SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TYPE-AHEAD ADDRESS LOOKUP EMPLOYING HISTORICALLY WEIGHTED ADDRESS PLACEMENT

• US 20100036833A1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: YEUNG, Michael, Wei, Hongfeng (Jason)
• Granted Patent: US 8,768,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: N/A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/334 Query execution G06F16/335 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs

Abstract

The subject application is directed to a system and method for type-ahead address lookup employing historically weighted address placement. A prompt is generated on a display for commencement of a new search operation and search data of text entries is received via a user interface. Entries are stored in an associated database, each entry having at least one searchable text field. At least a first character of a new search received via the user interface is tested against the entries relative to the searchable field. A display is generated corresponding to a subset of the entries based upon a testing output. Selection data is received corresponding to a selected entry from the displayed subset and weighting data is generated corresponding to received selection data. Displayed entries are ordered corresponding to the subset of database entries upon subsequent re-entry of the at least a first character during a subsequent search operation.

Claims

1. A type-ahead address lookup system employing historically weighted address placement comprising:

a display;

a prompt generator operable to generate a prompt on the display corresponding to a commencement of a new search operation;

a character input operable to receive search data corresponding to each of a plurality of text entries;

a database including a plurality of entries, each entry having at least one searchable text field;

a comparator operable on at least a first character of a commenced new search received via the character input against the plurality of entries relative to the at least one searchable text field;

the display including a listing corresponding to a subset of the database entries in accordance with an output of the comparator;

a selection data input operable to receive selection data corresponding to at least one selected entry from the subset of entries on the display;

a weighting data generator operable to generate weighting data corresponding to received selection data; and

an entry organizer operable to order entries on the display corresponding to the subset of database entries upon subsequent re-entry of the at least a first character during a subsequent search operation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the entry organizer is further operable to order the entries on the display such that a most recently selected entry is displayed first.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the entry organizer is further operable to order the entries on the display such that a second most recently selected entry is displayed second.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the entry organizer is further operable to order the entries on the display in accordance with relative frequency of selection.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the comparator is operable on each character as it is received from the character input so as to further narrow the subset of database entries accordingly.

6. A type-ahead address lookup method employing historically weighted address placement comprising the steps of:

generating a prompt on an associated display corresponding to a commencement of a new search operation;

receiving search data corresponding to each of a plurality of text entries via a user interface;

storing a plurality of entries in an associated database, each entry having at least one searchable text field;

testing at least a first character of a commenced new search received via the user interface against the plurality of entries relative to the at least one searchable text field;

generating a display corresponding to a subset of the database entries in accordance with an output of the testing step;

receiving selection data corresponding to at least one selected entry from the subset of entries on the display;

generating weighting data corresponding to received selection data; and

ordering entries on the display corresponding to the subset of database entries upon subsequent re-entry of the at least a first character during a subsequent search operation.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the ordering step includes ordering the entries on the display such that a most recently selected entry is displayed first.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the ordering step includes ordering the entries on the display such that a second most recently selected entry is displayed second.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

receiving data representative of a physical size of the associated display; and

modifying the generated display in accordance with the physical size such that the display of the subset of database entries is limited in accordance therewith.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the ordering step includes ordering the entries on the display in accordance with relative frequency of selection.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the testing step includes testing each character as it is received from the character input so as to further narrow the subset of database entries accordingly.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the database corresponds to a local database, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the subset of entries in the local database with a corresponding subset of entries in a master database; and

selectively eliminating at least one entry from the subset thereof in accordance with an output of the step of comparing.

13. A type-ahead address lookup system employing historically weighted address placement comprising:

a display;

means adapted for generating a prompt on the display corresponding to a commencement of a new search operation;

a character input adapted for receiving search data corresponding to each of a plurality of text entries;

a database including a plurality of entries, each entry having at least one searchable text field;

testing means adapted for testing at least a first character of a commenced new search received via the character input against the plurality of entries relative to the at least one searchable text field;

list output means adapted for generating a display corresponding to a subset of the database entries in accordance with an output of the testing means;

means adapted for receiving selection data corresponding to at least one selected entry from the subset of entries on the display;

means adapted for generating weighting data corresponding to received selection data; and

ordering means adapted for ordering entries on the display corresponding to the subset of database entries upon subsequent re-entry of the at least a first character during a subsequent search operation.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the ordering means includes means adapted for ordering the entries on the display such that a most recently selected entry is displayed first.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the ordering means includes means adapted for ordering the entries on the display such that a second most recently selected entry is displayed second.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

means adapted for receiving data representative of a physical size of the associated display; and

modification means adapted for modifying the generated display in accordance with the physical size such that the display of the subset of database entries is limited in accordance therewith.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the ordering means includes means adapted for ordering the entries on the display in accordance with relative frequency of selection.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the testing means includes means adapted for testing each character as it is received from the character input so as to further narrow the subset of database entries accordingly.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the database corresponds to a local database, further comprising:

means adapted for comparing the subset of entries in the local database with a corresponding subset of entries in a master database; and

means adapted for selectively eliminating at least one entry from the subset thereof in accordance with an output of the comparison means.