US 11100184

US Patent 11100184, titled "Internet search results annotation, filtering, and advertising with respect to search term elements," was issued on August 24, 2021, from an application filed on December 7, 2020. The patent is currently assigned to Accusearch Technologies LLC, and the inventor is Robert Osann, Jr.

Abstract:
The patent addresses issues in Internet searches where search results often reference webpages that don't contain all the user-submitted search term elements. This can lead to wasted time when users click on irrelevant links, or when advertisements are shown that relate to missing search terms. The invention focuses on annotating Internet search results to highlight missing search term elements on referenced and descendant webpages. It also allows for optional filtering of search results that lack certain terms and displays advertisements relevant to the search terms. The annotations aim to prevent users from clicking on unproductive links, thereby saving time and accelerating the search process.

Plain-language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for an Internet search system to provide a user interface that helps users quickly identify search results referencing webpages missing at least one search term element, without having to open those webpages. The method involves:

  • Receiving a search request with one or more search terms.
  • Generating search results, including a "first type" that links to a webpage containing all terms and a "second type" that links to a webpage missing at least one term.
  • Displaying both types of search results.
  • Presenting the "first type" result as a grouping (with title, link, excerpt, or URL) without an annotation for missing terms.
  • Presenting the "second type" result as a grouping (with title, link, excerpt, or URL) that does include a text annotation specifically showing the missing search term element.
  • The core idea is that this annotation allows the user to know a term is missing without clicking the link, making the search faster.

• Independent Claim 7 (System for Search Engine Provider): This claim outlines a system for an Internet search engine provider to offer a user interface that readily informs users when a search result links to a webpage missing a search term, again, without opening the page. The system comprises:

  • One or more servers that receive a search request with multiple search term elements for "AND" operations (meaning all terms should ideally be present).
  • These servers perform a search and produce results, including a "first type" (webpage with all terms) and a "second type" (webpage missing at least one term, contrary to "AND" logic).
  • The servers provide these results for display on the user's device.
  • The "first type" is displayed as a grouping without a missing term annotation.
  • The "second type" is displayed as a grouping with a "missing search term annotation" that is text representing the missing term(s), placed at the bottom of the grouping.
  • This annotation serves as a warning, enabling the user to quickly identify missing terms and save time.

• Independent Claim 12 (System for User-Operated Computing Device): This claim describes a system from the perspective of the user's computing device (e.g., desktop, laptop, smartphone, tablet) that provides an interactive graphical user interface for the described functionality. The system involves:

  • A user-operated computing device capable of sending and receiving information from a search engine.
  • The interface allows the user to submit a search request with multiple search terms for "AND" operations.
  • The device receives search results, including "first type" (webpage with all terms) and "second type" (webpage missing terms, contrary to "AND" logic).
  • The "first type" result is displayed without a missing term annotation.
  • The "second type" result is displayed with a "missing search term annotation" (text representing the missing term(s)) at the bottom of its grouping.
  • This annotation warns the user and helps save time by avoiding irrelevant clicks.

• Independent Claim 17 (System for Search Engine Provider with Advertisements and Descendant Pages): This claim is a more detailed system claim for a search engine provider, similar to Claim 7, but explicitly incorporating advertisements and handling of descendant webpages. The system comprises:

  • One or more servers receiving a search request with multiple search term elements for "AND" operations.
  • These servers perform a search and produce results including a "first type" (webpage with all terms) and a "second type" (webpage missing terms, contrary to "AND" logic).
  • The servers provide these results for display on the user's device.
  • The "first type" is displayed as a grouping without a missing term annotation.
  • The "second type" is displayed as a grouping with a text annotation representing the missing term(s) at the bottom.
  • The display also shows one or more selectable advertisements related to the search terms.
  • Crucially, it also addresses "third type" results (missing a term, but a directly linked descendant webpage has it) and "fourth type" results (missing a term, and all directly linked descendant webpages also miss it), explicitly stating that the "fourth type" is displayed in the same manner as the "second type" (with the missing term annotation).
  • The annotation's purpose is to allow the user to discern missing terms without opening the webpage, enabling a faster search process.

• Independent Claim 19 (Method for Advertising): This claim focuses on the advertising aspect in conjunction with Internet search results, particularly when some referenced webpages are missing search term elements. The method involves:

  • Receiving a search request with one or more search terms for "AND" operations.
  • Performing a search to produce results, including a "first search result" referencing a webpage that is missing one or more search terms (contrary to "AND" guidelines).
  • Transmitting a search results webpage to the user's device, displaying the "first search result" as a grouping.
  • This "first search result grouping" includes a missing search term annotation (text representing the missing term(s)) at the bottom.
  • The search results webpage also includes one or more selectable advertisements related to the search term elements.
  • The annotation warns the user about missing terms, encouraging them not to select that search result to save time.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for patent 11100184, a search for patent cases and filings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for 2026 did not explicitly return results for patent number 11100184. The search results provided general information about CAFC cases, including patent infringement cases and various patent-related appeals in 2026, but no direct mention of US11100184B2. Therefore, I cannot authoritatively confirm any ongoing litigation specific to this patent in the CAFC for 2026 at this time.