Patent US6272489B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6272489B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visually oriented, easily navigable search facility
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-05-12
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Granted: 2001-08-07
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Expires: 2018-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A technique, system, and computer program for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility. Templates containing field names and possible default values are stored for each available task for this user, preferably in a memory cache or disk cache. When the user enters a value or pattern into a field of the search criteria, this value or pattern is retained. When a subsequent search is requested, the retained values are checked to determine if the user already entered values for any fields of the now-current template. If so, then those values are automatically filled in for this current template. The user is allowed to override any of the filled-in values, and these overrides will also become retained values. Retained values are cleared when the user exits the search facility, or when the user explicitly requests to clear the values.
Inventors
- 👤 Thyra L. Rauch
- 👤 Sarah D. Redpath
- 👤 John L. Scanlon
- 👤 David A. Schell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2457; G06F16/242; G06F16/2423; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
In a computing environment, computer readable code for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said computer readable code comprising: a subprocess for displaying a visual model for using said search facility; a subprocess for accessing a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; a subprocess for enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is accessed and displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; a subprocess for retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; a subprocess for performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and a subprocess for automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected search fields of a second subsequently-accessed and subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
In a computing environment, computer readable code for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said computer readable code comprising: a subprocess for displaying a visual model for using said search facility; a subprocess for accessing a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; a subprocess for enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is accessed and displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; a subprocess for retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; a subprocess for performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and a subprocess for automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected search fields of a second subsequently-accessed and subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
The computer readable code according to claim 1 , wherein default criteria may exist for any of said one or more search fields, wherein said default criteria comprises at least one of (1) one or more default data values and (2) one or more default data patterns and further comprising: a subprocess for displaying each of said default criterion in said one or more search fields for which it exists; wherein said subprocess for enabling said user to enter search criteria further comprises enabling said entered search criteria to replace one or more of said default criteria; and wherein said subprocess for performing a first search further comprises using said default criteria that are not replaced along with said entered search criteria.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer readable code according to claim 1 , further comprising: a subprocess for enabling said user to enter additional search criteria into those search fields of said second search template which are not present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained; and a subprocess for performing said second search using said automatically copied search criteria and said additional search criteria.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The computer readable code according to claim 3 , further comprising: a subprocess for enabling said user to override one or more of said automatically copied search criteria; and a subprocess for retaining said overridden search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; and wherein said subprocess for performing said second search further comprises using said automatically copied search criteria, said additional search criteria, and said overridden search criteria.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer readable code according to claim 4 , further comprising a subprocess for enabling said user to choose whether said overridden search criteria are treated as local overrides which apply only to particular ones of said search templates or as global overrides which apply to all search templates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable code according to claim 1 , further comprising a subprocess for enabling said user to clear said retained search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer readable code according to claim 2 , further comprising a subprocess for prioritizing a given search criterion when said criterion has both (1) one of said default values or default patterns, and (2) one of a retained data value or a retained data pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable code according to claim 1 , wherein said selected search template was accessed last among said plurality of search templates by said user in a prior invocation of said computer readable code.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said system comprising: means for displaying a visual model for using said search facility; a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; means for enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; means for retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; means for performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and means for automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected fields of a second subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said system comprising: means for displaying a visual model for using said search facility; a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; means for enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; means for retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; means for performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and means for automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected fields of a second subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein default criteria may exist for any of said one or more search fields, wherein said default criteria comprises at least one of (1) one or more default data values and (2) one or more default data patterns and further comprising: means for displaying each of said default criterion in said one or more search fields for which it exists; wherein said means for enabling said user to enter search criteria further comprises enabling said entered search criteria to replace one or more of said default criteria; and wherein said means for performing a first search further comprises using said default criteria that are not replaced along with said entered search criteria.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 9 , further comprising: means for enabling said user to enter additional search criteria into those search fields of said second search template which are not present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained; and means for performing said second search using said automatically copied search criteria and said additional search criteria.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system according to claim 11 , further comprising: means for enabling said user to override one or more of said automatically copied search criteria; and means for retaining said overridden search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; and wherein said means for performing said second search further comprises using said automatically copied search criteria, said additional search criteria, and said overridden search criteria.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 12 , further comprising means for enabling said user to choose whether said overridden search criteria are treated as local overrides which apply only to particular ones of said search templates or as global overrides which apply to all search templates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 9 , further comprising a subprocess for enabling said user to clear said retained search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 10 , further comprising means for prioritizing a given search criterion when said criterion has both (1) one of said default values or default patterns, and (2) one of a retained data value or a retained data pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein said selected search template was accessed last among said plurality of search templates by said user in a prior invocation of said system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a visual model for using said search facility; providing a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected fields of a second subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a visual model for using said search facility; providing a plurality of search templates, each of said search templates comprising a collection of one or more search fields; enabling a user of said search facility to enter search criteria into said collection of search fields of a selected one of said search templates which is displayed using said visual model, wherein said entered search criteria comprise at least one of (1) one or more data values and (2) one or more data patterns; retaining said entered search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; performing a first search using said entered search criteria; and automatically copying one or more of said retained search criteria into selected fields of a second subsequently-displayed one of said search templates, wherein said selected search fields are those which are also present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained, even though said second search template may have a different collection of search fields than said selected search template and said selected search fields may be differently arranged on said second search template than on said selected search template, thereby pre-filling said second search template for performing a second search.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein default criteria may exist for any of said one or more search fields, wherein said default criteria comprises at least one of (1) one or more default data values and (2) one or more default data patterns and further comprising the step of: displaying each of said default criterion in said one or more search fields for which it exists; wherein said step of enabling said user to enter search criteria further comprises the step of enabling said entered search criteria to replace one or more of said default criteria; and wherein said step of performing a first search further comprises the step of using said default criteria that are not replaced along with said entered search criteria.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: enabling said user to enter additional search criteria into those search fields of said second search template which are not present in said collection of search fields for which said search criteria were retained; and performing said second search using said automatically copied search criteria and said additional search criteria.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 19 , further comprising the steps of: enabling said user to override one or more of said automatically copied search criteria; and retaining said overridden search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields; and wherein said step of performing said second search further comprises the step of using said automatically copied search criteria, said additional search criteria, and said overridden search criteria.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 20 , further comprising the step of enabling said user to choose whether said overridden search criteria are treated as local overrides which apply only to particular ones of said search templates or as global overrides which apply to all search templates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 17 , further comprising a subprocess for enabling said user to clear said retained search criteria pertaining to said collection of search fields.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of prioritizing a given search criterion when said criterion has both (1) one of said default values or default patterns, and (2) one of a retained data value or a retained data pattern.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein said selected search template was accessed last among said plurality of search templates by said user in a prior invocation of said method.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-06 | 2005-02-05 | 2005-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-06 | 2009-02-05 | 2009-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-06 | 2013-02-05 | 2013-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |