AU2008200671B1 - Determining a searchable database - Google Patents

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Determining a searchable database The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P/00/011 I 5102

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00 '4 -1- DETERMINING A SEARCHABLE DATABASE Technical Field [001] The present invention relates to a method, system, server processing system, and computer program product for determining if one or more databases are searchable using 00o one or more search parameters.

Background Art [002] Generally when a user wishes to conduct a query of a single database using a web portal, a user can visit the web portal, such as a website available using the Internet, using a processing system, and then interact with a number of form objects displayed by the processing system in order to specify parameters of the search. The user is then able to submit the parameters of the search, wherein the parameters indicated by the user are then transferred to a server processing system, such that the server processing system conducts the search of the respective database and transfers back to the processing system result data indicative of the search results.

[003] However, a user may wish to search a plurality of independent databases which store similar content. For example, if a user wishes to conduct a search of available real estate, there may exist multiple independent real estate databases, and thus it would be necessary for the user to visit several web portals to conduct the search. The task of reinputting the parameters of the query for each web portal can be a time consuming exercise.

[004] Furthermore, each portal may be configured slightly differently, where different parameters are available to conduct a search. For example, a first employment portal may allow a search of industry to be conducted, wherein one of the industries which is available is "Automotive". However, a second employment portal may not describe the equivalent search parameter as "Automotive" but rather "Trades and services". Therefore, this requires the user to search through different available parameters and assess whether the parameters are equivalent in order to conduct a similar search of both databases.

00 0 -2- (.i [005] In some instances, a particular database may not be able to accept particular parameters, and thus the user may waste a substantial amount of time interacting with a portal attempting to locate a particular option to conduct the required search. For example, O a first real estate portal may allow a user to input the search parameter of a minimum land size, whereas a second real estate portal may not provide this option. This can lead to the 00 user spending a significant amount of time interacting with the second real estate portal attempting to locate this search option in order to conduct the same search as that which was conducted with the first real estate portal.

[006] It will be appreciated from the above examples that attempting to search multiple databases can be a time-consuming task due to these disadvantages. Therefore, there exists a need to determine whether one or more databases from multiple databases are searchable, which overcomes or at least ameliorates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[007] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Disclosure Of Invention [008] In a first broad form there is provided a method of determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, the method including, in a server processing system, steps of: receiving, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generating result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from 00 S-3a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; and transferring, to the user processing system, the result data.

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[009] In one form, the method includes, at the server processing system, generating for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for 00 Ssearching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the i result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system.

[010] In another form, the method includes the server processing system generating the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the result data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries.

[011] In one embodiment, each search query is a hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the user operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

[012] In another embodiment, the method includes, in the server processing system: executing each search query generated by the server processing system; receiving executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and generating the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, wherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

[013] Optionally, the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: generating history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transferring the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively 00 S-4execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

[014] In another form there is provided a server processing system configured to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system is configured to: 00 receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server ,I processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

[015] In one form, the server processing system is configured to generate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system.

[016] In another form, the server processing system is configured to generate the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the result data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries.

[017] In one embodiment, each search query is a hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the user operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

[018] In another embodiment, the server processing system is configured to: 00

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execute each search query generated by the server processing system; receive executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and generate the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, wherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

00 oO O[019] In an optional embodiment, the server processing system is configured to: generate history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transfer the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

[020] In another broad form there is provided a computer program product including computer readable medium, the computer readable medium including a computer readable program for determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on by a server processing system causes the server processing system to: receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

[021] In one form, the computer program product configures the server processing system to generate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding 00 -6search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system.

O 5 [022] In another form, the computer program product configures the server processing i system to generate the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the 00

O

Sresult data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries.

[023] In one embodiment, each search query is a hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the user operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

[024] In another embodiment, the computer program product configures the server processing system to: execute each search query generated by the server processing system; receive executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and generate the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, wherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

[025] In an optional embodiment, the computer program product configures the server processing system to: generate history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transfer the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

[026] According to another broad form, there is provided a computer readable medium of instructions for giving effect to any of the aforementioned methods or server processing 00 O-7systems. In one particular, but non-limiting, form, the computer readable medium of Iinstructions are embodied as a software program.

[26A] In another broad aspect there is provided a method of determining if one or more 5 databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, the method including, in a

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Oserver processing system, steps of: OO receiving, from a user processing system in data communication with the server Oprocessing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generating result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; generating for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transferring, to the user processing system, the result data.

[26B] In another broad aspect there is provided a server processing system configured to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system is configured to: receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; 00 oO CD-7Agenerate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding Isearch query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

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00 [26C] In another broad aspect there is provided a computer program product including computer readable medium, the computer readable medium including a computer readable program for determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on by a server processing system causes the server processing system to: receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using.the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; generate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

Brief Description Of Figures [027] An example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

00 -7B [028] Figure 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example processing system INO that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular embodiment; [029] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart representing an example method of enabling a user to execute at least one search query in relation to a database; 00 [030] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart representing a further example method of enabling a user to execute at least one search query in relation to a database; and [031] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram representing a portion of a database storing a plurality of portal records.

Modes for Carrying Out The Invention [032] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

[033] A particular embodiment of the present invention can be realised using a processing system, an example of which is shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the processing system 100 generally includes at least one processor 102, or processing unit or plurality of processors, memory 104, at least one input device 106 and at least one output device 108, coupled together via a bus or group of buses 110. In certain embodiments, input device 106 and output device 108 could be the same device. An interface 112 can also be 00 S-8- Sprovided for coupling the processing system 100 to one or more peripheral devices, for example interface 112 could be a PCI card or PC card. At least one storage device 114 which houses at least one database 116 can also be provided. In this form, a network of processing systems functionally operate as a single distributed processing system. The S 5 memory 104 can be any form of memory device, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc. The processor 102 could 00 0include more than one distinct processing device, for example to handle different functions I within the processing system 100. Input device 106 receives input data 118 and can include, for example, a keyboard, a pointer device such as a pen-like device or a mouse, audio receiving device for voice controlled activation such as a microphone, data receiver or antenna such as a modem or wireless data adaptor, data acquisition card, etc. Input data 118 could come from different sources, for example keyboard instructions in conjunction with data received via a network. Output device 108 produces or generates output data 120 and can include, for example, a display device or monitor in which case output data 120 is visual, a printer in which case output data 120 is printed, a port for example a USB port, a peripheral component adaptor, a data transmitter or antenna such as a modem or wireless network adaptor, etc. Output data 120 could be distinct and derived from different output devices, for example a visual display on a monitor in conjunction with data transmitted to a network. A user could view data output, or an interpretation of the data output, on, for example, a monitor or using a printer. The storage device 114 can be any form of data or information storage means, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc.

[034] In use, the processing system 100 is adapted to allow data or information to be stored in and/or retrieved from, via wired or wireless communication means, the at least one database 116. The interface 112 may allow wired and/or wireless communication between the processing unit 102 and peripheral components that may serve a specialised purpose. The processor 102 receives instructions as input data 118 via input device 106 and can display processed results or other output to a user by utilising output device 108.

More than one input device 106 and/or output device 108 can be provided. It should be 00 S-9appreciated that the processing system 100 may be any form of terminal, server, specialised hardware, or the like.

S[035] The processing system 100 may be a part of a networked communications system.

O 5 Processing system 100 could connect to network, for example the Internet or a WAN.

Input data 118 and output data 120 could be communicated to other devices via the 00 network. The transfer of information and/or data over the network can be achieved using wired communications means or wireless communications means. A server can facilitate the transfer of data between the network and one or more databases. A server and one or more databases provide an example of an information source. In one particular form, the server may transfer, to the processing system 100, data indicative of a computer program which when executed in the processing system 100 performs the method described herein.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a flow chart showing an example method of determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters.

In particular, at step 210 the method 200 includes, in a server processing system, receiving, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user. At step 220, the method 200 includes generating result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store. The searchable result data is indicative of searchable parameters for each database. At step 230, the method includes transferring, to the user processing system, the result data.

[036] Similarly, the processing system shown by example in Figure 1 can be used as the server processing system which can be appropriately configured to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters. In particular the server processing system is configured to: receive from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more 00 -lO databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the result data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

00 S[037] The method of determining one or more searchable databases can be generally N implemented using software, such as one or more application programs executing within the computer system 100.

[038] In particular, the methods and processes are affected by instructions in the software that are carried out by the computer. The instructions may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. Typically the execution of the instructions may require a number of different application programs to interact, and may also require the presence of a suitable drivers or the like.

[039] The software may be stored in a computer readable medium, and loaded into the computer, from the computer readable medium, to allow execution. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the computer preferably affects an advantageous apparatus for distributed printing, scanning or copying.

[040] In one form there is provided a computer program product including computer readable medium which appropriately configures the server processing system to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters. In particular, the computer readable medium includes a computer readable program which when executed by the server processing system causes the server processing system to: receive from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server 00 -11- Sprocessing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the result data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

[041] The term "computer readable medium" as used herein refers to any storage or N, transmission medium that participates in providing instructions and/or data to the computer oO 00 0system 100 for execution and/or processing. Examples of storage media include floppy i disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, a magnetooptical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the processing system 100. Examples of transmission media include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like.

[042] A number of technical advantages can be achieved using the above described embodiments. For example, a user can determine at a central portal, provided by the server processing system, which particular databases from a plurality of databases allow for such a search to be conducted based on the one or more search parameters. This achieves the technical advantage of lowering the data transferred and received by the user processing system as the user is not required to visit each portal to determine if a search can be conducted based upon the specific parameters being searched upon.

[043] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a further flowchart representing a more detailed example of a method of enabling a user to execute at least one search query in relation to a database.

[044] In particular, at step 305 the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system receiving portal data for each portal hosting processing system. For example, the processor of the server processing system may download and store in memory of the server processing system source code data for each portal made available over a network, such as the Internet, which enables a user to perform a search using the 00 S-12respective portal. The portal data may be source code in the form of hypertext markup language (HTML). Generally, the processor of the server processing system downloads multiple portal data for multiple databases.

O 5 [045] At step 310, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system N0 extracting from portal data for each portal, available parameters for searching the 00 respective database. For example, the source code downloaded by the processor may be C searched for keywords such as a FORM tag which is used in HTML to allow the user to input form data. By searching for the FORM tag, the available parameters which can be searched can be extracted by the processor from the FORM portion of the source code.

Generally, the source code has multiple lists of available parameters which the user can select to perform a search of the database.

[046] At step 315, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system generating parameter group data indicative of substantially similar parameters for the multiple portals. For example, a first employment portal and second employment portal may allow a search to be conducted via an industry. However, the first employment portal may provide a parameter of whereas the second employment portal may provide a parameter of "Information Technology". In this instance, the two parameters can be grouped together. The grouping process can be automated where rules are used by the processor of the server processing system to compare keywords between the available parameters of each portal. Additionally, rules can be defined to group particular parameters together.

[047] At step 320, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system generating, for at least some of the portals, searchable parameter data in the form of one or more rules for generating a search query. For example, one of the rules may generate a GET or POST request which when executed by an Internet browser, causes a processor of the portal hosting processing system to conduct a search of the respective database. The rule, when executed by the processor of the server processing system may generate a string which concatenates form pairs specified by the user.

00 S-13- C1 [048] At step 325, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system storing, in a data store such as memory, the searchable parameter data. The data store may Sbe part of the server processing system or may be remotely in data communication with the O 5 server processing system. The data store may be provided in the form of a database 400.

N, The database can store a plurality of portal records 410, where each portal record 410 00 oO indicates the searchable parameters for the respective database, and the respective rule 440 I for generating a search query. The searchable parameters may additionally be indicative of one or more values or ranges of search parameters which are searchable. For example, a particular real estate portal may have a searchable parameter of a number of bedrooms for a house listing. However, this particular searchable parameter may have a limited number of available values which are searchable, for example, one bedroom, two bedrooms, or three or more bedrooms. Figure 4 shows an example portion of a database 400 including a plurality of portal records 410. Each record indicates whether particular parameters 420 can be searched by the respective portal 430, and additionally provides a rule 440 for generating a search query.

[049] At step 330, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system generating a search interface using the server processing system database. In particular, the search interface may be generated in the form of HTML which includes an interactive form providing the various parameters which the user may wish to search thereby. Once the search interface has been generated by the processor of the server processing system, the search interface is stored in the memory of the server processing system by the processor and made publicly available to users via a data communications network, such as the Internet. The search interface may be available as a webpage which can be accessed via the Internet which a user can visit using a user processing system to thereby interact therewith and to be provided with result data to conduct a search with one or more databases which are able to perform the search specified by the user.

[050] At step 335, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system receiving a search interface request from a user processing system to display the search 00

O

-14interface. The search interface request may be as result of a user specifying a URL of the webpage which the search interface can be accessed. At step 340, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system transferring response data indicative of the search interface to the requesting user processing system. At step 345, the Internet browser being used by the processor of the user processing system attempts to begin loading the search interface using the response data.

00 i [051] At step 350, the method 300 includes the processor of the user processing system searching the memory thereof for cookie data associated with the search interface. This may be initiated by the response data configuring the processor of the user processing system, via interpretation by the Internet browser, to search for cookie data indicating that the user processing system has been previously used to interact with the search interface.

In the event that cookie data is found by the processor of the user processing system, the method 300 includes, at step 355, the processor of the user processing system generating and transferring a history data request to the server processing system for retrieval of history data indicative of previously submitted requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the processor of the server processing system. The history data request is generally indicative of a unique identity associated with the user processing system. Generally, the cookie data stored on the memory of the user processing system includes data indicative of the unique user processing system identity. In the event that cookie data is not found by the processor of the user processing system, processor of the user processing system concludes loading the search interface displayed by the display of the user processing system, wherein the method continues to step 370, to be discussed in further detail below.

[052] In response to the processor of the server processing system receiving the history data request for retrieval of previously submitted form data, the method 300 includes, at step 360, the processor of the server processing searching the data store to retrieve the respective previously submitted form data for the user. As previously stated, the data store may include a database 400 (herein referred to as a sever processing system database), wherein the processor of the server processing system queries a table of the server 00 processing system database which includes stored records of user processing system identities and associated therewith, the respective previously submitted form data. Upon retrieval of the previously submitted form data in response to the query of the database, the method 300 includes, at step 365, the processor of the server processing system transferring history data indicative of the previously submitted form data to the user processing system, wherein the processor of the user processing system may additionally 00 O display, within the search interface, the previously submitted form data using the display of C, the user processing system, thereby finishing the loading of the search interface. The display of the previously submitted form data thereby allows a user to be able to selectively and quickly execute a previous request. In some instances, as is discussed later in this document, the history data enables the quick generation of one or more search queries without having to request the user to re-input the one or more search parameters.

[053] At step 370, the method 300 includes the user interacting with the search interface using an input device of the user processing system to thereby input the one or more search parameters which the user wishes to search thereby. For example, the search interface may display a form which includes a number of form objects, such as pull-down menus, checkboxes, radio buttons, and input text fields, which are displayed using the display of the user processing system, wherein the user can interact with each form object using one or more input devices of the user processing system to indicate form data indicative of the one or more parameters of the search. Once the one or more parameters have been input, the user indicates submission of the request indicative of the form data, wherein the processor of the user processing system transfers the form data to the server processing system. Generally, this can be performed by the user selecting a submit button on the form using an input device of the user processing system such as a mouse or keyboard.

[054] At step 375, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system receiving the form data including the search parameters input by the user. At step 380, the method includes the processor of the server processing system determining, using the searchable parameter data stored at the data store and based on the form data, any portal from the plurality of portals which are searchable using the parameters input by the user.

00 -16- [055] At step 385, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system generating, for at least some of the searchable portals, a search query, wherein the search query is generated in accordance with the respective rule stored in the server processing system database. For example, referring to Figure 4, in the event that the user indicates that N, the a search is to be conducted based upon the minimum land size field, a query of the 00oO database determines that the only portal that can perform such a search is NI "www.yourhome.com.au". Using the selected portal, the rule is retrieved which is then used to generate a search query based upon the received form data received from the user.

The search query can be a string in the form of a URL which passes the form data to the portal hosting processing system upon execution. This form of search query is generally used as a GET request. The search query can alternatively be a portion of a computer program, in the form of a POST request, which when interpreted and executed by the processor of the user processing system, causes the form data to be passed to the portal hosting processing system.

[056] Due to the processor of a centralised server processing system generating the one or more search queries, there is again a significant reduction in the amount of data received and transferred by the user processing system as separate form data is not required from each portal hosting server processing system. Furthermore, as the user only needs to input the parameters once, there is again a significant reduction in the data being transferred from the user processing system. Moreover, as the user only needs to input the parameters once, a significant amount of time is saved by the user when operating with the user processing system.

[057] At step 390, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system generating result data indicative of each search query for each searchable portal using the parameters provided by the user. The result data can generally be provided in the form of HTML code which include hyperlinks which enable a user to select one of the search queries for execution.

00 S-17- S[058] At step 393, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system storing the generated one or more search queries in the server processing system database, wherein the one or more search queries is associated with the unique identity of the user processing system. By using the cookie data, as explained in steps 350 to 360, these one or more search queries can be retrieved in future uses of the search interface.

00 [059] At step 396, the method 300 includes the processor of the server processing system Stransferring the result data, generally in the form of HTML for display as a webpage, to the user processing system. The webpage includes a hyperlink for each search query, thereby enabling, at step 399, a user to select one or more of the hyperlinks to execute the associated search query or queries.

[060] In an optional form, when the result data is displayed using the display device of the user processing system to the user at step 396, the result data may also be indicative of previously submitted form data, herein referred to as history data. Each time where a different set of parameters are used to generate one or more search queries, a record is stored by the processor of the server processing system database at step 393. The history data may be displayed as a list object as part of the search interface, wherein the user can select one of the form data submissions previously submitted from the list such that the form data does not need to be re-input by the user. Upon receipt of the request for the search interface, the processor of the server processing system generates the history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system, then transfers the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

[061] In another variation, instead of using cookies to uniquely identify the user processing system, requests submitted to the processor of the server processing system may be monitored and recorded during a session until the user processing system ceases to be in data communication with the server processing system the browser is closed).

00 01 S-18- SOne particular technique that could be used to implement recording history data is by providing a URL variable which could uniquely identify the session.

S[062] In another variation, the user may be able to post content to be stored by the processor of the server processing system in the data store and associated with result data displayed for particular parameters which was submitted by the user. For example, the user 00 Cmay perform a search of the database shown by example in Figure 4, wherein the result ,i data generated enables three of the four portals to be searched. The user may then input, using the webpage displaying the result data, content relevant to the search being performed. The user may for example input an advertisement relevant to the search queries. The content submitted by the user is then stored by the processor of the server processing system in the server processing system database. In future requests where a different user requests generation of one or more search queries which use the same or similar parameters (ie. one or more search terms may be in common), then the processor of the server processing system retrieves the content posted by another user from the server processing system database and thereby generates the result data to include the content which is displayed by the user processing system for the different user.

[063] In another variation, the user processing system may be provided in the form of a mobile telecommunications device or other mobile device which is able to communicate with the server processing system. The processor of the server processing system may generate the search interface specifically for communicating with mobile telecommunications devices reducing graphical content). For example, the interface may be generated and tailored by the processor of the server processing system such that predominately text is displayed using the display of the mobile telecommunications device rather than the user processing system.

[064] In another variation, the processor of the server processing system can additionally or alternatively automatically execute each search query, aggregate the executed search results returned from each database queried to generate result data, and transfer the result data to the user processing system. The processor of the server processing system may be 00

O

O

-19configured to search for particular sections of each returned search result. For example, if the processor of the server processing system was conducting a search of employment databases, the processor of the server processing system may be configured to extract the data related to the particular job available, the job description, and the hyperlink to the O 5 website where the job is listed. In one form, the processor of the server processing system N can store in a cache the results returned from each database. The cache can form a portion 00

O

Oof the memory of the server processing system. Therefore, a particular search query may C, not need to be executed upon querying the cache, but rather results obtained from the cache may simply be retrieved from the cache by the processor of the server processing system and presented back to the user, thereby reducing data transfer and execution time.

[065] In an additional or alternate form, cached search results are recorded by the processor of the server processing system with a particular expiry deadline, and in the event that a cached search result corresponds to the search query, the cached search result is transferred by the processor of the server processing system to the user processing system to thereby reduce the data transferred and received by the hosting database and also to reduce the amount of data transferred by the server processing system. In another form, the processor of the server processing system may continue to store search results that have expired in the cache in a separate portion of the memory of the server processing system.

In the event that the a particular database has malfunctioned and cannot be queried, a search of expired cached search results can be conducted by the processor of the server processing system, and in the event an expired search result exists which corresponds to the particular search query for the failed database, the cached search result is output by the processor of the server processing system to the user processing system.

[066] In another variation, in the event that a cached search result is not found in the cache by the processor of the server processing system, the processor of the server processing system may transfer instructions to the user processing system which allow the processor of the user processing system to spawn one or more processes, where each process is a request to the processor of the server processing system to execute a search query. Upon receipt of the instructions by the processor of the user processing system, the 00 Internet browser of the user processing system interprets the instructions, spawns a new process for each search query required to be executed, and transfers a request to the server processing system to execute the corresponding search query. Once search results are received by the processor of the server processing system, the relevant sections of the search results are extracted by the processor of the server processing system and are transferred as result data to the user processing system. As the user processing system 00

O

Ospawns a new process for each search query, multiple processes can be running NI simultaneously, wherein result data for each executed search query may be received and displayed by the processor user processing system at differing times. Thus, the results data displayed by the processor of the user processing system dynamically updates upon receipt of result data for each executed search query. A suitable technology which can implement this technique is AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML). In the event that a database cannot be searched, and no expired search result exists in the memory of the server processing system, and the result data returned to the user processing system indicates that an error occurred.

