Using hyperbolic trees to visualize data generated by patent-centric and group-oriented data processing

• US 6,499,026 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DataCloud Technologies, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Aurigin (The Woodbridge Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Park, Brian, Hohmann, Luke, Rappaport, Irving S., Rivette, Kevin G., Rabb, Charles Jr., Goretsky, David, Jackson, Adam, Thornthwaite, Warren, Puglia, David, Smith, David W., Navarette, Jorge A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, GRETA LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/663,393
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/10, 707/526, 707/501.1, 707/100, 707/104.1, 707/514, 707/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/353 into predefined classes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/382 using citations hypermedia G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/904 Browsing; Visualisation therefor for navigating the web G06F16/954; browsing optimisation for the web G06F16/957
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/11 Patent retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/917 Text
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/924 Patent procedure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/933 Citation analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups. The processing automatically performed by the system relates to (but is not limited to) patent mapping, document mapping, patent citation (both forward and backward), patent aging, patent bracketing/clustering (both forward and backward), inventor patent count, inventor employment information, patent claim tree analysis, and finance. Other functions and capabilities are also covered, including the ability to utilize hyperbolic trees to visualize data generated by the system, method, and computer program product.

Claims

1. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing patent-related documents;

(2) accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said patent-related documents;

(3) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents; and

(4) allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

(5) enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

(6) dynamically presenting, responsive to step (5), said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said patent related documents in step (3) is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said data in step (3) is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

5. A method of processing and presenting data, comprising the steps of:

(1) retrieving patent citation information pertaining to a user-selected patent;

(2) constructing a patent citation hyperbolic tree using said retrieved patent citation information; and

(3) displaying said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (2) comprises the step of:

generating a citation analysis graph using said retrieved patent citation information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of:

constructing said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis graph.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein step (2) further comprises the steps of:

mapping said citation analysis graph to a citation analysis tree; and

constructing said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis tree.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein step (3) comprises the step of:

(a) modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-selected criteria.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

(I) modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to assignees of patents corresponding to said nodes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (I) comprises the steps of:

upon receipt of appropriate operator command, toggling between;

(i) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to original patent assignee information; and

(ii) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to current patent assignee information.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to time-based criteria.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-defined criteria.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

displaying a legend that describes said user-selected criteria.

15. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

(4) receiving an operator command to display a patent represented in said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

(5) displaying said represented patent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (5) comprises the steps of:

displaying bibliographic information of said represented patent if said represented patent is not stored in a local repository; and

displaying any combination of bibliographic information, text, and images of said represented patent if said represented patent is stored in a local repository.

17. The method of claim 5, wherein said patent citation information in step (2) is comprised

of at least one type of information that has been pre-selected by a user.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein said step (3) comprises displaying data in said patent citation hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree, the method further comprising the steps of:

(4) enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

(5) dynamically presenting, responsive to step (4), said data in said another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

(I) modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to at least one of issue date, patent number, inventors, title, serial number, U.S. classification, international classification, fields of search, references cited, primary examiner, assistant examiner, attorney, agent, law firm, priority information, related application information, number of claims, number of drawing pages, patent term, patent aging, and expiration date of patents corresponding to said nodes.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

23. The method of claim 10, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

24. A system of processing and presenting data, comprising:

information retrieving means for retrieving patent citation information pertaining to a user-selected patent;

tree constructing means for constructing a patent citation hyperbolic tree using said retrieved patent citation information; and

tree displaying means for displaying said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

means for receiving a backward patent citation command or a forward patent citation command; and

means for receiving an indication of a number of levels to cite.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said information retrieving means comprises:

means for retrieving information identifying patents that are cited in said user-selected patent for said number of levels if a backward patent citation command was received; and

means for retrieving information identifying patents that cite said user-selected patent for said number of levels if a forward patent citation command was received.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for generating a citation analysis graph using said retrieved patent citation information.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for constructing said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis graph.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for mapping said citation analysis graph to a citation analysis tree; and

means for constructing said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis tree.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein said tree displaying means comprises:

modifying display properties means for modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-selected criteria.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

assignee modifying display properties means for modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to assignees of patents corresponding to said nodes.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said assignee modifying display properties means comprises:

means, upon receipt of appropriate operator command, for toggling between;

(i) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to original patent assignee information; and

(ii) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to current patent assignee information.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

means for modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to time-based criteria.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

means for modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-defined criteria.

35. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for displaying a legend that describes said user-selected criteria.

36. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

means for receiving an operator command to display a patent represented in said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

patent displaying means for displaying said represented patent.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said patent displaying means comprises:

means for displaying bibliographic information of said represented patent if said represented patent is not stored in a local repository; and

means for displaying any combination of bibliographic information, text, and images of said represented patent if said represented patent is stored in a local repository.

38. The system of claim 24, wherein said tree displaying means comprises displaying data in said patent citation hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree, the system further comprising:

user enabling means for enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

dynamic presentation means, responsive to said user enabling means, for dynamically presenting said data in said another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

39. The system of claim 30, wherein said modifying display property means comprises:

issue date modifying display properties means for modifying display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to at least one of issue date, patent number, inventors, title, serial number, U.S. classification, international classification, fields of search, references cited, primary examiner, assistant examiner, attorney, agent, law firm, priority information, related application information, number of claims, number of drawing pages, patent term, patent aging, and expiration date of patents corresponding to said nodes.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

42. The system of claim 31, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

43. The system of claim 31, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

44. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

information retrieving means for enabling a computer to retrieve patent citation information pertaining to a user-selected patent;

tree constructing means for enabling the computer to construct a patent citation hyperbolic tree using said retrieved patent citation information; and

tree displaying means for enabling the computer to display said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

45. The computer program product of claim 44, further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to receive a backward patent citation command or a forward patent citation command; and

means for enabling the computer to receive an indication of a number of levels to cite.

46. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein said information retrieving means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to retrieve information identifying patents that are cited in said user-selected patent for said number of levels if a backward patent citation command was received; and

means for enabling the computer to retrieve information identifying patents that cite said user-selected patent for said number of levels if a forward patent citation command was received.

47. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to generate a citation analysis graph using said retrieved patent citation information.

48. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to construct said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis graph.

49. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein said tree constructing means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to map said citation analysis graph to a citation analysis tree; and

means for enabling the computer to construct said patent citation hyperbolic tree from said citation analysis tree.

50. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein said tree displaying means comprises:

modifying display properties means for enabling the computer to modify display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-selected criteria.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

assignee modifying display properties means for enabling the computer to modify display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to assignees of patents corresponding to said nodes.

52. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein said assignee modifying display properties means comprises:

means, upon receipt of appropriate operator command, for enabling the computer to toggle between;

(i) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to original patent assignee information; and

(ii) modifying display properties of said nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to current patent assignee information.

53. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to modify display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to time-based criteria.

54. The computer program product of claim 53, wherein said time-based criteria includes one of filing date, priority date, length of pendency, effective filing date, invention date, critical date, on-sale date, public disclosure date, and public use date.

55. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to modify display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to user-defined criteria.

56. The computer program product of claim 50, further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to display a legend that describes said user-selected criteria.

57. The computer program product of claim 44, further comprising:

means for enabling the computer to receive an operator command to display a patent represented in said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

patent displaying means for enabling the computer to display said represented patent.

58. The computer program product of claim 57, wherein said patent displaying means comprises:

means for enabling the computer to display bibliographic information of said represented patent if said represented patent is not stored in a local repository; and

means for enabling the computer to display any combination of bibliographic information, text, and images of said represented patent if said represented patent is stored in a local repository.

59. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein said tree displaying means comprises displaying data in said patent citation hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

user enabling means for enabling the computer to allow a user to traverse to another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree; and

dynamic presentation means, responsive to said user enabling means, for enabling the computer to dynamically present said data in said another portion of said patent citation hyperbolic tree.

60. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein said modifying display properties means comprises:

issue date modifying display properties means for enabling the computer to modify display properties of nodes of said patent citation hyperbolic tree according to at least one of issue date, patent number, inventors, title, serial number, U.S. classification, international classification, fields of search, references cited, primary examiner, assistant examiner, attorney, agent, law firm, priority information, related application information, number of claims, number of drawing pages, patent term, patent aging, and expiration date of patents corresponding to said nodes.

61. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

62. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

63. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a preselected color scheme, a preselected case sensitive scheme, a preselected typeface scheme, a preselected font scheme, a preselected underlining scheme, a preselected bolding scheme, a preselected italics scheme and a preselected type size scheme.

64. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein said display properties consist of at least one of a user-defined color scheme, a user-defined case sensitive scheme, a user-defined typeface scheme, a user-defined font scheme, a user-defined underlining scheme, a user-defined bolding scheme, a user-defined italics scheme and a user-defined type size scheme.

