Method and system in a computer network for an intelligent search engine

• US 6,041,326 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dodson, John Paul, Amro, Hatim Yousef
• Primary Examiner(s): Amsbury, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARDO, THUY N
• Application Number:
  US08/971,018
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 707/2, 707/5, 707/10, 707/104, 707/9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method and system in a remote computer network for allowing users to customize on-line search engines for on-line data searches. An on-line search engine is provided at a remote network site, such that the on-line search engine may be displayed at local network sites linked to the computer network. An independent user-defined search plug-in program is then designated for limiting the scope of online data searches to particular data subjects, such that the user-defined search plug-in program is called for processing by the on-line search engine during on-line data searches by the on-line search engine at a local network site utilizing search terms. The independent user-defined search plug-in program is subsequently stored at the local network site. Finally, the independent user-defined search plug-in program is automatically linked with the search terms, such that all searches performed by the on-line search engine at the local network site operate according to parameters determined by the user-defined search plug-in program and the search terms.

Claims

1. A method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said method comprising the steps of:

designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches;

transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and

automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.

2. The method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 1, wherein said step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.

3. The method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 1, wherein said step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.

4. A system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network cite remote from a local network site, said system comprising:

means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches;

means for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and

means for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.

5. The system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 4, wherein said means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.

6. The system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 4, wherein said means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.

7. A program product residing in a computer for permitting enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said program product comprising:

instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches;

instruction means residing in a computer for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and

instruction means residing in a computer for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.

8. A program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.

9. The program product for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.

10. The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein each of said instruction means further comprises signal bearing media.

11. The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 10, wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.

12. The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 10, wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.