Electronic search interface technology

• US 7,908,559 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shutterstock Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Jason Adam Denise
• Inventors: Denise, Jason Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US12/871,870
• Time in Patent Office: 197 Days
• Field of Search: 715/738, 715/739, 715/740, 715/744, 707/706, 707/707, 707/805, 707/821
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques

Abstract

Techniques are described for displaying a representation of a list of electronic search results while a user is reviewing content linked to by electronic search results included in the list. While the user is reviewing the search results, the user may jump between content linked to by different search results using the representation of the list of electronic search results displayed. The displayed representation of the list of search results may be updated based on the user'"'"'s browsing activities in reviewing the search results, user input manipulating the list of search results, and supplemental information added to the list of search results by the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing display of at least a portion of an interface that includes an input field configured to enable a user to enter one or more terms that define a search query and that includes a search control configured to, when selected based on user input, initiate a search using a search query entered in the input field at a time of selection of the search control;

receiving user input selecting the search control included in the interface at a time when one or more terms have been entered in the input field included in the interface to define a first search query;

in response to the selection of the search control included in the interface at the time when one or more terms have been entered in the input field included in the interface to define the first search query;

accessing the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at a time of selection of the search control;

 

initiating a first search using the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at the time of selection of the search control to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query;

based on the first search using the first search query, accessing a first list of search results that are responsive to the first search query, the first list of search results including at least a first search result that is responsive to the first search query and that links to first electronic content; and

causing display of an interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query, the interface with the first list of search results having a representation of the first search result that links to the first electronic content, a first search identifier that provides an indication of the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at the time of selection of the search control, and a search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query while the first list of search results is displayed;

after causing display of the interface with the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query;

after causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query, receiving, through the search area, second search input that defines a second search query and that indicates a desire to perform a second search using the second search query;

in response to receiving the second search input that defines the second search query and that indicates a desire to perform the second search using the second search query;

initiating the second search using the second search query to identify search results that are responsive to the second search query;

based on the second search using the second search query, accessing a second list of search results that are responsive to the second search query, the second list of search results including at least a second search result that is responsive to the second search query and that links to second electronic content, the second list of search results being different than the first list of search results, and the second search result being different than the first search result; and

without additional user input after receiving the second search input, causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the first list of search results;

causing display of the second list of search results accessed based on the second search using the second search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier such that the first search identifier is displayed concurrently with the second list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results; and

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the second electronic content concurrent with the second list of search results and the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing display of a second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query included in the second search input, the second search identifier being different than the first search identifier and being displayed concurrently with the second list of search results and the first search identifier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein causing display of the second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query included in the second search input comprises causing display of the second search identifier in a list displayed in a side interface area of a browser, the side interface area being displayed concurrently with a search results interface area of the browser that includes the second list of search results, and the first search identifier being displayed with the second search identifier in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser shows a history of searches performed in a current search session of a particular user and enables display of search results for searches performed in the current search session that correspond to search identifiers displayed in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results, receiving third search input that defines a third search query and that indicates a desire to perform a third search using the third search query;

in response to receiving the third search input that defines the third search query and that indicates a desire to perform the third search using the third search query;

initiating the third search using the third search query to identify search results that are responsive to the third search query;

based on the third search using the third search query, accessing a third list of search results that are responsive to the third search query, the third list of search results including at least a third search result that is responsive to the third search query and that links to third electronic content, the third list of search results being different than the first list of search results and the second list of search results, and the third search result being different than the first search result and the second search result; and

without additional user input after receiving the third search input, causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the third list of search results and return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the second list of search results;

causing display of the third list of search results accessed based on the third search using the third search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier and the second search identifier such that the first search identifier and the second search identifier are displayed concurrently with the third list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results and the second search identifier being configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results; and

after causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the third electronic content concurrent with the third list of search results, the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results, and the second search identifier that is configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein causing display of the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query comprises selecting a first advertisement based on the first search query and causing display of the first advertisement in the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results further comprises selecting a second advertisement based on the second search query and causing display of the second advertisement with the second list of search results in place of the first advertisement displayed in the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query.

8. An electronic search system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one computer-readable storage medium encoded with executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

causing display of at least a portion of an interface that includes an input field configured to enable a user to enter one or more terms that define a search query and that includes a search control configured to, when selected based on user input, initiate a search using a search query entered in the input field at a time of selection of the search control;

receiving user input selecting the search control included in the interface at a time when one or more terms have been entered in the input field included in the interface to define a first search query;

in response to the selection of the search control included in the interface at the time when one or more terms have been entered in the input field included in the interface to define the first search query;

accessing the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at a time of selection of the search control;

initiating a first search using the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at the time of selection of the search control to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query;

based on the first search using the first search query, accessing a first list of search results that are responsive to the first search query, the first list of search results including at least a first search result that is responsive to the first search query and that links to first electronic content; and

causing display of an interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query, the interface with the first list of search results having a representation of the first search result that links to the first electronic content, a first search identifier that provides an indication of the first search query that was entered in the input field included in the interface at the time of selection of the search control, and a search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query while the first list of search results is displayed;

after causing display of the interface with the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query;

after causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to initiate a second search using a second search query, receiving, through the search area, second search input that defines a second search query and that indicates a desire to perform a second search using the second search query;

in response to receiving the second search input that defines the second search query and that indicates a desire to perform the second search using the second search query;

initiating the second search using the second search query to identify search results that are responsive to the second search query;

based on the second search using the second search query, accessing a second list of search results that are responsive to the second search query, the second list of search results including at least a second search result that is responsive to the second search query and that links to second electronic content, the second list of search results being different than the first list of search results, and the second search result being different than the first search result; and

without additional user input after receiving the second search input, causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the first list of search results;

causing display of the second list of search results accessed based on the second search using the second search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier such that the first search identifier is displayed concurrently with the second list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results; and

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the second electronic content concurrent with the second list of search results and the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results.

9. The electronic search system of claim 8 wherein the operations further comprise causing display of a second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query included in the second search input, the second search identifier being different than the first search identifier and being displayed concurrently with the second list of search results and the first search identifier.

10. The electronic search system of claim 9 wherein causing display of the second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query included in the second search input comprises causing display of the second search identifier in a list displayed in a side interface area of a browser, the side interface area being displayed concurrently with a search results interface area of the browser that includes the second list of search results, and the first search identifier being displayed with the second search identifier in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

11. The electronic search system of claim 10 wherein the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser shows a history of searches performed in a current search session of a particular user and enables display of search results for searches performed in the current search session that correspond to search identifiers displayed in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

12. The electronic search system of claim 9 wherein the operations further comprise:

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results, receiving third search input that defines a third search query and that indicates a desire to perform a third search using the third search query;

in response to receiving the third search input that defines the third search query and that indicates a desire to perform the third search using the third search query;

initiating the third search using the third search query to identify search results that are responsive to the third search query;

based on the third search using the third search query, accessing a third list of search results that are responsive to the third search query, the third list of search results including at least a third search result that is responsive to the third search query and that links to third electronic content, the third list of search results being different than the first list of search results and the second list of search results, and the third search result being different than the first search result and the second search result; and

without additional user input after receiving the third search input, causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the third list of search results and return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the second list of search results;

causing display of the third list of search results accessed based on the third search using the third search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier and the second search identifier such that the first search identifier and the second search identifier are displayed concurrently with the third list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results and the second search identifier being configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results; and

after causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the third electronic content concurrent with the third list of search results, the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results, and the second search identifier that is configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results.

13. The electronic search system of claim 8 wherein causing display of the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query comprises selecting a first advertisement based on the first search query and causing display of the first advertisement in the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query.

14. The electronic search system of claim 13 wherein causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results further comprises selecting a second advertisement based on the second search query and causing display of the second advertisement with the second list of search results in place of the first advertisement displayed in the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search using the first search query.

15. An electronic search system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one computer-readable storage medium encoded with executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

causing display of at least a portion of an interface that includes an input field configured to enable a user to enter input to define a search query;

receiving first search input entered in the input field included in the interface;

after receiving the first search input entered in the input field included in the interface;

accessing a first search query based on the first search input entered in the input field included in the interface;

initiating performance of a first search to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query;

based on the first search to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query, accessing a first list of search results that are responsive to the first search query, the first list of search results including at least a first search result that is responsive to the first search query and that links to first electronic content; and

causing display of an interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query, the interface with the first list of search results having a representation of the first search result that links to the first electronic content, a first search identifier that provides an indication of the first search query, and a search area that enables a user to enter input to define a second search query while the first list of search results is displayed;

after causing display of the interface with the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to enter input to define a second search query;

after causing display of at least a portion of the first electronic content concurrently with the first list of search results, the first search identifier, and the search area that enables a user to enter input to define a second search query, receiving second search input entered in the search area;

after receiving the second search input entered in the search area;

accessing a second search query based on the second search input entered in the search area;

initiating performance of a second search to identify search results that are responsive to the second search query;

based on the second search to identify search results that are responsive to the second search query, accessing a second list of search results that are responsive to the second search query, the second list of search results including at least a second search result that is responsive to the second search query and that links to second electronic content, the second list of search results being different than the first list of search results, and the second search result being different than the first search result; and

causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the first list of search results;

causing display of the second list of search results accessed based on the second search to identify search results that are responsive to the second search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier such that the first search identifier is displayed concurrently with the second list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results; and

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the second electronic content concurrent with the second list of search results and the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results.

16. The electronic search system of claim 15 wherein the operations further comprise causing display of a second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query, the second search identifier being different than the first search identifier and being displayed concurrently with the second list of search results and the first search identifier.

17. The electronic search system of claim 16 wherein causing display of the second search identifier that provides an indication of the second search query comprises causing display of the second search identifier in a list displayed in a side interface area of a browser, the side interface area being displayed concurrently with a search results interface area of the browser that includes the second list of search results, and the first search identifier being displayed with the second search identifier in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

18. The electronic search system of claim 17 wherein the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser shows a history of searches performed in a current search session of a particular user and enables display of search results for searches performed in the current search session that correspond to search identifiers displayed in the list displayed in the side interface area of the browser.

19. The electronic search system of claim 16 wherein the operations further comprise:

after causing display of the second list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the second list of search results and return to the first list of search results, receiving third search input;

after receiving the third search input;

accessing a third search query based on the third search input;

initiating performance of a third search to identify search results that are responsive to the third search query;

based on the third search to identify search results that are responsive to the third search query, accessing a third list of search results that are responsive to the third search query, the third list of search results including at least a third search result that is responsive to the third search query and that links to third electronic content, the third list of search results being different than the first list of search results and the second list of search results, and the third search result being different than the first search result and the second search result; and

causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates review of the third list of search results and return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results by;

hiding, from display, the second list of search results;

causing display of the third list of search results accessed based on the third search to identify search results that are responsive to the third search query; and

maintaining display of the first search identifier and the second search identifier such that the first search identifier and the second search identifier are displayed concurrently with the third list of search results, the first search identifier being configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results and the second search identifier being configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results; and

after causing display of the third list of search results in a manner that facilitates return to the first list of search results and the second list of search results, causing display of at least a portion of the third electronic content concurrent with the third list of search results, the first search identifier that is configured such that input related to the first search identifier causes display of the first list of search results, and the second search identifier that is configured such that input related to the second search identifier causes display of the second list of search results.

20. The electronic search system of claim 15 wherein causing display of the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query comprises selecting a first advertisement based on the first search query and causing display of the first advertisement in the interface with the first list of search results accessed based on the first search to identify search results that are responsive to the first search query.