65. A system of displaying data, comprising:

means for accessing patent-related documents;

means for accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said patent-related documents;

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents;

means for presenting said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

means for enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for dynamically presenting, responsive to said means for enabling a user to traverse, said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

68. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon, said computer program logic comprising:

means for enabling a processor to access patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to access one or more groups each comprising any number of said patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to present said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

means for enabling a processor to allow a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for enabling a processor to dynamically present, responsive to said means for enabling a processor to allow a user to traverse, said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

69. The computer program product of claim 68, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

70. The computer program product of claim 69, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

71. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing patent-related documents;

(2) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from one or more of said patent-related documents;

(3) presenting said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

(4) enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

(5) dynamically presenting, responsive to step (4), said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said patent related documents in step (2) is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said data in step (2) is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

74. A system of displaying data, comprising:

means for accessing patent-related documents;

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from one or more of said patent-related documents;

means for presenting said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

means for enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for dynamically presenting said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

77. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon, said computer program logic comprising:

means for enabling a processor to access patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from one or more of said patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to present said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

means for enabling a processor to enable a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for enabling a processor to dynamically present said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

78. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

80. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing patent-related documents;

(2) accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said patent-related documents;

(3) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents;

(4) presenting said data in said hyperbolic tree such that at least some of said data is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree;

(5) enabling a user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

(6) dynamically presenting, responsive to step (5), said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein said patent related documents in step (3) is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said data in step (3) is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

83. A system of displaying data, comprising:

means for accessing patent-related documents;

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents; and

means for allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree.

84. The system of claim 83, further comprising:

means for enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for dynamically presenting, responsive to said means for enabling, said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

87. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon, said computer program logic comprising:

means for enabling a processor to access patent-related documents;

means for enabling a processor to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said patent-related documents; and

means for enabling a processor to allow a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree.

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

means for enabling a processor to enable said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree; and

means for enabling a processor to dynamically present, responsive to said means for enabling processor to enable said user, said data in said another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

89. The computer program product of claim 87, wherein said patent related documents is comprised of at least one pre-selected patent-related document.

90. The computer program product of claim 89, wherein said data is comprised of at least one type of data that has been pre-selected by a user.

91. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing documents related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

(2) accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said documents;

(3) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents, wherein said hyperbolic tree illustrates one or more relationships between said documents; and

(4) allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising the step of enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

93. A method of processing data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing at least one database of information representative of documents;

(2) accessing one or more groups, each of said one or more groups comprising any number of said documents represented in said at least one database;

(3) automatically processing at least one of said documents in at least one of said one or more groups;

(4) automatically creating a new temporary group during processing of a command;

(5) maintaining said new temporary group for future processing by converting said new temporary group to a permanent group; and

(6) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein at least one of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

95. The method of claim 93, further comprising the steps of:

(7) allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

(8) enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

96. A method of maintaining groups to facilitate in processing and presenting data, comprising the steps of:

(1) maintaining a group of a permanent type, wherein said permanent type can be either system defined or user defined, wherein said group of permanent type is comprised of any number of documents from at least one database;

(2) generating a group of a temporary type during processing of a command by automatically processing one or more of said documents in said group of permanent type in conjunction with information from at least one second database;

(3) allowing a user to maintain said group of temporary type for future processing by converting said group of temporary type to a group of permanent type; and

(4) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein one or more of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

98. The method of claim 96, further comprising the steps of:

(5) allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

(6) enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

99. A system of processing and presenting data, comprising:

means for accessing documents related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

means for accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said documents;

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents, wherein said hyperbolic tree illustrates one or more relationships between said documents; and

means for allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function.

100. The system of claim 99, further comprising means for enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

101. A system of processing and presenting data, comprising:

means for accessing at least one database of information representative of documents;

means for accessing one or more groups, each of said one or more groups comprising any number of said documents represented in said at least one database;

means for automatically processing at least one of said documents in at least one of said one or more groups;

means for automatically creating a new temporary group during processing of a command;

means for maintaining said new temporary group for future processing by converting said new temporary group to a permanent group; and

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein at least one of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

103. The system of claim 101, further comprising:

means for allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

means for enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

104. A system for maintaining groups to facilitate in processing and presenting data, comprising:

means for maintaining a group of a permanent type, wherein said permanent type can be either system defined or user defined, wherein said group of permanent type is comprised of any number of documents from at least one database;

means for generating a group of a temporary type during processing of a command by automatically processing one or more of said documents in said group of permanent type in conjunction with information from at least one second database;

means for allowing a user to maintain said group of temporary type for future processing by converting said group of temporary type to a group of permanent type; and

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein one or more of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

106. The system of claim 104, further comprising:

means for allowing a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

means for enabling said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

107. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored there, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

means for enabling a computer to access documents related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

means for enabling a computer to access one or more groups each comprising any number of said documents;

means for enabling a computer to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents, wherein said hyperbolic tree illustrates one or more relationships between said documents; and

means for enabling a computer to allow a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function.

