Host-based intelligent results related to a character stream

• US 8,005,919 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Campbell, Gerald, Hasan, Shawkat, Vandermolen, Harmannus, Mehanna, Lara
• Primary Examiner(s): Swearingen; Jeffrey R
• Application Number:
  US10/651,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20070288648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,916 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/4, 707/5, 707/10
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2453 Query optimisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2455 Query execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24553 of query operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3322 using system suggestions G06F16/3325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols

Abstract

Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.

Claims

1. A method of presenting information to a user, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user, a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

providing the character stream to a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

receiving, from the host, a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result;

receiving, from the host, a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein the second web application differs from the first web application in function, wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services in response to user selection of the second result;

displaying the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application;

displaying the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application; and

enabling the user to select from among the first and second results,

wherein receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

receiving the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises receiving a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

displaying the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises displaying the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, from the user, one or more updates to the character stream;

providing the updates to the host to permit the host to analyze the character stream using the updates to generate updated results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

receiving the updated results; and

displaying the updated results so that the user may select one of the updated results.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the updates to the character stream includes providing all characters in the character stream.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the updates to the character stream includes providing one or more characters in the character stream that have been received from the user since the character stream was last provided.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the character stream includes determining whether there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, analyzing the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising delaying analyzing the character stream if there is not a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user last entered a new character in the character stream.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered, unless a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since a new character in the character stream has been entered.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising launching the first web application upon selection of the first result.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising launching the second web application upon selection of the second result.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the character stream to the host includes polling multiple databases to identify results from each of the multiple databases.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the user to configure a web browser to control an operating mode of the web browser.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein enabling the user to configure the web browser includes enabling the user to select one or more databases to be accessed.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein enabling the user to configure the web browser includes enabling the user to control a format with which the results are displayed.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein enabling the user to configure the web browser includes enabling the user to control a configuration for a drop down menu used to display the results.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

analyzing the character stream to determine a user profile;

storing the user profile; and

using the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the first result includes displaying a map related to the character stream.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the character stream includes analyzing the character stream before providing the character stream to identify that map information is related to the character stream.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein analyzing the character stream includes recognizing that a commonly used address term is present in the character stream.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein recognizing the commonly used address term includes recognizing that a zip code appears in the character stream.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein recognizing the commonly used address term includes recognizing that a state identifier appears in the character stream.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein recognizing the commonly used address term includes recognizing that a city identifier appears in the character stream.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the character stream includes analyzing the character stream before providing the character stream to identify that vendor information is related to the character stream, and instructing the host to return vendor information in the results.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein identifying that vendor information is related to the character stream includes identifying yellow page information related to the character stream.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein identifying that vendor information is related to the character stream includes identifying a category and a location appearing in the character stream.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the character stream includes analyzing the character stream for a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein analyzing the character stream for the messaging label includes enabling the user to communicate with another user.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein analyzing the character stream for the messaging label includes determining that a user identifier appears in the character stream.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising determining an online status of a user associated with the user identifier.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising enabling the user to exchange an instant message with the user associated with the user identifier.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein analyzing the character stream for the messaging label includes recognizing that an ‘

@’

character appears in the character stream.

33. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the results.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein storing the results includes storing results selected by the user.

35. The method of claim 33 further comprising:

receiving, from the user, a second character stream of one or more non-completion characters where the non-completion characters indicate that additional characters may be received;

accessing stored results; and

relating the stored results to the second character stream.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising displaying the stored results when the second character stream indicates that the user is requesting information related to the stored results.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising, when the stored results do not relate to the second character stream:

providing the second character stream to the host to analyze the second character stream to generate second character stream results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

receiving the second character stream results; and

displaying the second character stream results.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the character stream includes validating Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) in the character stream.

39. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the character stream includes receiving characters entered before a completion character.

40. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the character stream includes receiving character entered before a carriage return.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the first web application and the second web application are each a web application selected from a group of web applications comprising a web mapping application, a directory application, a web search application, a keyword application, a stock quote application, a calendar application, a virtual phone application, a messaging application, and a web email application.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the first web application is a web mapping application and the second web application is a web search application.

43. A system enabling intelligent presenting information to a user, the system comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive, from a user, a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

provide the character stream to a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

receive, from the host;

a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application, and a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein the second web application differs from the first web application in function;

a display device structured and arranged to display;

the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result, and

the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application, wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services in response to user selection of the second result; and

a selection device structured and arranged to enable the user to select from among the first and second results,

wherein receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

receiving the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises receiving a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

displaying the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises displaying the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive one or more updates to the character stream;

provide the updates to the character stream to the host to permit the host to analyze the character stream using the updates to generate updated results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

receive the updated results; and

enable display the updated results so that the user may select one of the updated results.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether a sufficient amount of data exists in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, analyze the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the processor is further configured to delay analyzing the character stream if there is not a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered before providing the character stream.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user last entered a new character in the character stream before providing the character stream.

49. The system of claim 46 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered, unless a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since a new character in the character stream has been entered before providing the character stream.

50. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to:

analyze the character stream to determine a user profile;

store the user profile; and

use the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams.

51. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to:

analyze the character stream before providing the character stream to identify that vendor information is related to the character stream, and

instruct the host to return vendor information in the results.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the processor is further configured to identify a category and a location appearing in the character stream in identifying vendor information.

53. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to analyze the character stream for a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

54. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to receive the character stream of one or more non-completion characters, the non-completion characters representing characters entered before a completion character.

55. The system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to receive the character stream of one or more non-completion characters, the non-completion characters representing characters entered before a carriage return.

56. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

means for receiving, from a user, a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

means for providing the character stream to a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest;

means for receiving, from the host, a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application;

means for receiving, from the host, a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein the second web application differs from the first web application in function;

means for displaying the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application;

means for displaying the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application; and

means for enabling the user to select from among the first and second results, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result, and

wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services in response to user selection of the second result,

wherein receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

receiving the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises receiving a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

displaying the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises displaying the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

57. A method of using a host to process information received from a client to return results related to the information, the method comprising:

receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

analyzing the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest, the results including a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application and a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein, the second web application differs from the first web application in function;

temporally storing the first and second results;

rendering the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application;

rendering the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application; and

transmitting the first and second results to enable the user to select from among the first and second results, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result, and

wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services in response to user selection of the second result,

wherein receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

generating the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises generating a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

rendering the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises rendering the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

58. The method of claim 57 further comprising:

receiving one or more updates to the character stream;

analyzing the character stream using the updates to generate updated results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest; and

transmitting the updated results to enable the user to select one of the updated results.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein analyzing the character stream includes determining whether there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, analyzing the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest.

60. The method of claim 59 further comprising delaying analyzing the character stream if there is not a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data in the character stream includes waiting until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been received.

62. The method of claim 59 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last character in the character stream has been received.

63. The method of claim 59 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been received, unless a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since a new character in the character stream has been received.

64. The method of claim 57 wherein analyzing the character stream includes polling multiple databases to identify results from each of the multiple databases.

65. The method of claim 57 wherein receiving the character stream includes receiving the character stream from a web browser, the method further comprising enabling a service provider to configure the web browser to control an operating mode of the web browser.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein enabling the service provider to configure the web browser includes enabling the service provider to select one or more databases to be accessed.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein enabling the service provider to configure the web browser includes enabling the service provider to control a format with which the results are displayed.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein enabling the service provider to configure the web browser includes enabling the service provider to control a drop down menu to control the operating mode of the web browser.

69. The method of claim 57 further comprising:

analyzing the character stream to determine a user profile;

storing the user profile; and

using the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams received.

70. The method of claim 57 wherein analyzing the character stream includes analyzing the character stream to identify that mapping information is related to the character stream.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein identifying that mapping information is related to the character stream includes recognizing that a commonly used address term is present in the character stream.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein identifying that mapping information is related to the character stream includes recognizing that a zip code is present in the character stream.

73. The method of claim 71 wherein identifying that mapping information is related to the character stream includes recognizing that a state identifier is present in the character stream.

74. The method of claim 71 wherein identifying that mapping information is related to the character stream includes recognizing that a city identifier is present in the character stream.

75. The method of claim 57 wherein analyzing the character stream includes analyzing the character stream to identify that vendor information is related to the character stream.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein identifying that vendor information is related to the character stream includes identifying yellow page information related to the character stream.

77. The method of claim 75 wherein identifying that vendor information is related to the character stream includes identifying a category and a location present in the character stream.

78. The method of claim 57 wherein analyzing the character stream includes identifying a messaging label present in the character stream.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein identifying the messaging label includes determining that a user identifier is present in the character stream.

80. The method of claim 79 further comprising determining an online status of a user associated with the user identifier.

81. The method of claim 78 wherein identifying the messaging label includes recognizing that an ‘

@’

character appears in the character stream.

82. The method of claim 57 further comprising storing the results.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein storing the results includes storing results selected by the user.

84. The method of claim 82 further comprising:

receiving a second character stream of one or more non-completion characters where the non-completion characters indicate that additional characters may be received;

accessing stored results; and

relating the stored results to the second character stream.

85. The method of claim 84 further comprising transmitting the stored results when the second character stream indicates the user is requesting information related to the stored results.

86. The method of claim 57 further comprising validating Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) in the character stream.

87. A host that processes information received from a client to return results related to the information, the host comprising a processor configured to:

receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

analyze the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest, the results including a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application and a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein the second web application differs from the first web application in function;

temporally store the first and second results;

render the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application, and

render the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application; and

transmit the results to enable the user to select among the first and second results, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result, and

wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services in response to user selection of the second result,

wherein receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

generating the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises generating a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

rendering the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises rendering the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

88. The host of claim 87 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive one or more updates to the character stream;

analyze the character stream using the updates to generate updated results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest; and

transmit the updated results to enable the user to select one of the updated results.

89. The host of claim 87 wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, analyze the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user'"'"'s predicted interest.

90. The host of claim 89 wherein the processor is further configured to delay analysis of the character stream when there is not a sufficient amount of data in the character stream.

91. The host of claim 89 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been received.

92. The host of claim 90 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last character in the character stream has been received.

93. The host of claim 90 wherein the processor is further configured to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been received, unless a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since a new character in the character stream has been received.

94. The host of claim 87 wherein the processor is further configured to:

analyze the character stream to determine a user profile;

store the user profile; and

use the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams.

95. The host of claim 87 wherein the processor is further configured to:

analyze the character stream to identify vendor information related to the character stream, and

return vendor information in the results.

96. The host of claim 95 wherein the processor is further configured to identify a category and a location present in the character stream.

97. The host of claim 87 wherein the processor is further configured to analyze the character stream for a messaging label present in the character stream.

98. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

means for receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

means for analyzing the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest, the results including a first result that includes a first argument and an identifier of a first web application and a second result that includes a second argument that is different from the first argument, and an identifier of a second web application, wherein the second web application differs from the first web application in function;

means for temporally storing the first and second results;

means for rendering the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application;

means for rendering the second result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second result, the second argument and the identifier of the second web application; and

means for transmitting the first and second results to enable the user to select from among the first and second results, wherein the first web application is configured to provide first specialized services and the first argument is passed to the first specialized services in response to user selection of the first result, and

wherein the second web application is configured to provide second specialized services and the second argument is passed to the second specialized services iri response to user selection of the second result,

wherein means for receiving the character stream of one or more non-completion characters comprises means for receiving a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that have been entered, by the user, to an address line of a web browser,

means for generating the first result that includes the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises means for generating a mapping result that includes a first location and an identifier of a web mapping application, the mapping result including cartographic information, and

means for rendering the first result in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first result, the first argument and the identifier of the first web application comprises means for rendering the mapping result with an indication of an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.