Non-linear database set searching apparatus and method

A memory device programmable by a programmer, and operable by a user to be operably connectable to a processor for storing and accessing information corresponding to articles sought by a user, the memory device comprising:

• a first memory block programmed to store a first database comprising at least one first record comprising at least one first field containing first field data;
• a second memory block programmed to store a second database, unrelated to the first database, and comprising at least one second record comprising at least one second field containing second field data;
• a third memory block programmed to store at least one index comprising at least one index record linking the at least one first record to the at least one second record according to a fuzzy logic relationship identified by the processor and corresponding to a subjective observation programmed into the processor by the user;
• and
• a fourth memory block containing a search engine for execution by the processor for conducting a search, the engine being programmed to selectively control interaction and sequencing of sub-engines during the search, the sub-engines comprising:
• a standard search sub-engine for pefoming a deterministic search,
• a key-word search sub-enginie for performing a textual search, and
• a query search sub-engine for performing a fuzzy logic seach,
• the sub-engines substantially simultaneously loaded to run in the processor to search the set of databases.

A method for searching a set of non-linear databases, each non-linear database containing a plurality of records retrievable by the method, using a plurality of search processes relying on deterministic logic and fuzzy logic, the search processes operating on at least one processor simultaneously, and the method comprising:

• providing at least one processor operable to receive digital data and programming instructions;
• programming the at least one processor to operate a deterministic search sub-engine;
• programming the at least one processor to operate a key-word search sub-engine;
• programming the at least one processor to operate a query search sub-engine operable according to a fuzzy logic search methods;
• and
• programming the at least one processor to operate a search engine for performing a search and selectively controling interaction and sequencing of the sub-engines during the search.

An apparatus for searching a set of databases, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor programmed to operate sub-engines controlled by a search engine, the sub-engine comprising:
• a standard search sub-engine for performing a deterministic search integrated with an integrated sub-engine selected from a key-word search sub-engine for performing a textual search, and
• a query search sub-engine for performing a fuzzy logic search, the standard sub-engine and integrated engine executing substantially simultaneously in the processor to search the set of databases, the search engine invokes a first sub-engine according to criteria reflecting the results of the search of a second sub-engine;
• a storage device operably connected to the processor for storing a plurality of searchable databases from the set of databases, each of the searchable databases comprising a plurality of fields containing data;
• a memory device having a plurality of blocks of memory, the memory device being operably connected to the processor to store selected data selected from the plurality of searchable databases;
• and
• an input device operably connected to the processor for providing inputs to the processor in resonse to actuation of the input device by a user.