SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING A DATABASE
First Claim
1. A method of searching a database, the method comprising, at a server system:
- transmitting information to a terminal of a user for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface), the GUI displaying a plurality items each representing a respective search category and having associated with it an identifier of the respective search category, the information comprising instructions for generating a query in response to a user selection of a selected item of the plurality of items without any other user input, the query including the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item and a location identifier;
responsive to receiving the query from the terminal, searching a database to identify elements in the database associated with the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item, each element comprising information relating to the respective search category of the selected item;
defining a geographical area using the location identifier;
for each identified element, determining whether the identified element is within the geographical area; and
,transmitting the identified elements which are within the geographical area to the terminal.
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Abstract
A GUI (Graphical User Interface) is used to display items at a user terminal. Each item is user selectable and representative of a search category. A user selects one of the items to generate a query with no other user input required to generate the query. The query includes an identifier of the selected search category and a location identifier. A search for elements associated with the selected category are is performed. A geographical area is defined using the location identifier and a determination is made as to which elements are within the geographical area. The elements that are within the geographical area are then sent to the user terminal. The elements may contain information on establishments such addresses and contact information together with a distance from a central position. In some implementations, the elements are displayed in ascending order of distance of respective establishments from the central position.
15 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of searching a database, the method comprising, at a server system:
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transmitting information to a terminal of a user for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface), the GUI displaying a plurality items each representing a respective search category and having associated with it an identifier of the respective search category, the information comprising instructions for generating a query in response to a user selection of a selected item of the plurality of items without any other user input, the query including the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item and a location identifier; responsive to receiving the query from the terminal, searching a database to identify elements in the database associated with the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item, each element comprising information relating to the respective search category of the selected item; defining a geographical area using the location identifier; for each identified element, determining whether the identified element is within the geographical area; and
,transmitting the identified elements which are within the geographical area to the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A server system for searching a database, the server system comprising:
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a communications interface for receiving and transmitting data across a network; an interface unit coupled to communications interface for transmitting information to a terminal of a user for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface), the GUI displaying a plurality of items each representing a respective search category and having associated with it an identifier of the respective search category, the information comprising instructions for generating a query upon a user selection of a selected item of the plurality of items without any other user input, the query including the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item and a location identifier; a database comprising elements each associated with a search category; a search engine for searching the database in response to receiving the query from the terminal to identify elements in the database which are associated with the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item, the search engine comprising; a geographical search unit coupled to the communications interface for; defining a geographical area using the location identifier; for each identified element, determining whether the identified element is within the geographical area; and
,transmitting the identified elements which are within the geographical area to the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of searching a database, the method comprising:
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at a user terminal, displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) having a plurality items each representing a respective search category and having associated with it an identifier of the respective search category; responsive to a user selection of an item of the plurality of items, generating a query without any additional user input, the query including the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item and a location identifier; searching a database to identify elements in the database associated with the identifier of the respective search category of the selected item, each element comprising information relating to the respective search category of the selected item; defining a geographical area using the location identifier; for each identified element, determining whether the identified element is within the geographical area; and
,transmitting the identified elements which are within the geographical area to the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification