Host-based intelligent results related to a character stream

• US 20070288648A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 12/13/2007
• 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: Mehanna, Lara, Hasan, Shawkat, Vandermolen, Harmannus, Campbell, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• 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:

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

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

receiving the results from the host, the results representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource;

displaying the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output;

displaying the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

enabling the user to select from among the first and second outputs.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser, exchanging the character stream, receiving the results, and displaying the first output includes

using the web browser to receive the character stream in an address line of the web browser,

exchanging the character stream with the host to generate a mapping result that is responsive to the user'"'"'s predictive interest,

receiving the mapping result, and

displaying the mapping result with an overview map that the user may select to display more detailed mapping information related to the overview map selected.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using the web browser to receive one or more updates to the character stream;

exchanging the updates to the character stream with 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 to launch a code segment related to a selected result.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein exchanging the updates includes exchanging all characters in the character stream.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein exchanging the updates includes exchanging one or more characters in the character stream that have been received since the character stream was last exchanged.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein exchanging the character stream includes determining whether there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if so, analyzing the character stream to display the results.

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

8. The method of claim 6 wherein determining whether there is the sufficient amount of data includes waiting until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered.

9. The method of claim 6 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.

10. The method of claim 6 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.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing the character stream to identify results that are more responsive to the predicted interest of the user.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising launching the first user application upon selection of the first output, wherein the first user application is different from the second user application.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising launching the second user application upon selection of the second output.

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

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

16. The method of claim 15 wherein enabling the user to configure the web browser includes enabling the user to select one or more databases to be accessed.

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

18. The method of claim 15 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.

19. 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 received through the web browser.

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

21. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser to receive the character stream includes analyzing the character stream before exchanging the character stream to identify that map information is related to the character stream.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein analyzing the character stream includes recognizing that a commonly used address term is present in the character stream.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein recognizing the commonly used address term includes recognizing that a zip code appears in the character stream.

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

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

26. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser to receive the character stream includes analyzing the character stream before exchanging 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.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein identifying vendor information includes identifying yellow page information related to the character stream.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein identifying vendor information includes identifying a category and a location appearing in the character stream.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser to receive the character stream includes analyzing the character stream for a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein analyzing the character stream for the messaging label includes presenting a messaging code segment that enables the user to communicate with another user.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein analyzing the character stream includes determining that a user identifier appears in the character stream.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising determining an online status of a user associated with the user identifier.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising enabling the user to exchange an instant message with the user associated with the user identifier.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein analyzing the character stream for the messaging label includes recognizing that an ‘

@’

character appears in the character stream as an indication that an electronic mail message will be exchanged.

35. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the results for subsequent access.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein storing the results includes storing the results the user has selected.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

using the web browser to receive a second 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 stream.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising displaying the stored results when the second stream indicates the user is requesting information related to the stored results.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

exchanging the second stream with the host to analyze the second stream;

receiving second stream results; and

displaying the second stream results so that the user may select one of the second stream results to launch a code segment related to the second stream result,

when the stored results do not relate to the second stream.

40. The method of claim 1 wherein exchanging the character stream includes validating Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) located in the character stream.

96. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser to receive the character stream includes using the web browser to receive the character stream of one or more non-completion characters, representing characters the user types before entering a completion character.

97. The method of claim 1 wherein using the web browser to receive the character stream includes using the web browser to receive the character stream of one or more non-completion characters, representing character the user types before entering a carriage return.

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

a web browser structured and arranged to receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

a first communications interface structured and arranged to exchange the character stream with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest;

a second communications interface structured and arranged to receive the results from the host, the results representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource; and

a display device structured and arranged to

display the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output; and

display the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

a selection device structured and arranged to enable the user to select from among the first and second outputs.

42. The system of claim 41 further comprising an updating application structured and arranged to:

use the web browser to receive one or more updates to the character stream;

exchange the updates to the character stream with 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

display the updated results so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to a selected result.

43. The system of claim 41 wherein the first communications interface is structured and arranged to determine whether a sufficient amount of data exists in the character stream to generate accurate results, and, if so, analyzing the character stream to display the results.

44. The system of claim 43 further comprising a delaying application structured and arranged to delay analyzing the character stream when there is not the sufficient amount of data.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been entered before exchanging the character stream.

46. The system of claim 44 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged to wait until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user last entered a new character in the character stream before exchanging the character stream.

47. The system of claim 44 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged 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 in deciding whether to exchange the character stream.

48. The system of claim 41 further comprising:

a second application structured and arranged to analyze the character stream to determine a user profile;

storage structured and arranged to store the user profile; and

a third application structured and arranged to use the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams received through the web browser.

49. The system of claim 41 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to

analyze the character stream before exchanging 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.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to identify a category and a location appearing in the character stream in identifying vendor information.

51. The system of claim 41 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to analyze the character stream for a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

98. The system of claim 41 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters, representing characters the user types before entering a completion character.

99. The system of claim 41 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to receive to receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters, representing characters the user types before entering a completion character, including a carriage return.

52. A computer system comprising:

means for using a web browser to receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

means for exchanging the character stream with a host to permit the host to analyze the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest;

means for receiving the results from the host, the results representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource;

means for displaying the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output;

means for displaying the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

means for enabling the user to select from among the first and second outputs.

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

receiving 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 representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource;

temporally storing the first and second outputs;

rendering the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output;

rendering the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

transmitting the first and second outputs to the user to enable the user to select from among the first and second outputs.

54. The method of claim 53 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 so that the user may select one of the updated results to launch a code segment related to a selected result.

55. The method of claim 53 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 so, analyzing the character stream to display the results.

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising delaying analyzing the character stream when there is not the sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results.

57. The method of claim 55 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.

58. The method of claim 55 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.

59. The method of claim 55 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.

60. The method of claim 53 wherein analyzing the character stream includes identifying results that are more responsive to the predicted interest of the user.

61. The method of claim 53 wherein analyzing the character stream includes polling multiple databases to identify results from each of the multiple databases.

62. The method of claim 53 wherein receiving the character stream includes receiving the character stream using 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.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein enabling the service provider to configure the web browser includes enabling the service provider to select one or more databases to be accessed.

64. The method of claim 62 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.

65. The method of claim 62 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.

66. The method of claim 53 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 from the client.

67. The method of claim 53 wherein analyzing the character stream includes analyzing the character stream before exchanging the character stream to identify that mapping information is related to the character stream.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein identifying mapping information includes recognizing that a commonly used address term is present in the character stream.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein identifying mapping information includes recognizing that a zip code appears in the character stream.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein identifying mapping information includes recognizing that a state identifier appears in the character stream.

71. The method of claim 68 wherein identifying mapping information includes recognizing that a city identifier appears in the character stream.

72. The method of claim 53 wherein analyzing the character stream identifies that vendor information related to the character stream.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein identifying vendor information includes identifying yellow page information related to the character stream.

74. The method of claim 72 wherein identifying vendor information includes identifying a category and a location appearing in the character stream.

75. The method of claim 72 wherein analyzing the character stream includes identifying a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein identifying a the messaging label includes determining that a user identifier appears in the character stream.

77. The method of claim 76 further comprising determining an online status of a user associated with the user identifier.

78. The method of claim 75 wherein identifying the messaging label includes recognizing that an ‘

@’

character appears in the character stream as an indication that an electronic mail message will be exchanged.

79. The method of claim 53 further comprising storing the results for subsequent access.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein storing the results includes storing the results the user has selected.

81. The method of claim 79 further comprising:

receiving a second 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 stream.

82. The method of claim 81 further comprising exchanging the stored results when the second stream indicates the user is requesting information related to the stored results.

83. The method of claim 53 further comprising validating Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) located in the character stream.

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

a web browser structured and arranged to receive a character stream of one or more non-completion characters that indicate that additional characters may be received;

an analyzing application structured and arranged to analyze the character stream to generate results that are responsive to a user'"'"'s predicted interest, the results representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource;

a memory structured and arranged to temporally store the first and second outputs;

a rendering application structured and arranged to

render the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output; and

render the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

a communications interface structured and arranged to transmit the results so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to a selected result.

85. The host of claim 84 further comprising an updating application structured and arranged 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 so that the user may select one of the updated results to launch a code segment related to a selected updated result.

86. The host of claim 84 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to

determine whether there is a sufficient amount of data in the character stream to generate accurate results, and,

if so, analyze the character stream to display the results.

87. The host of claim 86 further comprising a delaying application structured and arranged to delay the character stream when there is not the sufficient amount of data in the character stream.

88. The host of claim 87 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged to wait until a predetermined number of non-completion characters has been received.

89. The host of claim 87 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged to wait until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user last entered a new character in the character stream.

90. The host of claim 87 wherein the delaying application is structured and arranged 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.

91. The host of claim 84 further comprising:

a second application structured and arranged to analyze the character stream to determine a user profile;

storage structured and arranged to store the user profile; and

a third application structured and arranged to use the user profile to analyze subsequent character streams received through the web browser.

92. The host of claim 84 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to

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

instruct the host to return vendor information in the results.

93. The system of claim 92 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to identify a category and a location appearing in the character stream in identifying vendor information.

94. The system of claim 84 wherein the web browser is structured and arranged to analyze the character stream for a messaging label appearing in the character stream.

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

means for receiving 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 representing a first output associated with a first user application and a second output associated with a second user application, wherein the second user application differs from the first user application in function and resource;

means for temporarily storing the first and second outputs;

means for rendering the first output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the first output, a function and a resource of the first user application associated with the first output;

means for rendering the second output in a manner enabling the user to perceive, before selecting the second output, a function and a resource of the second user application associated with the second output, wherein the function and resource of the second user application is different from the function and resource of the first user application; and

means for transmitting the results so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to a selected result.