Method for indexing and managing a searchable community of non-HTML information

• US 6,691,112 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Darren Michael Siegel, Dennis Craig Siegel
• Original Assignee: Darren Michael Siegal, Dennis Craig Siegel
• Inventors: Siegel, Darren M., Siegel, Stanley M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Homere, Jean R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wassum, Luke S
• Application Number:
  US09/630,476
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/1-5, 705/26-29, 715/513, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A method for indexing and managing a searchable community of non-HTML information. The method utilizes an electronic search engine which indexes data files used by sites created by website generation software. The indexing process of the search engine indexes HTML and non-HTML information from websites enrolled in an electronic community. The non-HTML data includes a database from which enrolled websites operate. This information is downloaded over HTTP, parsed, and indexed with unique parameters into a database running on the search engine. The search portion of the search engine process operates like standard search engines. A user submits a request over HTTP to the search engine. The search engine processes the search request and presents the results to the user in a dynamically created HTML page. The only unique feature of this portion of the process is that the links to the search results are constructed with the necessary parameters to allow the target websites to be hyperlinked, with the appropriate dynamic content being shown.

Claims

1. A method for indexing and managing a searchable community database of non-HTML information comprising the steps:

establishing the searchable community database of non-HTML information at a first online Internet site, the searchable community database having an electronic search engine;

creating at least one website for a retail outlet by executing stand alone proprietary website generation software on a merchant computer of the retail outlet, where the proprietary website generation software generates a non-HTML indexing file and all associated HTML files for the retail outlet that are uploaded to a second online Internet site different from the first online Internet site, and the proprietary website generation software does not use any server side software, installation, or setup;

enrolling the at least one created website in the searchable community database of non-HTML information;

automatically retrieving, by the electronic search engine, non-HTML indexing files generated by the proprietary website generation software for enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software;

populating, indexing, and categorizing the searchable community database with non-HTML indexing files of enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software;

dynamically creating HTML result pages, initiated by an Internet query, for viewing, which include hyperlinks to the associated HTML files, created and uploaded to associated enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software, paginating, and providing item information from the searchable community database; and

systematically updating the searchable community database using the non-HTML indexing files of enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising downloading the non-HTML information using HTTP, parsing the non-HTML information, and indexing the non-HTML information with unique parameters into a database running on the search engine.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising accessing the electronic search engine and inputting a query.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the accessing step further comprises inputting a query using multiple words.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the accessing step further comprises inputting a query using space delimited words.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the accessing step further comprises inputting a query using Boolean logic.

7. A computer useable medium carrying thereon indexing and managing instructions for a searchable community database of non-HTML information which, when executed by a processor, cause that processor to carry out steps:

establishing the searchable community database of non-HTML information at a first online Internet site, the searchable community database having an electronic search engine;

creating at least one website for a retail outlet by executing stand alone proprietary website generation software on a merchant computer of the retail outlet, where the proprietary website generation software generates a non-HTML indexing file and all associated HTML files for the retail outlet that are uploaded to a second online Internet site different from the first online Internet site, and the proprietary website generation software does not use any server side software, installation, or setup;

enrolling the at least one created website in the searchable community database of non-HTML information;

automatically retrieving, by the electronic search engine, non-HTML indexing files generated by the proprietary website generation software for enrolled websites created by the proprietary generation software;

populating, indexing, and categorizing the searchable community database with non-HTML indexing files of enrolled websites created by the proprietary generation software;

automatically creating HTML result pages, initiated by an Internet query, for viewing, which include hyperlinks to the associated HTML files created and uploaded to associated enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software, paginating, and providing item information from the searchable community database; and

systematically updating the searchable community database using the non-HTML indexing files of enrolled websites created by the proprietary website generation software.

8. The computer useable medium according to claim 7, wherein said indexing and managing instructions which, when executed by the processor, further cause that processor to carry out steps comprising:

downloading the non-HTML information using HTTP, parsing the non-HTML information, and indexing the non-HTML information with unique parameters into a database running on the search engine.

9. The computer useable medium according to claim 7, wherein said indexing and managing instructions which, when executed by the processor, further cause that processor to carry out steps comprising:

accessing the electronic search engine and inputting a query.

10. The computer useable medium according to claim 9, wherein said accessing step further comprises inputting a query using multiple words.

11. The computer useable medium according to claim 9, wherein said accessing step further comprises inputting a query using space delimited words.

12. The computer useable medium according to claim 9, wherein the accessing step further comprises inputting a query using Boolean logic.