Apparatus and methods for organizing and/or presenting data

• US 20060161535A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Shinsaka Investments Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Holbrook, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,555,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/904 Browsing; Visualisation therefor for navigating the web G06F16/954; browsing optimisation for the web G06F16/957
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method of displaying search results from a search conducted on at least one database includes providing a distinct search result symbol for each search result on a first page, all search result symbols being concurrently visible. The symbols are displayed in distinct groupings based upon a common characteristic of the search results of each grouping. A common characteristic identifier is provided proximate to the symbols of the original grouping associated therewith and provides a link to another page showing those symbols in sub-groupings based upon a further common characteristic of the search results of each sub-grouping.

Claims

1. A method of displaying at least fifty search results from a search conducted on at least one database accessible by at least one electronic device, the method comprising:

on a first page,

providing a distinct search result symbol for each search result of the at least fifty search results, wherein all search result symbols are concurrently visible,

each search result symbol containing up to seven characters of text, whereby no further text or images unique to any particular search result is initially provided on the first page,

each search result symbol providing a link to the search result it represents,

displaying the search result symbols in distinct original groupings based upon a common characteristic of the search results of each grouping,

providing a common characteristic identifier for the common characteristic of each original grouping of search result symbols, each common characteristic identifier including at least one among a group symbol and group text,

positioning the common characteristic identifier proximate to the search result symbols of the original grouping associated therewith,

each common characteristic identifier of an original grouping of search result symbols providing a link to another page, and

on each other page

displaying the search result symbols of the original grouping of search result symbols associated with the selected common characteristic identifier in distinct sub-groupings based upon a further common characteristic of the search results of each sub-grouping,

providing a further common characteristic identifier for the further common characteristic of the search results of each sub-grouping of search result symbols, each further common characteristic identifier including at least one among a group symbol and group text, and

positioning the further common characteristic identifier proximate to the search result symbols of the sub-grouping associated therewith.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one database is accessible via a computer network.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one database is accessible via the Internet and the first page and each other page are web pages.

4. The method of claim 1 further including placing a border around each original grouping of search result symbols and its associated common characteristic identifier on the first page, and placing a border around each sub-grouping of search result symbols and its associated further common characteristic identifier on each other page.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein each border is curvilinear in shape.

6. The method of claim 5 further including providing each search result symbol with a curvilinear outer shape.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each search result symbol is one-dimensional.

8. The method of claim 6 further including providing each common characteristic identifier and each further common characteristic identifier with a curvilinear outer shape.

9. The method of claim 1 further including positioning the search result symbols on the first page so as to optimize use of the space on the first page.

10. The method of claim 9 further including providing each search result symbol with a curvilinear outer shape.

11. The method of claim 1 further including providing each common characteristic identifier and each associated search result symbol with a common distinct color that differs from the color of the other displayed common characteristic identifiers and search result symbols.

12. The method of claim 11 further including positioning the search result symbols on the first page and the other pages so as to optimize use of the space on the first page and the other pages.

13. The method of claim 12 further including providing each search result symbol with a curvilinear outer shape.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein each common characteristic of the original groupings of search result symbols is a parent category from a category-tree database and each further common characteristic of the sub-groupings of search result symbols is a sub-category from a category-tree database.

15. The method of claim 1 further including, providing the capability of prompting the display of at least one among further text and one or more images relating to the search result of any displayed search result symbol.

16. The method of claim 15 further including pointing a pointing device to a displayed search result symbol to cause at least one among further text and one or more images relating to the search result of the selected search result symbol to be displayed in a pop-up window.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the further text includes a brief description of the search result.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the up to seven characters of text contained in each search result symbol includes a number.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein up to one hundred search results may be displayed on the first page and any other pages, the at least one database is accessible via the Internet and the first page and each other page are web pages.

20. The method of claim 19 further including

providing each search result symbol with a curvilinear outer shape, wherein each search result symbol is one-dimensional, and

spatially optimizing the search result symbols of the first page to optimize use of the space on the first page.