Method and system for obtaining images from a database having images that are relevant to indicated text

Abstract

A method and system for using indicated text to automatically query a search engine for a database and return images that are relevant to the indicated text. At least five integrated components are employed by a client program to get, view and use a returned image. Among these is a user interface component that provides for automatically creating search criteria for a query from the indicated text and inserting a thumbnail or higher quality image into an open document. Also included is a network component that provides for detecting of a network and managing the transfer of data across the network such as the Internet and an intranet. In addition, a metadata results component provides for managing the storing, parsing and displaying of the metadata results returned from a query of the database of images.

1 . A method for searching for an object that is related to an indicated object, comprising: 
 automatically creating a query related to the indicated object, the query having a data structure that is recognizable by a local search engine and a remote search engine;    if the remote search engine is accessible, providing the query over a network to the remote search engine to search a remote database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object;    if the remote search engine is inaccessible, providing the query to the local search engine to search a local database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object; and    returning a result from the query, wherein the result indicates if the at least one object is related to the indicated object.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the remote search engine is accessible further comprises establishing a connection to the remote search engine using at least one of a proxy server or a dial-up facility.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 producing a display of the at least one object, so that at least one of the objects may be associated with the indicated object within a document.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein automatically creating a query further comprises creating the query based on a context of the indicated object that includes at least one of text, a template, sound, video, a use, or a user preference.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein returning the result from the query further comprises: 
 downloading a first group of the at least one object; and    enabling a display of the first group using a slide show facility.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the query to the local search engine further comprises employing the query to search a local drive that includes the local database.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the remote search engine is accessible, further comprises employing an autoconnect facility to initiate a network connection to the remote search engine.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the objects further comprises at least one of a video, picture, or text.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 enabling at least one of the objects related to the indicated object to be purchased over a network.    
   
   
       10 . A processor readable medium that includes data, wherein the execution of the data provides for obtaining an object that is related to indicated text by enabling actions, comprising: 
 automatically creating a query related to the indicated text, the query having a data structure that is recognizable by a local search engine and a remote search engine;    if the remote search engine is accessible, providing the query over a network to the remote search engine to search a remote database for at least one object that is related to the indicated text;    if the remote search engine is inaccessible, providing the query to the local search engine to search a local database for at least one object that is related to the indicated text; and    receiving a result from the query, wherein the result indicates if the at least one object is related to the indicated text.    
   
   
       11 . The processor readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the objects further comprises at least one of a video, picture, or text.  
   
   
       12 . The processor readable medium of  claim 10 , the actions further comprising displaying the at least one object as a thumbnail image.  
   
   
       13 . The processor readable medium of  claim 10 , the actions further comprising: 
 if a purchase of a higher quality image associated with the at least one object is indicated, launching a program for use in performing an electronic financial transaction service that enables the purchase of the higher quality image.    
   
   
       14 . The processor readable medium of  claim 10 , the actions further comprising: 
 providing financial information to an electronic service over the network, the financial information enabling a purchase of a higher quality image associated with the at least one object; and    inserting the purchased higher quality image into a document so that the higher quality image is displayed with the indicated text.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for use in obtaining an object that is related to an indicated object, comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory in communication with the processor for use in storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to perform a plurality of operations, including: 
 automatically creating a query related to the indicated object, the query having a data structure that is recognizable by a remote search engine and a local search engine;  
 if a network connection to the remote search engine is available, providing the query to the remote search engine, wherein the remote search engine searches a remote database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object;  
 if the network connection to the remote search engine is unavailable, providing the query to the local search engine, wherein the local search engine searches a local database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object; and  
 receiving a result from the query, the result including at least one object is related to the indicated object.  
   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the operations further comprising: 
 displaying the at least one object related to the indicated object; and    enabling the display of the at least one object to be selectable for insertion into a document.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the operations further comprising: 
 providing financial information to an electronic service over the network, the financial information enabling a purchase of a higher quality image associated with the at least one object.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the operations further comprising: 
 displaying the at least one object as a thumbnail image; and    if a purchase of the at least one object as a higher quality image is indicated, performing an electronic financial transaction service that enables the purchase of the higher quality image.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein if the purchase of the higher quality image is indicated further comprises connecting to the electronic financial transaction service over a network.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein performing an electronic financial transaction service further comprises: 
 enabling a selection of at least one of a resolution, a color, or a use of the higher quality image; and    employing the selection to determine a cost associated with the purchase.    
   
   
       21 . A system for use in obtaining an object that is related to an indicated object, comprising: 
 a remote server, comprising: 
 a remote database for use in storing objects; and  
 a remote search engine having data and machine instructions that perform operations including: 
 receiving a query; and  
 searching the remote database for at least one object based on the query; and  
 
   a client device comprising: 
 a local database for use in storing objects;  
 a local search engine; and  
 a processor having data and machine instructions that cause the processor to perform operations including: 
 automatically creating the query related to the indicated object, the query having a data structure that is recognizable by the remote search engine and the local search engine;  
 if the network connection to the remote server is available, providing the query to the remote search engine, wherein the remote search engine searches the remote database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object;  
 if the network connection to the remote server is unavailable, providing the query to the local search engine, wherein the local search engine searches the local database for at least one object that is related to the indicated object; and  
 receiving a result from the query, wherein the result indicates if at least one object is related to the indicated object.  
 
   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote server is accessed over a network.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , the operations of the client device's processor further comprising: 
 providing financial information to an electronic service, the financial information enabling a purchase of a higher quality image associated with the at least one object.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21 , the operations of the client device's processor further comprising: 
 enabling at least one of the objects related to the indicated object to be purchased over a network.