US6041326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system in a computer network for an intelligent search engine
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-11-14
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2017-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and system in a remote computer network for allowing users to customize on-line search engines for on-line data searches. An on-line search engine is provided at a remote network site, such that the on-line search engine may be displayed at local network sites linked to the computer network. An independent user-defined search plug-in program is then designated for limiting the scope of online data searches to particular data subjects, such that the user-defined search plug-in program is called for processing by the on-line search engine during on-line data searches by the on-line search engine at a local network site utilizing search terms. The independent user-defined search plug-in program is subsequently stored at the local network site. Finally, the independent user-defined search plug-in program is automatically linked with the search terms, such that all searches performed by the on-line search engine at the local network site operate according to parameters determined by the user-defined search plug-in program and the search terms.
Inventors
- 👤 Hatim Yousef Amro
- 👤 John Paul Dodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/953; G06F16/9535; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said method comprising the steps of: designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said method comprising the steps of: designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 1, wherein said step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 1, wherein said step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the step of designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network cite remote from a local network site, said system comprising: means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; means for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and means for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network cite remote from a local network site, said system comprising: means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; means for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and means for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 4, wherein said means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 4, wherein said means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the means for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A program product residing in a computer for permitting enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said program product comprising: instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; instruction means residing in a computer for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and instruction means residing in a computer for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
A program product residing in a computer for permitting enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network which includes at least one on-line search engine at a network site remote from a local network site, said program product comprising: instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches; instruction means residing in a computer for transmitting at least one search parameter from said local network site to said at least one on-line search engine at said network site remote from said local network site to initiate a search by said on-line search engine throughout said distributed computer network for data related to said at least one search parameter; and instruction means residing in a computer for automatically linking said independent user-defined plug-in program with said at least one search parameter such that a result of said search initiated throughout said distributed computer network will be filtered utilizing both said at least one search parameter and said independent user-defined plug-in program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of time duration of on-line data searches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
The program product for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site for limiting the scope of on-line data searches further comprises the instruction means residing in a computer for designating an independent user-defined plug-in program to be stored at said local network site which includes a directory file such that said at least one on-line search engine may access said directory file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 7, wherein each of said instruction means further comprises signal bearing media.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 10, wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program product residing in a computer for enhanced on-line search processing in a distributed computer network according to claim 10, wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |