Online search system, method and computer program
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing search results to a client system, comprising:
- executing an algorithm that pre-fetches into the client system one or more search terms and corresponding search results from a remote server system concerning searches presented to the remote server system by users other than users of the client system;
maintaining a local cache of the pre-fetched search terms and corresponding search results at the client system;
during the course of entry of one or more search terms performing at least one ordered repetition of the steps in order (a)-(c);
(a) capturing characters of one or more search terms as they are entered into the client system;
(b) displaying, at the client system, one or more search results from the local cache in dependence on the captured characters of the one or more search terms;
(c) attempting to connect from the client system to the remote server system and, upon connection;
(c1) predicting search terms in dependence on the captured characters;
(c2) obtaining search results for a predetermined number of the predicted search terms from the remote server system;
(c3) merging the obtained search results from the remote server system into the search results that are being displayed at the client system; and
(c4) displaying, at the client system, at least a subset of the merged search results;
periodically refreshing the local cache according to one or more parameters of said periodic refresh; and
upon connection from the client system to the remote server system, receiving at the client system instructions configured to tune the one or more parameters of said periodic refresh and cause a change to the one or more parameters.
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Abstract
A search system, method and computer program are disclosed in which characters of a search term are captured as they are entered into a client system (20) and used to predict search terms. Search results are obtained for a predetermined number of the predicted search terms and cached at the client system (20). Upon determining the complete search term has been entered, search results corresponding to the complete search term are displayed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for providing search results to a client system, comprising:
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executing an algorithm that pre-fetches into the client system one or more search terms and corresponding search results from a remote server system concerning searches presented to the remote server system by users other than users of the client system; maintaining a local cache of the pre-fetched search terms and corresponding search results at the client system; during the course of entry of one or more search terms performing at least one ordered repetition of the steps in order (a)-(c); (a) capturing characters of one or more search terms as they are entered into the client system; (b) displaying, at the client system, one or more search results from the local cache in dependence on the captured characters of the one or more search terms; (c) attempting to connect from the client system to the remote server system and, upon connection; (c1) predicting search terms in dependence on the captured characters; (c2) obtaining search results for a predetermined number of the predicted search terms from the remote server system; (c3) merging the obtained search results from the remote server system into the search results that are being displayed at the client system; and (c4) displaying, at the client system, at least a subset of the merged search results; periodically refreshing the local cache according to one or more parameters of said periodic refresh; and upon connection from the client system to the remote server system, receiving at the client system instructions configured to tune the one or more parameters of said periodic refresh and cause a change to the one or more parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A search system comprising a client system and a remote server system arranged to communicate with the client system, wherein:
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the client system includes a local cache memory storing one or more search terms and corresponding search results pre-fetched from the remote server system concerning searches presented to the remote server system by users other than users of the client system, the client system being arranged to execute an algorithm to; capture characters of one or more search terms as they are entered into the client system; display, at the client system, one or more search results from the local cache in dependence on the captured characters of the one or more search terms; periodically refresh the local cache according to one or more parameters of said periodic refresh; attempt to connect from the client system to the remote server system to communicate the captured characters; the remote server system being arranged to receive the captured characters from the client system, predict search terms in dependence on the received characters, obtain search results for a predetermined number of the predicted search terms and transmit the obtained search results to the client system, generate instructions configured to tune the one or more parameters of said periodic refresh and transmit the instructions; the client system being arranged, to receive the instructions and cause a change to the one or more parameters; and the client system being arranged, upon receipt of search results from the remote server system, to merge the search results with the search results from the local cache and display at least a subset of the merged search results. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification