Method and system for visual network searching

Abstract

An embodiment provides for conducting searches on a network. A search request is signaled over the network to a search engine. A search result is received that identifies a plurality of network addresses. Multiple pages are automatically rendered, each page being located by a corresponding network addresses in the search result.

1 . A method for conducting searches on a terminal coupled to a network, the terminal including a display for rendering pages from the network, the method comprising: 
 identifying a plurality of network addresses, each of the network addresses locating a corresponding page that matches a search criteria;    arranging the corresponding page for each of the network addresses according to a sequence, the sequence providing that the corresponding page for at least one of the network addresses is followed by a subsequent page for another network address in the plurality of network addresses;    rendering the corresponding page for at least one of the network addresses on the display; and    signaling the subsequent page to be rendered on the display while the corresponding page for at least one of the network addresses is rendered on the display.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein signaling the subsequent page to be rendered includes automatically rendering the subsequent page after the corresponding page for at least one of the network addresses is rendered.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein signaling the subsequent page to be rendered is responsive to receiving a user-input while the corresponding page for at least one of the network addresses is rendered.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is affected by relevance of the corresponding pages to the search criteria.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subsequent page is rendered on the display so that a transition from a previous page appears to be animated.  
   
   
       6 . A method for conducting searches on a network, the method comprising: 
 signaling a search request over the network to a search engine;    receiving a search result that identifies a plurality of network addresses; and    automatically rendering multiple pages located by network addresses in the search result.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein automatically rendering multiple network pages includes displaying each of the multiple pages according to a sequence.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the sequence indicates a measure of relevance between the page located by each of the network addresses and the search request.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the sequence is predetermined.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein automatically rendering multiple network pages includes displaying each of the multiple pages according to a sequence determined by the search engine.  
   
   
       11 . A method for conducting searches on a network, the method comprising: 
 signaling a search request over the network to a plurality of search engines;    receiving a plurality of search results, each of the plurality of search results being signaled from one of the search engines, each search result identifying a plurality of network addresses;    sorting the search results from the plurality of search engines; and    automatically rendering multiple pages located by network addresses in each of the search results.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein sorting the search result includes selecting an order for the search results based on a preference of a user.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein sorting the search results includes ordering the network addresses in the search result by mixing network addresses from each search result with network addresses from the other search results in the plurality of search results.