Control for persistent search results and iterative searching

#This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/974,788 filed Aug. 23, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

#The present invention is in the field of systems, methods, and computer program products for control for persistent search results and iterative searching.

#Classic internet search interfaces, such as those located at WWW.GOOGLE.COM, WWW.BING.COM, and WWW.YAHOO.COM, include a text box where a user can enter a keyword or keyword string (also referred to herein as “search term(s)” or a “query”). The user is presented with a list of search results. In some instances, search interfaces provide the user with controls to refine the search results. For example, e-commerce search interfaces often allow a user to filter search results by price, color, size, user rating, etc.

#The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a browser including a search toolbar according to an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a browser with query assistance according to an embodiment of the invention;

#Exemplary, non-limiting, embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below. While specific configurations are discussed to provide a clear understanding, it should be understood that the disclosed configurations are provided for illustration purposes only. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

#At least one embodiment of the invention provides a method of control for persistent search results and iterative searching, which reduces the inefficient “back and forth” web browsing between the search results page and individual search results. The method can enable users to make search refinements when viewing the actual detail of result pages and provides persistent and dynamic search results that are not user initiated. The method shifts the focus from what the experience should be on the search results page to what the experience should be when actually viewing a search result in detail.

#An embodiment of the invention includes persistent search results and refinement controls (with a small footprint) while users are actually viewing content. This also means search results related to the viewed content can be offered without the user deciding to search or even formulating a query. For example, products from competitor websites could be automatically displayed when the user is viewing a product page, thereby alleviating both the need to decide to search and the need to formulate or reformulate/revise a query.