Apparatus and Method for Data Search and Organization
First Claim
1. A system for searching and organizing data, the system comprising:
- a facilitator entity coupled to at least one network, the facilitator entity comprising at least one server;
a plurality of data source entities coupled to the network, each data source entity comprising at least one database;
a plurality of end user entities coupled to the network, each end user entity comprising a processor and a display unit;
wherein the facilitator entity is configurable to serve a user interface (UI)/browser client via the network, wherein the UI/browser client is configurable to receive input from end users to direct searches of the data sources entities via the network, the input comprising manipulation of visible sections of the display, wherein UI/browser client is further configurable to use the input to construct expressions transparently to the end user, the searches resulting in a plurality of data objects.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a browser component and one or more server components that facilitate easy electronic search and selection of data via any network. Embodiments further comprise an intuitive user interface for the browser. Embodiments further include a method for performing searches and assembling data from anywhere on a variety of networks according to user specifications as directed through the browser and intuitive user interface. The searchable data can be of any type electronically representable. For most of this description, identifiable objects in the context of online shopping are used as an example. Data or objects can be physical objects such as merchandise, books in a library, etc., or representations of non-physical objects such as customer support problems, legal case descriptions, etc. The apparatus and method is also used for defining a new object, or searching existing well-defined objects. The apparatus and method enables a user to define search criteria in a much more intuitive and easy manner than when using existing methods.
64 Citations
82 Claims
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1. A system for searching and organizing data, the system comprising:
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a facilitator entity coupled to at least one network, the facilitator entity comprising at least one server; a plurality of data source entities coupled to the network, each data source entity comprising at least one database; a plurality of end user entities coupled to the network, each end user entity comprising a processor and a display unit; wherein the facilitator entity is configurable to serve a user interface (UI)/browser client via the network, wherein the UI/browser client is configurable to receive input from end users to direct searches of the data sources entities via the network, the input comprising manipulation of visible sections of the display, wherein UI/browser client is further configurable to use the input to construct expressions transparently to the end user, the searches resulting in a plurality of data objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A user interface (UI) method for browsing, the UI comprising:
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receiving user input regarding data to be located for via a network; assembling the data; presenting the data in a predetermined visual format, the format comprising visible sections that include a visual representation of the data, the sections further implying non-visual information associated with the data; receiving user input comprising manipulation of the visible sections; and interpreting the user input based on the resultant rearrangement of the visual format and further upon the non-visual information. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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43. The method of 41, further comprising tabbing a wedge section, wherein tabbing includes displaying visible tab on a section, and wherein tabbed sections comprise:
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container sections; and non-container sections which show all section properties within their area.
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54. An electronic data organization method, comprising:
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receiving user input including user manipulation of electronically displayed data items; based on the user manipulation of displayed data items, automatically creating one or more expressions, wherein an expression comprises combinations of attributes of data items and includes arithmetic expressions, logic expressions, lists, and query expression, and wherein expressions are associated with sections of the display; storing expressions; storing at least one browsing-context, wherein a browsing-context comprises, wherein an expression is associated with one or more designated sections of the display; storing at least one profile, wherein a profile comprises appearance details for a display comprising sections. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A computer-readable medium, having instructions stored therein, that when executed in a processor causes a user interface (UI) method to be executed, the UI method comprising:
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receiving user input regarding data to be searched for via a network; presenting data in a predetermined visual format, the format comprising visible sections that include a visual representation of the data, the sections further implying non-visual information associated with the data; receiving user input comprising manipulation of the visible sections; and interpreting the user input based on the resultant rearrangement of the visual format and further upon the non-visual information. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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Specification