Focused search using network addresses

• US 20070124307A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Van Der Linden, Maura
• Granted Patent: US 8,645,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9566 URL specific, e.g. using aliases, detecting broken or misspelled links

Abstract

Embodiments of search using network addresses are presented herein. For example, a search may take into account one or more network addresses to focus a search for particular content. In another example, functionality may be provided such that when a user selects a network address, a search is performed for network addresses that are similar to the selected address.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

outputting a menu in response to selection of a link to a network address, wherein the menu includes one or more menu items; and

when an input is received selecting a particular said menu item, forming a search query to locate at least one other network address that is similar to the network address.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

the selection of the link is performed by a user of a cursor control device; and

the link is a uniform resource locator (URL).

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

the search query is configured for communication over a network to a search service; and

the search service is operable to locate the other network address having content that is similar to content of the network address.

4. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a search result that includes the at least one other network address from a search service via a network; and

outputting the search result such that the link to the network address is indicated as a source of the search query.

5. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a search result that includes the at least one other network address; and

outputting the search result such that a network address as included in the search result has a respective command that, when selected, causes the network address to be included in a menu of links.

6. A method as described in claim 5, wherein the menu is included in a browser.

7. A method as described in claim 5, wherein the menu includes a list of favorite links that were specified by a user.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the network address used to configure the search query is included in a menu of links within a browser.

9. A method comprising:

when an input is received that selects a menu item from a menu, forming a search query to locate at least one other network address having content that is similar to a content available from a network address that was selected to output the menu; and

receiving a search result from a search service via a network in response to the search query.

10. A method as described in claim 9, wherein:

the selection of the network address to output the menu is performed by a user of a cursor control device; and

the network address is a uniform resource locator (URL).

11. A method as described in claim 9, wherein:

the search query is configured for communication over a network to a search service; and

the search service is operable to locate the at least one other network address.

12. A method as described in claim 9, further comprising outputting the search result such that a link to the network address that was selected to output the menu is indicated as a source of the search query.

13. A method as described in claim 9, further comprising outputting the search result such that one or more said network addresses included in the search result includes a command that, when selected, causes a respective said network address to be included in a menu of links.

14. A method as described in claim 13, wherein the menu:

is included in a browser; and

is a list of favorite links that were specified by a user.

15. A method as described in claim 9, wherein the network address used to configure the search query is included in a menu of links within a browser.

20. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 13, wherein the menu:

is included in a browser; and

is a list of favorite links that were specified by a user.

16. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a computer to form a search query to locate a network address having content that is similar to content available from another network address, wherein the search query is formed is response to selection of the other network address.

17. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 16, wherein:

the search query is configured for communication over a network to a search service; and

the search service is operable to locate the at least one other network address.

18. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 16, further comprising outputting the search result such that a link to the network address that was selected to output the menu is indicated as a source of the search query.

19. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 16, further comprising outputting the search result such that one or more said network addresses included in the search result includes a command that, when selected, causes a respective said network address to be included in a menu of links.