[067] In another variation, the processor of the server processing system is configured to receive a plurality of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds relating to particular content searchable by the plurality of databases. For example, if the plurality of databases relate to searching real estate, then the RSS feeds received by the server processing system can relate to real estate content. The processor of the server processing system then stores portions of the RSS feeds in memory of the server processing system. When a request is received from the user processing system including the one or more search parameters, the processor of the server processing system conducts a search to determine RSS feed content stored which is relevant to the one or more search parameters. The result data generated by the processor of the server processing system can be indicative of one or more RSS feed portions which are relevant to the one or more search parameters provided by the user. For example, if one of the search parameters is a specific city such as "Sydney" for real estate content, then hyperlinks to RSS feed content relating to real estate in Sydney may be additionally provided in the returned result data to the user processing system.

00 -21- [068] In another variation, some of the records of the result data presented by the user processing system may be a static portal which provides no searchable form to conduct a search query. However, it will be appreciated that at least some of the data returned in the result data are indicative of at least one dynamic portal which can execute a search query.

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N, [069] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist 00 Sin the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[070] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

1. A method of determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, the method including, in a server processing system, steps of: receiving, from a user processing system in data communication with the server O Oprocessing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the 00 user; Ogenerating result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; generating for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transferring, to the user processing system, the result data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes the server processing system generating the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the result data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein each search query is a hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the user operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method includes, in the server processing system: executing each search query generated by the server processing system; receiving executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and 00 O D -23- generating the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, Iwherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method includes, in 0 Othe server processing system, steps of: 00 generating history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by Sthe user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transferring the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

6. A server processing system configured to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system is configured to: receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the user; generate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server processing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter data being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; generate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data. 00 S- 24-

7. The server processing system according to claim 6, wherein the server processing Isystem is configured to generate the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the result data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries. O

8. The server processing system according to claim 7, wherein each search query is a OO hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the Ouser operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

9. The server processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein server processing system is configured to: execute each search query generated by the server processing system; receive executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and generate the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, wherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

The server processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the server processing system is configured to: generate history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transfer the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

11. A computer program product including computer readable medium, the computer readable medium including a computer readable program for determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, wherein the computer oO 00 D readable program, when executed on by a server processing system causes the server Iprocessing system to: receive, from a user processing system in data communication with the server processing system, a request indicative of the one or more search parameters input by the 5 user; O Sgenerate result data indicative of whether one or more databases from a plurality of 00 databases are searchable using the one or more search parameters, wherein the server Oprocessing system generates the result data using searchable parameter data accessed from a data store, the searchable parameter being indicative of searchable parameters for each database; generate for at least some of the databases which are searchable, a corresponding search query for searching the respective database using the one or more search parameters, wherein the result data generated by the server processing system is indicative of each search query generated by the server processing system; and transfer, to the user processing system, the result data.

12. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the computer program product configures the server processing system to generate the result data such that upon display by the user processing system, the result data enables the user to selectively execute at least one of the search queries.

13. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein each search query is a hypertext transfer protocol request configured such that upon selected execution by the user operating the user processing system, the respective search query is submitted to the respective database.

14. The computer program product according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the computer program product configures the server processing system to: execute each search query generated by the server processing system; receive executed search results data relating to each executed search query; and 00 -26- U generate the results data to be indicative of the executed search results data, IDwherein display of the results data by the user processing system displays the executed search results.

15. The computer program product according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the computer program product configures the server processing system to: 00 generate history data indicative of one or more previous requests submitted by the user processing system and executed by the server processing system; and transfer the history data to the user processing system, wherein upon display of the history data by the user processing system, the history data enables a user to selectively execute one of the previous requests to determine whether the respective one or more search parameters are searchable.

16. A method of determining if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, the method being herein substantially herein before described.

17. A server processing system configured to determine if one or more databases are searchable using one or more search parameters, the server processing system being substantially herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A computer program product being substantially herein before described.