Immediate search feedback

• US 7,788,248 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Melton, Donald D., Forstall, Scott James, Sullivan, John William, Adler, Darin Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones; Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi; Yuk Ting
• Application Number:
  US11/076,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,002 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/953 Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines

Abstract

Providing immediate search feedback is disclosed. Search input is received within a search field of a web browser application. Based on characteristics of the search input, a determination is made whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine. In one aspect, the query is automatically submitted to the search engine. The query is based on the received first search input. Results are displayed within the web browser application, the results web page returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether the cumulative search input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first search input includes at least one space character.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

13. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, through a hardware input device, first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to a search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether the cumulative search input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to a search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission;

means for automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first search input includes at least one space character.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

means for displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

means for storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

25. A machine-readable storage medium storing executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a first results web page returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

26. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the search engine is an Internet search engine.

27. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the search input includes a portion of a keyword.

28. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the search field is included in a toolbar of the web browser application.

29. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the search field is included in a web page presented by the web browser application.

30. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving second search input within the search field, the second search input added to the first search input to create cumulative search input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether the cumulative search input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic transmission;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the cumulative search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results web page replaces the first results web page.

31. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the first results web page is stored within a record of web pages accessed by the web browser application.

32. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the temporal trigger is satisfied if a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input is greater than a predetermined time.

33. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the predetermined time is based on an average pause between typing successive characters by a user.

34. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

35. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 34, wherein a substantive trigger is satisfied if the first search input includes at least one space character.

36. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a selection of a first result from the first results web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL; and

storing the first URL within a record of accessed web pages.

37. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving search input from a user;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a query to an Internet search engine;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

displaying results of the query.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein determining whether to automatically submit the query to the Internet search engine further comprises:

determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the search input includes text.

40. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, through a hardware input device, search input from a user;

means for determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a query to an Internet search engine;

means for determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

means for displaying results of the query.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the means for determining whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of the query to the Internet search engine further comprises:

means for determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the search input includes text.

43. A machine-readable storage medium storing executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving search input from a user;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether the search input triggers an automatic submission of a query to an Internet search engine;

determining, based on substantive characteristics of the search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input; and

displaying results of the query.

44. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein determining whether the search input triggers an automatic submission of the query to the Internet search engine further comprises:

determining whether the search input satisfies a substantive trigger.

45. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the search input includes text.

46. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application, through a hardware input device;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether the text input triggers an automatic submission of a query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

preventing the first web page from controlling the focus.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

52. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, through a hardware input device, text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether the text input triggers an automatic submission of a query to a search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

means for automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising means for preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising:

means for receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

means for displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

means for preventing the first web page from controlling the focus; and

means for permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

57. A machine-readable storage medium storing instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving text input within an integrated search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether the text input triggers an automatic submission of a query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the query to the search engine, the query based on the received search input;

displaying, within the web browser application, a web page returned from the search engine based on the query; and

automatically maintaining a focus within the integrated search field after the returned web page is displayed, the focus designating where the text input is directed.

58. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the method further comprises preventing the returned web page from controlling the focus.

59. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the returned web page includes results returned from the query submitted to the search engine.

60. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a selection of a first result from the returned web page, the first result associated with a first uniform resource locator (URL);

displaying a first web page associated with the first URL;

preventing the first web page from controlling the focus; and

permitting the first web page to control the focus if no additional input is received within the search field within a predetermined period of time.

61. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the characteristics of the text input include both temporal and substantive characteristics.

62. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first text input within a search field of a web page;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether the first text input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to an Internet search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether the cumulative text input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to the search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the received cumulative text input; and

presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

65. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, through a hardware input device, first text input within a search field of a web page;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether the first text input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to an Internet search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic transmission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

means for presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising:

means for receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether the cumulative text input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to the search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission;

means for automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the received cumulative text input; and

means for presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

68. A machine-readable storage medium storing executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving first text input within a search field of a web page;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether the first text input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to an Internet search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first text input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

presenting, within the web page, first results returned from the first query submitted to the search engine.

69. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the search field is presented within a first frame of the web page, and wherein the first results are presented within in a second frame of the web page.

70. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 69, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving second text input within the search field, the second text input added to the first search input to create cumulative text input;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether the cumulative text input triggers an automatic submission of a second query to the search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the cumulative text input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission;

automatically submitting the second query to the search engine, the second query based on the received cumulative text input; and

presenting, within the second frame of the web page, second results returned from the second query submitted to the search engine, wherein the second results replace the first results.

71. A machine-implemented method comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) object; and

displaying at least one user-manipulable control element within the GUI object, the user-manipulable control element manipulable to specify a parameter used in determining whether to automatically submit received search input as a query to a search engine, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine; and

wherein the parameter includes at least one of temporal and substantive triggers, and delays.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

receiving input through the user-manipulable control element, the input specifying the parameter.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

automatically submitting a first query to the search engine based on the specified parameter.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the parameter is a temporal trigger specifying a length of elapsed time without receiving additional search input.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein the user-manipulable control element is a slider bar.

76. An apparatus comprising:

means for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) object; and

means for displaying at least one user-manipulable control element within the GUI object, the user-manipulable control element manipulable to specify a parameter used in determining whether to automatically submit received search input as a query to a search engine, wherein the query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, further comprising:

means for receiving input through the user-manipulable control element, the input specifying the parameter.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, further comprising:

means for automatically submitting a first query to the search engine based on the specified parameter.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the parameter is a temporal trigger specifying a length of elapsed time without receiving additional search input.

80. A machine-implemented method for providing an interface between a first software component and a second software component, the method comprising:

the first software component determining a timing parameter based on when a plurality of keys are actuated; and

the first software component causing a temporal threshold specified by the second software component to be set to the determined timing parameter, the temporal threshold to determine if the actuation of the plurality of keys triggers an automatic submission of a query to a search engine, wherein the temporal threshold is based upon a connection speed to the search engine.

81. The method of claim 80, further comprising:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input;

calling the second software component to determine the temporal threshold;

determining whether a trigger for an automatic submission of the first query is satisfied by determining whether the length of the elapsed time is greater than the temporal threshold;

determining whether to delay the trigger for automatic transmission of the first query;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine.

82. A machine-readable storage medium storing executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a machine-implemented method for providing an interface between a first software component and a second software component, the method comprising:

the first software component determining a timing parameter based on when a plurality of keys are actuated; and

the first software component causing a temporal threshold specified by the second software component to be set to the determined timing parameter, the temporal threshold to determine when a trigger for automatic submission of the query is satisfied, and whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission of a query to a search engine, wherein the temporal threshold is based upon a connection speed to the search engine.

83. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 82, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, a length of elapsed time without receiving further search input in addition to the first search input;

calling the second software component to determine the temporal threshold;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first search query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic transmission of the query;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine if the length of the elapsed time is greater than the temporal threshold.

84. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving, through a hardware input device, a first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to a search engine;

determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic transmission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

determining whether a first results web page returned by the search engine based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising:

automatically submitting a second query to the search engine, the second query based on a suggestion;

wherein said suggestion is for an alternative spelling of a term within the first search input; and

displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the first results web page is not displayed within the web browser application.

87. The method of claim 84, further comprising:

automatically displaying at least a portion of a suggestion within the search field;

wherein said suggestion is for an alternative spelling of a term within the first search input.

88. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, through a hardware input device, a first search input within a search field of a web browser application;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether the first search input triggers an automatic submission of a first query to a search engine;

means for determining, based on characteristics of the first search input, whether to delay the trigger for automatic submission, wherein the first query is automatically submitted to the search engine if the first search input satisfies a temporal trigger, wherein the temporal trigger is based upon a connection speed to the search engine;

means for automatically submitting the first query to the search engine, the first query based on the received first search input; and

means for determining whether a first results web page returned by the search engine based on the submitted first query includes a suggestion for an alternate spelling of a term within the first search input.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising:

means for automatically submitting a second query to the search engine, the second query based on the suggestion;

wherein said suggestion is for an alternative spelling of a term within the first search input; and

means for displaying, within the web browser application, a second results web page returned from the second query submitted to the search engine.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the first results web page is not displayed within the web browser application.

91. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising:

means for displaying within the search field, at least a portion of a suggestion that is included within the first results web page;

said first results web page is returned based on the submitted first query; and

said suggestion is for an alternative spelling of a term within the first search output.