Information management, retrieval and display systems and associated methods

Abstract

An information management, retrieval and display system searches through an informational resource, such as a document (e.g., a treaty), a number of individual documents (e.g., Web pages resident on the Internet), or a stream of information (e.g., DNA code, source code, satellite data transmissions, etc.) and displays the results of the search in an collapsible/expandable format based upon a user-selected display criteria or hierarchy. Such a display hierarchy will allow the end-user to effectively and quickly obtain items of interest from the search results. Generally, the system performs a method for retrieving information from an informational resource that includes the steps of: (a) dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements; (b) assigning a categorical tag to each of the plurality of finite elements, where the categorical tag includes data pertaining to a content of the finite element; (c) generating a searchable database record for each of the plurality of finite elements, where each searchable database record includes at least one string contained within the finite element, where the string can be a word, a phrase, a symbol, a group of symbols, a data segment or the like; (d) supplying a search string; (e) searching the searchable database for searchable database records containing the search string; (f) arranging the results of the searching step in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the data in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements found in the searching step; and (g) displaying the results of the searching step in the hierarchal structure.

1. A method for generating a searchable informational resource comprising the steps of:
 (a) dividing an informational resource including at least one document into a plurality of finite elements, the dividing step (a) being performed by an expert system according to a first rule set;  
 (b) assigning a categorical tag to each of the plurality of finite elements, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element, the assigning step (b) being performed by an expert system according to a second rule set;  
 (c) generating a searchable database record for each of the plurality of finite elements, each searchable database record including at least one non- common  string contained within the finite element and word frequency data pertaining to the frequency of the non- common words contained within the corresponding finite element ;  
 (d) supplying  receiving a search string including at least one search word;  
 (e) searching the searchable database for searchable database records containing the search string so as to provide search results;  
 (f) arranging the results of the searching step in a hierarchal structure including a collapsible/expandable hierarchy having at least two levels according to the information in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements corresponding to the searchable database records found in the searching step, and ordering the results of the searching step according to a first one of the levels and further ordering the results of the searching step according to a next one of the levels, wherein at least one of the levels of the hierarchal structure is ordered based upon the data included in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements that are associated with the database records found in the searching step ( e );  
 (g) displaying the results of the searching step in the hierarchal structure;  
 (h) modifying at least one of the first and second rule sets, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displaying step (g); and  
 (i) repeating steps (a) through (h) until the expert views satisfactory results in the displaying step (g).  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the informational resource is a single document and the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying a plurality of sections in the single document, wherein each finite element is a single one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the informational resource is a plurality of documents and the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying the plurality of documents, wherein each finite element is a single one of the plurality of documents. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the informational resource is a plurality of documents and the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying the plurality of documents and identifying sections within the plurality of documents, wherein each finite element is associated with an identified section. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the identified section is an entire one of the plurality of documents. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the informational resource is a data stream and the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying segments within the data stream. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categorical tag includes data pertaining to an organizational attribute of the finite element with respect to the informational resource. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categorical tag includes data pertaining to the location of the finite element. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categorical tag includes a categorical phrase pertaining to the content of the finite element. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categorical tag includes a categorical number pertaining to the content of the finite element. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the categorical number is based upon a categorical referencing system analogous to the Dewey decimal system. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying and distinguishing between headings and sub-headings within the informational resource. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each database record further includes an address or link to the corresponding finite element. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database record includes non-common strings contained within the finite element. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the informational resource is at least one document;    the database record includes non-common words contained within the finite element; and    the step of supplying a search string involves a step of assigning at least one search word.    
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein each database record further includes word frequency data pertaining to the frequency of the non-common words contained within the corresponding finite element. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein a hierarchal structure is a collapsible/expandable hierarchy, having at least two levels and the arranging step (f) involves the step of ordering the results of the searching step according to a first one of the levels and then further ordering the results of the searching step according to a next one of the levels. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the levels of the hierarchal structure is ordered based upon the data included in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements that are associated with the database records found in the searching step (e). 
     
     
       19. The method of claim  18    1 , wherein another one of the two levels of the hierarchal is ordered based upon the word frequency data for database records found in the searching step (e). 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1  wherein a hierarchal structure is a collapsible/expandable hierarchy, having at least two levels and the arranging step (f) involves the step of ordering the results of the searching step according to a first one of the levels and then further ordering the results of the searching step according to a next one of the levels. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the levels of the hierarchal structure is ordered based upon the data included in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements that are associated with the database records found in the searching step (e). 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the informational resource includes a document;  
 the step of dividing the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements includes the step of identifying a plurality of sections in the document, each finite element being a single one of the plurality of sections the categorical tag includes information pertaining to a location of the finite element with respect to other finite elements in the document; and  
 the step of arranging the results of the searching step in a hierarchal structure according to the information in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements corresponding to the searchable database records found in the searching step, includes the step of arranging the finite elements in an order in which the finite elements appear in the document.  
 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) includes the step of inserting each categorical tag into the respective one of the plurality of finite elements. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (c) includes the step of inserting each categorical tag into the database record corresponding to the respective one of the finite elements. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supplying  receiving step (d) includes the steps of:
 providingreceiving an initial search string; and  
 creating at least one additional search string having a substantially similar meaning or effect of the initial search string.  
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the initial search string is a word in a first language and the at least one additional search string is the word in a second language. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the initial search string is a word having a first meaning and the at least one additional search string is another word having a second meaning substantially similar to the first meaning. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one additional search string is based upon a known permeation  permutation of the initial search string. 
     
     
       29. A method for retrieving information from an informational resource comprising the steps of:
 breaking apart the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements;  
 creating a categorical tag for each of the plurality of discrete finite elements, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element;  
 generating a searchable database including a searchable database record for each of the discrete finite elements;  
 searching the searchable database for relevant database records;  
 associating the relevant database records with corresponding relevant, discrete finite elements;  
 selecting a hierarchy for displaying identifying phrases pertaining to the relevant, discrete finite elements;  
 ordering the relevant, discrete finite elements in the hierarchy according, at least in part, to the categorical tag created for each of the discrete finite elements;  
 displaying the identifying phrases pertaining to the relevant, discrete finite elements according to the results of the ordering step;  
 selectingreceiving a selection of one of the identifying phrases;  
 accessing the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase; and  
 constructing a new informational resource for viewing using the accessed, relevant discrete finite element and other related, discrete finite elements including discrete finite elements corresponding to database records found in the searching step, and ordering the other related, discrete finite elements and the accessed, relevant discrete finite element according to information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, discrete finite elements and the accessed, relevant discrete finite element.  
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the other related, discrete finite elements are determined based upon information contained within the categorical tag of the accessed, relevant discrete finite element. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the other related, discrete finite elements include discrete finite elements corresponding to database records found in the searching step. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of constructing the new informational resource includes the step of ordering the other related, discrete finite elements and the accessed, relevant discrete finite element according to information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, discrete finite elements and the accessed, relevant discrete finite element. 
     
     
       33. A computerized system for retrieving information from an informational resource comprising:
   a computer including software operating thereon that comprises:      a break module, configured to break the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements and create a categorical tag for each finite element, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element:        an index module, configured to create a searchable database having a plurality of database records, each database record corresponding to at least one of the finite elements and including at least a portion of data contained in or pertaining to the finite element;        a search module, configured to compare a search query with each of the database records and determine which, if any, of the database records are relevant database records; and        an unbreak module configured to associate the relevant database records with their respective finite elements;        wherein said break module, index module, search module and unbreak module are each separate processing modules to provide a generally modular system;        wherein an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the finite elements is selected;        wherein the finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed;        wherein a new informational resource is constructed for viewing using the accessed, relevant finite element and other related finite elements determined based upon information contained within the categorical tag of the accessed, relevant finite element, wherein the other related finite elements include finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records; and        wherein the accessed, relevant finite element and other related finite elements are ordered according to the information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element.       
     
