Intelligent Autocompletion

• US 20090271744A1
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Anders, Billy R. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,051,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/855
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

Various embodiments utilize an auto-complete module to expose a website'"'"'s content structure. In at least some embodiments, a user can take an action within an application and, responsively, the auto-complete module can retrieve a site index file or site map and use the site index file or site map to display the website'"'"'s content structure. In at least some embodiments, a website'"'"'s content structure can be displayed without navigating to the particular website. In at least some embodiments, the auto-complete module can utilize standard protocols such as HTTP protocols to retrieve the site index file or site map.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

retrieving a site index file or site map associated with a web site responsive to a user action; and

using the site index file or site map to present content structure associated with the web site, wherein said retrieving and using are performed without navigating to the web site.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of retrieving is performed using an HTTP Get request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises entering text into an application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises entering text into a web browser.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises entering text into an address bar associated with a web browser.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises entering a “

/”

into an address bar associated with a web browser.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said using displays level categories and descriptive text that provides a description of what is available at a particular level.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said using displays a dropdown menu in which said content structure is displayed.

9. A computer implemented method comprising:

retrieving a site index file or site map associated with a web site responsive a user action comprising at least one of;

(1) a user entering text in a box presented by an application,

(2) a user hovering a cursor over or near an instrumentality or link;

or

(3) a user providing audible input; and

using the site index file or site map to present content structure associated with the web site.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said retrieving and using are performed without navigating to the web site.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said box comprises an address bar.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said user action takes place within a web browser.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said user action takes place within an application other than a web browser.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said user action takes place within an email application.

15. A system comprising:

one or more computer-readable storage media;

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable storage media, which, when executed, implement a method comprising;

retrieving a site index file or site map associated with a web site responsive to a user action;

using the site index file or site map to display content structure associated with the web site in a drop down menu;

receiving a further user action associated with an item that appears in the drop down menu;

retrieving an additional site index file or site map responsive to said further user action; and

using said additional site index file or site map to display further content structure associated with the web site,

wherein at least one of (1) said retrieving a site index or site map and using the site index file or site map;

or (2) retrieving an additional site index file or site map and using said additional site index file or site map are performed without navigating a browser window to the web site.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said user actions comprises entering text into the browser.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said user actions comprises entering text into an address bar associated with the browser.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said (1) using the site index file or site map or (2) using said additional site index file or site map displays level categories and descriptive text that provides a description of what is available at a particular level.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said user actions comprises hovering a cursor over or near a browser instrumentality or link.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said acts of retrieving a site index file or site map, using the site index file or site map, receiving a further user action, retrieving an additional site index file or site map, and using said additional site index file or site map is performed by an auto-complete module that is integrated with the browser.