System, method, and computer program product for displaying and processing notes containing note segments linked to portions of documents

Claim 2

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and (3a) enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (4) displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and (5) displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

Claim 8

The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of: (6) displaying said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

Claim 9

The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of: (6) displaying said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

Claim 10

The method of claim 4, wherein step (5) comprises the step of: displaying said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

Claim 11

The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: (6) highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and (7) highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 12

The method of claim 10, wherein steps (6) and (7) collectively comprise the steps of color coding said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and color coding said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: (8) displaying at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (9) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (10) displaying a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment; (11) displaying a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical; (12) highlighting said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and (13) highlighting said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 14

The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

Claim 15

The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 16

The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

Claim 17

The method of claim 15, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

Claim 18

The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

Claim 19

The method of claim 17, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

Claim 20

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (4) displaying a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

Claim 21

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (4) displaying a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and (5) enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

Claim 22

The method of claim 20, wherein step (4) comprises the step of displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu; and wherein step (5) comprises the step of enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

Claim 23

The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of: (6) enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference; wherein step (4) further comprises the step of displaying said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

Claim 24

The method of claim 22, wherein step (6) comprises the steps of: enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title; enabling a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and enabling a user to specify note sorting according to note location; wherein step (4) further comprises the steps of: displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 25

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (4) enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least apart of said electronic document.

Claim 26

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (4) enabling a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (5) automatically creating a second new note segment in said at least one note; and (6) automatically linking said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 27

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (4) enabling a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

Claim 28

The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 29

The method of claim 27, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 30

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (4) enabling a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of (a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document, (b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and (c) user-created work product.

Claim 33

The system of claim 30, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 34

The system of claim 31, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 35

The system of claim 30, further comprising: first graphical icon displaying means for displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and second graphical icon displaying means for displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

Claim 36

The system of claim 33, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

Claim 37

The system of claim 33, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

Claim 38

The system of claim 33, further comprising: means for displaying said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

Claim 39

The system of claim 33, further comprising: means for displaying said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

Claim 40

The system of claim 33, wherein said second graphical icon displaying means comprises: means for displaying said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

Claim 41

The system of claim 33, further comprising: first highlighting means for highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and second highlighting means for highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 42

The system of claim 39, wherein said first highlighting means and said second highlighting means operate to color code said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and to color code said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

Claim 43

The system of claim 39, further comprising: means for displaying at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; means for displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for displaying a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment; means for displaying a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical; means for highlighting said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and means for highlighting said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 44

The system of claim 41, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

Claim 45

The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 46

The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

Claim 47

The system of claim 44, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

Claim 48

The system of claim 42, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

Claim 49

The system of claim 46, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

Claim 50

The system of claim 30, further comprising: means for displaying a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

Claim 51

The system of claim 30, further comprising: list displaying means for displaying a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and user enabling means for enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

Claim 52

The system of claim 49, wherein said list displaying means displays a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu; and wherein said user enabling means enables a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

Claim 53

The system of claim 50, further comprising: sorting preference means for enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference; wherein said list displaying means displays said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

Claim 54

The system of claim 51, wherein said sorting preference means comprises: means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title; means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and means for enabling a user to specify note sorting according to note location; wherein said list displaying means comprises: means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; means for displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and means for displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 55

The system of claim 30, further comprising: means for enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 56

The system of claim 30, further comprising: means for enabling a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for automatically creating a second new note segment in said at least one note; and means for automatically linking said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 57

The system of claim 30, further comprising: means for enabling a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

Claim 58

The system of claim 30, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 59

The system of claim 56, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 60

The system of claim 30, further comprising: means for enabling a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of (a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document, (b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and (c) user-created work product.

Claim 61

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

Claim 62

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments.

Claim 63

The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a start of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 64

The computer program product of claim 60, wherein said location identification information comprises at least one of column information and line information of a first text line of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 65

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: first graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; and second graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion.

Claim 66

The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said first and second graphical icons are at least one of the same shape and the same color.

Claim 67

The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said first and second graphical icons are the same shape and color.

Claim 68

The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to display said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said first graphical icon.

Claim 69

The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to display said at least one note segment, if not already being displayed, upon user selection of said second graphical icon.

Claim 70

The computer program product of claim 62, wherein said second graphical icon displaying means comprises: means for enabling the computer to display said second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document at a position that is next to a start of said at least one portion.

Claim 71

The computer program product of claim 62, said computer program logic further comprising: first highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and second highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 72

The computer program product of claim 68, wherein said first highlighting means and said second highlighting means enable the computer to color code said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document and said at least one note segment with a user-specified color, and to color code said first and second graphical icons displayed in said at least a part of said electronic document using said user-specified color.

Claim 73

The computer program product of claim 68, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to display at least one second note segment in said at least one note, said at least one second note segment being linked to at least one second portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one second note segment, second location identification information identifying a location of said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for enabling the computer to display a third graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one second note segment; means for enabling the computer to display a fourth graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one second portion, said third and fourth graphical icons being identical; means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a second user-specified highlighting style; and means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one second note segment in said at least one note using said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 74

The computer program product of claim 70, wherein said at least one first portion and said at least one second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document are at least partially overlapping.