     
       34. A computer implemented method for retrieving information from an informational resource comprising one or more of the steps of:
   breaking the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements and creating a categorical tag for each discrete finite element, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element, by a break module;        generating, by an index module, a searchable database including a searchable database record for each of the discrete finite elements;        searching, by a search module, the searchable database for relevant database records that correspond to a search query; and        associating the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements by an unbreak module;        wherein said break module, index module, search module and unbreak module are each separate processing modules to provide a generally modular system;        wherein a selection of an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the discrete finite elements is selected;        wherein the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed;        wherein a new informational resource is constructed for viewing using the accessed, relevant discrete finite element and other related discrete finite elements determined based upon information contained within the categorical tag of the accessed, relevant discrete finite element, wherein the other related discrete finite elements include discrete finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records found in the searching step; and        wherein the accessed, relevant discrete finite element and other related discrete finite elements are ordered according to the information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, discrete finite elements and the accessed, relevant discrete finite element.     
     
     
       35. A storage device for operating on a computer system for processing an informational resource, the storage device comprising a break module adapted to be executed by a central processing unit and configured to break the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements and to create a categorical tag for each of the finite elements, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element;
   wherein an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the finite elements is selected;        wherein the finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed; and        wherein a new informational resource is constructed for viewing in an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure using the accessed, relevant finite element and other related finite elements; and        wherein said break module is configured to be used with at least one of:      an index module, configured to create a searchable database having a plurality of database records, each database record corresponding to at least one of the finite elements and including at least a portion of data contained in or pertaining to the finite element;        a search module configured to compare a search query with each of the database records and determine which, if any, of the database records are relevant database record; or        an unbreak module configured to associate the relevant database records with their respective finite elements, the unbreak module being further configured to receive an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information to thereby select an associated finite element, and configured to reconstruct a contiguous portion of the informational resource or informational resources around the finite element corresponding to the selected displayed identifying information by displaying other finite elements that are contiguous to the selected finite element.       
     
     
       36. The storage device of  claim 35  wherein each categorical tag includes information pertaining to at least one of: the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       37. The storage device of  claim 35  wherein each finite element has a variable characteristic taken from a group consisting of a unit size, type, shape or data boundary. 
     
     
       38. The storage device of  claim 35  wherein said break module breaks said information resource into a plurality of finite elements based upon at least one set of rules that are defined by an expert or artificial intelligence. 
     
     
       39. The storage device of  claim 38  wherein said rule set determines a characteristic of each finite element taken from a group consisting of: a unit size, type, shape or data boundary. 
     
     
       40. The storage device of  claim 35  wherein said break module is configured to track the position of each finite element relative to other finite elements of said informational resource. 
     
     
       41. The storage device of  claim 35  wherein each finite element has an associated database record which includes at least a portion of data contained in or pertaining to the finite element; selected ones of said database records are identified as relevant database records; and the system further includes an unbreak module configured to associate the relevant database records with their respective finite elements. 
     
     
       42. A computerized system comprising:
   a computer for processing at least part of an informational resource or combination of informational resources which are broken down into a plurality of discrete finite elements, each discrete finite element including a categorical tag and having an associated database record which includes at least a portion of data pertaining to a content of the finite element, selected ones of said database records being identified as relevant database records, said computer including software device operating thereon that includes an unbreak module configured to associate the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements;        wherein said unbreak module is configured to arrange the relevant database records or their respective discrete finite elements in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the information in the categorical tags, and further configured to display identifying information pertaining to the respective discrete finite elements of the relevant database records and receive an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information;        wherein an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the discrete finite elements is selected;        wherein the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed;        wherein a new informational resource is constructed by the unbreak module for viewing using the accessed, relevant discrete finite element and other related discrete finite elements; and        wherein said unbreak module is configured to reconstruct a contiguous portion of the informational resource around the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying information by displaying other discrete finite elements that are contiguous to the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying information, and wherein the unbreak module is configured to reconstruct the portion of the informational resource by reviewing the categorical tag assigned to the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying information for data corresponding to the location of the selected discrete finite element with respect to the information resource as a whole.     
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 42  wherein each discrete finite element includes a categorical tag, and wherein said unbreak module is configured to arrange the relevant database records or their respective discrete finite elements in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the information in the categorical tags. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 43  wherein the levels and organization of levels of said hierarchal structure are determined by at least one rules that are defined by an expert or artificial intelligence. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 43  wherein said hierarchal structure is an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure which can be collapsed or expanded by an end user. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 43  wherein said unbreak module is configured to receive a selection of a hierarchal structure and display identifying information pertaining to the relevant database records or their respective discrete finite elements in the received hierarchal structure. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 42  wherein the unbreak module is configured to construct a new document by identifying, linking or displaying at least two or more discrete finite elements that are not contiguous in an original information resource. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 42  further including a break software module operating thereon that is configured to break the informational resource or combination of informational resources into the plurality of discrete finite elements and to create a categorical tag for each of the plurality of discrete finite elements, the categorical tag including information pertaining to at least one of: the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; and timing data. 
     
