# US 2014/0195521 A1 · Table of contents for search query refinement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0195521 A1 - Document ID: US20140195521A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/202,973 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-04 - Assignees: Microsoft Corporation - Applicants: Microsoft Corporation - Inventors: MIRA LANE; JAVIER GARCIA FLYNN; PAUL RAY; EVAN MALAHY; DERRICK CONNELL; BRIAN MACDONALD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140195521A1 ## CPC - G06F 16/248: Presentation of query results - G06F 16/3322: {using system suggestions (G06F16/3325 takes precedence)} - G06F 16/338: Presentation of query results - G06F 16/951: Indexing; Web crawling techniques - G06F 16/953: Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Computer-implemented methods and a computing system are provided for presenting a new user interface paradigm which allows users to explore facets related to a search query term while maintaining the original state of the search query term or staying within the confines of the user defined topic. The methods and system present facets or categories of relevant topics of a user generated search query term. The user may then explore these facets in a number of embodiments while maintaining the state of the search. ## Claims ### Claim 1 One or more memory devices having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for providing a user interface, the method comprising: receiving a search query; displaying a first set of search results and a set of facets for the search query; receiving a selected facet from the set of facets; concurrently displaying: (1) a second set of search results based on the search query and the selected facet; and (2) displaying the set of facets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of search results are generated using the search query and the selected facet as a refinement query. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: concurrently displaying a set of sub facets, wherein the set of sub facets are generated using the search query and the selected facet as a refinement query. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising concurrently displaying a graphical indication highlighting the selected facet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying one or more static facets, wherein the static facets allow the user to refine search results. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: receiving a second selected facet; displaying a third set of search results, wherein the third set of search results are generated using the search query and the second selected facet as a refinement query. ### Claim 7 One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for, providing a user interface for, the method comprising: receiving a search query; displaying a first set of search results and a set of facets for the search query; receiving a selected facet from the set of facets; and displaying a second set of search results and a set of sub facets, wherein the set of sub facets are generated using the search query and the selected facet as a refinement query. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving a selected sub facet; and displaying a third set of search results and the set of sub facets. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the third set of search results are generated using the search query, the selected facet, and the selected sub facet as a refinement query. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising concurrently displaying: (1) a first graphical indication highlighting the selected facet; and (2) a second graphical indication highlighting the selected sub facet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, the method further comprising displaying one or more static facets, wherein the static facet allows the user to refine search results. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, the method further: receiving a selected static facet; and refining the second set of search results using the selected static facet. ### Claim 13 One or more memory devices having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for providing a user interface, the method comprising: receiving a search query; storing the search query; displaying a set of facets for the search query; receiving a selected facet from the set of facets; storing the selected facet; maintaining the state of the set of facets when the selected facet corresponds to search query, wherein maintaining comprises: (1) retrieving the search query from a stored location; (2) determining that the selected facet links to the set of facets generated for the search query; displaying the set of facets. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein storing the search query further comprises: assigning the search query a search query source identifier used to identify the selected facet as corresponding the search query. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a second selected facet from the set of facet; and maintaining the state of the set of facets when the second selected facet corresponds to search query, wherein maintaining comprises: (1) retrieving the search query from the stored location; (2) determining that the second selected facet links to the set of facets generated for the search query; ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: concurrently displaying a set of sub facets for the search query and the selected facet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a selected sub facet; and maintaining the state of the set of facets and the set of sub facets when the selected sub facet corresponds to search query. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, the method further comprising displaying one or more static facets, wherein the static facets allow the user to refine search results. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, the method further: receiving a selected static facet; and refining a set of search results for the search query using the selected static facet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a second search query; determining that the second search query does not correspond to the search query such that a state of the first set of facets is not maintained; displaying a second set of facets for the second search query.