Method For Searching A Collection Of Libraries

Abstract

A method for searching identifying data in a library or a collection of libraries. The method includes the steps of compiling a master library of data and determining the overlap of data from an independent library to sub-library within the master library. The purpose is to determine the range of overlapping data between two libraries, and make recommendations of data omitted from one of the libraries if the libraries are determined to be closely related. In determining the proximity of the libraries, a comparison of names between the libraries is conducted based upon a factor. Thereafter, the libraries are assigned a rank based upon a criteria and a score is assigned to the library based upon the closeness of the rank of the data in the library to the data in the master library.

1 . A method for searching identifying data, comprising: 
 (a) compiling a master library of data from users of a network; and    (b) determining proximity of an independent library to a sub-library within said master library.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said master library includes a collection of individual user libraries.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said user libraries are a collection of lists of said identifying data.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining proximity includes comparing a list of names within said libraries that are common within a predetermined factor.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of assigning a rank to a sub-library based upon a criterion.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said criteria is selected from the group consisting of: 
 frequency of appearance in said master library, intensity of use by third parties, cost of use, ease of use, difficulty of use, and frequency of occurrence in selected portions of said master library.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of assigning a score to said identifying data based upon proximity of said rank of identifying data in said sub-library to said lists of identifying data in said master library.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said score is based upon a quantity of redundancy between said scoring library and said sub-library.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of viewing sub-libraries within said master library.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of searching for said sub-library with a common subject matter to said independent library.  
   
   
       11 . A system to search data, comprising: 
 a master library compiled from users of a network; and    a manager to determine a proximity of an independent library to a sub-library within the master library.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said master library comprises a collection of individual user libraries.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said user libraries are a collection of lists of said identifying data.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a procedure to rank to a sub-library based upon a criterion.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said criterion is selected from the group consisting of: 
 frequency of appearance in said master library, intensity of use by third parties, cost of use, ease of use, difficulty of use, and frequency of occurrence in selected portions of the master library.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a score assigned to said identifying data based upon proximity of said rank of identifying data in said sub-library to said lists of identifying data in said master library.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said score is based upon repetition between a score library and said sub-library.  
   
   
       18 . An article comprising: 
 a computer-readable signal bearing medium;    a master library compiled from users of a network; and    means in the medium for determining proximity of an independent library to a sub-library within said master library.    
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of: a recordable data storage medium and a modulated carrier signal.  
   
   
       20 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein said proximity determining means compiles names in said libraries that are common.  
   
   
       21 . The article of  claim 18 , further comprising assigning a rank to a sub-library based upon a criterion.  
   
   
       22 . The article of  claim 21 , further comprising assigning a score to identifying data within said libraries based upon proximity of a rank factor of identifying data in said sib-library to a list of identifying data in said master library.