     
       49. A method for retrieving information from an informational resource including the steps of:
   breaking the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements having at least one of a variable unit size, type, shape or data boundary, the breaking step being performed by an expert system according to a first rule set;        creating a categorical tag for each discrete finite element, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element, the creating step being performed by an expert system according to a second rule set;        generating a searchable database including a searchable database record for each of the discrete finite elements;        receiving a search query;        searching the searchable database for relevant database records that correspond to the search query;        displaying the results of the searching step;        arranging the results of said searching step in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the information in the categorical tags assigned to the discrete finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records, wherein said hierarchal structure is an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure which can be collapsed or expanded by an end user;        modifying at least one of the first and second rule sets, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displaying step; and        repeating the foregoing steps until the expert views satisfactory results in the displaying step.     
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 49  wherein each categorical tag includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 49  wherein the at least one unit size, type, shape or data boundary of each discrete finite element is defined prior to said breaking step by at least one set of rules that are defined by an expert or artificial intelligence. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 49  wherein the at least one unit size, type, shape or data boundary of each discrete finite element is defined by at least one set of rules that are defined by an expert or artificial intelligence. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 49  wherein each searchable database record includes a reverse index which includes information pertaining to at least one of: the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements or a word, number or other symbol frequency data pertaining to a frequency of certain words, numbers or other symbols contained in the corresponding discrete finite element. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 49  further comprising the step of associating the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 49  further comprising the step of receiving a selection of a hierarchal structure and displaying identifying information pertaining to the discrete finite elements that correspond to the relevant database records, and wherein said arranging step arranges the results of said searching step in the received hierarchal structure. 
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 54  further including the steps of displaying identifying information pertaining to the respective discrete finite elements of the relevant database records produced during the associating step and receiving an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information to thereby select -at least one discrete finite element. 
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 56  further including the steps of reconstructing a contiguous portion of the informational resource around the selected discrete finite element by displaying other discrete finite elements that are contiguous to the selected discrete finite element. 
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 57  wherein the reconstructing step includes reviewing the categorical to assigned to the selected discrete finite element for data corresponding to the location of the selected discrete finite element with respect to the information resource. 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 49  wherein said categorical tag includes a categorical designation pertaining to informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element, and wherein the categorical designation includes a unique identifier for each discrete finite element. 
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 49  wherein said breaking step includes tracking the position of each discrete finite element relative to other finite elements of said informational resource. 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 49  wherein said creating step includes inserting said categorical tag into the respective one of the plurality of discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 49  wherein said informational resource is at least one of a document, plurality of documents, a web page, a plurality of web pages, or a data stream. 
     
