Incremental query refinement

摘要

A method of incrementally refining queries and updating query result lists without requiring a user to provide an explicit indicator of query submission. In the method, one or more query related character patterns are defined. Entry of query defining characters by a user is monitored to detect entry of a defined query related character pattern. The user is provided with one or more suggested query refinement options and an updated query result list each time a defined query related character pattern is detected. The query related character patterns may be a character pattern that indicates a word has been input by the user.

主权项

1. A method performed on at least one computing device that includes at least one processor and memory, the method comprising: substantially simultaneously providing, by the at least one computing device in response to receiving one or more characters that form at least a portion of a query string that does not include an explicit submission of the portion of the query string, both query results and query refinement options, where the one or more received characters match at least one pattern that indicates one or more characters followed by a space character.