Contextual search interface for business directory services
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for providing business directory services from a networked client, the method comprising:
- receiving a search parameter from a user;
repeating, until a satisfactory level of granularity is reached;
sending the search parameter to a business directory server;
receiving, from the business directory server, results of the search responsive to the search parameter; and
receiving, from the user, an additional search parameter for searching within the search results.
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Abstract
Business directory services allow definitions of custom category hierarchies and different search methods, such as, for example, search by location, distance from an addressable location, partial or complete business name, and category. A stepwise refinement search interface provides capability for searching within search results using different search methods or categories. Thus, a user does not have to refine and re-enter search criteria in order to get a progressively selective search. This is particularly useful for mobile phone or hand-held device users who would prefer not to have to re-enter the criteria on each search but rather incrementally refine the search criteria.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for providing business directory services from a networked client, the method comprising:
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receiving a search parameter from a user;
repeating, until a satisfactory level of granularity is reached;
sending the search parameter to a business directory server;
receiving, from the business directory server, results of the search responsive to the search parameter; and
receiving, from the user, an additional search parameter for searching within the search results. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 2. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying the search results to the user in such a way as to simplify selection of the additional search parameter.
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12. A networked client for providing business directory services, the client comprising:
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a user interface for receiving a search parameter from a user;
an encoding module for encoding the search parameter in a context object;
a communications module for transferring the search parameter to a business directory server;
a user interface for displaying search results received from the business directory server; and
a user interface for receiving a second search parameter from a user for a search within the search results received from the business directory server. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer program product for providing business directory services to a user, comprising:
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a computer readable medium;
instructions recorded on the computer readable medium, including instructions for;
receiving a search parameter from a user; and
repeating, until a satisfactory level of granularity is reached;
sending the search parameter to a business directory server, receiving, from the business directory server, results of the search responsive to the search parameter, and receiving, from the user, an additional search parameter for searching within the search results. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A networked client for providing business directory services, the client comprising:
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means of receiving a search parameter from a user; and
means for repeating, until a satisfactory level of granularity is reached, operations by;
means for sending the search parameter to a business directory server, means for receiving, from the business directory server, results of the search responsive to the search parameter, and means for receiving, from the user, an additional search parameter for searching within the search results. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A computer-implemented method for providing business directory services, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a dispatcher module, a search request containing a context object;
transferring the search request from the dispatcher module to a business directory server module;
searching a database responsive to at least one search parameter encoded in the context object; and
encoding results of the database search in a second context object. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A computer-implemented business directory server, the business directory server comprising:
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a dispatcher module adapted to receive search parameters within a context object from a client;
a business directory server module for processing search requests containing context objects forwarded to it by the dispatcher module; and
a database containing business directory data. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system for providing business directory services, the system comprising:
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means for receiving, by a dispatcher module, a search request containing a context object;
means for transferring the search request from the dispatcher module to a business directory server module;
means for searching a database responsive to at least one search parameter encoded in the context object; and
means for encoding results of the database search in a second context object. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A computer program product for providing business directory services, comprising:
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a computer readable medium;
instructions recorded on the computer readable medium, including instructions for;
receiving, by a dispatcher module, a search request containing a context object;
transferring the search request from the dispatcher module to a business directory server module;
searching a database responsive to at least one search parameter encoded in the context object; and
encoding results of the database search in a second context object. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification