Patent ID: 6397218
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a search engine server coupled to one or more client units, a method for searching for data in a data network comprising hyperlinked pages, the method comprising:receiving from an end user operating a client unit, a non-negative integer, N, specifying a chain length; receiving from the end user operating the client unit, zero or more sets of network addresses for pages in a data network; receiving from the end user operating the client unit a set of at least one search argument comprising search criteria; forming one or more parameters using the set of at least one search argument to perform a search specific to at least one selected search engine; returning any result pages to form a base list of addresses from the selected search engine; discarding from the base list of addresses any address which is outside the zero or more sets of network addresses; forming a tree list of addresses, which includes the base list of addresses, by iteratively examining each page referenced in the tree list of addresses and adding any new address referenced in each page provided that any new page added is only a chain length distance less than or equal to N from an address in the base list of addresses; and removing from the tree list of addresses any pages which do not match the set of at least one search argument.