108. The computer program product of claim 107, wherein said computer program logic further comprises means for enabling a computer to allow said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

109. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored there, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

means for enabling a computer to access at least one database of information representative of documents;

means for enabling a computer to access one or more groups, each of said one or more groups comprising any number of said documents represented in said at least one database;

means for enabling a computer to automatically process at least one of said documents in at least one of said one or more groups;

means for enabling a computer to automatically create a new temporary group during processing of a command;

means for enabling a computer to maintain said new temporary group for future processing by converting said new temporary group to a permanent group; and

means for enabling a computer to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

110. The computer program product of claim 109, wherein at least one of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

111. The computer program product of claim 109, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a computer to allow a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

means for enabling a computer to allow said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

112. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

means for enabling a computer to maintain a group of a permanent type, wherein said permanent type can be either system defined or user defined, wherein said group of permanent type is comprised of any number of documents from at least one database;

means for enabling a computer to generate a group of a temporary type during processing of a command by automatically processing one or more of said documents in said group of permanent type in conjunction with information from at least one second database;

means for enabling a computer to allow a user to maintain said group of temporary type for future processing by converting said group of temporary type to a group of permanent type; and

means for enabling a computer to automatically generate a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents in said permanent group.

113. The computer program product of claim 112, wherein one or more of said documents is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers.

114. The computer program product of claim 112, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a computer to allow a user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree by performing a tree function; and

means for enabling a computer to allow said user to traverse to another portion of said hyperbolic tree.

115. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) accessing documents related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

(2) accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said documents;

(3) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents, wherein said hyperbolic tree illustrates one or more relationships between said documents;

(4) receiving an operator command to display a document represented in said hyperbolic tree; and

(5) displaying said represented document.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein said data from any of said documents contain information related to characteristics or features of said documents.

117. A system of displaying data, comprising:

means for accessing documents related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

means for accessing one or more groups each comprising any number of said documents;

means for automatically generating a hyperbolic tree containing data from any of said documents, wherein said hyperbolic tree illustrates one or more relationships between said documents;

means for receiving an operator command to display a document represented in said hyperbolic tree; and

means for displaying said represented document.

118. The system of claim 117, wherein said data from any of said documents contain information related to characteristics or features of said documents.

119. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) allowing a user to select a patent from a listing of patents;

(2) allowing said user to issue a citation analysis function command on said selected patent to a network client;

(3) representing a dialog box, by said network client, wherein said user identifies request specifics for said citation analysis function, wherein said request specifics comprise said selected patent and whether to perform a forward citation function or a backward citation function on said selected patent;

(4) operating, by an enterprise server, on said request specifics to generate a parent/child table;

(5) generating a citation analysis DAG, by said network client, corresponding to patent/child relationships in said parent/child table;

(6) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree, by said network client, that is based on said citation analysis DAG; and

(7) allowing said user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree.

120. The method of claim 119, further comprising the steps of:

(8) allowing said user to select a second selected patent by selecting a node in said hyperbolic tree;

(9) allowing said user to identify second request specifics for a second citation analysis function on said second selected patent to said network client;

(10) automatically generating a second hyperbolic tree, by said network client, that is based on said second selected patent, said citation analysis DAG, and said second request specifics; and

(11) allowing said user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said second hyperbolic tree.

121. The method of claim 119, wherein step (2) said user issues said command via a context-sensitive pop-up menu, a toolbar button or a menu bar.

122. The method of claim 119, wherein step (3) said request specifics further comprises a number of levels that should be cited in said forward citation function or said backward citation function .

123. The method of claim 119, wherein step (4) said enterprise server further generates a patent bibliographic information table.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein step (7) said data includes data from said patent bibliographic information table.

125. A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of:

(1) allowing a user to select a document from a listing of documents, wherein said selected document is related to one or more of patents, contracts, licenses, leases, notes, commercial papers, legal papers and financial papers;

(2) allowing said user to issue a relationship function command on said selected document to a network client;

(3) representing a dialog box, by said network client, wherein said user identifies request specifics for said relationship function, wherein said request specifics comprise said selected document;

(4) operating, by an enterprise server, on said request specifics to generate a relationship table;

(5) generating a DAG, by said network client, corresponding to relationships in said relationship table;

(6) automatically generating a hyperbolic tree, by said network client, that is based on said DAG; and

(7) allowing said user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said hyperbolic tree.

126. The method of claim 125, further comprising the steps of:

(8) allowing said user to select a second selected document by selecting a node in said hyperbolic tree;

(9) allowing said user to identify second request specifics for a second relationship function on said second selected document to said network client;

(10) automatically generating a second hyperbolic tree, by said network client, that is based on said second selected document, said DAG, and said second request specifics; and

(11) allowing said user to selectively focus on at least some of said data that is displayed in a portion of said second hyperbolic tree.