Using hyperbolic trees to visualize data generated by patent-centric and group-oriented data processing

A computer readable storage medium having computer program code recorded thereon, that when executed by a processor, causes a processor to display data by a method, the method comprising:

• (1) defining a set of documents, each document having a unique identification, the set being defined by selecting at least one starting document, with the set further comprising documents being included based on predetermined relationships to information derived from said at least one starting document;
• (2) generating a hierarchal tree representation of at least one subset of the set of documents, a subset inclusion and hierarchy thereof being defined by said predetermined relationships between documents within the set;
• and
• (3) selectively focusing on a node of said hierarchal tree, to define a graphic display representation of at least a portion thereof to emphasize the selected focus while depicting the hierarchal relationships.

An apparatus for displaying data, comprising:

• (1) a database storing a set of documents, each document having a unique identification, the set being defined by selecting at least one starting document, with the set further comprising documents being included based on predetermined relationships to information derived from said at least one starting document;
• (2) a linkage map storing information defining a hierarchal tree representation of at least one subset of the set of documents, a subset inclusion and hierarchy thereof being defined by said predetermined relationships between documents within the set;
• and
• (3) a graphic display output, receiving an input selectively focusing on a node of said hierarchal tree representation, to define a graphic display representation of at least a portion of the hierarchal relationships, with emphasis on the selected focus.