Mechanism for integrated information search and retrieval from diverse sources using multiple navigation methods

摘要

A software tool providing a single access mechanism for diverse and varied information spaces. The invention incorporates a plurality of navigator interfaces, including: a "How do I?" navigator, an Index navigator, a Tree navigator, and a Search Term navigator. Each navigator operates across the entire information space, allowing the user to find information in any available online source. The user can switch between the various navigators at will. The present invention presents search results to the user in a uniform manner through iconographic and textual descriptions of the information at the other end of the link. The user then selects the information to view. After the user has performed a search of the information space and viewed the description of the search results, the invention also allows the user to perform a "cross reference" operation, the results of which can be viewed using the same or different navigator. Certain embodiments echo the search results from a particular navigator in minimized display areas corresponding to the other navigators.