     
       63. A computerized system for retrieving information from an informational resource comprising:
   a computer including software operating thereon that comprises:      a break module, configured to break the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements having a variable characteristic that is defined prior to said breaking step by at least one set of predefined rules that are defined by an expert or artificial intelligence and to create a categorical tag for each of the finite elements, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element, the characteristic being taken from a group consisting of a unit size, type, shape or data boundary;        an index module, configured to create a searchable database having a plurality of database records, each database record corresponding to at least one of the finite elements and including at least a portion of data contained in or pertaining to the finite element; and        a search module, configured to compare a search query with each of the database records and determine which, if any, of the database records are relevant database records;        wherein an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the finite elements is selected;        wherein the finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed;        wherein a new informational resource is constructed for viewing using the accessed, relevant finite element and other related finite elements determined based upon information contained within the categorical tag of the accessed, relevant finite element and include finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records; and        wherein the accessed, relevant finite element and other related finite elements are ordered according to the information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element.       
     
     
       64. A method for retrieving information from an informational resource including the steps of
   breaking the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements, the breaking step being performed by an expert system according to a first rule set;        creating a categorical tag for each discrete finite element, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element, the creating step being performed by an expert system according to a second rule set;        generating a searchable database including a searchable database record for each of the discrete finite elements, each database record including information pertaining to each associated discrete finite element or categorical tag such that the content of each associated discrete finite element or categorical tag are generally comprehensively searchable;        receiving a search query;        searching the searchable database for relevant database records that correspond to the search query;        displaying the results of the searching step;        displaying identifying information pertaining to the respective discrete finite elements of the relevant database records and receiving an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information to select at least one discrete finite element;        reconstructing a contiguous portion of the informational resource around the selected discrete finite element by displaying other discrete finite elements that are contiguous to the selected discrete finite element, the reconstructing including reviewing the categorical tag assigned to the selected discrete finite element for data corresponding to the location of the selected discrete finite element with respect to the information resource;        modifying at least one of the first and second rule sets, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displaying step; and        repeating the foregoing steps until the expert views satisfactory results in the displaying step.     
     
     
       65. The method of  claim 64  wherein each categorical tag includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element, organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       66. The method of  claim 64  wherein each database record includes information pertaining to generally all informational content contained in or pertaining to the associated discrete finite element or categorical tag to provide a generally content comprehensive database. 
     
     
       67. The method of  claim 64  wherein said informational resource includes words, numbers, or symbols, and wherein said database record includes information pertaining to generally all the words, numbers or other symbols of said informational resource. 
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 64  wherein each discrete finite element includes symbolic units, and wherein said database record includes a representation of generally all of the symbolic units of each discrete finite element such that said searching step includes searching generally all of the symbolic units of each discrete finite element. 
     
     
       69. The method of  claim 68  wherein said symbolic units include at least one of words, numbers or other symbols. 
     
     
       70. The method of  claim 64  wherein each searchable database record includes a reverse index which includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements; word, number or other symbol frequency data pertaining to a frequency of certain words, numbers or other symbols contained in the corresponding discrete finite element; the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain, knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       71. The method of  claim 64  further comprising the step of associating the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       72. The method of  claim 64  further comprising the step of arranging the results of said searching step in a hierarchal structure according, at least in part, to the information in the categorical tags assigned to the finite elements corresponding to the relevant database records. 
     
     
       73. The method of  claim 72  wherein said hierarchal structure is an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure which can be collapsed or expanded by an end user. 
     
     
       74. The method of  claim 72  further comprising the step of receiving a selection of a hierarchal structure and displaying identifying information pertaining to the discrete finite elements that correspond to the relevant database records, and wherein said arranging step arranges the results of said searching step in the received hierarchal structure. 
     
     
       75. The method of  claim 64  wherein said categorical tag includes a categorical designation pertaining to informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element, and wherein the categorical designation includes a unique identifier for each discrete finite element. 
     
     
       76. The method of  claim 64  wherein said breaking step includes tracking the position of each discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of said informational resource. 
     
     
       77. The method of  claim 64  wherein said creating step includes inserting said categorical tag into the respective one of the plurality of discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       78. The method of  claim 64  wherein said informational resource is at least one of a document, plurality of documents, a web page, a plurality of web pages, or a data stream. 
     
     
       79. A computerized system for retrieving information from an informational resource comprising:
   a computer including software operating thereon that comprises:      a break module, configured to break the informational resource into a plurality of finite elements using an expert system according to a first rule set and to create a categorical tag for each of the finite elements using an expert system according to a second rule set, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element;        an index module, configured to create a searchable database having a plurality of database records, each database record corresponding to at least one of the finite elements and including information pertaining to each associated finite element or categorical to such that the content of each associated finite element or categorical tag are generally comprehensively searchable; and        a search module, configured to compare a search query with each of the database records and determine which, if any, of the database records are relevant database records, to display the results of the search, to display identifying information pertaining to the respective finite elements of the relevant database records, and receive an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information to thereby select at least one finite element;        wherein at least one of the first and second rule sets is modified, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displayed results until the expert views satisfactory results in the displayed results; and        wherein a contiguous portion of the informational resource around the selected finite element is constructed by displaying other finite elements that are contiguous to the selected finite element, the constructing including reviewing the categorical tag assigned to the selected finite element for data corresponding to the location of the selected finite element with respect to the information resource.       
     
     
       80. The system of  claim 79  wherein each finite element includes symbolic units, and wherein said database record includes a representation of generally all of the symbolic units of a finite element or categorical tag such that said search module can search generally all of the symbolic units of a finite element. 
     
     
       81. A data storage device comprising:
   a computer including software operating thereon that comprises:      an informational resource divided into a plurality of finite elements by an expert system according to a first rule set, each of the finite elements including a categorical tag and a database record assigned thereto, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the finite element, the categorical tag being created by an expert system according to a second rule set, the database record including information pertaining to each associated finite element or categorical tag such that the content of each associated finite element or categorical tag are generally comprehensively searchable; and        software instructions programmed to direct retrieval and display of at least a portion of the informational resource, the software instructions being configured to perform the steps of:      receiving a search query;        searching through the database records for relevant database records matching the search query;        displaying the results of the searching step;        receiving a selection of one of the results of the searching step;        accessing the finite element corresponding to the selected result; and        constructing a new informational resource for viewing using the accessed, relevant finite element and other related, finite elements including finite elements corresponding to results found in the searching step, and ordering the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element according to information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element;        wherein the step of constructing the new informational resource includes the step of ordering the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element according to information contained within the categorical tags of the other related, finite elements and the accessed, relevant finite element;        wherein at least one of the first and second rule sets is modified, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displaying step; and        wherein the foregoing steps are repeated until the expert views satisfactory results in the displaying step.         
     
     
       82. The device of  claim 81  wherein each finite element includes symbolic units, and wherein said database record includes a representation of generally all of the symbolic units of each finite element such that said searching step includes searching generally all of the symbolic units of each finite element. 
     
     
       83. A method for retrieving information from an informational resource including the steps of:
   breaking the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements, the breaking step being performed by an expert system according to a first rule set;        creating a categorical tag for each discrete finite element, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element, the creating step being performed by an expert system according to a second rule set;        generating a searchable database including a searchable database record for each of the discrete finite elements;        receiving a search query;        searching the searchable database for relevant database records that correspond to the search query;        associating the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements;        displaying identifying information pertaining to the relevant discrete finite elements produced during said associating step in an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure such that the expandable/collapsible hierarchy defines relationships within or between the informational resource or informational resources from which the relevant discrete finite elements originated, or within or between relevant discrete finite elements;        receiving an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information;        reconstructing a contiguous portion of the informational resource around a discrete finite element corresponding to a selected displayed identifying information by displaying other discrete finite elements that are contiguous to the selected discrete finite element;        constructing a new document including the discrete finite element corresponding to a selected displayed identifying information by combining said corresponding discrete finite element with another discrete finite element;        modifying at least one of the first and second rule sets, responsive to viewing, by an expert having expert knowledge regarding content and structure of the informational resource, unsatisfactory results in the displaying step; and        repeating the foregoing steps until the expert views satisfactory results in the displaying step.     
     
     
       84. The method of  claim 83  wherein each categorical tag includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       85. The method of  claim 84  wherein each discrete finite element includes at least one variable characteristic that is defined by at least one set of predefined rules prior to said breaking step; the at least one variable characteristic take from a group consisting of a unit size, type, shape or data boundary. 
     
