Adam, Ahn, Don, Kurata, Deborah
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US09/054,537
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 707/500, 707/512, 707/514
• US Class Current: 715/255
• 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 displaying a patent document and a patent image. The method operates by preparing for display a patent document comprised of at least one patent text file, and a patent image document comprised of at least one patent image file. The patent text file is generated from at least one source text file. The patent text file includes equivalency information detailing an equivalency relationship between the patent image file and the source text file. The equivalency information comprises linking information indicative of a correspondence between at least one portion of the source text file and at least one portion of the patent image file. The patent image file is at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent. Each of the image pages is an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of the patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to the patent. The source text file is at least one data file having stored therein text data representing textual data in the patent. A user interface is generated for display on the display. The user interface selectively displays the patent text file and the patent image file on the display, such that at least a portion of the patent text file is displayed in a first window and at least a portion of the patent image file is displayed in a second window and the windows may be selectively viewed simultaneously or individually on the display.

Claims

1. A computer controlled display system including at least one central processing unit (CPU), said CPU coupled to a display for displaying a patent document and a patent image on said display, comprising:

means for preparing for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file, and at least one patent image document comprised of at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file generated from at least one source text file, said patent text file including equivalency information detailing an at least partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image file and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising linking information indicative of a correspondence between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, said equivalency information also comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said patent image file of items referred to or contained in said source text file, said items including any combination of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, non-text tables, structures, diagrams, and text objects,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

a user interface generated by said CPU for display on said display, said user interface selectively displaying said patent text file and said patent image file on said display, such that at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed simultaneously or individually on said display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said equivalency information comprises a plurality of (A)-(M).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said equivalency information comprises at least all of (A)-(M).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one patent text file is at least one equivalent text file.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for displaying a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

means for enabling a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

means for displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

8. A computer controlled display method for displaying a patent document and a patent image on a display, comprising the steps of:

(1) preparing for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file, and at least one patent image document comprised of at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file generated from at least one source text file, said patent text file including equivalency information detailing an at least partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image file and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising linking information indicative of a correspondence between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, said equivalency information also comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said patent image file of items referred to or contained in said source text file, said items including any combination of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, non-text tables, structures, diagrams, and text objects,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

(2) generating a user interface for display on the display, said user interface selectively displaying said patent text file and said patent image file on said display, such that at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed simultaneously or individually on said display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said equivalency information comprises a plurality of (A)-(M).

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said equivalency information comprises at least all of (A)-(M).

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one patent text file is at least one equivalent text file.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

enabling a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

15. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed, enabling a computer to display a patent document and a patent image on a display, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to prepare for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file, and at least one patent image document comprised of at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file generated from at least one source text file, said patent text file including equivalency information detailing an at least partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image file and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising linking information indicative of a correspondence between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, said equivalency information also comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said patent image file of items referred to or contained in said source text file, said items including any combination of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, non-text tables, structures, diagrams, and text objects,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

means for enabling the computer to generate a user interface for display on said display, said user interface selectively displaying said patent text file and said patent image file on said display, such that at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed simultaneously or individually on said display.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said equivalency information comprises a plurality of (A)-(M).

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said equivalency information comprises at least all of (A)-(M).

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said at least one patent text file is at least one equivalent text file.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said control logic further comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

means for enabling the computer to display in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

21. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

22. A method of displaying patent text and images, comprising the steps of:

(1) preparing for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file and at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file obtained from at least one source text file, said at least one patent text file including equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) linking information effectively providing an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent or a document related to said patent, each of said one or more image pages being an electronic image of a portion of said patent or said document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein at least text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

(2) selectively displaying at least a portion of said at least one patent text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file, such that said at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed individually or simultaneously.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said patent text file is an equivalent text file.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said patent is a U.S. patent.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said linking information comprises item location information specifying locations in said at least one patent image file of items contained or referred to in said at least one source text file.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said items comprise any of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, tables, structures, diagrams, text, text pages, portions of text pages, and sections.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least a portion of textual data in said patent includes at least patent bibliography information and patent text.

