Immediate search feedback

• US 20060206454A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Forstall, Scott James, Sullivan, John William, Melton, Donald D., Adler, Darin Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 7,788,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/953 Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines

Abstract

Providing immediate search feedback is disclosed. Search input is received within a search field of a web browser application. Based on characteristics of the search input, a determination is made whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine. In one aspect, the query is automatically submitted to the search engine. The query is based on the received first search input. Results are displayed within the web browser application, the results web page returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to automatically submit a first query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to automatically submit a second query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined time is based on a connection speed to the search engine.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first input includes at least one space character.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to automatically submit a first query to a search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to automatically submit a second query to a search engine;

means for automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein a temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the predetermined time is based on a connection speed to the search engine.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first input includes at least one space character.

28. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

means for displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

means for storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

29. A machine-readable medium having instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to automatically submit a first query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

30. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

31. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

32. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

33. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

34. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to automatically submit a second query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

35. The machine-readable medium of claim 34, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

36. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger.

37. The machine-readable medium of claim 36, wherein a temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

38. The machine-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

39. The machine-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the predetermined time is based on a connection speed to the search engine.

40. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first input includes at least one space character.

42. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

43. A machine-implemented comprising:

receiving search input from a user;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether to automatically submit a query to an Internet search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

displaying results of the query.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein determining whether to automatically submit the query to the Internet search engine comprises:

determining whether the search input satisfies a temporal trigger;

determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger; and

if either of the temporal trigger and the substantive trigger are satisfied, automatically submitting the query.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the search input includes text.

46. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving search input from a user;

means for determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether to automatically submit a query to an Internet search engine;

means for automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

means for displaying results of the query.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the means for determining whether to automatically submit the query to the Internet search engine comprises:

means for determining whether the search input satisfies a temporal trigger;

means for determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger; and

if either of the temporal trigger and the substantive trigger are satisfied, means for automatically submitting the query.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the search input includes text.

49. A machine-readable medium having instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving search input from a user;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether to automatically submit a query to an Internet search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

displaying results of the query.

50. The machine-readable medium of claim 49, wherein determining whether to automatically submit the query to the Internet search engine comprises:

determining whether the search input satisfies a temporal trigger;

determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger; and

if either of the temporal trigger and the substantive trigger are satisfied, automatically submitting the query.

51. The machine-readable medium of claim 49, wherein the search input includes text.

52. A machine-implemented comprising:

receiving text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

preventing the first web page from controlling the focus.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

58. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine;

means for automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

means for automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising:

means for receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

means for displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

means for preventing the first web page from controlling the focus; and

means for permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

63. A machine-readable medium having instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

64. The machine-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the method further comprises preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

65. The machine-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

66. The machine-readable medium of claim 65, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

preventing the first web page from controlling the focus; and

permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

67. The machine-readable medium of claim 66, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

68. A machine-implemented comprising:

receiving first text input within a search field of a web page;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to automatically submit a first query to an Internet search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based the received first search input; and

presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising:

receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to automatically submit a second query to the search engine;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based the received cumulative text input; and

presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

71. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first text input within a search field of a web page;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to automatically submit a first query to an Internet search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based the received first search input; and

means for presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising:

means for receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to automatically submit a second query to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based the received cumulative text input; and

means for presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

74. A machine-readable medium having instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first text input within a search field of a web page;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to automatically submit a first query to an Internet search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based the received first search input; and

presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

75. The machine-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

76. The machine-readable medium of claim 75, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to automatically submit a second query to the search engine;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based the received cumulative text input; and

presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

77. A machine-implemented method comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) object; and

displaying at least one user-manipulable control element within the GUI object, the user-manipulable control element manipulable to specify a parameter used in determining whether to automatically submit received search input as a query to a search engine.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

receiving input through the user-manipulable control element, the input specifying the parameter.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:

automatically submitting a first query to the search engine based on the specified parameter.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the parameter is a temporal trigger specifying a length of elapsed time without receiving additional search input, and wherein the first query is submitted to the search engine after the temporal threshold is satisfied.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the user-manipulable control element is a slider bar.

82. An apparatus comprising:

means for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) object; and

means for displaying at least one user-manipulable control element within the GUI object, the user-manipulable control element manipulable to specify a parameter used in determining whether to automatically submit received search input as a query to a search engine.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, further comprising:

means for receiving input through the user-manipulable control element, the input specifying the parameter.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising:

means for automatically submitting a first query to the search engine based on the specified parameter.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the parameter is a temporal trigger specifying a length of elapsed time without receiving additional search input, and wherein the first query is submitted to the search engine after the temporal threshold is satisfied.

86. A machine-implemented method for providing an interface between a first software component and a second software component, the method comprising:

the first software component determining a timing parameter based on when a plurality of keys are actuated; and

the first software component causing a temporal threshold specified by the second software component to be set to the determined timing parameter, the temporal threshold to determine when to automatically submit a query to a search engine.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input;

calling the second software component to determine the temporal threshold;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine if the length of the elapsed time is greater than the temporal threshold.

88. A machine-readable medium having instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method for providing an interface between a first software component and a second software component, the method comprising:

the first software component determining a timing parameter based on when a plurality of keys are actuated; and

the first software component causing a temporal threshold specified by the second software component to be set to the determined timing parameter, the temporal threshold to determine when to automatically submit a query to a search engine.

89. The machine-readable medium of claim 88, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input;

calling the second software component to determine the temporal threshold;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine if the length of the elapsed time is greater than the temporal threshold.

90. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to automatically submit a first query to a search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

determining whether a first results web page returned by the search engine based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input.

91. The method of claim 90, further comprising:

if the first results web page returned based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input, automatically submitting a second query to the search engine, the second query based on the suggestion; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the first results web page is not displayed within the web browser application.

93. The method of claim 90, further comprising:

if the first results web page returned based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input, automatically displaying at least a portion of the suggestion within the search field.

94. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to automatically submit a first query to a search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

means for determining whether a first results web page returned by the search engine based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, further comprising:

if the first results web page returned based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input, means for automatically submitting a second query to the search engine, the second query based on the suggestion; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the first results web page is not displayed within the web browser application.

97. The apparatus of claim 94, further comprising:

if the first results web page returned based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input, means for automatically displaying at least a portion of the suggestion within the search field.