Graphical user interface for building boolean queries and viewing search results

• US 20090228481A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Data Access Incorporated, Kendyl A. Roman
• Original Assignee: Data Access Incorporated, Kendyl A. Roman
• Inventors: Hart, Loren L., Rose, Charlton D., Neale, Richard S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,543,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/332 Query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming

Abstract

Graphical user interfaces and method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using search cells, combination cells, toolbar, and menu bar. Search cells are movable within a workspace and contain a text field, facet type designation, advanced button, and hit count. Categories are chosen using a category walker. Combination cells, a Boolean combination of two or more selected search cells, are also movable and contain a combine icon, hit count, and an expression field. The Boolean query is depicted in a folder tree hierarchy, where search folders are shown within combination folders, which are represented as logical AND, OR, or MINUS folder icons. An applet in a browser accesses a server through the Internet.

Claims

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results, wherein the graphical user interface is rendered on a display device in accord with program instructions executed by a processor, comprising:

a) a workspace configured to display one or more search cells and one or more combination cells in a folder tree hierarchy;

b) a means for inserting search cells into the workspace, each search cell configured to display a search by type icon, a text field, and a hit count;

c) a means for inserting combination cells into the workspace, each combination cell configured to display a combine icon;

d) a means for moving selected search cells and selected combination cells within the folder tree hierarchy;

e) a means for deleting selected search cells and selected combination cells from the workspace; and

f) a means for displaying search results of selected search cells and selected combination cells in the workspace.

41. A graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein:

a) an applet running on a client computer controls insertion, selection, movement, and deletion of the search cells and the combination cells; and

b) a server computer executes queries received over an internet connection from the client computer and delivers search results back to the client computer over the internet.

42. A graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 41 wherein the client computer is local and the server computer is remote.

43. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein the combine icon is selected from a group including a logical AND icon, a logical OR icon and a logical MINUS icon.

44. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein content of the text field is capable of being selected using a category walker.

45. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein information displayed by the means for displaying includes a title, a media type, and a location for each search result.

46. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 45, wherein the location is a URL address.

47. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein search parameters displayed in the workspace are treated as a session.

48. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 47, wherein a user has ability to save, open and close the session.

49. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 40, wherein the search results are treated as a collection.

50. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 49, wherein a user has ability to save, open and close the collection.

51. A method of building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

a) displaying a window configured to include a workspace;

b) receiving user input specifying insertion of two or more search cells into the workspace, each search cell configured for displaying a search by type icon, a text field, and a hit count;

c) receiving user input entering text in the text fields of the search cells;

d) receiving user input specifying selection of two or more search cells in the workspace;

e) receiving user input specifying insertion of one or more combination cells into the workspace, each combination cell having a combine icon;

f) receiving user input specifyiing arrangement of the search cells and combination cells within a folder tree hierarchy in the workspace;

g) receiving user input specifying selection of one combination cell in the workspace;

h) executing a query represented by the selected combination cell; and

i) displaying search results in the workspace.

52. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51, further comprising:

a) running an applet on a client to control insertion, selection, movement, and deletion of the search cells and the combination cells; and

b) executing queries on a server, said queries received over an internet connection from the client, and said server delivering search results back to the client over the internet connection.

53. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 52, wherein the client is local and the server is remote.

54. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51, wherein the combine icon is selected from a group including a logical AND icon, a logical OR icon and a logical MINUS icon.

55. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51, further comprising receiving a selection of content for the text field using a category walker.

56. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51 further comprising the step of displaying each search result, including a title, a media type, and a location.

57. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 56 wherein the location is a URL address.

58. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51, wherein search parameters displayed in the workspace are treated as a session.

59. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 51 wherein the search results are treated as a collection.

60. The method for building Boolean queries and viewing search results using a graphical user interface as in claim 59, further comprising receiving user input specifying an operation to save, open or close the collection.

109. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 51.

61. A graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results, wherein the graphical user interface is rendered on a display device in accord with program instructions executed by a processor, comprising:

a) a window including a workspace configured to display a folder tree hierarchy;

b) two or more search cells located within the folder tree hierarchy, each search cell capable of being moved within the folder tree hierarchy and configured for displaying a search by type icon, a text field, and a hit count;

c) one or more combination cells, each combination cell capable of being moved within the folder tree hierarchy and having a combine icon.

62. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 61, wherein:

a) an applet running on a client controls insertion, selection, movement, and deletion of the search folders and the combination folders; and

b) a server executes queries received over an internet connection from the client and delivers search results back to the client over the internet.

63. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 61, wherein the combine icon is selected from a group including a logical AND icon, a logical OR icon and a logical MINUS icon.

64. The graphical user interface for building Boolean queries and viewing search results as in claim 61, wherein content of the text field is capable of being selected using a category walker.

65-108. -108. (canceled)