Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Mike Pell

Lisa Carolyn Cherian

Aaron Hartwell

Kieran M Phelan

Benjamin N Truelove

Charles L Friedman

Sean O Lyndersay

Warren G Stevens

Tariq Sharif

Sebastien Zimmermann

Amy Adams Placzkiewicz

Eric A Vera

Sharon Cohen

Jonathan A Gass

Lindsey R Barcheck

Denise Michele Trabona

Samuel J Moreau

Martin J Hall

David Dawson

Ginger J Gloystein

Evgeny Ivanovich Tvorun

Aaron Paul Starkey

A search and find user interface is provided that is integrated with a data indexing engine to allow efficient and high-speed data search and retrieval across data storage folders associated with a given software module or associated with a number of disparate software modules. An expanded form of the search and find user interface is provided for advanced searching. Where searching is required beyond a present search scope, an automatic 'upscoping' mechanism is provided for expanding a search to data storage folders outside a current data storage folder on which an initial search is executed.

Expanded search and find user interface

An application provides a search box that is configured to enable a user to enter searchable text. The application provides a quick pick search provider menu that is configured to include different sections that provide suggestions as text is entered into the search box. At least some of the suggestions are locally maintained, and at least some other of the suggestions are received from one or more remote search providers. In some embodiments, the application can comprise a web browser.

Switching search providers within an application search box

Various embodiments enable information, in addition to textual information, to be presented to a user when the user enters a search query in a search box forming part of a user interface of an application. In one or more embodiments, a Web browser provides a search box in which a user can enter a search query. While the user is entering a search query, the Web browser can communicate with a third-party search provider to receive information, such as non-textual information, which can be presented to the user to assist in formulating their search query. The non-textual information can include images and other visual information of a non-textual nature.

Providing suggestions during formation of a search query

Mobile communications devices display contextually relevant information based on the presence, status, and identification of a user. Lens templates control how the information is displayed and can be customized and designed for specific usage profiles. The lenses that are used can be updated at any time to accommodate changes in a user's presence. The granularity of the lenses and corresponding information can also vary to accommodate different needs and preferences. Lenses can also be specialized for different events or venues. The lenses allow a user to access contextually relevant information from a mobile communications device having limited display and/or browse capabilities without requiring a user to navigate through undesired information, wasting valuable resources in the process.

Mobile information services

A Web browser includes a quick pick search provider menu that provides a user interface which provides a user with the ability to quickly select a new search provider which appears when the user places focus in the Web browser's search box. In one or more embodiments, the Web browser's search box comprises a native part of the Web browser and is not a search box associated with an installed tool bar. In other embodiments, search box functionality is provided as an extension to the Web browser. Further, various embodiments enable the user to switch between search providers in an easy and intuitive way. Yet other embodiments provide an opportunity for users to switch between search providers using keywords in the search box. Further embodiments enable users to define collections of search providers to which individual searches can be sent.

Switching search providers within a browser search box

Integrated search and find user interface

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Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Mike Pell