Hierarchical document cross-reference system and method

Abstract

A hierarchical document cross-reference system comprises a document server computer remotely accessible by a user computer. The document server computer includes a database which stores the contents of a first document and a second document. The first document contains one or more segments and the second document contains one or more segments. Each segment is identified by a segment identifier. The document server computer also includes a module executable in the document server computer. The module is configured to receive a request to cross-reference the first document and the second document on a key phrase. The module searches the first document and the second document for the key phrase and identifies the segments in the documents containing the key phrase. The module then displays on the user computer a side-by-side display listing the segment identifiers for the identified segments. The segment identifiers for the identified segments in the first document containing the key phrase are displayed in a first list and the segment identifiers for the identified segments in the second document containing the key phrase are displayed in a second list. The user can subsequently select a segment identifier from each list and submit the segment identifiers for display. The module then displays the contents of each segment, with the key phrase highlighted in a distinct color or by other means.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 781,685, filed Feb. 12, 2001, titled HIERARCHICAL DOCUMENT CROSS-REFERENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD. The entire contents of this prior application Ser. No. 09 / 781,685 are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of document cross-reference. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for the storage, retrieval, and cross-reference of documents. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The advent of text processing application programs has enabled the computer to become a viable tool for document creation and storage. A user is able to develop a document by entering the text comprising the document into the computer using such an application program. Typically, the document contents are stored on the computer in what is known as a file. [0006...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention hierarchically cross-references one or more documents stored on a computer. The hierarchical cross-reference allows a user to efficiently identify and view only those segments within the documents that contain a key phrase on which the documents are cross-referenced.

[0012] The user can then select a first segment from one list and a second segment from the other list (and additional segments if desired) and request the document server computer to cross-reference the selected segments on the key phrase. The document server computer searches the selected segments for the key phrase and the key phrase may advantageously be identified at two levels. Components within the segment that contain the key phrase are appropriately indicated as well as the actual elements or subcomponents which comprise the key phrase. For example, the document server computer can identify the sentence or paragraph containing the word or words as the component containing the key phrase, and accordingly identify the word or words comprising the key phrase as a unit or subcomponent. The document server computer then displays the contents of each of the selected segments in a side-by-side display on the user computer. The identified components and subcomponents are distinguished in the side-by-side display of selected segment contents so that the user can quickly compare the discussion surrounding the key phrase in each displayed segment.

Problems solved by technology

This typically involves a laborious process of opening each electronic file and searching for the topic, either manually or by employing a search utility built into a word processing program.

This is a time-consuming and laborious process.

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