Method and apparatus for organizing data by overlaying a searchable database with a directory tree structure

• US 7,085,766 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Byteweavr, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Web Access Incorporated
• Inventors: Keith, Jr., Robert Olan
• Primary Examiner(s): Coby, Frantz
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAM LINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/801,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20020004793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 707 3- 6, 707/101, 707/102, 707/1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2246 Trees, e.g. B+trees
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/917 Text
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/92 Navigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/955 Object-oriented
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/956 Hierarchical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/966 Distributed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/971 Federated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

Method and apparatus for organizing data by overlaying a searchable database with a directory tree structure. The method includes generating the directory tree structure that includes nodes comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes, and generating one or more pointers. Each pointer corresponds to a specific node and the pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database. All pointers associated with the specific node link related items of data corresponding to the designated category. Each node within the directory tree structure can include a corresponding html address. Items of data can be web-based multimedia including audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text, displayed in an encyclopedia-like format. Nodes, branches, and pointers within the directory tree structure can continually be added, edited, or deleted.

Claims

1. A method of organizing data within a searchable database comprising the steps of:

a. generating a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes;

b. generating one or more data pointers, wherein each data pointer corresponds to a specific node and the data pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database, wherein each data pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual data item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the data pointer is included, further wherein all items of data linked to the specific node by the corresponding pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node;

c. generating one or more node pointers, wherein a first node pointer corresponds to a first node located in a first navigation path through the directory tree structure, and the first node pointer is directed to a second node located in a second navigation path different than the first navigation path, thereby forming a cross-link between two nodes located in two different navigation paths; and

d. navigating the directory tree structure and selecting a corresponding data pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each node within the directory tree structure includes a corresponding html address.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the item of data is web-based multimedia including one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein nodes within the directory tree structure are added, edited, or deleted.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein links, data pointers, and node pointers within the directory tree structure are added, redirected, or deleted.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the related items of data corresponding to the specific node are displayed in an encyclopedia page, wherein the encyclopedia page includes a selective one or more text, graphics, objects, audio, video, links to one or more other encyclopedia pages within the directory tree structure, and links to one or more web sites external to the directory tree structure.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the searchable database is distributed into more than one physical location.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of generating a directory tree structure and generating one or more data pointers and one or more node pointers are performed by a server.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising the step of establishing an internet connection with the server to generate the directory tree structure and the data and node pointers.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the internet connection is established with a computer system at a remote location from the server.

11. An organization system for organizing data within a searchable database comprising:

a. means for generating a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes;

b. means for generating one or more data pointers coupled to the means for generating a directory tree structure, wherein each data pointer corresponds to a specific node and the data pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database, wherein each data pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual data item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the data pointer is included, further wherein all items of data linked to the specific node by the corresponding data pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node;

c. means for generating one or more node pointers, wherein a first node pointer corresponds to a first node located in a first navigation path through the directory tree structure, and the first node pointer is directed to a second node located in a second navigation path different than the first navigation path, thereby forming a cross-link between two nodes located in two different navigation paths; and

d. means for navigating the directory tree structure and selecting a corresponding data pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

12. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each node within the directory tree structure includes a corresponding html address.

13. The organization system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the item of data is web-based multimedia including one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

14. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein nodes within the directory tree structure are added, edited, or deleted.

15. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein links, data pointers, and node pointers within the directory tree structure are added, redirected, or deleted.

16. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the related items of data corresponding to the specific node are displayed in an encyclopedia page, wherein the encyclopedia page includes a selective one or more text, graphics, objects, audio, video, links to one or more other encyclopedia pages within the directory tree structure, and links to one or more web sites external to the directory tree structure.

17. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the searchable database is distributed into more than one physical location.

18. The organization system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the means for generating a directory tree structure and generating one or more data pointers and one or more node pointers are performed by a server.

19. The organization system as claimed in claim 18 further comprising means for establishing an internet connection with the server to generate the directory tree structure and the data and node pointers.

20. The organization system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the internet connection is established with a computer system at a remote location from the server.

21. An organization system for organizing data within a searchable database comprising an organization server configured to generate a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes, and to generate one or more data pointers, wherein each data pointer corresponds to a specific node and the data pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database, wherein each data pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual data item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the data pointer is included, further wherein all items of data linked to the specific node by the corresponding data pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node and to generate one or more node pointers, wherein a first node pointer corresponds to a first node located in a first navigation path through the directory tree structure, and the first node pointer is directed to a second node located in a second navigation path different than the first navigation path, thereby forming a cross-link between two nodes located in two different navigation paths, wherein the organization server is utilized by a user to navigate the directory tree structure and to select a corresponding data pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database, and further wherein the directory tree structure is navigated utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

22. The organization system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each node within the directory tree structure includes a corresponding html address.

