System and method for managing web search information in navigation hierarchy

• US 8,332,400 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sage Inventions LLC
• Original Assignee: Sage Inventions LLC
• Inventors: Cooke, Timothy Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THU NGUYET T
• Application Number:
  US12/557,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20100114916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 707/721, 707/713, 707765-768
• US Class Current: 707/731
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

The current methods and system create a plurality of tree text history entries in the tree text history section within the context of the search terms by associating with a plurality of history data from a plurality of searches using a plurality of search terms in a hierarchical format and allow users to manage the plurality of tree text history entries created in the tree text history section. The plurality of tree text history entries created in the tree text history section include a title and optionally a search or sub-search term. The current methods and system allow managing history data comprising the steps of adding, filtering, modifying, deleting, sorting, pruning, prioritizing, importing, and/or exporting the tree text history entries created in the tree text history section depending on user preferences.

Claims

1. A method for managing history data in a tree text history management system during a web search by a user, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a history data from the web search using a search term;

(b) automatically creating a tree text history entry in a tree text history section by associating with the history data from the web search within the context of the search term;

(c) repeating steps (a) through (b) and creating tree text history entries in the tree text history section by associating the history data from web searches using search terms in a hierarchical format;

(d) managing the tree text history entries created in the tree text history section;

(e) pulling up a context menu in one of the tree text history section and a web document section;

(f) using the context menu for the web search within the context of the search term;

(g) conducting at least one of a web search and a sub-search via the context menu; and

(h) using a dialog box to select a display option for sub-search results;

wherein the tree text history management system provides the user with the tree text history entries created within the context of the search terms that are reusable, modifiable, and manageable, and wherein the context menu is integrated with the tree text history management system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tree text history management system comprises integrating with at least one of the Internet, Intranet, extranet, wide area network, local area network, wireless local area network, wireless network, bus, electronic, and optical communication configurations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

pruning one or more of the tree text history entries.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of pruning comprises sorting, modifying, deleting, filtering, prioritizing, or organizing the one or more of the tree text history entries according to user preferences.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

exporting the tree text history entries for storing the tree text history entries for later use.

6. The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

adding notes to one or more of the tree text history entries before storing the tree text history entries.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

importing the tree text history entries from a previous search.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

searching within the tree text history entries using at least one search term.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

accessing at least one of a history management dialog box, window, and page.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

providing a playback functionality.

11. A method for managing web history data in a tree text history management system during searches by a user, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a history data from a first search using a search term;

(b) automatically creating a first level tree text history entry in a tree text history section by associating with the history data from the search within the context of the search term;

(c) receiving a second history data from the first search using the search term;

(d) automatically creating a second level tree text history entry in the tree text history section by associating with the second history data from the first search within the context of the search term;

(e) receiving a third history data from the first search using a sub-search term;

(f) automatically creating a third level tree text history entry in the tree text history section by associating with the third history data from the first search within the context of the sub-search term;

(g) repeating steps (e) through (f) and creating the tree text history entries in a hierarchical format by associating with the history data in the first search;

(h) receiving history data from a second search using a second search term;

(i) managing the tree text history entries created in the first search and the second search;

(j) pulling up a context menu in one of the tree text history section and a web document section;

(k) using the context menu for at least one of the first search and the second search within the context of at least one of the first search term and the second search term;

(l) conducting at least one of a search and a sub-search via the context menu; and

(m) using a dialog box to select a display option for sub-search results;

wherein the tree text history management system provides the user with tree text history entries that are reusable, modifiable, and manageable.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises pruning, sorting, modifying, deleting, filtering, organizing, refining, or prioritizing one or more of the tree text history entries.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

exporting the tree text history entries in a usable format for storing the tree text history entries for future use.

14. The method of claim 11 or 13, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

adding notes to one or more of the tree text history entries before storing the tree text history entries.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

importing any tree text history entries from a previous search.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

searching within the tree text history entries using at least one search term.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

accessing at least one of a history management dialog box, window, and page.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises:

providing a playback functionality.

19. A tree text web history management system for managing automatically created tree text history entries during a web search by a user with a server connected to a client comprising:

a tree text history section having the tree text history entries, wherein the tree text history entries are repeatedly created in a hierarchical format based at least in part on an association with history data received from at least one of a web search and a sub-search conducted using a context menu pulled up in one of the tree text history section and a web document section and within the context of a search term and using a dialog box to select a display option for any sub-search results;

a computer program in the client for executing instructions to create and manage the tree text history entries within the tree text history section;

a server for retrieving and transmitting history data requested from the client; and

wherein the tree text history management system provides tree text history entries that are reusable, modifiable, and manageable, and wherein the context menu is integrated with the tree text history management system.

20. The tree text web history management system of claim 19 further comprising integration with at least one of the Internet, Intranet, extranet, wide area network, local area network, wireless local area network, wireless network, bus, electronic, and optical communication configurations.

21. The tree text web history management system of claim 19, wherein the computer program is a browser add-on.

22. The tree text web history management system of claim 19, wherein the computer program is a component of a browser software.

23. The tree text web history management system of claim 19, wherein the computer program is a browser plug-in.

24. The tree text web history management system of claim 19, wherein the computer program is a browser wrapper.

25. The tree text web history management system of claim 19, wherein the computer program is an external server.

26. A computer-readable storage medium having executable instructions for causing a client to manage web history data and use context menus pulled up in one of a tree text history section and a web document section and within the context of a search term during at least one of a search and a sub-search by a user and use a dialog box to select a display option for any sub-search results, the client comprising computer-readable program code for causing the client to:

(a) connect with a server in a web environment;

(b) request search results from the server;

(c) receive search results from the server;

(d) automatically and repeatedly create tree text history entries in the tree text history section in a hierarchical format by associating with the web history data received from the at least one of the search and the sub-search within the context of the search term; and

(e) store the tree text history entries in a memory;

wherein the tree text history management system provides the user with tree text history entries created within the context of the search terms that are reusable, modifiable, and manageable, and wherein the context menu is integrated with the tree text history management system.

27. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser add-on.

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable program code is a component of a browser software.

29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser plug-in.

30. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser wrapper.

31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable program code is an external server.

32. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, further comprising computer-readable program code for providing at least one of a history management dialog box, window, and page.

33. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, further comprising computer-readable program code for providing a playback functionality.