Key-Based Storage and Retrieval of Information

• US 20110041073A1
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Hoff, Aaron C., Counts, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US12/541,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/741
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90324 using system suggestions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes

Abstract

An information interaction module (IIM) is described for interacting with information items using a hierarchical taxonomy of key elements. In one mode, the IIM allows a user to specify a key by successively entering a string of key elements which compose the key. At each stage in this operation, the IIM guides the users by identifying a set of key elements that can be entered next. Ultimately, the IIM retrieves an information item that is associated with the specified key. In another mode, the IIM also allows a user to store a new information item by identifying a key associated with the information item. The IIM can be implemented as a standalone browser or as a component within an authoring tool. The information items can have any level of granularity.

Claims

1. A method implemented by an electrical apparatus for accessing an information item, comprising:

receiving a user'"'"'s selection of a key element, the key element that is selected being added to a group of selected key elements;

providing the user with a set of options regarding one or more subsequent key elements that are selectable by the user;

receiving the user'"'"'s selection of a subsequent key element selected from among said one or more subsequent key elements, the subsequent key element that is selected being added to the group of selected key elements;

providing the user with an information item that is associated with the subsequent key element, if an information item is associated with the subsequent key element; and

providing the user with another set of options regarding a next level of one or more subsequent key elements, if the next level exists,

the method being implemented using graphical user interface functionality provided by the electrical apparatus,

the information item being accessed from a store based on a key, the key being composed of the group key elements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method accesses the information item using a hierarchical data structure that includes a plurality of hierarchically-linked nodes, wherein the nodes are associated with respective key elements.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the respective key elements are defined by the user.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the respective key elements are defined in collaborative fashion by a group of users.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the respective key elements are associated with categories of information items provided by a network-accessible entity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interacts with the graphical user interface functionality as a standalone browser tool.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interacts with the graphical user interface functionality in a course of interacting with an authoring tool, without a change of context.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the authoring tool is a document-creation application.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the authoring tool is a message-creation application.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection of an identified key at which to access a new information item;

receiving the new information item; and

storing the new information item in the hierarchical data structure at a location associated with the identified key.

11. An information interaction module for interacting with information items, comprising:

graphical user interface functionality configured to receive a user'"'"'s selection of a key through the user'"'"'s successive selection of plural key elements which compose the key; and

an access module configured to use the key to store or retrieve an information item associated with the key,

the access module being configured to store or retrieve the information item using a hierarchical data structure that includes a plurality of hierarchically-linked nodes, the nodes being associated with respective key elements.

12. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein at least one information item stored by the hierarchical data structure represents a part of an item associated with a network address.

13. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein the information interaction module is configured to store or retrieve the information item using an information source which is local with respect to the information interaction module.

14. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein the information interaction module is configured to store or retrieve the information item using a network-accessible entity.

15. The information interaction module of claim 14, wherein the information interaction module is configured to interact with a web service interface provided by the network-accessible entity.

16. The information interaction module of claim 14, wherein the information interaction module is configured to interact with a feed-type interface provided by the network-accessible entity.

17. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface functionality is configured as a standalone browser tool.

18. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface functionality is configured to work in inline conjunction with an authoring tool.

19. The information interaction module of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface functionality includes an option section for displaying a set of options regarding one or more subsequent key elements that are selectable by a user, the set of options being based on one or more key elements already specified by the user.

20. A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions providing an information interaction module when executed by one or more processing devices, the computer readable instructions providing when implemented:

a text input section for displaying at least part of a key used to access an information item, the key being composed of plural key elements;

an option section for displaying a set of options regarding one or more subsequent key elements that are selectable by a user, the set of options being based on one or more key elements already specified by the user; and

an item presentation section for displaying an information item associated with the key when the user specifies a sufficient number of the key elements of the key to identify the information item that is associated with the key.