Document creation, linking, and maintenance system

A system for generating, maintaining, updating, and augmenting a working database containing documents used as references for other documents in said working database through the use of a supplemental program operable within a word processor, comprising:

• a cpu processor and memory which perform the following:
• a symbol search and replace function where one or more symbols within the text of a new document are located and replaced with one or more corresponding codes, said one or more codes searchable by said word processor, said one or more codes having a standardized format identifiable by said word processor and other programs;
• an image search and replace function where one or more images within said new document are located and replaced with one or more corresponding textual image references, said one or more textual image references having a standardized format identifiable by said word processor and other programs;
• an automated text parsing function where said text and codes representing said symbols, and/or image within said new document are grouped and separated into discrete clusters by markers, initial positioning of said markers is determined by an algorithm, said automated text parsing function having a utility allowing said user to adjust said algorithm settings for initial positioning of said markers;
• a manual marker placement function, for placement adjustment, addition, and deletion of said markers within said new document;
• a highlighting function for highlighting said one or more marked discrete clusters within said new document, for verification by said user;
• an identification code assignment function for assigning one or more discrete identification codes to one or more corresponding said discrete clusters within said new document;
• a new document upload function for uploading said new document containing one or more said marked discrete clusters containing one or more corresponding said identification codes, into said working database;
• an upload verification function, for verification of the execution of a document upload and verification of a location and name of an uploaded document within a file system of said working database;
• a text segment selection function, for searching text of parent documents previously uploaded into said working database, said text segment selection function allowing said user to input a search string to retrieve a list of one or more of said parent documents relevant to said search string, said text segment selection function allowing said user to input a parent document identification code, parent document name, or parent document location on said working database in order to retrieve said relevant parent document text;
• a child document development function, where said user may select text from one or more of said parent documents and insert said selected text into a child document, said child document development function allowing said user to electively include or exclude said parent document identification codes when inserting said selected text into said child document;
• a text augmentation function where said user may alter, add to, and subtract from said inserted text within said child document, said text augmentation function allowing paraphrasing around said inserted text;
• an automated child document text parsing function where said text and said codes representing said symbols, and/or said images within said child document are grouped and separated into discrete clusters by markers;
• a marker repositioning function allowing adjustment of positioning of said markers in said child document to exclude said paraphrasing from said discrete clusters in said child document;
• a child document identification code assignment function where unique identification codes are assigned to said discrete clusters in said child document;
• an automated linking function where one or more links are automatically created between said discrete clusters within said one or more parent documents and said selected text inserted into said child document, said links contain said parent document identification codes and said child document identification codes;
• a manual linking function where one or more links are manually inserted by said user between one or more discrete clusters within said parent documents and one or discrete clusters within said child document, said links contain said parent document identification codes and said child document identification codes;
• a registry of links maintained by said system, said registry containing all said links between said parent document and said child document identification codes;
• an automated citation function where said one or more links are used to create one or more citations in said child document, said one or more citations referencing one or more said discrete clusters within said one or more parent documents;
• a child document upload function where said child document is uploaded into said working database, said child document upload function allowing said user to electively remove said parent document identification codes from said inserted text within said child document prior to uploading said child document into said working database, said child document upload retaining said links corresponding to said child document within said registry of links;
• a child document update function that searches for exact matches between text within said child document and text within one or more said documents stored within said working database, said child document update function using said child document text as a search string to search all text within said documents stored in said working database and/or said child document update function using said parent document identification codes electively retained in said child document or said parent document identification codes permanently recorded in said links, to search said working database for said exact matches;
• document maintenance function using said exact matches to set new markers around said text within said child document so that said discrete clusters of said child document matches said discrete clusters within said referenced parent documents;
• a prompting function alerting said user in the event said exact matches are not recovered, said prompting function providing a list of best matches between said text within said child document and text within one or more of said documents stored within said working database, said prompting function allowing said user to select from said list of best matches in order to set markers in said child document corresponding to text of one or more said best matches;
• a modified document upload function where said child document with added and or repositioned markers is uploaded into said working database, said modified document upload function either replacing the unmodified child document with a modified child document within said working database, or adding said modified child document to said working database;
• a document modification tracking function that monitors said parent documents having said links within said registry of links, said document modification tracking function monitoring said parent document for changes to text, symbols, format, and/or images, said document modification tracking function alerting users of corresponding child documents linked to said monitored parent documents, when one or more said monitored parent documents are modified;
• a document comparison function where one or more of said referenced documents are aligned with one or more referencing documents, said document comparison function visually tagging differences between said referenced and referencing documents.