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User interface providing automatic organization and filtering of search criteria

  • US 6,499,029 B1
  • Filed: 03/29/2000
  • Issued: 12/24/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of generating a user interface for searching a database, comprising the steps of:

  • ranking search criteria, each variously characterizing records in said database, according to a measure of utility of said criteria for searching, to produce a ranked list;

    displaying a respective symbol corresponding to a highest ranking one of said ranked list such that it is more conspicuous than a respective symbol corresponding to at least one lower ranking one of said ranked list;

    permitting a selection by a user of at least one of said highest ranking one of said ranked list and said at least one lower ranking one of said ranked list to form a selection set;

    submitting a search query responsive to said selection set to said database, wherein said step of displaying includes generating a projection of a three-dimensional scene and displaying said respective symbol corresponding to a highest ranking one of said ranked list in a foreground of said scene and displaying said respective symbol corresponding to at least one lower ranking one of said ranked list in a background of said scene.

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