[0001] The field of the invention is searching and reviewing information. Background

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Various systems and methods of searching for and displaying information that is stored electronically are known. Search tools such as Google, Bing, and Duckduckgo are examples of systems and methods that are currently used to electronically search for, display, and review information. Some search tools are designed to search specific databases and specific types of information. For example, PubMed (URL: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) is a free search engine that accesses journal articles in the life sciences and biomedical fields. As another example, there are numerous free search engines such as Google patents (URL: patents.google.com) and FPO (URL: freepatentsonline.com/) and subscription-based search engines such as TotalPatent (URL: lexisnexis.com/totalpatent/signonForm.do) and PatSnap (URL: analytics.patsnap.com/) that access domestic and international patent applications. While these search tools are helpful to some degree, there is still a need for improved systems and methods of searching and displaying information. It would be advantageous to provide an improved search tool and search methodology that is faster and produces more relevant search results than the state of the art systems and methods.

[0004] These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0005] Thus, there is still a need for an improved system and method of searching, reviewing, and displaying information that is stored electronically. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which multiple search terms or queries are run on a database, with the results arranged and visually displayed for a user. In some embodiments, additional search queries (e.g., search terms, keywords, queries, phrases, etc) are suggested based on contextual relationships, preferably similar or related to the subject of the original query or queries.

[0007] In some embodiments, a search tool for accessing and displaying information stored in a database includes a non-transitory storage medium that has executable software instructions, and a processor communicatively coupled with the database and configured to execute the software instructions. It is contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive at least a first query and a second query from a user. The first query can include at least a first keyword, and likewise the second query can include at least a second keyword. However, it should be appreciated that the first query or the second query can further include a plurality of keywords (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more keywords). In addition, the plurality of keywords of the first or second queries can optionally constitute a phrase (e.g., plain English phrase, Boolean operator phrase, etc.) or a plurality of phrases (e.g., plain English phrases, Boolean operator phrases, combinations of different phrase types, etc.). The software instructions are further programmed to search the database for a plurality of files responsive to the first query or the second query, and to generate a first set of search results with files responsive to the first query and a second set of search results with files responsive to the second query.

[0008] It is contemplated the software instructions are further programmed to display more than one search result from the first set of search results or the second set of search results in groups (and preferably more than one from both sets). The display of the search results (e.g., the location, color, or size of markers or representations of the search results, other arrangements of search results, etc) indicate whether each search result is responsive to the first query only, the second query only, or both the first query and the second query. It is contemplated that the display or arrangement of the search results can indicate additional information, such as the lack or presence of responsive results (e.g., whitespace, crowded space, etc), the quality of the search result (e.g., confirmed, reliable, questionable, speculative, etc), or relationships between the search results, or between the search results and recommended keywords or queries. [0009] In some embodiments, the first set of search results are displayed in a first enclosed area, while the second set of search results can likewise be displayed in a second enclosed area. It is contemplated that the first enclosed area and the second enclosed area partially overlap to define an overlapping region, at least a first non-overlapping region within the first enclosed area, and a second non-overlapping region within the second enclosed area. In preferred embodiments, the overlapping region will contain search results that are responsive to both the first query and the second query, while the first non-overlapping region contains search results that are responsive only to the first query, and the second non-overlapping region contains search results that are responsive only to the second query.

[0010] It is further contemplated that each of the search results (e.g., the first set of search results, the second set of search results, etc) can include a file with text stored in the database, and can further be represented by a marker. In preferred embodiments, the text of the file corresponding to each search result can be displayed by selecting the search result' s

representative marker. In preferred embodiments a characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers (e.g., at least one of size, color, location, shape, opacity, arrangement, relative position, etc) represents a contextual relationship between each search result and more than one query. It is also contemplated a characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers can also represent a contextual relationship between each search result and each (or some) of the other search results. It should be apparent the characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers can also represent a contextual relationship between each search result and (i) a different search result or (ii) more than one query.

