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.

https://patents.google.com/patent/[US7610277B2](/patent/US7610277B2)/en
https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/asset/US7610277B2
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/patents/asset/US7610277B2/
https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/caselist
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/patents/asset/US7610277B2/litigation
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/caselist
https://patents.justia.com/patent/[7610277](/patent/7610277)
https://www.UnifiedPatents.com
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/search?q=7610277
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/patents/asset/US7610277B2/[ptab](/ptab)
https://www.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/caselist?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=7610277
https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=39796063&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=[US7610277](/patent/US7610277)(B2)

Known litigation involving US patent 7,610,277 is as follows:

According to Unified Patents, which tracks patent litigation, US Patent 7,610,277 (listed as US7610277B2) has been involved in litigation.

One identified case is:

• Plaintiff(s): Yahoo! Inc.
• Defendant(s): Google Inc.
• Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Northern District of California
• Case Number: 5:12-cv-00613
• Filing Date: February 7, 2012
• Outcome or Current Status: Terminated.

Another case where the patent was asserted is:

• Plaintiff(s): Excalibur IP, LLC
• Defendant(s): Lyft, Inc.
• Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the District of Delaware
• Case Number: 1:20-cv-00971
• Filing Date: July 27, 2020
• Outcome or Current Status: Terminated.

Additionally, Excalibur IP, LLC also asserted this patent against Uber Technologies, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

• Plaintiff(s): Excalibur IP, LLC
• Defendant(s): Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the District of Delaware
• Case Number: 1:20-cv-00972
• Filing Date: July 27, 2020
• Outcome or Current Status: Terminated.

Darts-IP also indicates that the patent family (which includes US7610277) has litigation, with the first worldwide family litigation filed on March 29, 2007.

It is important to note that while the Google Patents "Legal status" section indicates "Expired - Fee Related, expires 2028-02-06" and then lists "Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees" on November 29, 2021, and "PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362", the litigation records show activity beyond this lapse date. This discrepancy might be due to the nature of patent expiration not immediately impacting existing litigation, or the litigation dates reflecting the filing of the case rather than its entire lifespan.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings for US patent 7,610,277 on file as of the most recent ingest by the USPTO Open Data Portal. A web search for PTAB proceedings related to this patent also did not yield any specific results. This indicates that there has been no PTAB activity on this patent. This gives a defendant a neutral defensive posture regarding PTAB, as the patent has neither been challenged nor strengthened through these proceedings.

Strategic summary

As there are no PTAB proceedings on file for US patent 7,610,277, all claims (Claims 1-25) remain untested by the PTAB. There are no claims canceled or sustained by PTAB decisions. Consequently, the estoppel landscape under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) is not applicable, as no final written decisions have been issued. For a defendant facing assertion of this patent, all prior-art grounds remain available for challenge, either in district court or through a future PTAB petition, assuming statutory and time requirements are met. The absence of PTAB activity suggests that the patent has not yet been subject to inter partes review (IPR), post-grant review (PGR), or covered business method (CBM) proceedings.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US patent 7,610,277, a potential defendant has several options, including initiating an IPR, PGR, or CBM proceeding if they believe valid grounds exist and meet the statutory requirements. The absence of prior PTAB challenges means there's no existing estoppel to contend with from previous PTAB decisions. However, it also means there's no pre-established invalidity finding to leverage. The PTAB provides public access to decisions and tools to search for proceedings.

Inventors

The sole named inventor for US Patent 7,610,277 is Colin Brady. At the time of filing, Colin Brady was an employee of Yahoo! Inc., as evidenced by the assignment of the inventor's interest to Yahoo! Inc. prior to the patent's filing date. There are no unusual patterns, such as all inventors departing the original assignee shortly after filing.

Original Assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent was Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! Inc. was a major internet services company that shipped numerous products embodying web browsing and search functionalities, including its namesake search engine and various integrated browser components. Its primary line of business was internet media, advertising, and content services. Yahoo! Inc. was acquired by Verizon in 2017, and parts of its business were later spun off. The entity listed as "Altaba Inc." on Google Patents was the remaining investment company after the core internet business was sold, which subsequently liquidated.

Assignment Timeline

Here is a chronological list of every recorded assignment for US Patent 7,610,277, sourced from the USPTO Assignment Center:

• 2007-03-14 (executed) / recorded 2007-03-29 — Reel 019087/0587

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Brady, Colin
  • Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
  • Correspondent: Michael B. Stewart, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P., 901 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001-4413.
  • Context: Original assignment from the inventor to his employer.

• 2016-04-18 (executed) / recorded 2016-04-18 — Reel 038383/0466

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Yahoo! Inc.
  • Assignee: Excalibur IP, LLC
  • Correspondent: Jennifer L. Roscetti, Yahoo! Inc., 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089.
  • Context: Transfer of patent assets from an operating company to a patent monetization entity.

