Data retrieval method and apparatus

Apparatus for extracting data from a visual display document program, comprising:

• computer system means including display means;
• means for presenting on said display means at least a portion of a source document from which data is to be extracted;
• means for presenting on said display means a results document;
• means for formulating a query of data to be retrieved;
• means for sending text, satisfying the data query and found in said displayed source document, to said results document;
• and
• means for selecting text, from one of said source and results document, for use in a destination document.

A method of retrieving selected types of data from a visual display source document file, comprising the steps of:

• compiling a list of key words and phrases to be searched for in a source document file;
• searching the file for each occurrence of the key words and phrases contained in said list;
• keeping a record of where each searched for key word and phrase is found in the file;
• retrieving sets of text containing each key word and phrase in accordance with a predetermined set of conditions;
• arranging the retrieved sets of text in a predetermined order and format;
• and
• generating a visually displayable result document file, including the retrieved sets of text, as previously arranged.

A method of facilitating the generation of a destination document comprising predetermined types of data contained in a visually displayable source document, comprising the steps of:

• creating a search results document containing a plurality of sets of text found in a visually displayable source document wherein each set includes a word satisfying at least one search condition;
• simultaneously displaying source, search results and destination documents;
• and
• transferring selected text from one said source and search results document to a selected portion of said destination document.

Apparatus for generating a destination document comprising predetermined types of data contained in a visually displayable source document, comprising:

• computer system means including display means;
• means for creating a search results document containing a plurality of sets of text found in a visually displayable source document wherein each set includes a word satisfying at least one search condition;
• means for simultaneously displaying source, search results and destination documents on said display means;
• and
• means for transferring selected text from one said source and search results document to a selected portion of said destination document.

A method of accurately generating an output document comprising selected material retrieved from a source PDF (portable document format) file, comprising the steps of:

• compiling a list of key words and phrases;
• searching the file for each occurrence of the key words and phrases contained in said list;
• keeping a record of where each key word and phrase is found in the file;
• retrieving the entire sentence, paragraph or line containing each key word and phrase in accordance with a predetermined set of conditions;
• generating a first window for displaying the contents of the source PDF file;
• generating a second window for displaying a list of the retrieved text;
• arranging the retrieved sentences, paragraphs and lines of text in a predetermined order and format;
• and
• generating a visually displayable destination document file including at least portions of the retrieved sentences, paragraphs and lines of text, as previously arranged, for display in a third window.