IP Library Granted Patent US 12,572,613
Granted Patent B2
US 12,572,613 · App. 18/335,986 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

Dual modal internet search system

Inventors: Baljinder Pal Rayit (Redmond, WA); Bradley Moore Abrams (Redmond, WA); Rahul Lal (Redmond, WA); Jordi Ribas (Redmond, WA); Saurabh Tiwary (Redmond, WA); Elbio Renato Torres Abib (Bellevue, WA)
Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
G06F16/9538G06F16/3329
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,572,613
App. No.
18/335,986
Granted
Mar 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computing system is disclosed that includes a processor and memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform several acts. The acts include generating a prompt that is to be input to a generative language model. The prompt includes conversational input set forth by a user. The acts further comprise providing the prompt as input to the generative language model, and receiving conversational output from the generative language model, where the generative language model generated the conversational output based upon the prompt. Additionally, the acts comprise receiving an indication that the user has performed an interface mode change action and updating a search engine results page (SERP) to provide information related to the conversational output generated by the generative language model. The acts further comprise presenting the updated SERP to the user on a client computing device.

Claims (49)

1 . A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:

obtaining conversational input set forth by a user of a client computing device;

generating a prompt comprising at least a portion of the conversational input set forth by the user;

providing the prompt as input to a generative language model, wherein the generative model generates an output based upon the prompt, wherein the output comprises conversational output;

receiving an indication that the user has performed an interface mode change action;

updating a search engine results page (SERP) based upon at least the conversational output generated by the generative language model; and

presenting the updated SERP to the user at the client computing device.

2 . The computing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acts further comprise determining a context of a dialogue comprising the conversational input and the conversational output, and receiving and displaying supplemental content based on the dialogue context.

3 . The computing device according to claim 1 , the acts further comprising receiving and displaying one or more selectable query suggestions from the generative language model, wherein the one or more selectable query suggestions are generated by the generative language model based on the conversational input and the conversational output.

4 . The computing device according to claim 3 , the acts further comprising prompting the user to switch to SERP mode upon user selection of one of the one or more selectable query suggestions.

5 . The computing device according to claim 1 , the acts further comprising receiving and displaying one or more selectable hyperlinks that correspond to one or more sources of information included in the conversational output, wherein the one or more selectable hyperlinks are usable by a search engine to retrieve the one or more sources of information upon selection.

6 . The computing device according to claim 1 , the acts further comprising receiving an indication that the user has performed an additional interface mode change action and resuming display of the conversational input and the conversational output.

7 . The computing device according to claim 1 , wherein the interface mode change action comprises at least one of a swipe, selection of a selectable graphical icon, a voice command, and manipulation of a slider bar, on a graphical user interface to toggle between a SERP mode and a conversation mode.

8 . A computing system comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:

obtaining conversational input set forth by a user of a client computing device;

generating a prompt comprising at least a portion of the conversational input set forth by the user;

providing the prompt as input to a generative language model, wherein the generative model generates an output based upon the prompt, wherein the output comprises conversational output;

receiving an indication that the user has performed an interface mode change action;

updating a search engine results page (SERP) based upon at least the conversational output generated by the generative language model; and

providing the updated SERP to the user on the client computing device.

9 . The computing system according to claim 8 , wherein the acts further comprise determining a context of a dialogue comprising the conversational input and the conversational output, and retrieving and displaying supplemental content based on the dialogue context.

10 . The computing system according to claim 8 , the acts further comprising:

generating, by the generative language model, one or more selectable query suggestions, wherein the one or more selectable query suggestions are based upon the conversational input and the conversational output; and

causing display of the one or more selectable query suggestions concurrently with the presenting of the updated SERP.

11 . The computing system according to claim 10 , the acts further comprising prompting the user to switch to SERP mode upon user selection of one of the one or more selectable query suggestions.

12 . The computing system according to claim 8 , the acts further comprising generating and displaying one or more selectable hyperlinks that correspond to one or more sources of information included in the conversational output, wherein the one or more selectable hyperlinks are usable by a search engine to retrieve the one or more sources of information upon selection.

13 . The computing system according to claim 8 , the acts further comprising receiving an indication that the user has performed an additional interface mode change action and resuming display of the conversational input and the conversational output.

14 . The computing system according to claim 8 , wherein the interface mode change action comprises at least one of a swipe, selection of a selectable graphical icon, a voice command, and manipulation of a slider bar, on a graphical user interface to toggle between a SERP mode and a conversation mode.

15 . A method that facilitates providing a dual-mode search interface on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining conversational input set forth by a user of a client computing device;

generating a prompt comprising at least a portion of the conversational input set forth by the user;

providing the prompt as input to a generative language model, wherein the generative model generates an output based upon the prompt, wherein the output comprises conversational output;

receiving an indication that the user has performed an interface mode change action;

updating a search engine results page (SERP) based upon at least the conversational output generated by the generative language model; and

providing the updated SERP to the user on the client computing device.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

determining a context of a dialogue comprising the conversational input and the conversational output;

retrieving supplemental content based on the dialogue context;

causing the supplemental content to be displayed at the client computing device;

generating, by the generative language model, one or more selectable query suggestions, wherein the one or more selectable query suggestions are based on the conversational input and the conversational output; and

causing the one or more selectable query suggestions to be displayed concurrently with presenting the updated SERP.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising prompting the user to switch to SERP mode upon user selection of one of the one or more selectable query suggestions.

18 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising generating one or more selectable hyperlinks that correspond to one or more sources of information included in the conversational output, wherein the one or more selectable hyperlinks are usable by a search engine to retrieve the one or more sources of information upon selection.

19 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising receiving an indication that the user has performed an additional interface mode change action and resuming display of the conversational input and the conversational output.

20 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the interface mode change action comprises at least one of a swipe, selection of a selectable graphical icon, a voice command, and manipulation of a slider bar, on a graphical user interface to toggle between a SERP mode and a conversation mode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2024
From: LAL, RAHUL; PAL RAYIT, BALJINDER; TIWARY, SAURABH; TORRES ABIB, ELBIO RENATO; RIBAS, JORDI; ABRAMS, BRADLEY MOORE
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 066281/0970 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63442452 · Jan 31, 2023
Related Publication 20240256623A1 · Aug 1, 2024
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