System and method for managing web search information in navigational hierarchy

Abstract

The current methods and system create a plurality of tree text history entries in the tree text history section within the context of the search terms by associating with a plurality of history data from a plurality of searches using a plurality of search terms in a hierarchical format and allow users to manage the plurality of tree text history entries created in the tree text history section. The plurality of tree text history entries created in the tree text history section include a title and optionally a search or sub-search term. The current methods and system allow managing history data comprising the steps of adding, filtering, modifying, deleting, sorting, pruning, prioritizing, importing, and/or exporting the tree text history entries created in the tree text history section, depending on user preferences.

1 . A method for creating manageable web search history data in a viewable hierarchical tree text format during a web search, comprising:
 (a) conducting a web search using a search term;   (b) receiving a web search history data from the web search;   (c) automatically creating a tree text history entry in the tree text format based on the web search history data;   (d) continuing the web search;   (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) to create multiple tree text history entries;   (f) displaying the tree text history entries in the viewable hierarchical tree text format according to the shared context of each search; and   (g) managing the tree text history entries.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of managing the tree text history entries comprises at least one of adding, filtering, modifying, deleting, sorting, pruning, prioritizing, importing, and exporting the tree text history entries. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of storing the web search history data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including the step of returning to a stored web search history data in the viewable hierarchical tree text format by clicking on a tree text history entry. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further including the step of conducting a web search using a search term. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of using a context menu. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of using a dialog box to select a display option. 
     
     
         8 . A system for creating a web search history in a manageable hierarchical tree text format during a web search by a user with a server connected to a client, comprising:
 web search history data in a viewable hierarchical tree text format;   a computer program in the client for executing instructions to create and manage a tree text history entry within the viewable hierarchical tree text format; and   a server for retrieving and transmitting web search history data requested from the client.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising integration with at least one of the Internet, Intranet, extranet, wide area network, local area network, wireless local area network, wireless network, bus, electronic, and optical communication configurations. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer program is a browser add-on. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer program is a component of a browser software. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer program is a browser plug-in. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer program is a browser wrapper. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer program is an external server. 
     
     
         15 . A tangible computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions for causing a client to manage web search history data, the client comprising computer-readable program code for causing the client to:
 connect with a server in a web environment;   request web search results from the server;   receive web search results from the server;   automatically and repeatedly create tree text history entries in a tree text history section in a hierarchical tree text format; and   store the tree text history entries in a memory.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser add-on. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable program code is a component of a browser software. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser plug-in. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable program code is a browser wrapper. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable program code is an external server.