US 7610277

US Patent 7,610,277, titled "Method and system for launching a browser," was filed on March 29, 2007, and issued on October 27, 2009. The inventor is Colin Brady. The original assignee was Yahoo Inc. until 2017, with subsequent assignments to Excalibur IP, LLC, and later to Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP, as collateral agent, and R2 Solutions LLC, among others.

The abstract describes systems and methods for searching a publicly accessible network (e.g., the Internet) with efficient use of display device space. It highlights that computers often use graphical interfaces, which can lead to limited graphical space during some applications. The patent aims to provide an efficient and effective way to search a network without requiring a user to navigate various graphical interfaces, which can increase the time of a searching operation.

Here's a plain-language overview of the independent claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for launching a browser program on a computing device): This claim describes a method where a computer receives a specific keyboard message, interprets it as a request to search a public network, and then displays a temporary, small graphical user interface (GUI) with a text entry field. While this interim GUI is visible, the system receives a text string (which includes both the search text and the desired file type) through it. In response to receiving this text string, the system creates a search string and then immediately launches a web browser program. The command used to launch the browser program already contains the newly constructed search string.

• Claim 14 (Computer-operated searching system): This claim describes a system that performs the actions of Claim 1. It includes a monitoring software routine that watches for keyboard messages. An interface software routine is responsible for displaying the temporary GUI. This interface routine is activated when the monitoring routine detects a specific keyboard message, and it receives the user's search text and desired file type. A separate launching software routine takes this text, builds a search string, and then launches a browser program using a command that embeds the search string. Crucially, the browser program is distinct from the monitoring, interface, and launching software routines.

• Claim 22 (Method for searching on a local computer): This claim is similar to Claim 1 but focuses on local searches. It involves receiving a request to search the local computer, displaying an interim GUI with a text entry field, and receiving a text string (including search text and a file type) via this GUI. In response, a search string specifically designed for searching the local computer is constructed, and a launch command is issued to activate a browser program, with the search string contained within the launch command.

Regarding CAFC dockets for 2026, a search for patent number 7610277 did not yield specific results. However, the search results indicate that general patent cases and summaries of precedential patent-related opinions issued by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are available, but no specific mention of 7610277 was found for 2026.