Method and apparatus for query-specific bookmarking and data collection

• US 6,810,395 B1
• Filed: 11/22/1999
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bharat, Krishna A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wassum, Luke S
• Application Number:
  US09/444,524
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-5, 707/104.1, 707/10
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9562 Bookmark management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system providing both query-specific bookmarking and query-specific data collection. These features allow users to search more efficiently on the WWW by allowing users to explicitly maintain their search context. In addition, users can also collect query-specific relevance and usage data. User marked search results are saved as leads, which are displayed on a user interface such as a SearchPad. One embodiment of the invention involves extending HTML to include a Query attribute that saves the query context and returns it with a search result page. Another embodiment involves the use of cookies to save the query context. Saved query-specific bookmarks and query-specific data can be periodically saved to a central site, although not all embodiments perform this task.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of bookmarking a query, comprising:

receiving a result for a query, the result including a plurality of links, each link having an associated executable and each link is capable of being marked;

allowing the user to mark one of the plurality of links;

allowing a user to specify whether all queries having at least one marked link are to be displayed or whether all of a predetermined number of the most recent queries are to be displayed; and

executing the executable associated with the marked link to store the query and the marked link as a query-specific lead in a cookie accessible by a browser.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising marking a link once the link has been displayed for a predetermined period of time.

6. The storage medium of claim 2 wherein the software also causes the processor to mark a link in a query if the link has been displayed for more than a threshold amount of time.

3. A system, comprising:

a processor;

storage containing software that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to allow a user to mark a link in a query result, the link having an associated executable;

allow a user to specify whether all queries having at least one marked link are to be displayed or whether all of a predetermined number of the most recent queries are to be displayed; and

execute the executable associated with the marked link to store the query and the marked link as a lead in a cookie accessible by the processor.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the software also causes the processor to mark a link in a query if the link has been displayed for more than a threshold amount of time.

5. A computer accessible storage medium containing software that when executed by a processor causes the processor to:

allow a user to mark a link in a query result, the link having an associated executable;

allow a user to specify whether all queries having at least one marked link are to be displayed or whether all of a predetermined number of the most recent queries are to be displayed; and

execute the executable associated with the marked link to store the query and the marked link as a lead in a cookie accessible by the processor.