METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCESSING A PLURALITY OF DISPERSED DATABASES

摘要

A method and apparatus for intelligent Internet searching (16), the apparatus residing as a software application on a user computer (the client) (12). A single subject database is stored on the client and accessed by the application. The majority of the single subject database content comprises a hierarchical listing of "hidden" web databases, all entries being organized by subject matter and each including a description of database content and search term entry interface customized for the particular database access page format. There are also entries in the database which provide an interface to search engines hosted at a dedicated search server. Each database is preferably updated at a regular interval, such as monthly or weekly, via remote download from a server on the WAN, or by other data transport means. A plurality of simultaneous hidden database searches may be performed by the application by linking the client to the appropriate database access pages on the network and forwarding the user desired search information. Search results are cached on the user computer for comparison to newly found search results, allowing for easy sorting of new and old data and differentiated display to the user. Desired keywords are preferably cached and shared among database search interfaces.