Knowledge-based e-catalog procurement system and method

A system for locating information in a collection of one or more electronic data stores, the system comprising:

• a first storage device for storing information retrieved from said electronic data stores,
• and for storing a plurality of previously submitted find-trees;
• a processor connected to the first storage device, with the processor configured for:
• constructing a find-tree, which includes a tree composed of nodes and branches, having a root node, and some number of intermediate and terminal or leaf nodes, wherein each node denotes a single term used in a search, that is, in an attempt to locate information in said collection of one or more electronic data stores, and each branch denotes a connection between two nodes, such that each path in said find-tree represents a sequence of terms used in said search, and said find-tree represents one or more paths taken in said search, including alternative paths to the same information, partial or incomplete paths, and paths that lead to different information, so that said find-tree depicts one or more sequences of terms, including the intermediate steps, in which each sequence comprises a search path employed in finding, or attempting to find, information in said collection of electronic data stores;
• retrieving and navigating an existing said find-tree or any previous tree to locate desired information in said electronic data stores;
• and
• changing, augmenting or extending said find-tree at any point in the process.

A program product apparatus for locating information in a collection of one or more electronic data stores, said apparatus comprising:

• a computer useable memory with computer program logic stored therein, to enable the locating of information in said electronic data stores:
• a first storage device for storing information retrieved from said electronic data stores, and for storing a plurality of previously submitted find-trees;
• a processor connected to the first storage device, with the processor configured to enable said apparatus to:
• construct a find-tree, which includes a tree composed of nodes and branches, having a root node, and some number of intermediate and terminal or leaf nodes, wherein each node denotes a single term used in a search, that is, in an attempt to locate information in said collection of one or more electronic data stores, and each branch denotes a connection between two nodes, such that each path in said find-tree represents a sequence of terms used in said search, and said find-tree represents one or more paths taken in said search, including alternative paths to the same information, partial or incomplete paths, and paths that lead to different information, so that said find-tree depicts one or more sequences of terms, including the intermediate steps, in which each sequence comprises a search path employed in finding, or attempting to find, information in said collection of electronic data stores;
• retrieving and navigating an existing said find-tree or any previous tree to locate desired information in said electronic data stores;
• and
• changing, augmenting or extending said find-tree at any point in the process.