[0011] In yet further embodiments, it is contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive a third query from the user that includes a third keyword and to search the database for files responsive to the third query. A third set of search results is then generated including files responsive to the third query. It is contemplated a result (or some, or all) from the first set of search results, the second set of search results, or the third set of search results (or any combination of them) is displayed in (i) a first grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the first query only, (ii) a second grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the second query only, (iii) a third grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the first query and the second query but not the third query, (iv) a fourth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the third query only, (v) a fifth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the first query and the third query but not the second query, (vi) a sixth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the second query and the third query but not the first query, or (vii) a seventh grouping to indicate the result is responsive to each of the first query, the second query, and the third query.

[0012] Again, it is contemplated search results can be displayed as a marker, where a characteristic of the marker represents a contextual relationship between (i) each search result and more than one query (e.g., between a search result from one of the first, second, or third sets of search results and two or more of the first, second, and third queries), (ii) each search result and a different search result, or multiple different search results (e.g., a first and a second search result from either the same set of search results or different sets of search results), or (iii) each search result and both a different search result (e.g., search results from different sets of search results, search results from the same set of search results, etc) and more than one query.

[0013] It is still further contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive a primary query from a user that includes a first primary keyword and to search the database for files responsive to the primary query. However, it should be appreciated that the primary query can further include a plurality of keywords (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more keywords). In addition, the plurality of keywords of the primary query can optionally constitute a phrase (e.g., plain English phrase, Boolean operator phrase, etc.) or a plurality of phrases (e.g., plain English phrases, Boolean operator phrases, combinations of different phrase types, etc.). A primary set of search results is generated corresponding to the primary query. A result

(preferably multiple or all results) from the first set of search results, the second set of search results, the third set of search results, or the primary set of search results is displayed to the user, preferably in some (or all) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh groupings described above, and at least one additional grouping to indicate the search result is responsive to the primary query and one (or multiple) of the first through seventh groupings. However, it should be appreciated that a further additional grouping can be used to indicate the search result is responsive to the primary query and not responsive to the first, second, or third queries. [0014] In some embodiments, the software instructions are also configured to generate a plurality of suggested keywords based on a contextual relationship between at least two or more of the first query, the second query, the third query, and the primary query. It should be appreciated that the plurality of suggested keywords (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more suggested keywords) can optionally constitute a phrase (e.g., plain English phrase, Boolean operator phrase, etc.) or a plurality of phrases (e.g., plain English phrases, Boolean operator phrases, combinations of different phrase types, etc). It is contemplated the plurality of suggested keywords can be arranged in a logical (e.g., list, groupings, grid, diagram, hierarchy, flowchart, spectrum, contextual cloud, etc) or illogical (e.g., randomized, etc) array (e.g., 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional, 4 dimensional, etc). In preferred embodiments, the suggested keywords are similar or related to at least one of the first, second, third, or primary queries, though it is contemplated that contradictory, opposing, or antithetical keyword(s) can also be suggested.

[0015] It should be appreciated that the contextual relationship between different search results, keywords, or queries (or any plurality of combination thereof) can be determined (at least in part) by a number of factors, including (i) characteristics of a user entering the keywords and queries or retrieving the search results (e.g., a profile attribute of the user such as field of expertise, field of technology, relevant market, relevant industry, educational degrees, credentials, prior search history, etc), (ii) a plurality of search histories associated respectively with a plurality of users (e.g., crowd sourcing based on search frequency, volume, periodicity, quality, weighting of search histories based on, for example, relationships between each search history and profile attributes of each respective user), or (iii) an input from a user characterizing (e.g., modifying, deleting, commenting, qualifying, expanding, narrowing, etc) the contextual relationship of a suggested keyword in the list of suggested keywords. It is further contemplated that, once a contextual relationship has been determined, the contextual relationships can be further modified (e.g., based on user input, expert input, etc), and that the groupings of the search results are further refined in view of the modified contextual relationships.

[0016] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 depicts a general architecture for a search system.

[0018] Figure 2 depicts a first display image of a search system.

[0019] Figure 3A depicts a second display image of a search system.

[0020] Figure 3B depicts an alternative second display image of a search system.

[0021] Figure 4A depicts a third display image of a search system.

[0022] Figure 4B depicts an alternative third display image of a search system.

[0023] Figure 5A depicts a fourth display image of a search system.

[0024] Figure 5B depicts an alternative fourth display image of a search system.

[0025] Figure 6A depicts a fifth display image of a search system.

[0026] Figure 6B depicts an alternative fifth display image of a search system.

[0027] Figure 7 depicts a sixth display image of a search system.

[0028] Figure 8A depicts a seventh display image of a search system.

[0029] Figure 8B depicts an alternative seventh display image of a search system.

[0030] Figure 9 depicts an eighth display image of a search system.

[0031] Figure 10 depicts a ninth display image of a search system.

[0032] Figure 11 depicts a tenth display image of a search system.

[0033] Figure 12A depicts an eleventh display image of a search system.

[0034] Figure 12B depicts an alternative eleventh display image of a search system.

[0035] Figure 13A depicts a twelfth display image of a search system. [0036] Figure 13B depicts an alternative twelfth display image of a search system.

[0037] Figure 14A depicts a thirteenth display image of a search system.

[0038] Figure 14B depicts an alternative thirteenth display image of a search system.

[0039] Figure 15 depicts a fourteenth display image of a search system.

[0040] Figure 16A depicts a fifteenth display image of a search system.

[0041] Figure 16B depicts an alternative fifteenth display image of a search system.

[0042] Figure 17 depicts a sixteenth display image of a search system.

[0043] Figure 18 depicts a display image of a patent search result.

[0044] Figure 19 depicts an arrangement of search results.

[0045] Figure 20 depicts a seventeenth display image of a search system.

[0046] Figure 21 depicts an eighteenth display image of a search system.

[0047] Figure 22 depicts a nineteenth display image of a search system.

[0048] Figure 23 depicts a twentieth display image of a search system.

[0049] Figure 24 depicts a twenty first display image of a search system.

[0050] Figure 25A depicts a twenty second display image of a search system.

[0051] Figure 25B depicts an alternative twenty second display image of a search system.

[0052] Figure 26 depicts a twenty third display image of a search system.

[0053] Figure 27A depicts a twenty fourth display image of a search system.

[0054] Figure 27B depicts an alternative twenty fourth display image of a search system.

[0055] Figure 28 depicts a twenty fifth display image of a search system. [0056] Figure 29 A depicts a twenty sixth display image of a search system.

[0057] Figure 29B depicts an alternative twenty sixth display image of a search system.

[0058] Figure 30 depicts a twenty seventh display image of a search system.

[0059] Figure 31 depicts a twenty eighth display image of a search system.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0060] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which multiple search terms or queries are run on a database, with the results arranged and visually displayed for a user. In some embodiments, additional search queries (e.g., search terms, keywords, queries, phrases, etc) are suggested based on contextual relationships, preferably similar or related to the subject of the original query or queries.

[0061] In some embodiments, a search tool for accessing and displaying information stored in a database includes a non-transitory storage medium that has executable software instructions, and a processor communicatively coupled with the database and configured to execute the software instructions. It is contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive at least a first query and a second query from a user. The first query can include at least a first keyword, and likewise the second query can include at least a second keyword. The software instructions are further programmed to search the database for a plurality of files responsive to the first query or the second query, and to generate a first set of search results with files responsive to the first query and a second set of search results with files responsive to the second query.

