HK1154669B - Providing search results for mobile computing devices - Google Patents

Description

Providing search results for mobile computing devices

Background

In recent years, technology has advanced to the point where mobile computing devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and the like, are now able to execute computer applications previously reserved for desktop, laptop, and other full-size computing devices. In particular, the physical size of processors and memory has decreased significantly, while the processing power of processors and the storage capacity of memory have increased significantly. Many mobile computing devices are also capable of accessing remote networks through local area networks ("LANs"), the internet, and other suitable networks. Examples of computer applications that may be executed by a mobile computing device include a web browser application for web surfing, an office productivity application for creating, viewing, and editing various documents, and an email application for sending and receiving email.

Although mobile computing devices have increased processing power and memory capacity, certain limitations of mobile computing devices remain relatively unchanged. To address these limitations, software developers typically design separate versions of computer applications for mobile computing devices and full-size computing devices. One limitation of mobile computing devices is the screen size. A typical full-size computing device may include a 12 inch (diagonal) or larger display, while a typical mobile computing device may include a 3.5 inch (diagonal) or smaller display. Using a full-size computing device, computer applications may be designed with complex graphical user interfaces that include a large number of text and interface elements (e.g., menus, boxes, buttons, etc.). In contrast, with mobile computing devices, computer applications are typically designed with a condensed interface that includes a reduced number of text and interface elements. By reducing the amount of information displayed on the screen at any given moment, the information can be presented in a size that is readable by most users.

Another limitation of mobile computing devices is the input interface. Many full-size computing devices include at least one full-size keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. A full-size keyboard enables a user to easily enter large amounts of text, while a pointing device enables a user to navigate a graphical user interface provided by a computer application. In contrast to full-size computing devices, many mobile computing devices lack a full-size keyboard and/or pointing device. For example, some mobile computing devices include reduced keyboards in which multiple keys on a full-size keyboard are mapped to a single key on the reduced keyboard in order to reduce the total number of keys on the reduced keyboard. A single keystroke on a full-size keyboard may correspond to a multi-keystroke combination on a reduced keyboard.

Instead of a pointing device, some mobile computing devices include a directional pad and selection buttons. The directional pad enables a user to navigate up, down, left, and right on the graphical user interface, while the selection button enables the user to select a selectable portion of the graphical user interface. While the directional pad and selection buttons provide one way to navigate a graphical user interface, the directional pad and selection buttons do not provide the ease of use provided by a pointing device such as a mouse.

Several computer applications provide search interfaces and corresponding search engines that enable users to search various databases for information. In conventional search interfaces, an exhaustive list of search results may be provided to the user under the assumption that the user may use a larger display and sufficient input devices. However, this approach is not optimal for mobile computing devices with smaller displays and poorer input devices. In particular, the smaller screen size of a mobile computing device may limit the number of search results that may be displayed at a given time. In addition, the poor input devices of many mobile computing devices increase the difficulty with which a user can navigate through an exhaustive list.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made.

SUMMARY

Techniques for providing search results for a mobile computing device are described herein. In particular, by utilizing the techniques and concepts presented herein, a server computer may include a search engine adapted to receive a request from a mobile computing device over a network to perform a search based on search terms. The search engine may retrieve search results based on the search terms by querying one or more local and/or remote databases. After retrieving the search results, the search engine may assign each of the search results to one or more categories related to the search results. In assigning each of the search results to one or more categories, the search engine may send the categories and the assigned search results to the mobile computing device over the network.

The mobile computing device may include an improved search interface adapted to receive the categories and the assigned search results and display each category and a partial list of search results under each category. For example, a partial search result list may include three or other suitable number of search results under each category. The improved search interface may also be adapted to display links under each category. The links may be selected to display the entire list of search results corresponding to each category. That is, the links enable a user of the mobile computing device to drill down into each category as necessary to view only the corresponding search results.

According to one aspect presented herein, a computer program is provided for providing search results to a mobile computing device. The computer program retrieves search results based on the search terms. Each search result is assigned to one or more categories. Upon assigning the search results to one or more categories, the computer program provides the categories and the search results to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is adapted to display each category and a partial search result list corresponding to each category.

