Patent Application
20130346888
The Internet, through its billions of Web pages, provides a vast and quickly growing library of information and resources. In order to find desired content, computer users often make use of search utilities. Exemplary Internet search engines are well known in the art, for instance, a commonly known commercial engine is the BING search engine provided by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. With the increased usage of search utilities, search engines have begun to add features and functionality to their search engine homepages to provide users navigating to these utilities with a richer, more satisfying experience. One such feature is a background image that incorporates interactive functionality to permit users navigating to the search engine homepage to discover interesting information about the item pictured.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for, among other things, exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. When users navigate to a search engine homepage having a background image associated therewith and perform a specified action with respect thereto (for instance, moving a mouse pointer over the image, clicking on the image, tapping on the image, or the like), a plurality of user interface elements is surfaced. Each user interface element is associated with information with which the user may be presented upon interaction with the element. Upon the user ceasing to perform the specified action, or upon the expiration of a predefined period of time (e.g., a predefined period of user inactivity with respect to the search engine homepage), the user interface elements cease to be presented and the user is able to view the search engine homepage without the embedded information.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.
Various aspects of the technology described herein are generally directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for, among other things, exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. When users navigate to a search engine homepage having a background image associated therewith and perform a specified action with respect thereto (for instance, moving a mouse pointer over the image, clicking on the image, tapping on the image, or the like), a plurality of user interface elements is surfaced. Each user interface element is associated with information with which the user may be presented upon interaction with the element. Upon the user ceasing to perform the specified action, or upon the expiration of a predefined period of time (e.g., a predefined period of user inactivity with respect to the search engine homepage), the user interface elements cease to be presented and the user is able to view the search engine homepage without the embedded information.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method for exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. The method includes presenting a search engine homepage having a background image associated therewith, detecting a first user action with respect to the presented search engine homepage and, upon detecting the first user action, presenting a plurality of user interface elements, each user interface element being associated with an additional information segment relevant to the background image.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a system for facilitating discoverability of user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. The system comprises a computing device associated with a server having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media, and a data store coupled with the server. The server is configured to detect a first user action with respect to a presented search engine homepage, the search engine homepage having an associated background image. Upon detecting the first user action, the server is further configured to present a plurality of user interface elements, each of the plurality of user interface elements being associated with an additional information segment relevant to the background image. The server is further configured to detect a second user action with respect to a particular user interface element of the plurality of user interface elements and, upon detecting the second user action, to present the additional information segments associated with each of the plurality of user interface elements.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method being performed by one or more computing devices including at least one processor, for exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. The method includes presenting a search engine homepage having a background image associated therewith, and detecting a first user action with respect to the presented search engine homepage. Upon detecting the first user action, the method further includes presenting a plurality of user interface elements, each user interface element being associated with an additional information segment relevant to the background image. The method further includes detecting a second user action over a region of the background image that is within a predefined proximity to a particular user interface element of the plurality of user interface elements. Upon detecting the second user action, the method further includes causing the plurality of user interface elements other than the particular user interface element to cease to be presented and presenting the additional information segment associated with the particular user interface element.
Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary operating environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is described below in order to provide a general context for various aspects of the present invention. Referring to the figures in general and initially to
Embodiments of the present invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program modules including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types. Embodiments of the invention may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including, but not limited to, hand-held devices, consumer electronics, general purpose computers, specialty computing devices, and the like. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network.
In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in association with both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. The computer useable instructions form an interface to allow a computer to react according to a source of input. The instructions cooperate with other code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to data received in conjunction with the source of the received data.
With continued reference to
The computing device 100 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computing device 100 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 100. Computer storage media does not comprise signals per se. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The memory 112 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid state memory, hard drives, optical disc drives, and the like. The computing device 100 includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as the memory 112 or the I/O components 120. The presentation component(s) 116 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, and the like.
The I/O ports 118 allow the computing device 100 to be logically coupled to other devices including the I/O components 120, some of which may be built in. Illustrative I/O components 120 include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc.
As previously mentioned, embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for, among other things, exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. Upon user navigation to a search engine homepage having a background image associated therewith and performance of a specified action with respect thereto (for instance, moving a mouse pointer over the image, clicking on the image, tapping on the image, or the like), a plurality of user interface elements is surfaced. Each user interface element is associated with information with which the user may be presented upon interaction with the element. In embodiments, interaction with a particular user interface element causes the additional information segment (or at least a portion thereof) associated with the particular element to be presented and causes the remaining user interface elements to cease to be presented. In other embodiments, interaction with any one of the plurality of user interface elements causes the additional information segments associated with each of the plurality of user interface elements to be presented simultaneously. Any and all such variations, and any combination thereof, are contemplated to be within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to
It should be understood that any number of user computing devices and search engines may be employed in the computing system 200 within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Each may comprise a single device/interface or multiple devices/interfaces cooperating in a distributed environment. For instance, the search engine 212 may comprise multiple devices and/or modules arranged in a distributed environment that collectively provide the functionality of the search engine 212 described herein. Additionally, other components/modules not shown also may be included within the computing system 200.