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

(3) displaying, upon receipt of appropriate user command, said at least one patent text file in said first window and said at least one patent image file in said second window in a synchronized fashion or an unsynchronized fashion.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein step (3) comprises the steps of:

receiving a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in a synchronized fashion; and

displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that corresponds to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein step (3) comprises the steps of:

(a) receiving a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

(b) displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that relates to but does not correspond to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein step (b) comprises the step of:

displaying in said second window said at least a part of said at least one patent image file that contains an item referenced in said at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said item comprises a figure, drawing sheet, figure element, equation, table, structure, or diagram.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein step (3) comprises the steps of:

receiving a command from a user to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that is unrelated to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window, said at least a part of said at least one patent image file having been identified by said user.

35. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

(3) displaying a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

(4) enabling a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

(5) displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein said equivalency information in said at least one patent text file includes linking information that effectively provides an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, and wherein said textual data in said patent and said linking information are contained in a single patent text file.

37. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

38. A system for displaying patent text and images, comprising:

means for preparing for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file and at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file obtained from at least one source text file, said at least one patent text file including equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) linking information effectively providing an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent or a document related to said patent, each of said one or more image pages being an electronic image of a portion of said patent or said document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein at least text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

means for selectively displaying at least a portion of said at least one patent text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file, such that said at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed individually or simultaneously.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said patent text file is an equivalent text file.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein said patent is a U.S. patent.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein said linking information comprises item location information specifying locations in said at least one patent image file of items contained or referred to in said at least one source text file.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said items comprise any of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, tables, structures, diagrams, text, text pages, portions of text pages, and sections.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least a portion of textual data in said patent includes at least patent bibliography information and patent text.

45. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

synchronized/unsynchronized display means for displaying, upon receipt of appropriate user command, said at least one patent text file in said first window and said at least one patent image file in said second window in a synchronized fashion or an unsynchronized fashion.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for receiving a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in a synchronized fashion; and

means for displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that corresponds to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for receiving a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

image display means for displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that relates to but does not correspond to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein said image display means comprises:

means for displaying in said second window said at least a part of said at least one patent image file that contains an item referenced in said at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said item comprises a figure, drawing sheet, figure element, equation, table, structure, or diagram.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for receiving a command from a user to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

means for displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that is unrelated to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window, said at least a part of said at least one patent image file having been identified by said user.

51. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

means for displaying a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

means for enabling a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

means for displaying in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

52. The system of claim 38, wherein said equivalency information in said at least one patent text file includes linking information that effectively provides an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, and wherein said textual data in said patent and said linking information are contained in a single patent text file.

53. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

54. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed, enabling a computer to display patent text and images, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to prepare for display at least one patent document comprised of at least one patent text file and at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file obtained from at least one source text file, said at least one patent text file including equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) linking information effectively providing an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

said at least one patent image file being at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent or a document related to said patent, each of said one or more image pages being an electronic image of a portion of said patent or said document related to said patent, said at least one source text file being at least one data file having stored therein at least text data representing at least a portion of textual data in said patent; and

means for enabling the computer to selectively display at least a portion of said at least one patent text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file, such that said at least a portion of said at least one patent text file is displayed in a first window and said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file is displayed in a second window and said windows may be selectively viewed individually or simultaneously.

55. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said patent text file is an equivalent text file.

56. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

57. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said patent is a U.S. patent.

58. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said linking information comprises item location information specifying locations in said at least one patent image file of items contained or referred to in said at least one source text file.

59. The computer program product of claim 58, wherein said items comprise any of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, tables, structures, diagrams, text, text pages, portions of text pages, and sections.

60. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said at least a portion of textual data in said patent includes at least patent bibliography information and patent text.

61. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said control logic further comprises:

synchronized/unsynchronized display means for enabling the computer to display, upon receipt of appropriate user command, said at least one patent text file in said first window and said at least one patent image file in said second window in a synchronized fashion or an unsynchronized fashion.

62. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to receive a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in a synchronized fashion; and

means for enabling the computer to display in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that corresponds to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

63. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to receive a command to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

image display means for enabling the computer to display in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that relates to but does not correspond to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

64. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein said image display means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display in said second window said at least a part of said at least one patent image file that contains an item referenced in said at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window.

65. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein said item comprises a figure, drawing sheet, figure element, equation, table, structure, or diagram.

66. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein said synchronized/unsynchronized display means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to receive a command from a user to display text and images in said first and second windows in an unsynchronized fashion; and

means for enabling the computer to display in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file that is unrelated to at least a part of said at least one patent text file being displayed in said first window, said at least a part of said at least one patent image file having been identified by said user.

67. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said control logic further comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display a list of sections contained in said at least one patent text file;

means for enabling the computer to enable a user to select one of said sections from said list; and

means for enabling the computer to display in said second window at least a part of said at least one patent image file containing at least a portion of said selected section.

68. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said equivalency information in said at least one patent text file includes linking information that effectively provides an association between at least one portion of said at least one source text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file, and wherein said textual data in said patent and said linking information are contained in a single patent text file.

69. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

70. A method of displaying patent text and images, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

(2) displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said textual data being from at least one source text file corresponding to said patent, said one or more patent text files including equivalency information having one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in at least one patent image file associated with said patent,

(B) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

(3) receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent;

(4) referencing, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one source text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file;

(5) using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

(6) displaying at least a portion of image information retrieved in step (5).

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said one or more patent text files comprises at least one equivalent text file.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

74. A system for displaying patent text and images, comprising:

means for receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

means for displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said textual data being from at least one source text file corresponding to said patent, said one or more patent text files including equivalency information having one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in at least one patent image file associated with said patent,

(B) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

means for receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent;

means for referencing, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one source text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file;

means for using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for displaying at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein said one or more patent text files comprises at least one equivalent text file.

76. The system of claim 74, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

77. The system of claim 74, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

78. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed, enabling a computer to display patent text and images, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to receive a first command from a user to display a patent;

means for enabling the computer to display, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said textual data being from at least one source text file corresponding to said patent, said one or more patent text files including equivalency information having one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in at least one patent image file associated with said patent,

(B) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in bibliographic page images of said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

means for enabling the computer to receive from a user a second command to display image data of said patent;

means for enabling the computer to reference, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one source text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file;

means for enabling the computer to use said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for enabling the computer to display at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said one or more patent text files comprises at least one equivalent text file.

80. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said at least one patent image file is a PTO Image file and said at least one source text file is a PTO Text file, wherein said at least one patent image file is stored in a compressed format.

81. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

82. A method of displaying patent text and images, comprising the steps of

(1) receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

(2) displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said one or more patent text files comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) information reflecting an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters that are italicized in said at least one patent image file;

(3) receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent;

(4) referencing, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said one or more patent text files and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file;

(5) using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

(6) displaying at least a portion of image information retrieved in step (5).

83. The method of claim 82, wherein said patent text files are equivalent text files.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

85. A system for displaying patent text and images, comprising:

means for displaying, in response to appropriate command, at least a portion of textual data in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said one or more patent text files comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) information reflecting an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters that are italicized in said at least one patent image file;

means for referencing, in response to appropriate command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said one or more patent text files and at least a portion of at least one patent image file;

means for using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for displaying at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said patent text files are equivalent text files.

87. The system of claim 85, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

88. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed, enabling a computer to display patent text and images, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display, in response to appropriate command, at least a portion of textual data in at least a portion of one or more patent text files associated with said patent, said one or more patent text files comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(L);

(A) information reflecting an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(C) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(D) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(E) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(F) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(G) font information representing font styles of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(H) font size information representing font sizes of characters as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) superscript information indicating characters that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(J) subscript information indicating characters that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) bold attribute information indicating characters that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(L) italicized attribute information indicating characters that are italicized in said at least one patent image file;

means for enabling the computer to reference, in response to appropriate command, linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said one or more patent text files and at least a portion of at least one patent image file;

means for enabling the computer to use said referenced linking information to retrieve at least said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for enabling the computer to display at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

89. The computer program product of claim 88, wherein said patent text files are equivalent text files.

90. The computer program product of claim 88, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

91. A method of displaying patent text and images, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

(2) displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of at least one patent document comprising at least text corresponding to said patent, said at least one patent document also comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one patent document and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one patent document to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

(3) receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent;

(4) using linking information to access and retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

(5) displaying at least a portion of image information retrieved in step (4).

92. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one patent document is an equivalent text file.

93. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one patent document is generated at least partially from one or more electronic files from at least one national patent office, and said at least one patent image file is from at least one national patent office.

94. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one patent document is at least one equivalent text file.

95. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one patent document is generated prior to receipt of said first command, and stored in a storage device.

96. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one patent document is a single document having stored therein said text corresponding to said patent and said linking information.

97. A system for displaying patent text and images, comprising:

means for displaying, in response to appropriate command, at least a portion of at least one patent document comprising at least text corresponding to said patent, said at least one patent document also comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one patent document and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one patent document to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

means for using linking information to access and retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for displaying at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein said at least one patent document is at least one equivalent text file.

99. The system of claim 97, wherein said at least one patent document is generated prior to receipt of said first command, and stored in a storage device.

100. The system of claim 97, wherein said at least one patent document is a single document having stored therein said text corresponding to said patent and said linking information.

101. The system of claim 97, wherein said at least one patent document is generated at least partially from one or more electronic files from at least one national patent office, and said at least one patent image file is from at least one national patent office.

102. The system of claim 97, wherein said at least one patent document is an equivalent text file.

103. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed enabling a computer to display patent text and images, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display, in response to appropriate command, at least a portion of at least one patent document comprising at least text corresponding to said patent, said at least one patent document also comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) formatting information representing an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data as represented in at least one patent image file corresponding to said patent,

(B) linking information that effectively provides an association between at least a portion of said at least one patent document and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one patent document to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one patent document as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one patent document that are italicized in said at least one patent image file,

means for enabling the computer to use linking information to access and retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image file; and

means for enabling the computer to display at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

104. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said at least one patent document is at least one equivalent text file.

105. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said at least one patent document is generated prior to receipt of said first command, and stored in a storage device.

106. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said at least one patent document is a single document having stored therein said text corresponding to said patent and said linking information.

107. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said at least one patent document is generated at least partially from one or more electronic files from at least one national patent office, and said at least one patent image file is from at least one national patent office.

108. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein said at least one patent document is an equivalent text file.

109. A method of displaying patent text and images, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

(2) displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text documents associated with said patent, and also displaying at least one icon representative of a link between at least one source text file and at least one patent image document, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are associated with said patent, wherein said at least one patent image document comprises at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with said patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, wherein said textual data is from said at least one source text file, wherein said one or more patent text documents comprises equivalency information detailing at least a partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image document and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image document,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said at least one patent image document of items referred to or contained in said at least one source text file,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent inage document,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image document,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image document,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image document, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image document;

(3) receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent, said second command having been issued by selecting said icon;

(4) referencing, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information associated with said icon, wherein said linking information comprises a link to at least a portion of said at least one patent image document;

(5) using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image document; and

(6) displaying at least a portion of image information retrieved in step (5).

110. The method of claim 109, wherein step (2) comprises:

displaying at least one of said at least one icon adjacent to said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein step (2) comprises:

displaying at least one of said at least one icon embedded within said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are from at least one national patent office.

113. A system of displaying patent text and images, comprising:

means for receiving a first command from a user to display a patent;

displaying means for displaying, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text documents associated with said patent, and also displaying at least one icon representative of a link between at least one source text file and at least one patent image document, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are associated with said patent, wherein said at least one patent image document comprises at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with said patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, wherein said textual data is from said at least one source text file, wherein said one or more patent text documents comprises equivalency information detailing at least a partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image document and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image document,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said at least one patent image document of items referred to or contained in said at least one source text file,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image document,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image document,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image document, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image document;

means for receiving from a user a second command to display image data of said patent, said second command having been issued by selecting said icon;

means for referencing, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information associated with said icon, wherein said linking information comprises a link to at least a portion of said at least one patent image document;

means for using said referenced linking information to retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image document; and

means for displaying at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein said displaying means comprises:

means for displaying at least one of said at least one icon adjacent to said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

115. The system of claim 113, wherein said displaying means comprises:

means for displaying at least one of said at least one icon embedded within said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

116. The system of claim 113, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are from at least one national patent office.