It should be appreciated that the above-described subject matter may also be implemented as a computer-controlled apparatus, a computer process, a computing system, or as an article of manufacture such as a computer-readable medium. These and various other features will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended that this summary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram illustrating aspects of a network architecture capable of providing search results for a mobile computing device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a screen display diagram showing an illustrative screenshot of an implementation of a search interface, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram showing an illustrative screenshot of an implementation of a search results display, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative process for providing search results for a mobile computing device in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a computer architecture diagram showing aspects of an illustrative computer hardware architecture for a computing system capable of implementing aspects of the embodiments presented herein.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description relates to techniques for providing search results for a mobile computing device. By utilizing the techniques and concepts presented herein, a server computer includes a search engine adapted to receive a request from a mobile computing device over a network to perform a search based on a search term. The search engine may retrieve search results based on the search terms by querying one or more local and/or remote databases. After retrieving the search results, the search engine may assign each of the search results to one or more categories related to the search results. In assigning each of the search results to one or more categories, the search engine may send the categories and the assigned search results to the mobile computing device over the network.

The mobile computing device may include an improved search interface adapted to receive the categories and the assigned search results and display each category and a partial list of search results under each category. For example, a partial search result list may include three or other suitable number of search results under each category. The improved search interface may also be adapted to display hyperlinks ("links") under each category. The links may be selected to display the entire list of search results for each category. That is, the links enable a user of the mobile computing device to drill down into each category as necessary to view only the corresponding search results.

The improved search interface described in the embodiments herein provides an optimal way to display search results on a mobile computing device, taking into account limitations such as smaller screen size and poorer input devices. Instead of displaying an exhaustive list of search results as found on conventional search interfaces, an improved search interface reduces the total number of search results displayed by displaying categories of search results and only a partial list of search results under each category. By displaying search results in this manner, a user viewing the search results may easily narrow the displayed search results to only relevant search results. This reduces the number of potential selections (e.g., "clicks") of a suitable input device by the user to retrieve the desired search results.

For example, a user may desire to search for office productivity files in a server accessible to the intranet. Instead of displaying an exhaustive list of files for the user to navigate, the improved search interface displays categories such as word processing file categories, spreadsheet file categories, and presentation file categories. Beneath each of these categories may be a partial list of files corresponding to a given category and a link that the user may select to access the entire list of files corresponding to the given category. If the user realizes that the file she is searching for is a spreadsheet file, the user may select the links under the spreadsheet file category to view only the spreadsheet file. This may reduce the number of files that a user traverses to find a desired file.

While the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with the execution of an operating system and application programs on a computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations may be performed in combination with other types of program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views; FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of a simplified network architecture for classifying search results and displaying the classified search results on a mobile computing device. In particular, fig. 1 shows a simplified network architecture 100 that includes a server computer 102 and a mobile computing device 104 operatively coupled to the server computer 102 via a network 106. The network 106 may be any suitable computer network, such as a local area network ("LAN") or the Internet. Network 106 may be a personal computer network, such as an intranet or the like, or a publicly accessible computer network. Although only one mobile computing device 104 is shown in fig. 1, the network architecture 100 may include multiple mobile computing devices configured in any suitable network.

As shown in FIG. 1, server computer 102 includes a web server application 108 and a search engine 110. The web server application 108 enables communication between the server computer 102 and the mobile computing device 104. In particular, the web server application 108 enables the mobile computing device 104 to access the search engine 110 via the network 106. The web server application 108 may be an intranet web server application or other suitable web server application. In an embodiment, the search engine 110 is adapted to receive one or more search terms from the mobile computing device 104 via the network 106 and retrieve one or more search results based on the search terms. The search engine 110 may retrieve search results from a local database 112, a remote database 114 within the server computer 102 via the network 106. The remote database 114 may be, for example, part of an email server that stores email and other relevant data about users within a company, such as contact information. Examples of email SERVERs include EXCHANGE SERVER from microsoft corporation, group dish from NOVELL corporation, and LOTUS DOMINO from international business machines corporation. The search engine 110 may perform searches on the local and remote databases 114 via standard query language ("SQL") or other suitable database search techniques.

The search engine 110 may be adapted to search the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114 for any suitable information, as contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In an example, the search engine 110 is adapted to search for documents in the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114. Examples of documents may include, but are not limited to, word processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and presentation documents. In this case, the search term may be part of the name of the file, part of the name of the author of the file, or part of the text within the document. In another example, the search engine 110 is adapted to search sales inventory to determine whether a given item is in stock. In this case, the search term may be the name of the product or a serial number associated with the product.

Upon receiving the plurality of search results from the local database 112 and/or the remote data 114, the categorization module 116 assigns each of the plurality of search results to one or more categories. In one embodiment, the categories include predefined categories created and managed by the company operating the search engine 110. In particular, a company may add, delete, and modify categories as necessary. In an example, if a document is searched, the categories may include different document types. Thus, a word processing document may be assigned to a word processing document category, a spreadsheet document may be assigned to a spreadsheet document category, and a presentation document may be associated with a presentation document category. In another example, if searching for email, the categories may include a sender name, a recipient name, and an email date. In yet another example, if contact information for employees within a company is searched, the categories may be name, phone number, address, and birthday. The categories may also be based on source. For example, if search results are retrieved from multiple local and/or remote databases, each of the local and/or remote databases may be a separate category. Other suitable categories in which search results are divided into more manageable groups may be utilized, as contemplated by those skilled in the art.

As shown in fig. 1, mobile computing device 104 includes a display 118 and a search interface application 120. Examples of mobile computing devices, such as mobile computing device 104, may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, and the like. The display 118 on the mobile computing device 104 is much smaller than the display on a full-sized computing device. For example, the display 118 may be 3.5 inches (diagonal) or less, while the display of a full-size computing device may be 12 inches or more. The search interface application 120 may be a computer application that, when executed by a processor, causes the mobile computing device 104 to display a search interface 122 within the display 118.

In one embodiment, the search interface 122 is adapted to enable a user to enter one or more search terms for searching in the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114 via the search engine 110. Search interface 122 may also be adapted to display search results in a smaller display, such as display 118. Once the search engine 110 has retrieved the search results from the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114 and the classification module 116 has assigned the search results to one or more categories, the search engine 110 may send the categories and the assigned search results to the mobile computing device 104 via the network 106. Upon receiving the categorized search results, the search interface 122 may display the categories associated with the search results. The search interface 122 may also display at least a partial search result list and links under each category. The links may be selected by the user via a suitable input device on the mobile computing device 104 to access the entire list of search results corresponding to each category.

Referring now to FIG. 2, aspects of a search interface suitable for enabling a user to enter search terms and display search results based on the search terms on a mobile computing device. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a screenshot 200 of an exemplary implementation of the search interface 122. Screenshot 200 includes a search term input 202 and a search results display 204. The search term input 202 includes an input window 206 that enables a user to enter one or more search terms. Upon entering the search term into the input window 206, the user may select the submit button 208 via a suitable input device on the mobile computing device 104. In an embodiment, selecting the submit button 208 instructs the mobile computing device 104 to send a request to the server computer 102 to retrieve search results based on the search term entered in the input window 206. Upon receiving the search terms from the mobile computing device 104, the search engine 110 retrieves search results from the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114 by querying the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114 based on the search terms.

Once the search results are retrieved, the classification module 116 may assign the search results to one or more predetermined categories. In one embodiment, the categories are defined by the enterprise operating the search engine 110. Upon assigning the search results to a category, the classification module 116 sends the category and the assigned search results to the mobile computing device 104. The search interface application 120 may display the categories in the search interface 122. The search interface application 120 may also display a partial list of search results for each category along with links corresponding to each category. The links may be selected by the user via a suitable input device on the mobile computing device 104 to display the entire search result list for each category.

In an illustrative example, the user has entered "blue widgets" in search term input 202, as shown in FIG. 2. Upon the user selecting the submit button 208, the search interface application 120 sends a request to retrieve search results based on the search term "blue widget" from the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114. Upon receiving the request, the search engine 110 retrieves a plurality of search results based on the search term "blue widget". The classification module 116 assigns the plurality of search results to one or more predetermined categories.

In an illustrative example, the search result is a document that contains the term "blue widgets". In this case, the categories may be file types associated with each document, such as a word processing file type, a spreadsheet file type, or a presentation file type. Once the classification module 116 assigns each document retrieved by the search engine 110 to a word processing document category, a spreadsheet document category, or a presentation document category, the search engine 110 sends the classified search results to the search interface application 120, and the search interface application 120 displays the classified search results in the search results display 204 of the search interface 122.

As shown in FIG. 2, search interface application 120 displays a word processing file category 210, a spreadsheet file category 212, and a presentation file category 214. Below each of the categories 210- "214 is a list of three search results associated with the corresponding category. Below the word processing file category 210 are a first word processing file 216A, a second word processing file 216B, and a third word processing file 216C. Below the spreadsheet file category 212 are a first spreadsheet file 218A, a second spreadsheet file 218B, and a third spreadsheet file 218C. Below the presentation file category 214 are a first presentation file 220A, a second presentation file 220B, and a third presentation file 220C.

Instead of an exhaustive list of search results as displayed by conventional search interfaces, the search interface 122 described in embodiments herein displays categories of search results and corresponding partial lists of search results. Thus, the search interface 122 is suitable for smaller displays found on mobile computing devices, such as the display 118. It should be appreciated that the three lists of search results corresponding to each of the categories 210- < - > 214 are merely exemplary, and that any number of search results may be listed in other implementations.

Below word processing file category 210, spreadsheet file category 212, and presentation file category 214 are first link 222A, second link 222B, and third link 222C, respectively. Each of the links 222 is selectable by the user via a suitable input device on the mobile computing device 104 to display the entire search result list for the respective category 210 and 214. For example, FIG. 3 shows screenshot 300 of search results display 204 once the user selects second link 222B. As shown in FIG. 3, screenshot 300 displays the spreadsheet file 218 displayed in FIG. 2. Additionally, screenshot 300 displays a fourth spreadsheet file 304A, a fifth spreadsheet file 304B, and a sixth spreadsheet file 304C.

Turning now to FIG. 4, additional details regarding the search engine 110 and the classification module 116 will be provided. In particular, FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for providing search results to a mobile computing device, such as mobile computing device 104, as provided herein. It should be appreciated that the logical operations described herein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. Different implementations may be selected depending on the performance and other requirements of the computing system. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to variously as states operations, structural devices, acts or modules. These operations, structural devices, acts and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof. It should be understood that more or fewer operations may be performed than shown in the figures and described herein. The operations may also be performed in a different order than described herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, the routine 400 begins at operation 402, where the mobile computing device 104 receives one or more search terms input by a user. For example, a user may enter search terms into the search interface 122. The routine 400 continues to operation 404, where the mobile computing device 104 sends a request to the server computer 102 over the network 106 to retrieve search results based on the search terms. Once the mobile computing device 104 sends the search terms to the server computer 102, the routine 400 proceeds to operation 406.

At operation 406, the server computer 102 receives a request from the mobile computing device 104 over the network 106 to retrieve search results based on the search term. The routine 400 continues to operation 408, where the server computer 102 retrieves search results based on the search terms by querying one or more local databases and/or remote databases. For example, the search engine 110 may query the local database 112 and/or the remote database 114. The routine 400 continues to operation 410, where the server computer 102 assigns the search results to one or more categories. The categories may be created and maintained by the company operating the search engine 110. In this way, the user is freed from the responsibility of creating and managing categories. In addition, categories can be easily added, deleted, and modified. The routine 400 continues to operation 412, where the server computer 102 sends the categories and the assigned search results to the mobile computing device 104 over the network 106. Once the server computer 102 sends the categories and assigned search results, the routine 400 proceeds to operation 414.

