Sharing and collaboration of search findings

• US 8,122,041 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kamireddy, Sreeharsha, Naam, Ramez, Hicks, Cory, Schechter, Michael, Gruenhagen, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Anh
• Application Number:
  US12/437,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20100287183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 707/759, 707/769, 707/770, 709/206, 709/245, 709/246
• US Class Current: 707/759
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3349 Reuse of stored results of previous queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques

Abstract

Sharing of search histories is facilitated with a computer based system and method that allow a searcher to share search results generated without prior authentication of an identity with a search engine. Sharing and collaboration are further facilitated by allowing search history items to be shared with a minimum of additional searcher input. Context for the search history items is provided by associating a search query with an accessed document link without requiring separate tagging of the link by the searcher.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for allowing a searcher to share search history information comprising:

receiving a search query;

providing a plurality of document links responsive to the search query;

receiving a selection of at least one provided document link;

associating the at least one selected document link with the search query;

storing the search query and associated at least one document link in an outside recipient data location;

associating the stored search query and associated at least one document link with an identifier;

identifying a predetermined potential recipient list subsequent to receiving the selection of the at least one provided document link;

receiving a selection for a recipient from the predetermined recipient list;

transmitting a shared history document link to the selected recipient, the shared history document link corresponding to a document that includes the search query and associated at least one document link; and

using the identifier to locate the stored search query and associated document links when the shared history document link is accessed.

2. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein the shared history document link includes the identifier.

3. The computer-based method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving additional information corresponding to the search query; and

storing the additional information as associated with the search query.

4. The computer-based method according to claim 3, wherein the stored additional information is transmitted to the selected recipient.

5. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined potential recipient list is identified after the searcher authenticates an identity with a service that includes the predetermined recipient list.

6. The computer-based method according to claim 5, further comprising:

receiving from the selected recipient the transmitted search query and one or more additional document links different from the associated at least one document link;

associating the one or more additional document links with the search query; and

displaying the search query, the associated at least one document link, and the one or more additional document links.

7. A computer-based method for sharing search history information without requiring authentication by a searcher comprising:

receiving a search query;

providing a plurality of document links responsive to the search query;

receiving a selection of at least one provided document link;

associating the at least one selected document link with the search query;

storing the search query and associated at least one document link in an outside recipient data location;

associating the stored search query and associated at least one document link with an identifier;

receiving an address corresponding to a recipient identity at a computer based service subsequent to receiving the selection of the at least one provided document link;

transmitting a shared history document link to the selected recipient, the shared history document link corresponding to a document that includes the search query and associated at least one document link; and

using the identifier to locate the stored search query and associated document links when the shared history document link is accessed.

8. The computer based method according to claim 7, wherein the shared history document link includes the identifier.

9. The computer based method according to claim 7, further comprising:

receiving additional information corresponding to the search query; and

storing the additional information as associated with the search query.

10. The computer based method according to claim 9, wherein the stored additional information is transmitted to the selected recipient.

11. A computer-based method for allowing a searcher to share search history information with an abbreviated number of actions, the method comprising:

receiving a search query;

providing a plurality of document links responsive to the search query;

receiving a selection of at least one provided document link;

associating the at least one selected document link with the search query;

storing the search query and associated at least one document link in an outside recipient data location;

associating the stored search query and associated at least one document link with an identifier;

identifying a predetermined potential recipient list subsequent to detection of access to the at least one document link;

transmitting a shared history document link to a recipient from the predetermined potential recipient list based on an abbreviated number of received user actions subsequent to identifying the predetermined recipient list, the shared history document link corresponding to a document that includes the search query and associated at least one document link; and

using the identifier to locate the stored search query and associated document links when the shared history document link is accessed.

12. The computer-based method of claim 11, wherein the abbreviated number of received user actions consists essentially of:

receiving a selection of the recipient from the predetermined potential recipient list; and

receiving a user action requesting transmittal of the search query and associated document links to the selected recipient.

13. The computer-based method of claim 11, wherein the abbreviated number of received user actions consists essentially of:

receiving a user action to display a history interface;

receiving a selection of the recipient from the predetermined potential recipient list; and

receiving a user action requesting transmittal of the search query and associated document links to the selected recipient.

14. The computer-based method of claim 11, wherein the abbreviated number of received user actions consists essentially of:

receiving a selection of the recipient from the predetermined potential recipient list;

receiving a user action requesting storing of the search query and associated document links; and

receiving a user action requesting transmittal of the search query and associated document links to the selected recipient.

15. The computer-based method of claim 11, wherein the abbreviated number of received user actions consists essentially of:

receiving a user action to display a history interface;

receiving a selection of the recipient from the predetermined potential recipient list;

receiving a user action requesting storing of the search query and associated document links; and

receiving a user action requesting transmittal of the search query and associated document links to the selected recipient.

16. The computer-based method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined potential recipient list is identified after the searcher authenticates an identity with a service that includes the predetermined recipient list.