Method and system for unifying search strategy and sharing search output data across multiple program modules
US6708162B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99933
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A search across multiple programs can be conducted, whether or not a particular program is active. After a search is conducted, search results can be displayed from programs that are in use and those that are not currently in use when the search is initiated. Upon selection of a search result, the program supporting the selected result can be launched if it is not already in use and can become the active program. Once the program supporting the selected result becomes active, the search result can be pre-populated within the search engine of the program. Therefore, search strategy across multiple programs is unified while sharing of search output data across multiple programs is facilitated. This sharing of data makes information across multiple separate programs more readily accessible. Also, a consistent user interface for searching across multiple programs is presented. This interface can eliminate the learning of multiple search techniques that are dependent upon a unique search engines of respective programs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.