117. A computer program product comprising control logic recorded therein, said control logic, when executed, enabling a computer to display patent text and images, said control logic comprising:

means for enabling the computer to receive a first command from a user to display a patent;

displaying means for enabling the computer to display, in response to receipt of said first command, at least a portion of textual data contained in at least a portion of one or more patent text documents associated with said patent, and also displaying at least one icon representative of a link between at least one source text file and at least one patent image document, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are associated with said patent, wherein said at least one patent image document comprises at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with said patent, each of said image pages being an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of said patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to said patent, wherein said textual data is from said at least one source text file, wherein said one or more patent text documents comprises equivalency information detailing at least a partial equivalency relationship between said at least one patent image document and said at least one source text file, said equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in said at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image document,

(B) item location information identifying locations in said at least one patent image document of items referred to or contained in said at least one source text file,

(C) formatting information representing at least an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data from said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image document,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image document,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image document,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image document,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image document, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image document;

means for enabling the computer to receive from a user a second command to display image data of said patent, said second command having been issued by selecting said icon;

means for enabling the computer to reference, in response to receipt of said second command, linking information associated with said icon, wherein said linking information comprises a link to at least a portion of said at least one patent image document;

means for enabling the computer to use said referenced linking information to retrieve at least a portion of said at least one patent image document; and

means for enabling the computer to display at least a portion of said retrieved image information.

118. The computer program product of claim 117, wherein said displaying means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display at least one of said at least one icon adjacent to said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

119. The computer program product of claim 117, wherein said displaying means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display at least one of said at least one icon embedded within said display of said at least a portion of said textual data.

120. The computer program product of claim 117, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image document are from at least one national patent office.

121. A method of enabling a computer to display patent text and images, comprising the steps of:

(1) enabling a computer to access at least one patent document comprising at least one patent text file and at least one patent image file, said at least one patent text file comprising equivalency information comprising one or more of (A)-(M);

(A) special character information specifying at least one mapping of a group of characters in at least one source text file to at least one special character in said at least one patent image file,

(B) linking information effectively providing an association between at least one portion of said at least one patent text file and at least one portion of said at least one patent image file,

(C) information representative of an approximate arrangement of at least some bibliographic data in said at least one patent image file,

(D) column information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in columns of said at least one patent image file,

(E) line information representing at least an approximate arrangement of text in lines of said at least one patent image file,

(F) column line number information representing approximate line numbers of lines of text,

(G) section information representing at least approximate positions of patent sections,

(H) font information representing font styles of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(I) font size information representing font sizes of characters of said at least one source text file as represented in said at least one patent image file,

(J) superscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using superscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(K) subscript information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are represented using subscripts in said at least one patent image file,

(L) bold attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are bolded in said at least one patent image file, and

(M) italicized attribute information indicating characters in said at least one source text file that are italicized in said at least one patent image file; and

(2) enabling a computer to selectively display at least a portion of said at least one patent text file and at least a portion of said at least one patent image file, such that said at least a portion of said at least one patent text file and said at least a portion of said at least one patent image file may be selectively displayed individually or simultaneously.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein said linking information comprises item location information specifying locations in said at least one patent image file of items contained or referred to in said at least one patent text file.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein said items comprise any of figures, drawing sheets, figure elements, equations, tables, structures, diagrams, text, text pages, portions of text pages, and sections.

124. The method of claim 121, further comprising the step of:

(3) enabling the computer to display, upon receipt of appropriate user command, said at least one patent text file and said at least one patent image file in a synchronized fashion or an unsynchronized fashion.

125. The method of claim 121, wherein said at least one source text file and said at least one patent image file are from at least one national patent office.

126. The method of claim 121, wherein said at least one patent text file is an equivalent text file.