Method and apparatus for defining search queries and user profiles and viewing search results

A database accessing device comprising:

• a controller with a display and connectable to a database containing searchable records;
• said controller being connectable to a data store holding criteria variously characterizing said records;
• said controller being connectable to an input device;
• said controller being programmed to generate a scene in which said criteria are indicated by respective icons and said icons can be moved from a first region of said display to a second region responsively to commands receivable from said input device;
• said controller being further programmed to construct a search query responsively to said commands;
• said controller being programmed such that an arrangement of said icons between said first and second regions indicates a structure of said search query;
• said controller being programmed to apply said search query to said database and retrieve records therefrom responsively thereto.

A method of searching a database, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a scene in which search criteria are indicated by respective icons;
• receiving commands to select from among said icons;
• forming a search criteria from said search criteria corresponding to a result of said step of receiving;
• changing a position of icons selected in said step of receiving, whereby a structure of a query is indicated;
• applying said query to a database and retrieving results responsively thereto;
• displaying said results in a further scene, said further scene being a three-dimensional scene in which records of results of said step of retrieving are represented as icons where those of said records matching said criteria the accurately are placed in a foreground of said scene and those records matching said criteria the least accurately are placed in a background of said scene.