Incremental query refinement

Abstract

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.

1 . A method performed on a computing device, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the computing device, query-related characters;   determining, by the computing device based on the query-related characters, a first auto-complete option; and   providing, by the computing device in response to one of the query-related characters being deleted, the determined first auto-complete option.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the received query-related characters comprise text characters. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where the received query-related characters conclude with a space character. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  where the received query-related characters conclude with a predetermined time delay before any additional character is entered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing at least one auto-complete option while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing at least one spelling correction while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing at least one suggestion of synonyms while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         8 . A computing device comprising:
 memory;   an input device coupled to the memory and via which the computing device receives query-related characters;   a processor coupled to the memory and via which the computing device determines, based on the query-related characters, a first auto-complete option; and   a video adapter coupled to the memory and via which the computing device provides, in response to one of the query-related characters being deleted, the determined first auto-complete option.   
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 8  where the received query-related characters comprise text characters. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 8  where the received query-related characters conclude with a space character. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 8  where the received query-related characters conclude with a predetermined time delay before any additional character is entered. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 8 , the video adapter via which the computing device provides at least one auto-complete option while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 8 , the video adapter via which the computing device provides at least one spelling correction while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 8 , the video adapter via which the computing device provides at least one suggestion of synonyms while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         15 . At least one computer-readable medium that comprises computer-executable instructions that, based on execution by at least one processor of a computing device that includes memory, configure the computing device to perform actions comprising:
 receiving, by the computing device, query-related characters;   determining, by the computing device based on the query-related characters, a first auto-complete option; and   providing, by the computing device in response to one of the query-related characters being deleted, the determined first auto-complete option.   
     
     
         16 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the received query-related characters comprise text characters. 
     
     
         17 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the received query-related characters conclude with a space character. 
     
     
         18 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the received query-related characters conclude with a predetermined time delay before any additional character is entered. 
     
     
         19 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising providing at least one auto-complete option while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters. 
     
     
         20 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising providing at least one spelling correction or suggestion of synonyms while the computing device is receiving the query-related characters.