Range programming using a search query

Abstract

Systems and methods for range programming using a search query are disclosed. A method for range programming using a search query includes determining whether the search query comprises a range operation and identifying a target application to launch using a search application which is separate from the target application and based on the search query. A range of results to process with the target application can be identified using the search application and based on the search query. The results can be separately within the range in the context of the target application.

1 . A method for range programming using a search query, comprising:
 determining whether the search query comprises a range operation;   identifying a target application to launch using a search application which is separate from the target application and based on the search query;   identifying a range of results to process with the target application using the search application and based on the search query; and   separately displaying the results within the range in the context of the target application.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein separately displaying the results comprises sequentially displaying the results to a user by sequentially launching the target application in the context of the results. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein separately displaying the results comprises simultaneously displaying the results to a user by simultaneously launching a plurality of instances of the target application, each of the plurality of instances being launched in the context of a different result from the range of results. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether a different range operation is active before the steps of identifying the target application, identifying the range of results, and separately displaying the results; and cancelling the different range operation when the different range operation is active. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether the target application supports range programming and performing the steps of determining, identifying, and displaying when the target application does not support range programming; and   transmitting the range operation to the target application when the target application does support range programming.   
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the target application comprises one of a plurality of target applications, the method further comprising using a macro to launch each of the plurality of target applications for each result within the range of results to separately display the results within the range in the context of the plurality of target applications. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising creating a generic shortcut for an in-context range operation based on a specific range operation. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising displaying an automatic suggestion to create a shortcut when the specific range operation comprises a same specific range operation used a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising recording and playing back a plurality of range operation as a single macro. 
     
     
         10 . A system for contextually launching a range operation for a target application, comprising:
 a search client for receiving a user search query including a range operation;   a search server for performing a search of the target application for a range of data requested in the range operation based on the user search query;   an application launcher for launching at least one of the plurality of target applications within the context of the user search query based on a result of the search; and   a range operation module configured to determine whether the user search query comprises the range operation and further configured to cause the search server to perform the search for the range of data when the search query comprises the range operation.   
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the range operation module is further configured to cause the search server to perform a regular search as opposed to the search for the range of data when the search query does not comprise the range operation. 
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 10 , further comprising a processor, wherein the range operation module further comprises computer readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the search server to transmit the range operation to the at least one of the plurality of target applications when the at least one of the plurality of target applications natively supports range operations and to launch the at least one of the plurality of target applications using the search server to separately display the a plurality of results of the search based on the range operation in the context of the at least one of the plurality of target applications when the at least one of the plurality of target applications does not natively support range operations. 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 10 , further comprising a shortcut manager configured to create a generic shortcut for an in-context range operation based on a specific range operation. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the shortcut manager further comprises an auto-suggest shortcut module configured to automatically suggest creation of a shortcut when the specific range operation comprises a same specific range operation used a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         15 . A system as in  claim 10 , further comprising a macro module configured to record and play back a plurality of range operations as a single macro. 
     
     
         16 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the target application is being managed by the consolidated enterprise support system and further comprises a plurality of target applications, each comprising different target application data and being managed by the consolidated enterprise support system, wherein each of the plurality of target applications comprise computer readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the target application to transmit the target application data to the search server without solicitation and before the search client receives the user search query. 
     
     
         17 . A system as in  claim 16 , further comprising a search registrar associated with the search server for registering the target application data. 
     
     
         18 . A method for implementing range operations in a consolidated enterprise support system having a plurality of target applications, wherein at least one of the plurality of target applications does not natively support range operations, the method comprising:
 receiving a search query from a user at a search server, the search query comprising at least one of a desired action and a desired object;   determining whether the search query comprises a range operation requesting a range of elements;   canceling an active range operation when the active range operation exists;   identifying range elements from the search query;   receiving user input designating which of the plurality of target applications to launch for the at least one of a desired action and a desired object;   determining whether to perform assisted range programming for the designated target application based on whether the designated target application natively supports range programming;   interpreting the search query for the designated target application when the designated target application natively supports range operations;   launching the designated target application sequentially in context of each of the range elements when the designated target application does not natively support range operations; and   receiving results of the search query from the designated target application.   
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 displaying the results to the user;   wherein displaying the results further comprises opening the results for each element in a separate window simultaneously or sequentially.   
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising creating and storing a session identification associated with the search query.