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Method and apparatus for displaying database search results

DC
  • US 6,983,270 B2
  • Filed: 01/24/2001
  • Issued: 01/03/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for displaying a progress and results of a database search until a desired result is displayed, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a. displaying a set of entries from a database and a set of operators, wherein ones of said displayed set of entries and ones of said displayed set of operators are selected to form a database search query for producing valid results;

    b. selecting an initial entry of said displayed set of entries;

    c. displaying a set of valid results from a query based on said selected entry;

    d. updating said set of displayed operators based on said selected entry, wherein said updated set of displayed operators includes only operators from the set of operators, wherein the operators combined in a query with the selected entry and at least one of the set of entries from the database produce at least one valid result;

    e. selecting an operator from the updated displayed set of operators;

    f. updating said displayed set of entries in response to the selected operator, wherein said updated displayed set of entries includes only entries from the database, wherein the entries combined in a query with the selected entry and the selected operator produce at least one valid result;

    g. selecting one of said updated displayed set of entries;

    h. updating said displayed set of valid results according to a query based on the selected entries and the selected operator; and

    i. while said updated displayed set of valid results is not the desired result, repeating steps d. through h., based on all previously selected entries and operators, to select an additional operator and an additional entry for the database search query, and to update said displayed set of valid results.

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