US 9633139

The US Patent 9633139, titled "Methods and systems for search indexing," was granted to X1 Discovery Inc. (current assignee) and originally assigned to FUTURE SEARCH HOLDINGS Inc.. The inventors are William Gross and Steven Lee Colwell.

The patent has a filing date of October 6, 2014, and an issue date of April 25, 2017.

Abstract:
The patent describes a system and method for quick and efficient searching. One embodiment involves a first instruction to read at least two search strings entered into the same search field and a second instruction to incrementally filter search results. This filtering locates documents where a first word begins with the first string and a second word begins with the second string.

Plain-language overview of independent claims (as described in the Summary section of the patent):

1. Method of performing a search: This method involves receiving at least a first search string and a second search string as they are being typed into the same search field. It then incrementally finds documents where a first word starts with the first string and a second word starts with the second string.

2. Search apparatus: This apparatus includes a first instruction to read at least two search strings entered into the same search field. It also has a second instruction to incrementally filter search results to find documents where a first word begins with the first string and a second word begins with the second string.

3. Search index system: This system comprises scan code that determines which files to index, and index code that performs the indexing based on this determination. The index code is further configured to identify punctuation marks in a search string and treat some of these marks as string separators based on their position within the string.

4. Method of selectively performing a search and executing a command: This method involves receiving a string in a search field and determining if it is a command. If it is a command, the system initiates its execution. If it is not a command, the system initiates a search.

5. Search apparatus for commands and searches: This apparatus includes a first instruction to receive a string in a search field, a second instruction to determine if the string is a command, a third instruction to execute the command if it is, and a fourth instruction to initiate a search if the string is not a command.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A PTAB case IPR2025-00255 has been filed (Pending - Instituted). As of April 26, 2026, there is an ongoing PTAB case related to US9633139. There is also a US case filed in the California Central District Court (case/8:23-cv-02415) and a first worldwide family litigation filed.

Note on Patent Status:
The legal status of US9633139B2 is "Expired - Fee Related," with an adjusted expiration date of October 1, 2023.