Abstract: In an electronic presentation of information, search is made easier and more personal by identifying words, symbols or images (collectively called terms) in text and allowing users to select any of those terms to refine their search. The technology is called “cherry picking” because it allows each user to select what they judge to be the best terms among many available terms in the text, and use those terms to their own advantage. Terms in text are identified by a visual indicator such as a change in the shape of the cursor. “Stop words,” words that do not change the outcome of the search, and words that meet other specific criteria are not selectable.

Abstract: In an electronic presentation of information, search is made easier and more personal by identifying words, symbols or images (collectively called terms) in text and allowing users to select any of those terms to refine their search. The technology is called “cherry picking” because it allows each user to select what they judge to be the best terms among many available terms in the text, and use those terms to their own advantage. Terms in text are identified by a visual indicator such as a change in the shape of the cursor. “Stop words,” words that do not change the outcome of the search, and words that meet other specific criteria are not selectable.

Abstract: In an electronic presentation of information, search is made easier and more personal by identifying words, symbols or images (collectively called terms) in text and allowing users to select any of those terms to refine their search. The technology is called “cherry picking” because it allows each user to select what they judge to be the best terms among many available terms in the text, and use those terms to their own advantage. Terms in text are identified by a visual indicator such as a change in the shape of the cursor. “Stop words,” words that do not change the outcome of the search, and words that meet other specific criteria are not selectable.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the searching of data from an electronic data source. The invention teaches a method for presenting a large number of search terms rapidly and efficiently to a user. Users may scan a large number of search terms, move quickly from one search category to another, select a search term with minimal mechanical input and generate a series of “hits” that meet their search goals. The need to guide the computer with mechanical actions from a keyboard, mouse or other device is minimized. Graphics that distract the user from any task other than selecting hits are eliminated. Users are able to scan quickly and find electronic information with minimum effort.

Abstract: The method of variably displaying search terms includes continuously displaying the names of categories on a video terminal screen. When the cursor is adjacent a category, one data set or search term is displayed, that search term being one of a plurality of terms in a list associated with the particular category. The user displays another term from the list by actuating a scrolling control key input. To select a desired term and move to the next category, the user actuates a select control key input. Therefore, the display system utilizes only two control inputs to select a plurality of terms for a plurality of categories. One list of terms represents control commands that control, among other things, the output of data from the system. One technique of formulating the list is to obtain the data fields from a particular field, corresponding to the category, from all records in a data base. The retrieved data fields are then used as search terms in this dynamically formed list.

Abstract: The method of variably displaying search terms includes continuously displaying the names of categories on a video terminal screen. When the cursor is adjacent a category, one data set or search term is displayed, that search term being one of a plurality of terms in a list associated with the particular category. The user displays another term from the list by actuating a scrolling control key input. To select a desired term and move to the next category, the user actuates a select control key input. Therefore, the display system utilizes only two control inputs to select a plurality of terms for a plurality of categories. One list of terms represents control commands that control, among other things, the output of data from the system. One technique of formulating the list is to obtain the data fields from a particular field, corresponding to the category, from all records in a data base. The retrieved data fields are then used as search terms in this dynamically formed list.