A targeted search in the form of a fingerprint is generated utilizing audio-visual representations of the search parameters in a master plan so as to present the user with hypothetical vision parameters arrayed in a cascaded manner corresponding to the process individuals use when shopping, with the result being the generation of the parameters that converge on the ultimate fingerprint. In one embodiment a touch screen is utilized to present the hypothetical vision parameters, with the touching of the screen causing a parameter value to be entered into the fingerprint. On-screen vision parameters are kept in the one region of the screen to enable the user to go backwards from any level of the cascade back to any other prior level or even back to the original cascade, such that the cascaded vision parameters are retained on screen. A virtual consultant may be evoked at any point within the cascade to aid the user in making a choice between hypothetical vision parameters, with a zoom feature also being provided to zoom in on a feature in an on-screen vision parameter to be able to further define a parameter within a given category.