Multimedia search system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A search system for retrieving information, comprising:
- storing means for storing a plurality of independently retrievable textual items and graphical items;
a plurality of independently accessible entry paths, the entry paths comprising;
textual entry paths for textually searching the textual items;
graphical entry paths for graphically searching the graphical items;
graphical entry paths for textually searching the graphical items;
each of the entry paths including processing means for executing search inquiries comprising user defined search parameters in order to search the textual or graphical items;
selecting means for providing a menu of the plurality of entry paths for selection;
pathways for connecting textual and graphical items, the pathways comprising;
text to text pathways connecting textual information to topically related textual information;
text to graphics pathways connecting textual information to topically related graphical information;
graphics to graphics pathways connecting graphical information to topically related graphical information; and
graphics to text pathways connecting graphical information to topically related textual information;
indicating means for indicating the presence and character of the pathways; and
output means for receiving search results from the entry paths and displaying a selected search result and the indicating means.
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Abstract
A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher'"'"'s assistant search, and a feature articles search.
147 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A search system for retrieving information, comprising:
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storing means for storing a plurality of independently retrievable textual items and graphical items;
a plurality of independently accessible entry paths, the entry paths comprising;
textual entry paths for textually searching the textual items;
graphical entry paths for graphically searching the graphical items;
graphical entry paths for textually searching the graphical items;
each of the entry paths including processing means for executing search inquiries comprising user defined search parameters in order to search the textual or graphical items;
selecting means for providing a menu of the plurality of entry paths for selection;
pathways for connecting textual and graphical items, the pathways comprising;
text to text pathways connecting textual information to topically related textual information;
text to graphics pathways connecting textual information to topically related graphical information;
graphics to graphics pathways connecting graphical information to topically related graphical information; and
graphics to text pathways connecting graphical information to topically related textual information;
indicating means for indicating the presence and character of the pathways; and
output means for receiving search results from the entry paths and displaying a selected search result and the indicating means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A method for retrieving information, comprising:
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storing a plurality of independently retrievable textual items and graphical items;
providing a plurality of independently accessible entry paths, the entry paths comprising;
textual entry paths for textually searching the textual items;
graphical entry paths for graphically searching the graphical items;
graphical entry paths for textually searching the graphical items;
each of the entry paths including processing means for executing search inquiries comprising user defined search parameters in order to search the textual or graphical items;
providing a menu of the plurality of entry paths for selection;
providing pathways for connecting textual and graphical items, the pathways comprising;
text to text pathways connecting textual information to topically related textual information;
text to graphics pathways connecting textual information to topically related graphical information;
graphics to graphics pathways connecting graphical information to topically related graphical information; and
graphics to text pathways connecting graphical information to topically related textual information;
indicating the presence and character of the pathways; and
receiving search results from the entry paths and displaying a selected search result and the indicating means. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
interrelating said graphical and textual entry paths; and
accessing said textual information from said graphical entry paths and accessing said graphical information from said textual entry paths.
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64. The search system according to claim 62, further comprising the step of interactively narrowing a search of graphical images to a point in which related textual information is accessible.
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65. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of narrowing one of said textual paths to a point in which related graphical information is accessible.
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66. The method according to claim 62, further comprising the step of utilizing assisting functions for said textual and said graphical entry paths to increase the efficacy and accessibility of said searches wherein said assisting functions comprise a picture display function, a more about function, a take another look function, a moving picture display function, and an audio function.
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67. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises an idea search of said textual information.
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68. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises a title finder entry path which assists a user in uncovering titles stored in said search system.
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69. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises a topic tree entry path that divides all textual information into topics and subtopics in order to assist a user in searching through said textual information.
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70. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual and one of said graphical entry paths comprises a picture explorer entry path which enables a user to find at least one picture and retrieve said textual information related to said at least one picture.
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71. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises a history timeline entry path which displays events on a timeline in order that a user may select information about one of said events by activating said event on a display.
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72. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said graphical and textual entry paths comprises a world atlas entry path which enables a user to search maps of an atlas by allowing the user to specify a place on said atlas such that said atlas entry path draws a corresponding map around said specified place.
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73. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises a feature articles entry path for searching the textual items and identifying articles of scientific interest.
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74. The method according to claim 62, wherein one of said textual entry paths comprises a researcher'"'"'s assistant entry path which contains subject matter categories divided into topics and said topics are further divided into research assignments wherein said research assignments are ordered by level of difficulty.
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75. A computer search system for retrieving information, comprising:
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storing means for storing different types of information, said storing means including at least one database;
a plurality of independently accessible and separately and independently usable entry path means for searching said stored types of information, said entry path means including at least one;
search entry path means for searching at least one of said types of information;
or browse entry path means for browsing each of said type of information;
selecting means for providing a menu of said plurality of entry path means for selection;
each of said entry path means including a processing means for executing inquiries provided by a user in order to search or browse said information through each of said selected entry path means;
wherein at least one of said browse entry path means including means for allowing a user to select information from a predetermined list;
each of said entry path means including an indicating means for indicating a pathway that accesses information related in one of said independently accessible entry path means to information accessible in another of said entry path means;
each of said entry path means including an accessing means for providing access to said related information in said another entry path means;
said entry path means including a retrieving means for retrieving a first type of information and a second type of information related to said first type of information; and
output means for receiving search or browse results from said processing means and said related information from said accessing means and for providing said results and received information.
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Specification