Patent ID: 6523023
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for searching the Internet by accessing more than one commercial search engine, comprising:generating search criteria for an Internet search utilizing a first Internet search agent that is resident on a first computer, said search criteria being generated based on a user profile indicating a time when said Internet search is to be performed; said search criteria indicating what information is to be searched and restrictions as to how much information is to be retrieved; dividing said search criteria into a plurality of distinct search tasks; identifying a plurality of second Internet search agents that are resident on a plurality of other computers to support said first Internet search agent in performing said distinct search tasks; said identification of said second Internet search agents being restricted based on a user, said identification further including receiving periodic broadcasts from said second Internet search agents; directing each of said second Internet search agents to perform at least one of said distinct search tasks based on an availability, a bandwidth capacity, a time window, a search priority, a user list, and a geographic location of said second Internet search agents, utilizing at least one associated commercial search engine; each of said distinct search tasks being performed at said commercial search engine utilizing said associated directed second Internet search agent; performing at least one of said distinct search tasks utilizing said first Internet search agent; receiving reporting results in a prioritized manner from said performance of said distinct search tasks, said reporting results further including an indication of a percentage of said Internet search that is complete, a geographical breakdown of said reporting results, and an estimate of a completion time; breaking down said reporting results based on said second Internet search agent that provided said reporting results; and displaying said broken down reporting results.