Efficient navigation of search results

• US 7,587,392 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ragno, Robert, Jhaveri, Vivek J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Yicun
• Application Number:
  US11/532,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20080071743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/10, 707/104.1, 715/788, 715/781
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for navigating search results are provided. In response to receiving a search query, at least one individual search result is presented in an overlay window, the overlay window being configured to overlay at least a portion of a document viewing window. Navigation between the overlay window and the document viewing window may be performed in response to receiving input of at least one pre-determined command. Content associated with a selected individual search result (or other document identifier) may be presented in the document viewing window and, substantially simultaneously, the overlay window may be hidden from view. Subsequently, in response to receiving at least one pre-determined command, the overlay window may be re-presented such that it again overlays at least a portion of the document viewing window.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for navigating search results using one or more of a processor and computer storage media, the method comprising:

receiving a search query, wherein the search query is received after being input by a user into a web browser;

in response to the search query, creating and presenting a separate overlay window having a plurality of individual search results presented therein;

receiving a selection of one of the plurality of individual search results presented in the overlay window;

presenting, in a document viewing window, content associated with the selected one of the plurality of individual search results, wherein upon such presentation, the overlay window is hidden from view;

receiving a first pre-determined command to re-present the overlay window;

in response to the received first pre-determined command, re-presenting the overlay window presenting the plurality of individual search results such that the overlay window overlays at least a portion of the document viewing window, wherein prior to said re-presentation the overlay window is hidden from view;

visibly distinguishing an individual search result for selection in the overlay window;

receiving a second pre-determined command to visibly distinguish an alternative individual search result; and

responsive to receiving a second pre-determined command, visibly distinguishing the alternative individual search result for selection in the overlay window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the web browser and the document viewing window are the same window.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one individual search result includes a plurality of links, and wherein the method further comprises navigating among the plurality of links in response to a second pre-determined command.