James C Monberg

US Patent:

6973448, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Aug 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651406

Inventors:

James C. Monberg - Seattle WA, US
Rico Mariani - Kirkland WA, US
Gilma A. Z. Perkins - Redmond WA, US
John G. Carey - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F017/30

US Classification:

707 1, 707 3, 707 10, 709217

Abstract:

A method and system for allowing a regional service merchant that is outside of a given geographical boundary, but services inside the geographical boundary, to be included in a result set of a search directed to a location inside the geographical boundary. Text and/or glyphs are returned along with the regional service merchant's business listing so as to explain to a user why a business not physically residing in the search area has been included in the result set. An application programming interface ensures that, if a business is listed as a regional service merchant, then the text and/or glyph is stored in association with the business listing.

US Patent:

7437357, Oct 14, 2008

Filed:

Aug 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/203472

Inventors:

James C. Monberg - Seattle WA, US
Rico Mariani - Kirkland WA, US
Gilma A. Z. Perkins - Redmond WA, US
John G. Carey - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

707 3, 707 4, 707 5

Abstract:

A method and system for allowing a regional service merchant that is outside of a given geographical boundary, but services inside the geographical boundary, to be included in a result set of a search directed to a location inside the geographical boundary. Text and/or glyphs are returned along with the regional service merchant's business listing so as to explain to a user why a business not physically residing in the search area has been included in the result set. An application programming interface ensures that, if a business is listed as a regional service merchant, then the text and/or glyph is stored in association with the business listing.

US Patent:

6523021, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/629275

Inventors:

James C. Monberg - Seattle WA
Rico Mariani - Kirkland WA
Sanford A. Staab - Woodinville WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707 2, 707 10, 7071041

Abstract:

A system and method for efficiently searching directory listing information to obtain more relevant results is provided. In a computer system running a computing application, it is advantageous to provide search capabilities, in the form of a search engine, to operators to assist them in their effort of retrieving desired data. The search engine may cooperate with a data store having directory listing information to provide listings data to an operator. In an illustrative implementation, this search engine may be deployed on an Internet Web site that offers business listing information. The search system may comprise a user interface to enter search query information, a data store that houses a variety of directory listing information according to a predefined data taxonomy, and a means for displaying the search results. In operation, the search engine offers a variety of search options, such as, search by business name, by business categories levels, by geographic position of the user or the business, or a combination thereof. Depending on the search query entered, the search engine will perform either a bounded search (i. e.