Hyperlinked search interface for distributed database
First Claim
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1. A method for creating hyperlinks in a hyperlinked database, comprising the steps of:
- presenting a panel for creating a user profile for searching on a selected, non-hyperlinked word, wherein a default search engine can be selected by a user;
responsive to user input, setting a selected search engine as the default search engine;
responsive to user input, selecting a word in a first page;
using the selected word to construct a search query to the default search engine;
sending the constructed search query to the default search engine;
receiving search results from the selected search engine; and
using the selected word as a hyperlink to a second page, wherein the search results are presented in the second page to the user.
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Abstract
Real time creation of new hyperlinks in a hyperlinked database is performed. Responsive to user input, a word or other element is selected in a first page of the hyperlinked database. The selected word is used as part of a search query to a selected search engine. The search results are received from the selected search engine and presented in a second page to a user. In one preferred embodiment, first and second pages are web pages presented by a browser and the selected search engine is an Internet search engine native to a different page than the server from which the first page originates.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for creating hyperlinks in a hyperlinked database, comprising the steps of:
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presenting a panel for creating a user profile for searching on a selected, non-hyperlinked word, wherein a default search engine can be selected by a user;
responsive to user input, setting a selected search engine as the default search engine;
responsive to user input, selecting a word in a first page;
using the selected word to construct a search query to the default search engine;
sending the constructed search query to the default search engine;
receiving search results from the selected search engine; and
using the selected word as a hyperlink to a second page, wherein the search results are presented in the second page to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
determining whether the selected word is associated with a preexisting hyperlink;
in the absence of a designated hyperlink, sending a search query including the selected word to a selected search engine.
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4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the first web page is served from a hosting web site, and the method further comprises the steps of:
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retrieving the results from a search engine from a content provider web site;
extracting desired content elements from the results;
inserting the desired content elements in a new web page formatted according to a hosting site format; and
sending the new web page to the browser;
wherein when the new page is presented by the browser, all content elements appear native to the hosting site.
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5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a permanent hyperlink in at least the user'"'"'s copy of the first page.
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6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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responsive to selection of a word, presenting a panel containing a list of available search engines; and
responsive to selection of at least one of the search engines, sending the search query to the selected search engines.
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7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein a plurality of search engines are selected.
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8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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responsive to selection of a word, presenting a panel for refining a search query; and
refining the search query according to user input to the panel.
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9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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presenting a user profile panel containing selections relating to formation of a search query;
responsive to user input, creating a user profile for a search process; and
responsive to selecting an unlinked word in the page, executing the search process according to the user profile.
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10. A system including processor and memory for creating hyperlinks in a hyperlinked database, comprising:
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means for presenting a panel for creating a user profile for searching on a selected, non-hyperlinked word, wherein a default search engine can be selected by a user;
means responsive to user input for setting a selected search engine as the default search engine;
means responsive to user input for selecting an element in a first page;
means for using at least a portion of the selected element to construct a search query to the default search engine;
means for sending the constructed search query to the default search engine;
means for receiving search results from the selected search engine; and
means for using the selected word as a hyperlink to a second page, wherein the search results are presented in the second page to the user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program product in a computer usable medium for creating hyperlinks in a hyperlinked database, comprising:
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means for presenting a panel for creating a user profile for searching on a selected, non-hyperlinked element, wherein a default search engine can be selected by a user;
means responsive to user input for setting a selected search engine as the default search engine;
means responsive to user input for selecting an element in a first page;
means for using at least a portion of the selected element to construct a search query to the default search engine;
means for sending the constructed search query to the default search engine;
means for using the selected word as a hyperlink to a second page, wherein the search results are presented in the second page to the user.
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Specification