IP Library Granted Patent US 9,323,843
Granted Patent B2
US 9,323,843 · App. 12/755,938 · Granted Apr 26, 2016

Method and system for performing bi-directional search

Inventors: Paul Broman (Mableton, GA); Jon Sweet (San Jose, CA); Tim Rechin (San Carlos, CA); Jessi Dong (Los Gatos, CA); Frank Yoo (San Francisco, CA); Burke Culligan (Menlo Park, CA)
Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
G06F17/30864
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,323,843
App. No.
12/755,938
Granted
Apr 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

When a user enters a primary search query into a primary search query input area to perform a first search of the primary search query, disclosed is a method and system for automatically entering the primary search query into a secondary search query input area to perform a second search of the primary search query. When the user enters a secondary search query into the secondary search query input area to perform a first search of the secondary search query, the method and system automatically enters the secondary search query into the primary search query input area to perform a second search of the secondary search query.

Claims (46)

1. A method comprising:

scanning, by a client-side module executing on a computing device, a Document Object Model (DOM) of a first web page displayed by a browser on a display of the computing device to determine a location of a primary search query user input area associated with the first web page;

determining, by the client-side module, that a search query has been entered by a user into the primary search query user input area;

in response to the determining, automatically entering, by the client-side module, the search query entered by the user into the primary search query user input area into a secondary search query user input area associated with a predetermined second web page, the second web page determined by the client-side module based on web browsing history of the user;

displaying in a first content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the first web page on the search query; and

displaying in a second content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the second web page on the search query.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the entering of the search query into the secondary search query user input area further comprises entering the search query as a query parameter associated with a web page into an address bar of a browser executing on the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining, by the client-side module, an intent of the user when the user enters the search query into the primary search query user input area.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising determining, by the client-side module, the second web page based on the intent.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying of the result of the search performed by the search tool represented by the first web page further comprises displaying personalized results of the search.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying of the result of the search performed by the search tool represented by the second web page further comprises displaying personalized results of the search.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer program instructions capable of being executed by a computer processor on a computing device, the computer program instructions defining the steps of:

scanning, by a client-side module executing on a computing device, a Document Object Model (DOM) of a first web page displayed by a browser on a display of the computing device to determine a location of a primary search query user input area associated with the first web page;

determining, by the client-side module, that a search query has been entered by a user into the primary search query user input area;

in response to the determining, automatically entering, by the client-side module, the search query entered by the user into the primary search query user input area into a secondary search query user input area associated with a predetermined second web page, the second web page determined by the client-side module based on web browsing history of the user;

displaying in a first content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the first web page on the search query; and

displaying in a second content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the second web page on the search query.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the step of entering the search query into the secondary search query user input area further comprises the step of entering the search query as a query parameter associated with a web page into an address bar of the browser executing on the computing device.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 further comprising computer program instructions defining the step of determining an intent of the user when the user enters the search query into the primary search query user input area.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 further comprising computer program instructions defining the step of determining the second web page based on the intent.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the step of displaying results of the search performed by the search tool represented by the first web page further comprises the step of displaying personalized results of the search.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the step of displaying results of the search performed by the search tool represented by the second web page further comprises the step of displaying personalized results of the search.

13. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a display;

a storage medium for tangibly storing thereon program logic for execution by the processor, the program logic comprising a client-side module configured to:

scan a Document Object Model (DOM) of a first web page displayed by a browser on the display of the computing device to determine a location of a primary search query user input area associated with the first web page;

determine that a search query has been entered by a user into the primary search query user input area,

in response to the determining, automatically enter the search query entered by the user into the primary search query user input area into a secondary search query user input area associated with a predetermined second web page, the second web page determined by the client-side module based on web browsing history of the user,

display in a first content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the first web page on the search query, and

display in a second content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the second web page on the search query.

14. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the client-side module being configured to enter the search query into the secondary search query user input area further comprises the client-side module being configured to enter the search query as a query parameter associated with a web page into an address bar of a browser executing on the computing device.

15. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising the client-side module being configured to determine an intent of the user when the user enters the search query into the primary search query user input area.

16. The computing device of claim 15 further comprising the client-side module being configured to determine the second web page based on the intent.

17. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the client-side module being configured to display the result of the search performed by the search tool represented by the first web page further comprises the client-side module being configured to display personalized results of the search.

18. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the client-side module being configured to display the result of the search performed by the search tool represented by the second web page further comprises the client-side module being configured to display personalized results of the search.

19. A server computer comprising:

a processor;

a storage medium for tangibly storing thereon program logic for execution by the processor, the program logic configured to:

receive a request from a client device to download a client-side module;

transmit the client-side module to the client device, the client-side module configured to:

scan a Document Object Model (DOM) of a first web page displayed by a browser on a display of the client device to determine a location of a primary search query user input area associated with the first web page,

determine that a search query has been entered by a user into the primary search query user input area,

in response to the determining, automatically enter the search query entered by the user into the primary search query user input area into a secondary search query user input area associated with a predetermined second web page, the second web page determined by the client-side module based on web browsing history of the user,

display in a first content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the first web page on the search query, and

display in a second content area of the browser the result of a search performed by a search tool represented by the second web page on the search query.

Assignments (9)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNOR NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 052853 FRAME: 0153. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 29, 2021
From: R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056832/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053654 FRAME 0254. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED PURSUANT TO THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED. Recorded Dec 30, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 054981/0377 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 8, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 053654/0254 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2020
From: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
To: R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 053459/0059 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MERTON ACQUISITION HOLDCO LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052853/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2016
From: YAHOO! INC.
To: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
Reel/Frame 038950/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2016
From: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
To: YAHOO! INC.
Reel/Frame 038951/0295 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2016
From: YAHOO! INC.
To: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
Reel/Frame 038383/0466 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2010
From: BROMAN, PAUL; SWEET, JON; RECHIN, TIM; DONG, JESSI; YOO, FRANK; CULLIGAN, BURKE
To: YAHOO! INC.
Reel/Frame 024203/0826 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110252343A1 · Oct 13, 2011