[0062] It is contemplated the software instructions are further programmed to display more than one search result from the first set of search results or the second set of search results in groups (and preferably more than one from both sets). The display of the search results (e.g., the location, color, or size of markers or representations of the search results, other arrangements of search results, etc) indicate whether each search result is responsive to the first query only, the second query only, or both the first query and the second query. It is contemplated that the display or arrangement of the search results can indicate additional information, such as the lack or presence of responsive results (e.g., whitespace, crowded space, etc), the quality of the search result (e.g., confirmed, reliable, questionable, speculative, etc), or relationships between the search results, or between the search results and recommended keywords or queries.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first set of search results are displayed in a first enclosed area, while the second set of search results can likewise be displayed in a second enclosed area. It is contemplated that the first enclosed area and the second enclosed area partially overlap to define an overlapping region, at least a first non-overlapping region within the first enclosed area, and a second non-overlapping region within the second enclosed area. In preferred embodiments, the overlapping region will contain search results that are responsive to both the first query and the second query, while the first non-overlapping region contains search results that are responsive only to the first query, and the second non-overlapping region contains search results that are responsive only to the second query.

[0064] It is further contemplated that each of the search results (e.g., the first set of search results, the second set of search results, etc) can include a file with text stored in the database, and can further be represented by a marker. In preferred embodiments, the text of the file corresponding to each search result can be displayed selecting result' s representative marker. In preferred embodiments a characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers (e.g., at least one of size, color, location, shape, opacity, arrangement, relative position, etc) represents a contextual relationship between each search result and more than one query. It is also contemplated a characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers can also represent a contextual relationship between each search result and each (or some) of the other search results. It should be apparent the characteristic of each marker or grouping of markers can also represent a contextual relationship between each search result and (i) a different search result, and (ii) more than one query.

[0065] In yet further embodiments, it is contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive a third query from the user that includes a third keyword and to search the database for files responsive to the third query. A third set of search results is then generated including files responsive to the third query. It is contemplated a result (or some, or all) from the first set of search results, the second set of search results, or the third set of search results (or any combination of them) is displayed in (i) a first grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the first query only, (ii) a second grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the second query only, (iii) a third grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the first query and the second query but not the third query, (iv) a fourth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to the third query only, (v) a fifth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the first query and the third query but not the second query, (vi) a sixth grouping to indicate the result is responsive to both the second query and the third query but not the first query, or (vii) a seventh grouping to indicate the result is responsive to each of the first query, the second query, and the third query.

[0066] Again, it is contemplated search results can be displayed as a marker, where a characteristic of the marker represents a contextual relationship between (i) each search result and more than one query (e.g., between a search result from one of the first, second, or third sets of search results and two or more of the first, second, and third queries), (ii) each search result and a different search result, or multiple different search results (e.g., a first and a second search result from either the same set of search results or different sets of search results), and (iii) each search result and both a different search result (e.g., search results from different sets of search results, search results from the same set of search results, etc) and more than one query.

[0067] It is still further contemplated the software instructions are programmed to receive a primary query from a user that includes a first primary keyword and to search the database for files responsive to the primary query. A primary set of search results is generated corresponding to the primary query. A result (preferably multiple or all results) from the first set of search results, the second set of search results, the third set of search results, or the primary set of search results is displayed to the user, preferably in some (or all) of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh groupings described above, and at least one additional grouping to indicate the search result is responsive to the primary query and one (or multiple) of the first through seventh groupings.

[0068] In some embodiments, the software instructions are also configured to generate a list of suggested keyword based on a contextual relationship between at two or more of the first query, the second query, the third query, and the primary query. It should be appreciated that the contextual relationship between different search results, keywords, and queries (or any combination thereof) can be determined (at least in part) by a number of factors, including (i) characteristics of a user entering the keywords and queries or retrieving the search results (e.g., a profile attribute of the user such as field of expertise, field of technology, relevant market, relevant industry, educational degrees, credentials, prior search history, etc), (ii) a plurality of search histories associated respectively with a plurality of users (e.g., crowd sourcing based on search frequency, volume, periodicity, quality, weighting of search histories based on, for example, relationships between each search history and profile attributes of each respective user), or (iii) an input from a user characterizing (e.g., modifying, deleting, commenting, qualifying, expanding, narrowing, etc) the contextual relationship of a suggested keyword in the list of suggested keywords. It is further contemplated that, once a contextual relationship has been determined, the contextual relationships can be further modified (e.g., based on user input, expert input, etc), and that the groupings of the search results are further refined in view of the modified contextual relationships.

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic of a search engine 105 communicatively coupled with a database 110 and a display 115. Search engine 105 includes a non-transitory storage medium that has executable software instructions, and a processor configured to execute the software instructions. The software instructions are programmed to receive a primary keyword (as a user input) and search for the primary keyword in database 110. Database 110 contains information stored electronically therein (e.g., files, documents, data objects, etc). The information in database 110 can be organized according to a classification system based on the subject matter and/or application of the information. Database 110 can be a single hard drive or a distributed configuration. Search engine 105 can be communicatively coupled with database 110 via LAN, WAN, WiFi ^® , Bluetooth ^® or any other communication protocol suitable for exchanging data and commands.

[0070] While not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is contemplated that once the user provides a primary keyword to the search engine, the software instructions are programmed to generate a plurality of suggested secondary keywords based on the primary keyword search, the user's profile, and/or the results of the primary keyword search. The software instructions include algorithms for determining a contextual relationship (e.g., theme, technology, market, concept, application, person, product, interest, idea, field, etc, that is similar, related, connected, proximal, distal, different, contradictory, antithetical, etc) between the primary keyword and possible secondary keywords. The software instructions are further configured to receive first, second, and third secondary keywords (as a user input), whether the secondary keywords are from the plurality of suggested secondary keywords, or otherwise entered by the user.

[0071] It should be appreciated that the plurality of suggested keywords (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more suggested keywords) can optionally constitute a phrase (e.g., plain English phrase, Boolean operator phrase, etc.) or a plurality of phrases (e.g., plain English phrases, Boolean operator phrases, combinations of different phrase types, etc). It is contemplated the plurality of suggested keywords can be arranged in a logical (e.g., list, groupings, map, grid, diagram, hierarchy, flowchart, spectrum, contextual cloud, etc) or illogical (e.g., randomized, etc) array (e.g., 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional, 4 dimensional, etc). In preferred embodiments, the suggested keywords are similar or related to at least one of the first, second, third, or primary queries, though it is contemplated that contradictory, opposing, or antithetical keyword(s) can also be suggested.

[0072] Using the selected keywords (both primary and secondary) search engine 105 culls search database 110 for entries (e.g., files) responsive to each of the primary and secondary keywords. It should be appreciated that search engine 105 preferably culls for entries that are directly responsive (e.g., a direct link between the keyword and the entry, such as the keyword is found in the entry, the keyword is descriptive of the entry, etc), but can also cull entries that are indirectly responsive (e.g., the entry and the keyword are linked via one, two , three, four, or more degrees of separation, a probabilistic model links the entry and the keyword, linked by Bayesian inference, experimental data links the entry and the keyword, experiential data links the entry and the keyword, theoretical data links the entry and the keyword, etc).

[0073] The software instructions are also programmed to present a first set of search results (e.g., directly responsive, indirectly responsive, etc) to the user via display 115 (e.g., monitor, screen, etc.). In preferred embodiments, the first set of search results is displayed in the form of a Venn diagram that comprises up to three overlapping circles, a larger circle encompassing the three overlapping circles, and a smaller inner circle overlaying the overlapping regions of each of the tree overlapping circles. See, e.g., Figure 3. However, it should be appreciated the inventive subject matter comprises diagram structures comprising four, five, six, or up to ten circles with various degrees of overlap (more than one, three, five, nine, ten, fifteen overlapping regions, etc), and can include two, three, and four dimensional structures. In preferred embodiments, each of the three overlapping circles corresponds to one of the first, second, and third secondary keywords. The inner circle and the larger (outer) circle correspond to the primary keyword.

[0074] The inventive subject matter will now be illustrated by way of a working example.

Figure 2 shows an interface for receiving a primary keyword from a user in order to query a patent database. The interface can be displayed to the user via display 115. In this example, the user inputs "bicycle" in the search field to define the primary keyword. Upon selecting the search icon (e.g., magnification lens), the search engine queries a patent database. It should be appreciated that the inventive subject matter contemplates the term "bicycle" is optionally interpreted by the search engine to include plural terms (e.g., "bicycles," etc), synonymous terms (e.g., "bike," "two-wheeler," etc), and related terms (e.g., "velocipede," "tricycle," "motorbike," etc). The search engine may incorporate such terms as a default option, or the user may select such terms to be included.

[0075] While in this example a patent database is queried, it should be appreciated the inventive subject matter contemplates other databases (e.g., financial, academic, technological, private, public, institutional, commercial, legal, news, social media, business, therapeutic, medical, biological, scientific, research, market, other collections of information, etc), and multiple databases (e.g., more than two, more than three, more than five, more than ten, more than 1000), can be queried. Further, it is contemplated that patent databases may comprise all or portions (e.g., one or more of title, abstract, background, summary of invention, detailed description, claims, drawings, etc) of published applications or issued patents (e.g., foreign, U.S., P.C.T, a whole or partial combination, etc), whether pending, abandoned, granted, or expired. Further, it should be appreciated that data not found in published applications or issued patents may be incorporated in the patent database (e.g., litigation history, expert opinions, claim construction, licensing information, user comments), or an additional database comprising such information may be queried, whether simultaneously or in a step-wise fashion. [0076] Figure 3A shows an example of search results from the patent database when "bicycle" is entered as the primary keyword. The black dots (e.g., markers, indicators, etc) located within the larger outer circle represent patent documents stored in the database that contain the word "bicycle" (e.g., in the title, abstract, background, summary of invention, detailed description, claims, drawings, etc). While in this example, the patent documents are represented as dots, it should be appreciated that other markers (e.g., shapes, icons, images, sprites, symbols, avatars, etc) with variable characteristics (e.g., size, orientation, color, opacity, foreground, background, etc) are contemplated, as well as variable combinations thereof. It is contemplated the markers and the variable characteristics used to represent the search results indicates a quality of the result (e.g., confirmed, speculative, challenged, accepted, hypothetical, experimental, ideation, monetized, etc), and optionally a contextual relationship of the result to other results, terms, queries, etc.

[0077] The search engine determines a list of suggested secondary keywords based on the contextual relationship algorithms. It should be appreciated that such algorithms (e.g., machine learning algorithms) can include one or more of a probabilistic model, a Bayesian model, Fraser inference, Fisher inference, Dempster-Shafer theory, or other inferential models (e.g., Martin and Liu, Inferential Models: Reasoning with Uncertainty, Chapman and Hall 2015), and may further incorporate experimental data, experiential data, theoretical data, or other data inputs. Further, it should be appreciated that the algorithms may draw contextual relationships between the keyword and responsive search results (e.g., a categorization of the search result, a

characterization of the search result, the source of the search result, comments on the search result, the quality of the search result, a summary of the search result, a theme of the search result, a term in the search result, etc), between two or more of the responsive search results, or between the keyword and non-responsive search results.

[0078] Figure 3B shows another example of search results from the patent database when "bicycle" is entered as the primary keyword.

[0079] In Figure 4A, the left panel shows three fields for inputting three different secondary keywords. The user can view the list of suggested keywords by selecting one of the secondary keyword fields. Figure 4B shows another example of a left panel with three fields for inputting secondary keywords. Figure 5A shows a drop-down list of the suggested secondary keywords. The user may select one of the keywords from the list or enter a keyword not included in the list. Based on the user's selection/input, the list of suggested secondary keywords is automatically updated using contextual information from the user's selection for the first secondary keyword. This process continues until the user has chosen three secondary keywords and submits the query. Figure 5B shows an alternative embodiment where the second keyword is entered manually.