     
       86. The method of  claim 83  wherein each searchable database record includes a reverse index which includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements; word, number or other symbol frequency data pertaining to a frequency of certain words, numbers or other symbols contained in the corresponding discrete finite element; the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain, knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discreet finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; and timing data. 
     
     
       87. The method of  claim 83  wherein said hierarchal structure is an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure which can be collapsed or expanded by an end user. 
     
     
       88. The method of  claim 83  wherein said categorical tag includes a categorical designation pertaining to informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element, and wherein the categorical designation includes a unique identifier for each discrete finite element. 
     
     
       89. The method of  claim 83  wherein said breaking step includes the step of tracking the position of each discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of said informational resource or a plurality of informational resources. 
     
     
       90. The method of  claim 83  wherein said creating step includes the step of inserting said categorical tag into the respective one of the plurality of discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       91. The method of  claim 83  wherein said informational resource is at least one of a document, plurality of documents, a web page, a plurality of web pages, or a data stream. 
     
     
       92. A computerized system for retrieving information from an informational resource or resources comprising:
   a computer including software operating thereon that comprises:      a break module, configured to break the informational resource into a plurality of discrete finite elements and to create a categorical tag for each of the discrete finite elements, the categorical tag including data pertaining to a content of the discrete finite element;        an index module, configured to create a searchable database having a plurality of database records, each database record corresponding to at least one of the discrete finite elements and including at least a portion of data contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element;        a search module, configured to compare a search query with each of the database records and determine which, if any, of the database records are relevant database records;        an unbreak module configured to associate the relevant database records with their respective discrete finite elements, wherein said system is configured to display identifying information pertaining to the relevant discrete finite elements produced by said search module in an expandable/collapsible hierarchal structure such that the expandable/collapsible hierarchy defines relationships within or between the informational resource or informational resources from which the relevant discrete finite elements originated, or within or between relevant discrete finite elements, the unbreak module being further configured to receive an input selecting at least one of the displayed identifying information to thereby select an associated discrete finite element, and configured to reconstruct a contiguous portion of the informational resource or informational resources around the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected displayed identifying information by displaying other discrete finite elements that are contiguous to the selected discrete finite element;        wherein an identifying phrase pertaining to one of the discrete finite elements is selected;        wherein the discrete finite element corresponding to the selected identifying phrase is accessed; and        wherein a new informational resource is constructed for viewing using the accessed, relevant discrete finite element and other related discrete finite elements.       
     
     
       93. The system of  claim 92  wherein each categorical tag includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the informational resource; origination of the informational resource; the location of the discrete finite element within a storage domain; knowledge space or collection or system; the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of the informational resource; informational content contained in or pertaining to the discrete finite element; organization data pertaining to the placement of the discrete finite element within an organizational framework of the informational resource; author data; owner data; or timing data. 
     
     
       94. The system of  claim 92  wherein each discrete finite element includes at least one variable characteristic that is defined by at least one predefined set of rules prior to said breaking step; the at least one variable characteristic taken from a group consisting of a unit size, type, shape or data boundary. 
     
     
       95. The system of  claim 92  wherein each searchable database record includes a reverse index which includes information pertaining to at least one of the location of the discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements or word, number or other symbol frequency data pertaining to a frequency of certain words, numbers or other symbols contained in the corresponding discrete finite element. 
     
     
       96. The system of  claim 92  wherein said categorical tag includes a categorical designation pertaining to informational content contained in or pertaining to the associated discrete finite element, and wherein the categorical designation includes a unique identifier for each discrete finite element or a plurality of informational resources. 
     
     
       97. The system of  claim 92  wherein said unbreak module is configured to track the position of each discrete finite element relative to other discrete finite elements of said informational resource. 
     
     
       98. The system of  claim 92  wherein said index module inserts said categorical tag into the respective one of the plurality of discrete finite elements. 
     
     
       99. The system of  claim 92  wherein said informational resource is at least one of a document, plurality of documents, a web page, a plurality of web pages, or a data stream.