23. The organization system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the item of data is web-based multimedia including one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

24. The organization system as claimed in claim 21 wherein nodes within the directory tree structure are added, edited, or deleted.

25. The organization system as claimed in claim 21 wherein links, data pointers, and node pointers within the directory tree structure are added, redirected, or deleted.

26. The organization system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the related items of data corresponding to the specific node are displayed in an encyclopedia page, wherein the encyclopedia page includes a selective one or more text, graphics, objects, audio, video, links to one or more other encyclopedia pages within the directory tree structure, and links to one or more web sites external to the directory tree structure.

27. The organization system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the searchable database is distributed into more than one physical location.

28. The organization system as claimed in claim 27 further comprising an interface circuit coupled to the organization server to establish a connection with a computer system.

29. The organization system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the connection is established with the computer system at a remote location from the interface circuit.

30. The organization system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the connection is established with the remote computer system and the interface circuit over the internet to generate the directory tree structure and the data and node pointers.

31. A network of devices for organizing data within a searchable database comprising:

a. one or more computer systems configured to communicate with other systems; and

b. an organization server configured to couple to the one or more computer systems to generate a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes, and to generate one or more data pointers, wherein each data pointer corresponds to a specific node and the data pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database, wherein each data pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual data item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the data pointer is included, further wherein all items of data linked to the specific node by the corresponding data pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node and to generate one or more node pointers, wherein a first node pointer corresponds to a first node located in a first navigation path through the directory tree structure, and the first node pointer is directed to a second node located in a second navigation path different than the first navigation path, thereby forming a cross-link between two nodes located in two different navigation paths, wherein the organization server is utilized by a user to navigate the directory tree structure and to select a corresponding data pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database, and further wherein the directory tree structure is navigated utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

32. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein each node within the directory tree structure includes a corresponding html address.

33. The network of devices as claimed in claim 32 wherein the item of data is web-based multimedia including one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

34. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein nodes within the directory tree structure are added, edited, or deleted.

35. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein links, data pointers, and node pointers within the directory tree structure are added, redirected, or deleted.

36. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein the related items of data corresponding to the specific node are displayed in an encyclopedia page, wherein the encyclopedia page includes a selective one or more text, graphics, objects, audio, video, links to one or more other encyclopedia pages within the directory tree structure, and links to one or more web sites external to the directory tree structure.

37. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein the searchable database is distributed into more than one physical location.

38. The network of devices as claimed in claim 31 wherein the one or more computer systems and the organization server are coupled together over the internet to allow users to generate the directory tree structure and the data and node pointers.

39. A method of organizing data within a searchable database comprising the steps of:

a. generating a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category and an html address for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes;

b. generating one or more pointers, wherein each pointer corresponds to a specific node and the pointer links the specific node to an item of web-based multimedia within the searchable database, wherein each pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual web-based multimedia item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the pointer is included, further wherein all items of web-based multimedia linked to the specific node by the corresponding pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node; and

c. navigating the directory tree structure and selecting a corresponding pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein the item of web-based multimedia includes one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

41. A method of generating a directory tree structure for organizing data within a searchable database and for accessing the searchable database over the internet comprising the steps of:

a. generating one or more nodes wherein each node includes an html address and a designated category;

b. generating links between the nodes wherein each node is linked to at least one other node, further wherein each link is a hypertext link between a first html address of a first node and a second html address of a second node;

c. generating one or more pointers, wherein each pointer corresponds to a specific node and the pointer links the specific node to an item of web-based multimedia within the searchable database, wherein each pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual web-based multimedia item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the pointer is included, further wherein all items of web-based multimedia linked to the specific node by the corresponding pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node;

d. establishing a connection over the internet to the directory tree structure for accessing the searchable database; and

e. navigating the directory tree structure and selecting a corresponding pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41 wherein the item of web-based multimedia includes one or more of audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text.

43. A method of organizing data within a searchable database comprising the steps of:

a. generating a directory tree structure, wherein the directory tree structure includes nodes and branches comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes;

b. generating one or more data pointers, wherein each data pointer corresponds to a specific node and the data pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database, wherein each data pointer is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein each parameter is set with a corresponding value associated with an individual data item thereby forming a set parameter, and the parameters are specific to the node in which the data pointer is included, further wherein all items of data linked to the specific node by the corresponding pointers of the specific node are related to the designated category of the specific node;

c. generating one or more node pointers, wherein a node pointer is different than a data pointer, further wherein each node pointer defines a cross-link between a first node located in a first navigation path and a second node located in a second navigation path; and

d. navigating the directory tree structure and selecting a corresponding data pointer to access a particular item of data within the searchable database utilizing a search module including keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search and parametric search, wherein each utilization of the search module at any node within the directory tree structure includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search and the parametric search.