In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented as stand-alone applications. In other embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented via the user computing device 210, as an Internet-based service, or as a module inside the search engine 212. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the components/modules illustrated in
It should be understood that this and other arrangements described herein are set forth only as examples. Other arrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to or instead of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether. Further, many of the elements described herein are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, and in any suitable combination and location. Various functions described herein as being performed by one or more entities may be carried out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance, various functions may be carried out by a processor executing instructions stored in memory.
The user computing device 210 may include any type of computing device, such as the computing device 100 described with reference to
The search engine 212 is configured to receive and respond to requests that it receives from components associated with user computing devices, for instance, the browser 218 associated with the user computing device 210. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that the present invention may be implemented with any number of searching utilities. For example, an Internet search engine or a database search engine may utilize the present invention. These search engines are well known in the art, and commercially available engines share many similar processes not further described herein.
As illustrated, the search engine 212 includes a request receiving component 222, a user action detecting component 224 and a presentation component 226. The illustrated search engine 212 also has access to a data store 214. The data store 214 is configured to store information pertaining to, in part, images for presentation as background images and search queries. In various embodiments, such information may include, without limitation, image data, video data, additional information relevant to the image data and/or video data, and search query logs. In embodiments, the data store 214 is configured to be searchable for one or more of the items stored in association therewith. It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the information stored in association with the data store 214 may be configurable and may include any information relevant to images for display as background images on search engine homepages and search queries. The content and volume of such information are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the present invention in any way. Further, though illustrated as a single, independent component, the data store 214 may, in fact, be a plurality of storage devices, for instance a database cluster, portions of which may reside in association with the search engine 212, the client computing device 210, another external computing device (not shown), and/or any combination thereof.
The request receiving component 222 of the search engine 212 is configured to receive requests for presentation of search engine homepages. Typically, such a request is received via a browser associated with a client computing device, for instance, the browser 218 associated with the user computing device 210. It should be noted, however, that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to users inputting a search query into a traditional query-input region of a screen display.
Upon receipt of a request for presentation of a search engine homepage, the search engine 212 transmits the web page associated with the search engine homepage for presentation, for instance, in association with the display 220 of the user computing device 210. Associated with the search engine homepage is a background image having a plurality of hidden user interface elements, as more fully described below.
The user action detecting component 224 is configured to detect one or more user actions taken with respect to a presented background image of the search engine homepage. Such actions may include, by way of example only, movement of a mouse pointer or cursor over an area of the presented image, clicking on an area of the presented image, or tapping on an area of the presented image. In embodiments, the user action detecting component 224 is also configured to detect a predefined period of inactivity with respect to the search engine homepage. As more fully described below, such inactivity may cause one or more user interface elements to be surfaced in an effort to entice users to engage with the homepage.
The user action detecting component 224 is further configured to detect one or more user actions taken with respect to an exposed user interface element associated with a presented background image of a search engine homepage. In this instance, such user actions may include, by way of example only, a hover action within a predefined proximity to a user interface element, clicking within a predefined proximity to a user interface element, or tapping within a predefined proximity to a user interface element.
The presentation component 226 of the search engine 212 is configured to transmit for presentation, for instance, in association with the display 220 of the user computing device 210, search engine homepages having background images associated therewith, user interface elements associated with search engine homepage background images, and additional information segments (or portions thereof) associated with such user interface elements.
Turning now to
Each user interface element is associated with an additional information segment relevant to the background image presented. Such additional information segments may be textual information about the background image or a specified portion thereof, links to additional information relevant to the background image or a specified portion thereof, or the like.
Though not illustrated in
In another embodiment, upon detecting the second user action, the additional information segments associated with each of the plurality of user interface elements is simultaneously presented. In another embodiment, upon detecting the second user action, teaser information segments that are less robust than the additional information segments may be presented in association with each of the plurality of user interface elements. In such embodiments, users are enticed to interact with the search engine homepage and are able to easily determine which additional information segments s/he finds most interesting.
In embodiments, upon detecting a cessation of the second user action (for instance, upon the user ceasing to hover the mouse pointer within a specified proximity of a user interface element) and/or expiration of a predefined time period during which there is a lack of user activity with respect to the search engine homepage, presentation of the additional information segment associated with the particular user interface element (or all user interface elements) is caused to cease. In embodiments, each of the plurality of user interface elements including the particular user interface element are again presented in association with the search engine homepage background image. Upon detecting a cessation of the first user action (for instance, upon the user ceasing to move the mouse pointer relative to the background image of the search engine homepage) and/or expiration of a predefined time period during which there is a lack of user activity with respect to the search engine homepage, presentation of the plurality of user interface elements may be caused to cease leaving the user with an unobstructed search engine homepage.
Turning now to
As can be understood, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for exposing hidden user interface elements associated with search engine homepages. The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the order of steps shown in the methods 600 of