• 2016-05-31 (executed) / recorded 2016-06-01 — Reel 038951/0295

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Excalibur IP, LLC
  • Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
  • Correspondent: Jennifer L. Roscetti, Yahoo! Inc., 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. This correspondent also appears on Reel 038383/0466 and Reel 038950/0592.
  • Context: Reassignment of patent assets from Excalibur IP, LLC back to Yahoo! Inc., likely a temporary measure or part of a larger asset reshuffle.

• 2016-05-31 (executed) / recorded 2016-06-03 — Reel 038950/0592

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Yahoo! Inc.
  • Assignee: Excalibur IP, LLC
  • Correspondent: Jennifer L. Roscetti, Yahoo! Inc., 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. This correspondent also appears on Reel 038383/0466 and Reel 038951/0295.
  • Context: Reassignment of patent assets from Yahoo! Inc. back to Excalibur IP, LLC, finalizing the transfer to the patent monetization entity.

• 2020-06-04 (executed) / recorded 2020-06-05 — Reel 052853/0153

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: Acacia Research Group LLC, American Vehicular Sciences LLC, Bonutti Skeletal Innovations LLC, Cellular Communications Equipment LLC, Innovative Display Technologies LLC, Lifeport Sciences LLC, Limestone Memory Systems LLC, Merton Acquisition Holdco LLC, Mobile Enhancement Solutions LLC, Monarch Networking Solutions LLC, Nexus Display Technologies LLC, Parthenon Unified Memory Architecture LLC, R2 Solutions LLC, Saint Lawrence Communications LLC, Stingray IP Solutions LLC, Super Interconnect Technologies LLC, Teleconference Systems LLC, Unification Technologies LLC
  • Assignee: Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP, as Collateral Agent
  • Correspondent: Bryan R. Wallace, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, 202 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46225. This correspondent also appears on Reel 056832/0001, Reel 054981/0377, and Reel 053654/0254.
  • Context: Securitization of a large patent portfolio by a group of patent assertion entities (PAEs), including known NPEs, to a collateral agent for financing.

• 2020-04-28 (executed) / recorded 2020-06-25 — Reel 053459/0059

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Excalibur IP, LLC
  • Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC
  • Correspondent: John O. Murabito, R2 Solutions LLC, P.O. Box 720330, Dallas, TX 75372-0330.
  • Context: Transfer of patent assets from Excalibur IP, LLC to R2 Solutions LLC, a subsidiary of Acacia Research Group LLC.

• 2020-06-30 (executed) / recorded 2020-07-08 — Reel 053654/0254

  • Conveyance: Release
  • Assignor: Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP
  • Assignee: Bonutti Skeletal Innovations LLC, Cellular Communications Equipment LLC, Innovative Display Technologies LLC, Lifeport Sciences LLC, Limestone Memory Systems LLC, Mobile Enhancement Solutions LLC, Monarch Networking Solutions LLC, Nexus Display Technologies LLC, Parthenon Unified Memory Architecture LLC, R2 Solutions LLC, Saint Lawrence Communications LLC, Stingray IP Solutions LLC, Super Interconnect Technologies LLC, Teleconference Systems LLC, Unification Technologies LLC, Acacia Research Group LLC, American Vehicular Sciences LLC, Merton Acquisition Holdco LLC
  • Correspondent: Bryan R. Wallace, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, 202 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46225. This correspondent also appears on Reel 056832/0001, Reel 054981/0377, and Reel 052853/0153.
  • Context: Release of security interest by Starboard Value for a group of NPEs, indicating a partial or full satisfaction of the security agreement.

• 2020-06-30 (executed) / recorded 2020-12-30 — Reel 054981/0377

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP
  • Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC
  • Correspondent: Bryan R. Wallace, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, 202 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46225. This correspondent also appears on Reel 056832/0001, Reel 053654/0254, and Reel 052853/0153.
  • Context: Corrective assignment clarifying the ownership of R2 Solutions LLC following the security interest arrangements.

• 2020-06-04 (executed) / recorded 2021-03-29 — Reel 056832/0001

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: R2 Solutions LLC
  • Assignee: Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP, as Collateral Agent
  • Correspondent: Bryan R. Wallace, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, 202 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46225. This correspondent also appears on Reel 054981/0377, Reel 053654/0254, and Reel 052853/0153.
  • Context: Corrective assignment where R2 Solutions LLC assigned its interest to Starboard Value as collateral agent, likely in further refinement of the earlier security agreement.