[0080] In Figure 6A, the user has selected "mounting" as the first secondary keyword and "frame" as the second secondary keyword. A drop-down list of suggested secondary keywords for the third secondary keyword field is shown. Figure 6B shows an alternative embodiment where the third keyword is entered manually. In Figure 7, the user selects "bracket" as the third secondary keyword and defines additional search parameters in the left panel. After submitting these keywords (e.g., bicycle, mounting, frame, bracket) and search parameters (e.g., abstract, USPTO), the search engine generates and displays a first set of search results as shown in Figure 8A. The three overlapping circles in the middle of the larger circle correspond to one of the secondary keywords. Figure 8B is another example of a display of the first set of search results, where each circle is labeled by its corresponding keyword. The blue circle (top right) corresponds to "frame" as shown in Figure 9. The red circle (top left) corresponds to

"mounting" as shown in Figure 10. The green circle (bottom) corresponds to "bracket" as shown in Figure 11.

[0081] The user can mouse over a dot to view the title of the patent document, as in Figures 12A and 12B. The user can also click on a dot to view the full text of the patent document in the right side panel shown in Figures 13A and 13B. The right side panel also has a link to access the patent document in its native format (as stored in the database). See Figure 18.

[0082] The user can also select one of the "regions" within the venn diagram to view a list of search results within the region. Figure 14A, for example, shows the search results of the region defined by the overlapping of the inner circle with the blue and green circles. This region represents patent documents containing the words "bicycle," "frame," and "bracket." The list of search results is displayed in the right side panel. Each search result has a box that can be checked to further limit the search field and to perform compound searches. Figure 14B shows another example of the region defined by the overlapping of the inner circle with the blue and red circles, corresponding to "bicycle," "mounting," and "bracket."

[0083] Figure 15 shows a second working example of the inventive subject matter. In this example, the user has registered a user profile with the search engine and is signed into a user account. In this embodiment, the search engine uses information from the user profile to help determine the contextual relevance of secondary keywords and search results. The user submits a query using "bicycle" as the primary keyword, "attached" as the first secondary keyword, "pedal" as the second secondary keyword, and "bracket" as the third secondary keyword.

Figures 16A and 16B show examples of the search results presented to the user in a venn diagram format. Figure 17 shows a list a search results within the region defined by "bicycle," "attached," and "pedal."

[0084] In this manner, a search engine that improves the search time and allows for visualization of a voluminous list of search results is provided.

[0085] Figure 19 shows another display of search results for only two queries. The search results are represented by two enclosed areas (e.g., circles) that overlap. The search results are displayed in groupings that illustrate all possible logical relationships between the two queries and the search results. Specifically, the first non-overlapping region represents search results that are responsive to the first query only. The second non-overlapping region represents search results that are responsive to the second query only. The overlapping region represents search results that are responsive to both the first and second query. In this embodiment, only two queries are submitted however it is contemplated that any plurality of queries can be used with the inventive subject matter and the search results can be display with a plurality of enclosed areas (e.g., circles) corresponding to the plurality of queries.

[0086] Figures 20-31 show another example of a search strategy and additional features of a search tool that can be used to search for information in a database. In Figure 20, the user types "bicycle" into the first search field and clicks the search icon (e.g., magnification lens). Next, in Figure 21, a left side panel is displayed for entering additional search queries (e.g., three "secondary keyword" search fields), and for setting search parameters (e.g., title, abstract, full- text, synonyms, stem words, plurality, source options, past searches, etc). In Figure 22 the user populates the three additional search fields, either by selecting keywords from the drop list of suggested keywords or by typing a new keyword in the field. The user then submits the search queries and the search results are displayed in a venn diagram as shown in Figure 23. The venn diagram comprises: (i) one larger enclosed area (e.g., the outer circle) representing the primary search query (e.g., "bicycle"); (i) three medium circles in the colors of red, blue, and green, representing the three secondary queries (e.g., bracket, mounting, pedal); and (iii) one smaller enclosed area (e.g. center circle) representing the primary query's overlap with the three secondary queries. The venn diagram presents the search results in groupings (e.g., overlapping and non-overlapping regions) that visually communicate to the user all possible logical relationships between the search queries and the search results. This allows the user to quickly view the size and density of different combinations of keywords and/or search queries, (e.g., circles).

[0087] The venn diagram also allows the user to selective different combinations of keywords and queries that are most relevant to them, and further compound the searching in a broadening manner rather than a limiting/narrowing manner. For example, Figure 23 the user clicks the "compound searches" button in the top right of the interface, which then displays a compounding toolbar with a plus symbol (e.g., +) at the top of the interface as shown in Figure 24. Upon clicking the plus symbol, a window is displayed as shown in Figures 25A and 25B. This window allows the user to create a new group of search results for populating one of the secondary queries and its corresponding enclosed area (e.g., circle). The user names this group "bike + handle" and the window indicates "no saved points," meaning that no search results (i.e., points) are currently saved in this group. After clicking "save," the new group is displayed next to the orange + symbol, as shown in Figure 26. The user can then populate the "bike + handle" group by first selecting the group (e.g., clicking on "bike + handle" next to the + sign will outline the box in orange to indicate that this group is currently selected), and then click on a region in the venn diagram. In this case, the user selects the region of overlap between the queries "mounting" and "pedal" and a list of search results within that region is displayed in the right side panel as shown in Figures 27A and 27B. The user then selects search results to add to the "bike + handle" group by checking the box next to each result. The user can continue to select regions within the venn diagram and check boxes of search results to add to the "bike + handle" group. Once the user has add the desired search results to the group, the user can click on the "bike + handle" field to view the list of search results (i.e., points) that have been added to this group, as shown in Figure 28. The user may chose to remove search results from the list by clicking the "x" next to the title of the search result and can click "save" after final review of the list.

[0088] In Figures 29A and 29B, the user clicks the button comprising three horizontal lines next to the primary query (with the keyterm "bicycle") in the top left of the interface to display the left side panel. In the left side panel the "bike + handle" group has been added to the suggested keywords in the drop-down list. The user may select "bike + handle" for one of the secondary keyword fields to populate an enclosed area (e.g., circle) in the venn diagram with the search results that were saved in the "bike + handle" group. As shown in Figure 30, the user has chosen "bike + handle" for the first secondary keyword field, "mounting" for the second keyword field, and "pedal" for the third keyword field. Upon submitting these new queries, a new venn diagram is generated as shown in Figure 31. The red circle (i.e., the medium circle on the top left) is now populated with the search results from the "bike + handle" group. This new venn diagram shows the user how the search results from the "bike + handle" group relate to the other secondary queries (e.g., whether the search results in the "bike + handle" group are also responsive to the other secondary queries). In this manner, the user can compound the original search without narrowing the pool of search results. This is because the three secondary queries and the primary queries are run in parallel and independently such that one query does not limit the results of another query. The venn diagram advantageously allows the user to visualize all possible logical relationships between the queries and the search results.

[0089] In this example only one keyword was chosen for each search field. However, it is contemplated that each search field could include multiple keywords connected by Boolean operators and modifiers. For example, the primary search field could be "bicycle OR bike AND electric NOT gas", and the secondary search fields could be "pedal AND assisted," "lithium ion AND battery," and "electric OR motor AND driven." It is also contemplated that plain text and natural language queries can be used for each query. [0090] The materials in the appendix are provided to further illustrate the inventive subject matter.

[0091] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

APPENDIX

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