A method and apparatus is provided for searching a knowledge base to determine whether a search object matches any of a plurality of knowledge base entries. Initially, at least one search object bit is selected and examined to determine whether the knowledge base includes a partially matched...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US5813001?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5813001 - Method for performing optimized intelligent searches of knowledge bases using submaps associated with search objects 
