Search system having user-interface for searching online information
First Claim
1. A method for searching an electronic information source using a display device and a pointing device displayed on the display device, the method comprising:
- displaying search category names on the display device;
enabling the user to display a list of search terms associated with a category name by passing the pointing device over any of the displayed category names; and
enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for facilitating the searching of data from an electronic data source. The invention teaches a method for presenting a large number of search terms rapidly and efficiently to a user. Users may scan a large number of search terms, move quickly from one search category to another, select a search term with minimal mechanical input and generate a series of “hits” that meet their search goals. The need to guide the computer with mechanical actions from a keyboard, mouse or other device is minimized. Graphics that distract the user from any task other than selecting hits are eliminated. Users are able to scan quickly and find electronic information with minimum effort.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for searching an electronic information source using a display device and a pointing device displayed on the display device, the method comprising:
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displaying search category names on the display device;
enabling the user to display a list of search terms associated with a category name by passing the pointing device over any of the displayed category names; and
enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for searching a database on a computer having a display device and a pointing device controlling a cursor displayed on the display device, the database associated with at least one of a plurality of categories of information, at least one category having a sub-category of information, the method comprising:
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displaying each category on the display device;
enabling the user to select a category by passing the cursor over one of the displayed categories;
displaying on the display device, in response to the user selecting a category associated with sub-categories, each sub-category of information associated with the selected category;
enabling the user to select a sub-category by passing the cursor over one of the displayed sub-categories;
displaying on the display device, in response to the user selecting a sub-category, a list of search terms associated with the selected sub-category;
enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms; and
,searching the database in response to the selected search term. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A system for searching a database on a computer from a user terminal including a display device and a manually-operable input unit controlling a cursor displayed on the display device and a select button, the database associated with at least one of a plurality of categories of information, the system comprising:
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a computer including a database and a computer processor for accessing the records in accordance with search terms selected at the user terminal;
means for transferring a list of categories and search terms to the display device for simultaneous display of category names associated with each of said categories;
means for enabling the user to select one of the categories by passing the cursor over one of the displayed category names;
means for displaying the search terms associated with the selected category;
means for enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms; and
,means for searching the available records of the database for records responsive to the selected search term. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A website having a user interface for searching a database of records from a user terminal having a display device and a controller for controlling a pointing device displayed on the display device, the website comprising:
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category names displayed on the display device;
means for enabling the user to select a category by passing the pointing device over one of the displayed categories;
a list of search terms displayed on the display device in response to the user selecting a category; and
,means for enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for controlling a user interface for searching a database from a computer having a display device and a controller for controlling a pointing device displayed on the display device, the method comprising:
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displaying category names on the display device;
enabling the user to select a category by passing the pointing device over one of the displayed categories;
displaying a list of search terms on the display device in response to the user selecting a categories; and
,enabling the user to select one of the displayed search terms. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification