Search tool using multiple different search engine types across different data sets
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for efficient searching of multiple data sets, the method implemented on a computing device by a processor configured to execute instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the computing device to perform acts comprising:
- receiving a search input directed to a search space;
selecting a first search engine configured to conduct a first type of search in the search space across programs and web-related items;
selecting a second search engine configured to conduct a second type of search in the search space across files and communications;
using the first search engine to conduct a search of the programs and web-related items and the second search engine to conduct a search of the files and communications; and
causing a display of results of the search conducted by the first search engine and results of the search conducted by the second search engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments provide for use of multiple different search engines. The individual search engines are configured to conduct searches in different ways across a search space that includes different types of data sets. In at least some embodiments, the type of search engine that is utilized is selected to due characteristics of the data set(s) that is (are) to be searched. In search spaces that include different types of data sets, combining and mixing different search engines to collectively search the search space can provide a desirably fast and robust user experience.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for efficient searching of multiple data sets, the method implemented on a computing device by a processor configured to execute instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the computing device to perform acts comprising:
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receiving a search input directed to a search space; selecting a first search engine configured to conduct a first type of search in the search space across programs and web-related items; selecting a second search engine configured to conduct a second type of search in the search space across files and communications; using the first search engine to conduct a search of the programs and web-related items and the second search engine to conduct a search of the files and communications; and causing a display of results of the search conducted by the first search engine and results of the search conducted by the second search engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computing device, comprising:
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one or more processors; and a computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed, implement acts comprising receiving a search input; selecting a first search engine configured to conduct a linear search in a search space across a first one or more data sets; selecting a second search engine configured to conduct an index search in the search space across a second one or more data sets different from the first one or more data sets; and using the first search engine to conduct a linear search of the first one or more data sets and using the second search engine to conduct an index search of an index which indexes content in the second one or more data sets. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-implemented method implemented on a computing device by a processor configured to execute instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the computing device to perform acts comprising:
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receiving a query string entered letter-by-letter as search input; responsive to determining that the query string is less than a threshold number of letters, using a first search engine to search programs, web-related items, or both, for the letter or letters of the query string as each letter of the query string is entered; responsive to determining that a number of letters in the query string is equal or greater than the threshold number of letters, repeating the using of the first search engine and also using a second search engine to search files, communications, or both for the query string; and causing a display of search results on a letter-by-letter basis. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification