Method and system for searching an on-line directory at a telephone station
First Claim
1. A system for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user so that the user can obtain a desired telephone number at a telephone station including a computer, a display device connected to the computer, the display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device for selecting objects displayed on the display screen, the system comprising:
- the database for storing a multiplicity of information records, the information records including;
a telephone number;
a first index; and
a second index;
a first index list for identifying information records based on the first index;
a second index list for identifying information records based on the second index;
means for displaying an array of objects on the display screen;
means for receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device;
means for creating a first search string having a value to constrain the first index list based on the step of receiving the first set of signals;
means for displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string;
means for receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the first index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device;
means for receiving a second set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device;
means for creating a second search string having a value to constrain the second index list based on the step of receiving the second set of signals;
means for displaying a plurality of entries of the second index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string and the second search string; and
means for receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the second index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device; and
means for displaying the desired telephone number on the display screen.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user of a telephone station. The telephone station includes a computer, a display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device. The method includes providing a database and a first index list. The method further includes displaying an array of objects on the display screen. The method also includes receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects; creating a first search string based on the first set of signals; displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list based on the value of the first search string; and receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries, the signal identifying an entry selected by the user. The method finally includes the step of displaying at least one object representing a phone number associated with the selected entry.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user so that the user can obtain a desired telephone number at a telephone station including a computer, a display device connected to the computer, the display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device for selecting objects displayed on the display screen, the system comprising:
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the database for storing a multiplicity of information records, the information records including; a telephone number; a first index; and a second index; a first index list for identifying information records based on the first index; a second index list for identifying information records based on the second index; means for displaying an array of objects on the display screen; means for receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device; means for creating a first search string having a value to constrain the first index list based on the step of receiving the first set of signals; means for displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string; means for receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the first index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device; means for receiving a second set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device; means for creating a second search string having a value to constrain the second index list based on the step of receiving the second set of signals; means for displaying a plurality of entries of the second index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string and the second search string; and means for receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the second index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device; and means for displaying the desired telephone number on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user so that the user can obtain a desired telephone number at a telephone station including a computer, a display device connected to the computer, the display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device for selecting objects displayed on the display screen, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing the database for storing a multiplicity of information records, the information records including; a telephone number; a first index; and a second index; providing a first index list for identifying information records based on the first index; providing a second index list for identifying information records based on the second index; displaying an array of objects on the display screen, each object representing an alphanumeric character, each object further being selectable by the user; receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device; creating a first search string having a value to constrain the first index list based on the step of receiving the first set of signals; displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string; receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the first index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device; receiving a second set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects, the at least one object selected by the user using the pointing device; creating a second search string having a value to constrain the second index list based on the step of receiving the second set of signals; displaying a plurality of entries of the second index list on the display screen, the displayed entries based on the value of the first search string and the second search string; receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries of the second index list to identify a selected entry, the selected entry identified by the user using the pointing device; and displaying the desired telephone number on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification