KR20070018934A - System and method for dynamically generating a selectable search extension - Google Patents

Abstract

The system and related technologies accept user input search terms to perform a search for files in the file system hierarchy. The user enters a search term in the search term input box 112 of the user interface 104 to retrieve the current level of the file system 120. The search box 114 is dynamically generated and can extend the search to other levels 122 of the file system with the intention of finding more matching files or hits or finding more matching files or hits. have. If the initial search produces no results, the search can be expanded automatically. When the user selects a selectable search box, the user's search may naturally expand to other files, folders, trees or other points or levels in the file system. Search results can be updated continuously or dynamically as the user enters more characters or other data.

Selectable search box, search term

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATING A SELECTABLE SEARCH EXTENSION}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of computing, and more specifically, to automatically generate a selectable search when a user enters a search term, such as, for example, matching a file attribute or content with a file in a file system. It is related to the platform, and this search may be provided in a word-wheel manner and may extend to other points or levels in the file hierarchy in which the search may be performed, or to a level of directories.

In the areas of operating systems, application design, and other fields, there is a frequent need for a powerful and flexible search function that searches a user's storage device. Users may, for example, be of any type, such as ".doc", ".jpg", ".memo", ".report", or otherwise, to retrieve, edit, print, and otherwise manipulate documents. You may want to search your hard drive to find all files with extensions. Users may also want to search for files based on relevant metadata such as file size, date created or date modified. The user may also sometimes want to search the file based on the contents of the file, such as desired text or numbers. The need to efficiently initiate and perform such a search becomes particularly important when a user attempts to search a very large amount of files or all of the data. This situation may be the case, for example, when a user is looking through a domestic customer list of a CRM package, or when updating a shared document or contact file within a large company or other organization. In other cases, users may wish to sort or search through a catalog or collection of music, video or other media or file material. Some search tools or features have evolved in response to large file searches and other requirements.

For example, some applications and other packages may provide the user with an input box type of search interface, which allows the user to enter file extensions or other attributes, or search terms such as strings or text within files. have. For example, as the search progresses throughout the local hard drive and associated file system, files that partially or completely match the entered attributes or text may be displayed to the user for selection or manipulation.

However, existing search tools have been limited by some limitations in their usefulness or functionality. For example, such existing search tools merely provide results obtained by searching a client or other file system at the current level or point in the file system hierarchy. Thus, if there are no results in a given directory or folder, the user must restart or reenter another search in another directory or folder, even if the same search term is used. Similarly, existing search tools could not run both file attribute (extension, name, etc.) searches and deep or in-file searches that compare strings of text simultaneously. Other problems exist with file management and retrieval techniques.

The present invention, which overcomes these and other problems of the prior art, provides, in one aspect, a user initiating a search through the file system based on file attributes or content at the current level or point in the file system hierarchy. A system and method for dynamically generating selectable search extensions that can be enabled. In this embodiment, the platform of the present invention can automatically generate on-the fly results that reflect a match with a file at a current level or current point in the file system hierarchy. For example, when a user enters an input search term or terms, the platform may determine the name, date, size, author or other attributes of the file, or files whose text or other content matches the input search term or terms. The current total number can be displayed. According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is no immediate result for the user's input search term that matches any file at the current level or current point in the file system hierarchy or based on other conditions or If it is displayed that very few matches, a selectable search box may be automatically generated and provided. In this embodiment, the search box may dynamically suggest a string that is automatically completed for the proposed search term or candidate search term. In this embodiment, the selectable search box may be provided to the user in a highlighted form, and the user may be highlighted in the menu interface for quick activation or may be provided in the menu interface, or at another level in the file system hierarchy. By clicking or selecting another point, one can expand to another level using the same search input or criteria.

1 illustrates a platform on which a system and method for dynamically generating a selectable search based on an input search term may operate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2 illustrates a search function or interface including an input search box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3 illustrates a search function or interface according to an embodiment of the present invention in another aspect, including multi-level search.

4 is a flow diagram of a general search extension process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

1 illustrates an architecture in which the present systems and methods may operate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, for example, a user interface of the client 102, under the control of the operating system 108, to operate one or more applications of the application set 110 and perform other tasks. Can operate 104. The client 102 may include a storage device 106 such as a hard drive, an optical drive such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, an electronic medium, or other medium or other storage device. In the present embodiment, the storage device 106 may include a file system 118, the system being stored on the storage device 106, for example, in a directory, file, library, tree or other hierarchical or other structure. Stored programs and data can be encoded physically or logically. According to an embodiment of the present invention, file system 118 may be or may include a Windows ™ File System (WFS) that is included in the next generation of the Microsoft Windows ™ operating system family. Other file systems, operating systems, and related resources may be used.

In operation of client 102 and when using client 102, a user accesses storage device 106 and file system 118 to perform these tasks of finding, opening, modifying, and storing files and other objects. can do. The user can do one or more of the application sets 110 to open this file using one or more applications, for example to list the local file set to see the total number of files of a particular type. Retrieving one or more files or other objects, such as to find and delete stale files, or for other purposes or tasks. In accordance with one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a user may perform a file retrieval task using, for example, one or more functions, file types, objects, or other features included in or supported by the operating system 108. Manipulate user interface 104 to initiate and perform.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the user is one of the operating systems 108, such as a screen or view created by clicking or activating "MyComputer" or other icons, sidebars, menus or other resources. By selecting the file menu in the above screen, the search term input box 112 can be activated. The user may respond to the search term input box 112 by entering one or more search terms associated with one file or files of interest. For example, a user may have a ".doc", ".memo", ".report", ".txt", ".jpg" or other extension, or a file created for a given user or a specific date. For example, you may want to see all files with the desired attributes. Other extensions or attributes are possible, such as time, language, file size, or other attribute of one or more files in file system 118. In another aspect, a user may also search for files in file system 118 based on the internal text, letters, numbers, or other content of these files, and enter these search terms accordingly. The search terms, data structures, and related resources of this embodiment may be described in, include, or associated with US Pat. No. 10 / 440,035, US Pat. No. 10 / 403,341, or other search scheme or mechanism. .

As shown in FIG. 2, according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when a user begins to enter one or more search terms into the search term input box 112, the system automatically generates a search box 114. And by providing it, it can react. The search box 114 may reflect search activity and logic in response to the entered search term. According to the illustrated embodiment, the search box 114 may include, for example, a list of attribute sets of files that match the entered search term or partial search term at the top of the menu panel. According to an embodiment, the attribute set list is generated quickly, immediately or in real time so that each result of a new letter, letter, number or other symbol of the search term is displayed immediately as it is typed or entered. Can be.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rapid result may include an inserted tag indicating the total number of files that match the entered search term or partial search term up to that moment. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, if one or more attribute values match a search string or term, the attribute may include a search string or term, such as "Name contains 'lo'" shown. May be provided to the user. That is, in the illustrated example, multiple names of the view, such as "Logan", "Lorraine", "Lomar" or others, may include the string 'lo'. On the other hand, if only one attribute of the view matches the search string or term, a menu entry is provided to the user indicating that the attribute is a search string or term, such as the illustrated "City is Los Angeles". Can be.

According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, quick search results for file attributes may be generated from file searches currently displayed in a list. In an embodiment, these files may be searched in a single directory or in a single location or across multiple locations. As also shown in FIG. 2, when a quick search activity occurs for a file attribute, an additional search activity may be initiated according to the present embodiment. More specifically, as shown, the search box 114 includes, in an example case, one or more lines representing internal (or deep) file searches that may occur concurrently or sequentially with a quick search for file attributes. In addition, additional sets of search resources may be provided in the submenu section. Thus, in the illustrated example, when the user enters the text "lo", it is possible to check the files of the current point or current level of the file system 118 for the internal text "lo". The file containing the text string can be retrieved and provided to the search box 114 when it is retrieved. The speed at which hits are searched internally depends on the number of files at the current point or current level of the file system 118, input search terms, type or presence or absence of an index in the file system, or other factors. Can be.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, for a user who initiates a search activity, a result that matches a file attribute (eg, upper half of the search box 114) and a result that matches internal file content (lower half) A multipart view of these results can be provided in real time when these results are generated, including at the same time and without having to activate additional other options for doing this.

In addition, according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when the results provided in search box 114 are expanded, there is an additional automatic option that allows the user to extend that search activity to another point or another level in file system 118. It may be provided to. In this case and as shown in detail in FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system may return search results at the current level 120 of the file system 118. These results can be generated by providing search boxes 114 with automatically generated search extensions or options. In the illustrated embodiment, these extensions may be applied to a file system, in which the same search terms as entered by the user may be applied in an attempt to find more matching files or other hits or to find more matching files or other hits. And may highlight other levels or modified levels 112 or other points or other locations of 118.

A user can activate additional searches at that location, such as a corporate directory or organizational contact list, a personal file folder or library, a list of most recently accessed files, or a modified or different point or level of file system 118. The modified level 122 may be highlighted. The results of the continued or expanded search may likewise be provided to search box 114. The modified level 112 is the list of most recently accessed files by logical rules such as moving to directories with matching or related names or directories that are in parent, child, or other relationship to the current level 112. May be selected based on certain relationship rules, such as by default, or by other rules or criteria, such as moving up one level or down one level of file system 118, for example. .

Thus, the search option provided to the user is automatically provided so that the user can see more of a given or logically related location in the file system 118 without having to manually change the directory or other hierarchical level they are viewing. It is decorated. In other embodiments, the provision of the search extension option may be provided automatically, regardless of the amount or type of results, or other parameters, at the current level 120 of the file system. In another embodiment, the triggering of the search expansion option in the search box 114 is more than if a search for attributes and content based on all or part of the search term does not have a match, or if the user finds what is needed. Can be conditioned on defined criteria, such as when generating smaller hits. In an embodiment, the user can enter a minimum threshold or can be set as default. Other triggering conditions are possible.

Figure 4 illustrates the overall search and file management process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 402, processing begins. In step 404, the user selects an application's file management toolbar, for example, by selecting an application's file retrieval function and then calling an operating system resource, or by another menu or selection, a file retrieval option May be initiated. In step 406, user input may be received via the search term input box 112 or another interface that receives a typed search term, for example. In step 408, based on user input, a quick search activity to retrieve file attributes at the current level of file system 118, such as at a current directory, folder, or other point or other level in the file system hierarchy. May be initiated. For example, all files with a ".memo" extension or written by "Smith" can be retrieved and sorted at the current point or current level of file system 118.

In step 410, the result of executing a quick search for an attribute at the current level of file system 118 is presented to the user in a word wheel type manner or otherwise, for example, via search box 114. Can be provided. In step 412, for example, for a text or string that matches user input, opening a file and searching internally or a sequential or simultaneous deep file search that includes a file index is the current directory or folder. As within, it may be initiated at the current point or current level of file system 118.

In step 414, the user can be provided with a result of a quick deep search of the contents of the file via the search box 114, for example, separated from the real-time search results based on file attributes with a menu separator or line. have. In step 416, a selectable search that extends the search based on the currently entered search term to another point or another level in the hierarchy of the file system 118, depending on the results of the quick attribute search and / or deep file search. An expansion box can be provided to the user.

In step 418, for example, when a user activates a highlighted directory, file, or other prompt in search box 114, a search extension to another point or other level in file system 118 may be initiated. . In this embodiment, the same search terms as the user entered in the search term input box 112 may or may not have been previously entered in the highlighted portion of the search box 114. The rapid results of this embodiment may likewise be provided via search box 114 as a multi-level extension to search activity proceeds.

In step 420, a view of the search box 114 or other interface may be selected, for example, a set of files located at different levels of the file system 118 or other results, such as clicked or highlighted files, or user selection. Or can be updated to display the highlighted file. When the view moves to a new point or new level in the file system 118, the file can be opened and sorted or manipulated. In this embodiment, the previous level may be stored or displayed as a blurred directory, folder or other object. At step 422, the process may be repeated, returned to the previous process point, or jumped to or terminated at a further process point.

The foregoing description of the invention is illustrative, and those skilled in the art can modify the configuration and implementation. For example, in the present invention, the interface is generally described as a platform that displays a single search box or function, but in embodiments, multiple search boxes, such as, for example, cascade search boxes, or when a match or partial match is found, Other interfaces can be created.

Similarly, although the invention has generally been described in the embodiments as performing a search on a local hard disk or other storage device, in one or more local, remote or distributed storage devices or file systems, automatic search may be performed independently or in combination. Can be. For example, a remote server disk can be retrieved, or a local hard disk can be retrieved in combination with a storage area network (SAN). Similarly, multiple local disks or other media may be searched in succession or simultaneously.

Other hardware, software or other resources described as singular in this embodiment may be distributed, and resources described as distributed in the embodiment may be combined. In addition, although the present invention has been generally described as including a fast search based on a single search term when a string or term is typed, in this embodiment, multiple or congruent to the search, for example using Boolean operations. (join) Search terms may be accepted. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Using the present invention, a user can dynamically create a selectable search extension that can initiate a search of the entire file system based on file attributes or content at a current level or point in the file system hierarchy.

Claims (31)

A system for automatically creating a search box function within a word matching interface, An input interface for receiving an input search term from a user; And Search engine Including, The search engine receives the input search term and communicates with the input interface to dynamically generate a selectable search box based on a search result of a file system using the input search term. The system of claim 1, wherein the input interface comprises a graphical user interface. The system of claim 1, wherein the search engine generates the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and a file attribute set of files in the file system. The system of claim 1, wherein the search engine generates the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and the contents of a file set of the file system. The system of claim 1, wherein the selectable search box comprises a preconfigured search at a modified hierarchical level of the file system. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the modified hierarchical level of the file system is highlighted. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user can activate the preconfigured search by activating the highlighted hierarchical level. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein if a search result of a file system at the current level does not meet a predetermined criterion, the preconfigured search is generated. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the predetermined criterion comprises at least one match for a file at the current level of the file system. The system of claim 1, wherein search results of the file system based on the input search term are updated at least substantially immediately based on an update to the input search term. A method for automatically generating a search box function within a word matching interface, the method comprising: Receiving an input search term from a user; And Dynamically generating a selectable search box based on a search result of a file system using the input search term Search box function automatic generation method comprising a. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the input search term comprises receiving the input search term via a graphical user interface. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein dynamically generating comprises generating the selectable search box based on a result of matching the input search term with a file attribute set of files in the file system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein dynamically generating comprises generating the selectable search box based on a result of matching the input search term with the contents of a file set in the file system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selectable search box includes a preconfigured search at a modified hierarchical level of the file system. The method of claim 15, wherein the modified hierarchical level of the file system is highlighted. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating the preconfigured search by activating the highlighted hierarchical level. The method of claim 15, wherein if a search result of a file system at a current level does not meet a predetermined criterion, the preconfigured search is generated. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises at least one match for a file at the current level of the file system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a search result of the file system based on the input search term is updated at least substantially immediately based on an update to the input search term. Receiving an input search term from a user; Dynamically generating a selectable search box based on a search result of a file system using the input search term; And Executing a preconfigured search at a modified hierarchical level of the file system based on the selection in the selectable search box. A set of search results generated according to the method. 22. The set of search results of claim 21, wherein receiving an input search term comprises receiving an input search term via a graphical user interface. 22. The set of search results of claim 21, wherein the dynamically generating comprises generating the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and a file attribute set of files in the file system. 23. The set of search results of claim 21, wherein the dynamically generating comprises generating the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and the contents of a file set in the file system. 22. The set of search results of claim 21, wherein search results of the file system based on the input search term are updated at least substantially immediately based on an update to the input search term. A system for automatically creating a search box function within a word matching interface, Input means for receiving an input search term from a user; And Search means Including, And the search means receives the input search term and communicates with the input means to dynamically generate a selectable search box based on a search result of a file system means using the input search term. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the input means comprises a graphical user interface. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the search means generates the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and a file attribute set of files of the file system means. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the search means generates the selectable search box based on a match result of the input search term and the contents of a file set of the file system means. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the selectable search box comprises a preconfigured search at a modified hierarchical level of the file system means. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein search results of the file system means based on the input search term are updated at least substantially immediately based on an update to the input search term.

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