At operation 414, the mobile computing device 104 receives the categories and the assigned search results from the server computer 102 over the network 106. The routine 400 continues to operation 416, where the mobile computing device 104 displays the categories and a partial search result list under each category. Also displayed under each category are links that can be selected to view the entire list of search results corresponding to that category.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary computer architecture diagram is shown illustrating aspects of a computer 500. Examples of the computer 500 may include the server computer 102 and the mobile computing device 104. The computer 500 includes a processing unit 502 ("CPU"), a system memory 504, and a system bus 506 that couples the memory 504 to the CPU 502. The computer 500 also includes a mass storage device 512 for storing one or more program modules 514 and one or more databases 516. Examples of program modules 514 may include web server application 108, search engine 110, classification module 116, and search interface application 120. Examples of databases 516 may include local database 112 and remote database 114. The mass storage device 512 is connected to the CPU 502 through a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to the bus 506. The mass storage device 512 and its associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage for the computer 500. Although the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable media can be any available computer storage media that can be accessed by the computer 500.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. For example, computer-readable media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks ("DVD"), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer 500.

According to various embodiments, the computer 500 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote computers through a network 518. The computer 500 may connect to the network 518 through a network interface unit 510 connected to the bus 506. It should be appreciated that the network interface unit 510 may also be utilized to connect to other types of networks and remote computer systems. The computer 500 may also include an input/output controller 508 for receiving and processing input from a number of input devices (not shown), including a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and game controller. Similarly, the input/output controller 508 may also provide output to a display or other type of output device (not shown).

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for providing search results for a mobile computing device are presented herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to computer structural features, methodological acts, and computer readable media, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts and mediums are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

The above-described subject matter is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A method for providing search results (216, 218, 220) to a mobile computing device (104), the method comprising:

receiving, at a server computer, a search term from the mobile computing device via a network;

the server computer retrieving search results (216, 218, 220) based on the search term (206) received from the mobile computing device;

the server computer assigning each of the search results (216, 218, 220) to one or more categories (210, 212, 214); and

providing the one or more categories (210, 212, 214) and the search results (216, 218, 220) from the server computer to the mobile computing device (104) via the network, the mobile computing device (104) adapted to display each of the one or more categories (210, 212, 214), a partial list of search results (216, 218, 220) corresponding to each of the one or more categories (210, 212, 214), and a link corresponding to each of the one or more categories, the link being selectable to display a full list of search results corresponding to each of the one or more categories.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the search term from a search interface on the mobile computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving search results based on a search term comprises retrieving the search results from a local database based on the search term.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving search results based on a search term comprises retrieving the search results from a remote database based on the search term.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving search results based on search terms comprises sending a Standard Query Language (SQL) query based on the search terms to a database.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more categories include one or more predetermined categories created and managed by a search engine.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is adapted to display three search results corresponding to each of the one or more categories.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the search results comprise documents stored on a server accessible to an intranet, and the one or more categories comprise document types associated with the documents.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more categories include a word processing document file type, a spreadsheet document file type, and a presentation document file type.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the search results include contact information and the one or more categories include names, phone numbers, and addresses associated with each type of the contact information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more categories include a separate external database from which the search results are retrieved.

12. A system implemented by a server computer for providing search results (216, 218, 220) to a mobile computing device, the system comprising:

means for receiving a search term (206) from a search interface provided on a mobile computing device (104) over a network (106);

means for retrieving search results (216, 218, 220) by querying one or more databases (112, 114) based on the search term (206);

means for assigning each of the search results (216, 218, 220) to one of a plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214);

means for transmitting the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214) and the assigned search results (216, 218, 220) to the mobile computing device (104) over the network (106), the mobile computing device (104) adapted to display the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), a list of assigned partial search results (216, 218, 220) corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), and a link (222) corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), the link (222) selectable to display a list of assigned full search results (216, 218, 220) corresponding to each of the predetermined categories (210, 212, 214).

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile computing device comprises one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

14. A server computer-implemented method for providing search results (216, 218, 220) to a mobile computing device, the method comprising:

receiving a search term (206) from a search interface provided on a mobile computing device (104) over a network (106);

retrieving search results (216, 218, 220) by querying one or more databases (112, 114) based on the search term (206);

assigning each of the search results (216, 218, 220) to one of a plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214);

transmitting the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214) and the assigned search results (216, 218, 220) to the mobile computing device (104) over the network (106), the mobile computing device (104) adapted to display the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), a list of assigned partial search results (216, 218, 220) corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), and a link (222) corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined categories (210, 212, 214), the link (222) selectable to display a list of assigned full search results (216, 218, 220) corresponding to each of the predetermined categories (210, 212, 214).