System and method for searching a remote database

Abstract

A device is in communication with a server over a wireless network. Items are stored locally in the device. The device receives, from a user of the device, a request to search for items matching a search parameter. The device finds items among the locally-stored items that match the parameter. The device sends a request to the server for the server to search among items stored remotely on the server for items matching the parameter. The device receives, from the server, a list of the remotely-stored items that match the parameter without receiving the items themselves. The device displays, to the user, a composite list of both the locally-stored items and remotely-stored items matching the parameter.

1 . A method performed by a mobile device in communication with a server over a wireless network, the method comprising:
 storing items locally in the mobile device;   receiving, from a user interface of the mobile device, a request to search for items matching a search parameter; and   displaying, on the user interface, a list of the locally stored items matching the search parameter and an icon indicative of a request to the server for the server to search among items stored remotely on the server for items matching the search parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prioritizing the locally stored items based on a memory constraint of the mobile device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 deleting some of the locally stored items after the prioritizing.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displayed list includes additional items stored remotely on the server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving via the user interface, a remote search selection of the icon.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 receiving from the server an additional list of remotely stored items matching the search parameter.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 displaying, on the user interface, the additional list.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving from the user interface a retrieve selection to retrieve from the additional list; and   responsive to the retrieve selection, sending a request to the server to send the selected remotely stored items.   
     
     
         9 . A mobile device, comprising:
 a local application database that stores items;   a user interface for receiving a request to search for items matching a search parameter; and   the user interface displays a list of the locally stored items matching the search parameter and an icon indicative of a request to a server for the server to search among items stored remotely on the server for items matching the search parameter.   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , further comprising
 a remote search module for receiving from the server an additional list of items remotely stored on the server matching the search parameter.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the displayed list includes the additional list. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 11 , wherein the remote search module is programmed to send a request to the server to send selected remotely stored items in response to receiving from the user interface a selection of remotely stored items from the additional list. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the request is encrypted. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein, responsive to an input through the user interface, some of the locally stored items are deleted. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the items stored in the local application database have a priority based on a memory constraint of the mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device of  claim 15 , wherein, based on the priority, some of the locally stored items are deleted. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-accessible medium encoded with instructions that can be executed by a processor in a mobile device in communication with a server, the non-transitory computer-accessible medium comprising:
 a code portion for storing items locally in the mobile device;   a code portion for receiving, from a user interface of the mobile device, a request to search for items matching a search parameter; and   a code portion for displaying, on the user interface, a list of the locally stored items matching the search parameter and an icon indicative of a request to the server for the server to search among items stored remotely on the server for items matching the search parameter.