Graphic search initiation

• US 7,565,360 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grizzard, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Leslie
• Application Number:
  US11/695,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 707/E17.095, 707/E17.108, 707/E17.127, 707/3, 707/10, 707/104.1, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A system for retrieving information. The system includes a storage unit for storing an image that includes first and second selectable objects. The first selectable object is associated with a first metadata and the second selectable object is associated with a second metadata. The system also includes a visual output device and a processor that communicates with the visual output device and the storage unit to read the first and second metadata. The system also includes a user input device that communicates with the processor and instructs the processor to read the first and second metadata and display the first and second metadata on the visual output device.

Claims

1. An electronic computer system for retrieving information, comprising:

means for storing at least one image, wherein an image comprises at least one selectable object having associated metadata according to a metadata model formed with extensible Markup Language and Document Type Definitions;

a visual output device;

a processor, in communication with the visual output device and the storing means, for processing information, wherein the processor is configured to read the selectable image object metadata;

user input means, in communication with the processing means, for instructing the processing means to read the selectable image object metadata associated with a displayed image object and to display the selectable image object metadata on the visual output device;

wherein the processing means automatically initiates an information search via a search engine within a web browser displayed on the visual output device, wherein the read metadata is used as search terms in the information search, and wherein the processing means comprises a metadata editor configured to associate the selectable image object metadata with the selectable object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selectable image object metadata conforms to a schema expressed in accordance with a Resource Description Framework and Syntax Specification.

3. A method in an electronic computer system for retrieving information, comprising:

selecting a selectable image object displayed on a viewing device, the selectable image object having associated metadata according to a metadata model formed with extensible Markup Language and Document Type Definitions;

reading the selectable image object metadata;

automatically initiating an information search via a search engine within a web browser based on the read selectable image object metadata upon reading the selectable image object metadata; and

displaying, on the viewing device, information in connection with the information search, and displaying the selectable image object metadata associated with the selected selectable image object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a plurality of selectable image objects are displayed on the viewing device, and each of the plurality of selectable image objects has respective associated selectable image object metadata according to a metadata model formed with extensible Markup Language and Document Type Definitions.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the selectable image object metadata conforms to a schema expressed in accordance with a Resource Description Framework and Syntax Specification.

6. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by an electronic processor, cause the processor to perform:

selecting a selectable image object displayed on a viewing device, the selectable image object having associated metadata according to a metadata model formed with extensible Markup Language and Document Type Definitions;

reading the selectable image object metadata;

automatically initiating an information search via a search engine within a web browser based on the read selectable image object metadata upon reading the selectable image object metadata; and

displaying, on the viewing device, information in connection with the information search, and displaying the selectable image object metadata associated with the selected selectable image object.

7. The medium of claim 6, wherein a plurality of selectable image objects are displayed on the viewing device, and each of the plurality of selectable image objects has respective associated selectable image object metadata according to a metadata model formed with extensible Markup Language and Document Type Definitions.

8. The medium of claim 6, wherein the selectable image object metadata conforms to a schema expressed in accordance with a Resource Description Framework and Syntax Specification.