Claim 75

The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons differ from said third and fourth graphical icons, and wherein said first user-specified highlighting style differs from said second user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 76

The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first shape, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second shape different from said first shape.

Claim 77

The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said first and second shapes are user-selectable.

Claim 78

The computer program product of claim 71, wherein said first and second graphical icons have a first color, and said third and fourth graphical icons have a second color different from said first color.

Claim 79

The computer program product of claim 75, wherein said first and second colors are user-selectable.

Claim 80

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to display a user-provided note title in said at least one note.

Claim 81

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: list displaying means for enabling the computer to display a list of said at least one note and any other notes in a note list menu; and user enabling means for enabling the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by reference to said list.

Claim 82

The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said list displaying means enables the computer to display a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu; and wherein said user enabling means enables the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu.

Claim 83

The computer program product of claim 79, said computer program logic further comprising: sorting preference means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify a note sorting preference; wherein said list displaying means enables the computer to display said list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and said any other notes in said note list menu, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference.

Claim 84

The computer program product of claim 80, wherein said sorting preference means comprises: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to title; means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to color and title; and means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to note location; wherein said list displaying means comprises: means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 85

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 86

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to select a second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for enabling the computer to automatically create a second new note segment in said at least one note; and means for enabling the computer to automatically link said second new note segment to said second portion in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 87

The computer program product of claim 59, said computer program logic further comprising: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to paste arbitrary text into said at least one note segment.

Claim 88

The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 89

The computer program product of claim 85, wherein said nested portions of said electronic document represent at least partially overlapping portions contained in said at least a part of said electronic document.

Claim 90

The computer program product of claim 59, wherein said computer program logic further comprises: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to insert into said at least one note segment at least one of (a) a user-selected portion of said electronic document, (b) a user-selected portion from another electronic document, and (c) user-created work product.

Claim 91

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (4) displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; (5) displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion; (6) highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and (7) highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 92

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (4) displaying a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; (5) displaying a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion; (6) highlighting said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and (7) highlighting said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 93

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and (4) enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

Claim 94

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and (4) enabling a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

Claim 95

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 96

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 103

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; first graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; second graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion; first highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and second highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 104

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; first graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a first graphical icon in said at least one note proximate to said at least one note segment; second graphical icon displaying means for enabling the computer to display a second graphical icon in said at least a part of said electronic document proximate to said at least one portion; first highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document using a user-specified highlighting style; and second highlighting means for enabling the computer to highlight said at least one note segment in said at least one note using said user-specified highlighting style.

Claim 105

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

Claim 106

A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; and means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a plurality of nested note segments linked to at least partially overlapping portions of said electronic document.

Claim 107

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 108

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; and location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; wherein said at least one note segment and additional note segments are linked to nested portions of said electronic document.

Claim 109

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (4) enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments; (5) enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference; (6) displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and (7) enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu; wherein step (5) comprises the step of: enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location; wherein step (6) comprises the steps of: displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 110

A computer based method for annotating an electronic document, comprising the steps of: (1) displaying at least a part of said electronic document; (2) displaying at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; (3) displaying in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; (4) enabling a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments; (5) enabling a user to specify a note sorting preference; (6) displaying a list of titles corresponding to said at least one notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and (7) enabling a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu; wherein step (5) comprises the step of: enabling a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location; wherein step (6) comprises the steps of: displaying said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; displaying said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and displaying said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 113

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic when executed enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments; sorting preference means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify a note sorting preference; list displaying means for enabling the computer to display a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and any other notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and user enabling means for enabling the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu; wherein said sorting preference means comprises: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location; wherein said list displaying means comprises: means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.

Claim 114

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, wherein said computer program logic when executed enables a computer to annotate an electronic document, said computer program logic comprising: document displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least a part of said electronic document; note displaying means for enabling the computer to display at least one note having at least one note segment linked to at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document; location identification information displaying means for enabling the computer to display in said at least one note, proximate to said at least one note segment, location identification information identifying a location of said at least one portion in said at least a part of said electronic document; means for enabling the computer to enable a user to create a new note segment in said at least one note, said new note segment being linked to at least a portion of said at least one portion of said at least a part of said electronic document, wherein said new note segment and said at least one note segment are nested note segments; sorting preference means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify a note sorting preference; list displaying means for enabling the computer to display a list of titles corresponding to said at least one note and any other notes, wherein said list of titles is ordered according to said note sorting preference; and user enabling means for enabling the computer to enable a user to display any of said at least one note and said any other notes by selecting a corresponding title in said note list menu; wherein said sorting preference means comprises: means for enabling the computer to enable a user to specify note sorting according to title, color and title, or note location; wherein said list displaying means comprises: means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note titles if a user specified note sorting according to title; means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by color of notes and note titles if a user specified note sorting according to color and title; and means for enabling the computer to display said list of titles sorted by note locations in the document if a user specified note sorting according to note location.