Patent ID: 8694513
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for enabling Internet users to interact with a graphical search interface, the method comprising: receiving, from a user over an electronic network, an initial search parameter; identifying, using a search engine database, a plurality of related search parameters, based on the received initial search parameter, wherein the search engine database enables users to query multiple data sets; generating, by a processor, a multi-dimensional search space, based on the initial and related search parameters, wherein the multi-dimensional search space has a perimeter defined by the initial and related search parameters; generating, by a processor, a matrix of hyperlinks within the multi-dimensional search space, each hyperlink having coordinates within the search space defining a relevance of each hyperlink to the initial and related search parameters; transmitting, for display to the user over the network, a graphical interface projecting the multi-dimensional search space, along with one or more user elements by which the user may adjust a relative weight of one or more of the initial and related search parameters by interacting with one or more of the hyperlinks; and transmitting, for display to the user over the network, a plurality of search results automatically updated in real time based on the user-adjusted weights of the initial and related search parameters; wherein each of the one or more user elements is movable toward or away from a center of the multi-dimensional search space to change the relative weight of one or more of the initial and related search parameters.