Systems and methods of searching databases

摘要

Systems and methods for searching databases are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for searching a database can include identifying a first set of one or more data elements that are referenced by a starting data element, identifying a second set of one or more data elements that reference one or more of the data elements of the first set, and graphically displaying the data elements of the first and second sets and the relationships therebetween. In one embodiment, the systems and methods can be used to identify prior art patent publications for a starting patent publication.