| 摘要 |
The present invention recognizes that searching methods and articles of manufacture currently used, particularly on the Internet, suffer from incomplete or poor selection of information retrieved. Thus, there exists a need for more efficient searching methods and articles of manufacture. The present invention relates to electronic classification and searching systems to address this need. One aspect of the present invention is an object key that includes at least two of the following: a unique fields code, a supporting fields code, an attributes fields code and an owner code. The object key can include optional additional information, such as an http code, a URL code, a URI code, a text code, a graphics code, an accuracy code and an owner code. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of making an object key, including: obtaining information from a form and converting said information into a machine readable format. The form is preferably a standard form, which, for example, can be completed and submitted by an information provider. The information is preferably in a machine readable format, and the machine readable format preferably forms the object key itself. A further aspect of the present invention is an object key made by a method of the present invention. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition of matter that includes at two or more object keys. The object keys can be provided in a machine readable format and can be provided in the form of a database. A further aspect of the present invention is a method of searching a database, including: providing a database of object keys, providing a query and comparing the query to the database. The comparing preferably includes the use of a mask in order to select object keys in the database that correspond to the query. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of retrieving information from a database, including: providing a database of object keys, providing a query, comparing the query to the database to obtain at least one selected object key, and obtaining an output comprising the at least one selected object key. The selected object keys can be ranked based on the query and displayed. Preferably the display is in a user-friendly format. A further aspect of the present invention is a composition that includes at least one object key retrieved using a method of the present invention. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a composition, compound or article of manufacture that includes: providing a system for manufacturing a composition, compound or article of manufacture; providing a database of object keys that include object keys that relate to objects used or expected to be used in the manufacture of the composition, compound or article of manufacture; searching the database of object keys for the object keys; obtaining an output from the search that includes at least one object key; selecting at least one object key from the output to provide a selected object key. A further aspect of the present invention is an article of manufacture produced by the method of the present invention. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of doing business that includes making at least one database of object keys that correspond to goods or services provided by at least one manufacture or distributor; providing the at least one database to customers of the at least one manufacturer or distributor; obtaining a commission on the use of object keys used by at least one of the customers, manufacturer or distributor. |
