Method and apparatus for performing a research task by interchangeably utilizing a multitude of search methodologies
First Claim
1. A method of performing a research task within a searchable database comprising the steps of:
- a. utilizing a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a keyword search, a hierarchical search, and a dichotomous key search;
b. utilizing the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria; and
c. repeating step (b) until the research task is completed such that each utilization of the research module includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, and the dichotomous key search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the hierarchical search and the dichotomous key search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input.
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Abstract
A method of and apparatus for performing a research task within a searchable database by interchangeably utilizing a multitude of search methodologies including keyword search, hierarchical search, and dichotomous key search. A search criteria is correlated to a searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, and repeatedly utilizing one of the search methodologies to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items until the research task is completed. Utilizing the search methodologies can be performed by a server, preferably accessible over the internet through the public switched telephone network. According to another aspect, the method utilizes keyword search, hierarchical search, and parametric search methodologies. According to yet another aspect, the method utilizes keyword search, dichotomous key search, and parametric search methodologies. According to still yet another aspect, the method utilizes dichotomous key search, hierarchical search, and parametric search methodologies.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A method of performing a research task within a searchable database comprising the steps of:
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a. utilizing a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a keyword search, a hierarchical search, and a dichotomous key search; b. utilizing the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria; and c. repeating step (b) until the research task is completed such that each utilization of the research module includes availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, and the dichotomous key search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the hierarchical search and the dichotomous key search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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- 13. A research system for performing a research task within a searchable database comprising a research server configured to utilize a research module, to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database coupled to the research server for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a keyword search, a hierarchical search, and a dichotomous key search, to utilize the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, and to repeat the utilization of the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, until the research task is completed, and further wherein each utilization of the research module includes the availability of the keyword search, the hierarchical search, and the dichotomous key search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the hierarchical search, and the dichotomous key search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input.
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22. A method of performing a research task within a searchable database comprising the steps of:
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a. utilizing a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a keyword search, a dichotomous key search, and a parametric search; b. utilizing the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria; and c. repeating step (b) until the research task is completed such that each utilization of the research module includes availability of the keyword search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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- 34. A research system for performing a research task within a searchable database comprising a research server configured to utilize a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database coupled to the research server for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a keyword search, a dichotomous key search, and a parametric search, to utilize the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, and to repeat the utilization of the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, until the research task is completed, and further wherein each utilization of the research module includes the availability of the keyword search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the keyword search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input.
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43. A method of performing a research task within a searchable database comprising the steps of:
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a. utilizing a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a hierarchical search, a dichotomous key search, and a parametric search; b. utilizing the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria; and c. repeating step (b) until the research task is completed such that each utilization of the research module includes availability of the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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- 55. A research system for performing a research task within a searchable database comprising a research server configured to utilize a research module to correlate a search criteria to the searchable database coupled to the research server for generating one or more matching items, wherein each matching item corresponds to a segment of the searchable database, further wherein the research module includes a hierarchical search, a dichotomous key search, and a parametric search, to utilize the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, and to repeat the utilization of the research module to correlate a subsequent search criteria to one of the matching items for generating one or more subsequent matching items, wherein each subsequent matching item is a sub-segment of the matching item used to generate the subsequent matching item, and further wherein the subsequent search criteria is a selective one of the search criteria and a different search criteria, until the research task is completed, and further wherein each utilization of the research module includes the availability of the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search at any location, including at any displayed page, within the searchable database, wherein the hierarchical search, the dichotomous key search, and the parametric search are available at any displayed page within the searchable database without requiring user input.
Specification