Prior art — US Patent 7610277

Prior Art Analysis for US Patent 7,610,277

This analysis identifies the most relevant prior art cited in US Patent 7,610,277, titled "Method and system for launching a browser." For each cited patent, a full citation, relevant dates, a brief description, and potential anticipatory claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102 are provided. The analysis is based on the authoritative patent text provided for US7610277 and additional searches for the cited prior art.

Claims of US7610277 for Reference:

The core invention of US7610277 revolves around:

Method (Claim 1): Receiving a first keyboard message (over a publicly accessible network), interpreting it as a search request, displaying an interim graphical user interface (GUI) with a text entry field, receiving a text string (including text and a file type) via this GUI (over the network), constructing a search string, and issuing a launch command to activate a browser program with the search string embedded.
System (Claim 14): A monitoring software routine for keyboard messages, an interface software routine for displaying the interim GUI (activated by the monitoring routine, receiving text string with text and file type), and a launching software routine that constructs the search string and launches a browser program (different from the routines) with the search string.
Local Search Method (Claim 22): Similar to Claim 1, but the search is performed on a local computer, and the search string is adapted for local searching.

The key distinguishing features often relate to the "interim graphical user interface" that is displayed in response to a keyboard message, its role in gathering search parameters (text and file type), and the subsequent automatic launching of a separate browser program with the constructed search string.

Most Relevant Prior Art

The following patent citations are listed in US7610277:

1. US6564254B1

Full Citation: US6564254B1, "System and a process for specifying a location on a network".
Publication Date: 2003-05-13 (Granted).
Filing Date: 1998-11-04.
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for specifying a location on a network (like the Internet) by receiving a user input that can be a natural language query, converting it into a network address (e.g., a URL or URI), and then automatically launching a browser to access that location. It focuses on making it easier for users to navigate the web without needing to type full URLs.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claims 1, 14, 22 (potentially): This patent teaches the idea of receiving a user input (natural language query), processing it, and launching a browser to access network content. While it doesn't explicitly mention an "interim GUI" activated by a specific keyboard message for search on a publicly accessible network with a "type of file to be targeted" as a core inventive concept, the general principle of interpreting user input to launch a browser to a network location is present. If the "natural language query" could be interpreted as a search query and the system implicitly constructs a "search string" to navigate to a search engine, then elements of the launching mechanism and browser activation might be anticipated. The details of the "interim GUI" and the "type of file" parameter are likely distinguishing.

2. US20050050084A1

Full Citation: US20050050084A1, "Dynamic registry partitioning".
Publication Date: 2005-03-03.
Filing Date: 2003-08-29.
Brief Description: This patent application describes systems and methods for dynamically partitioning a computer registry to improve performance, reliability, and security. It deals with managing registry entries, particularly in environments like thin client architectures or for reducing conflicts.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claims 1, 14, 22 (limited to a specific aspect): This reference primarily relates to computer system architecture and registry management. Its relevance to US7610277 might be very narrow, specifically in how the "receiving a first keyboard message" and "interpreting" steps (e.g., in Claim 1 and 14) could be implemented. US7610277 mentions "remapping registry entries" as one way to intercept/interpret keyboard messages (e.g., in the detailed description, paragraph and Claim 13). US20050050084A1, by teaching dynamic registry partitioning, could potentially anticipate the means of implementing such remapping, but not the overall method or system for launching a browser with an interim GUI for search. Therefore, it might anticipate the method of interpreting if it involves registry manipulation, but not the higher-level functions of US7610277's claims.

3. US7107548B2

Full Citation: US7107548B2, "Method of controlling an internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface".
Publication Date: 2006-09-12 (Granted).
Filing Date: 1998-10-28.
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for controlling an internet browser interface, particularly by using an agent or helper application to modify the browser's behavior, display, or content. It focuses on enhancing the user's browsing experience through external control of the browser.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claims 1, 14, 22 (potentially, in part): This patent focuses on controlling a browser interface. While US7610277 launches a browser, there's a connection in that both involve interaction with a browser. If the "agent" or "helper application" described in US7107548B2 could be triggered by a keyboard message to perform a search function and display an interim input (even if not explicitly an "interim GUI" as defined in US7610277), it might anticipate aspects of the browser interaction or even the concept of an external routine influencing browser behavior. However, the specific inventive steps of US7610277 (interim GUI, specific keyboard trigger, text string with file type, launching a separate browser) likely differentiate it.

4. US20070066364A1

Full Citation: US20070066364A1, "Customized data retrieval applications for mobile devices providing interpretation of markup language data".
Publication Date: 2007-03-22.
Filing Date: 2005-09-19.
Brief Description: This patent application describes systems and methods for providing customized data retrieval applications, particularly for mobile devices. It focuses on optimizing the display and interaction with data (like web content) on devices with limited screen real estate, often by interpreting markup language data and presenting it in a customized format.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claims 1, 14, 22 (less likely): This reference is primarily concerned with data retrieval applications and customizing data display for mobile devices. While US7610277 also aims for "efficient use of space on a display device" and efficient searching, the mechanisms are different. US20070066364A1 does not appear to describe the specific "interim GUI" triggered by a keyboard message for launching a separate browser for search, nor the explicit inclusion of a "type of file" in the search string as a core function. Its focus on mobile device data presentation and markup language interpretation makes direct anticipation of US7610277's browser launch mechanism less probable.

5. US20070157118A1

Full Citation: US20070157118A1, "Customizable, multi-function button".
Publication Date: 2007-07-05.
Filing Date: 2005-12-30.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a customizable, multi-function button for computing devices that can be configured to perform different actions based on user preferences or context. The button can trigger various functions, possibly including launching applications or performing searches.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claims 1, 14, 22 (potentially limited to the trigger mechanism): This patent addresses how an input (a "button" press) can be interpreted to initiate an action. US7610277's Claim 1 and 14 rely on "receiving a first keyboard message" and "interpreting" it as a request to perform a search. If the "customizable, multi-function button" could be configured to interpret a specific key press (a "keyboard message") as a request to perform a search and initiate a search utility, it might anticipate the initial trigger and interpretation aspect. However, it does not describe the subsequent display of an "interim GUI," the specific method of receiving text with a file type, or the launching of a separate browser program with an embedded search string, which are central to US7610277.