Timeline Diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7610277
    2007 : Inventor assigns to Yahoo! Inc.
    2009 : Patent issued
    2016 : Yahoo! to Excalibur IP, LLC
         : Excalibur to Yahoo! Inc.
         : Yahoo! to Excalibur IP, LLC
    2020 : Multiple NPEs to Starboard Value (Sec Agmt)
         : Excalibur to R2 Solutions LLC
         : Starboard Value releases interests
         : Starboard Value to R2 Solutions (Corrective)
    2021 : R2 Solutions to Starboard Value (Corrective)

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer: Present. Excalibur IP, LLC, R2 Solutions LLC, and Acacia Research Group LLC are all entities that operate as patent monetization vehicles, often without product lines, and were involved in the chain of ownership.
2. Known asserter in the chain: Present. Acacia Research Group LLC is a well-known and prolific NPE. R2 Solutions LLC is a subsidiary of Acacia Research Group LLC. Excalibur IP, LLC was formed by Yahoo! for patent monetization and was later acquired by Acacia Research Group.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain: Present. Bryan R. Wallace of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP appears as the correspondent for multiple transactions involving Starboard Value, R2 Solutions LLC, and Acacia Research Group LLC (Reel 052853/0153, Reel 053654/0254, Reel 054981/0377, Reel 056832/0001). This firm and attorney are known to represent NPEs in patent asset transactions.
4. Cascading transfers: Present. Multiple assignments and corrective transfers occurred within short periods, particularly between Yahoo! Inc. and Excalibur IP, LLC in 2016 (Reel 038383/0466, Reel 038951/0295, Reel 038950/0592) and among Starboard Value, R2 Solutions LLC, and Acacia Research Group LLC in 2020-2021 (Reel 052853/0153, Reel 053459/0059, Reel 053654/0254, Reel 054981/0377, Reel 056832/0001). These indicate rapid and complex restructuring of ownership, characteristic of patent portfolio management by NPEs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer: Unclear. Without access to specific litigation filing dates, it is not possible to determine if any assignments occurred within six months prior to the first infringement suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale: Not present. Yahoo! Inc. was acquired, not subject to bankruptcy proceedings that led to a fire-sale of its patent assets.
7. Privateering: Unclear. While Yahoo! Inc. did transfer its patents to Excalibur IP, LLC for monetization, explicit evidence of Yahoo! funding assertions against its competitors post-transfer (which defines privateering) is not present in the assignment records.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE): Not present. The chain involves entities primarily engaged in patent assertion, not defensive aggregation.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The assignment chain for US Patent 7,610,277 exhibits strong indicators of NPE activity. Specifically, the patent was transferred from Yahoo! Inc. to Excalibur IP, LLC, a known patent monetization entity, and subsequently to R2 Solutions LLC, a subsidiary of the prominent NPE Acacia Research Group LLC. The complex security agreement involving Starboard Value Intermediate Fund LP as collateral agent, with numerous NPEs as assignors (Reel 052853/0153, recorded 2020-06-05), further solidifies this assessment. The consistent use of the same correspondent, Bryan R. Wallace, across multiple post-Yahoo transfers also points to a coordinated patent assertion strategy.

For verification of these records, please refer to the USPTO Assignment Center search page: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/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.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 7,610,277 Under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis assesses the obviousness of US patent 7,610,277 (hereinafter '277 patent) under 35 U.S.C. § 103, considering the prior art cited within the '277 patent's "Prior Art" section. The invention claimed in the '277 patent generally relates to a method and system for efficiently launching a browser to perform a search, either on a publicly accessible network or a local computer, using a minimal "interim graphical user interface" (GUI) triggered by a specific keyboard message. The priority date for the '277 patent is March 29, 2007. A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) at this time would be a software developer familiar with operating system interactions, GUI design, network programming, and browser integration.

Core Elements of the '277 Patent's Independent Claims

The independent claims (Claims 1, 14, and 22) of the '277 patent generally describe the following key elements:

• Triggering Mechanism: Receiving a "first keyboard message" (Claims 1, 14), which can be a low-level message (Claim 12) or involve remapping a registry entry (Claim 13), interpreted as a request to perform a search.
• Interim GUI: Visibly displaying an "interim graphical user interface" with a text string entry field in response to the request (Claims 1, 14, 22). This GUI is distinct from a general-purpose browser program and primarily serves for search parameter entry.
• Input and Search String Construction: Receiving a text string (comprising text and a type of file to be targeted) via the interim GUI's text entry field and constructing a search string based on it (Claims 1, 14, 22).
• Browser Launch: Issuing a launch command to activate a separate browser program, where the launch command contains the constructed search string (Claims 1, 14, 22).
• Search Scope: The search can be on a "publicly accessible network" (Claims 1, 14) or a "local computer" (Claim 22).

Analysis of Prior Art References

The relevant prior art cited in the '277 patent includes:

Patent Citations:

• US6564254B1 (Dream Technologies Corporation): Describes a system and method for specifying a network location or search term via a GUI (including a "floating window") and then launching a browser to display the content or search results.
• US20050050084A1 (Atm Shafiqul Khalid): Relates to dynamic registry partitioning, relevant to the concept of remapping registry entries.
• US7107548B2 (Yahoo! Inc.): Describes controlling an Internet browser interface.
• US20070066364A1 (Elad Gil): Concerns customized data retrieval applications for mobile devices.
• US20070157118A1 (Thomas Wuttke): Discloses a customizable multi-function button for invoking applications, including launching a web browser with custom parameters like a search query.

Non-Patent Literature (NPL) Citations:

• Windows Vista: Features Explained: Instant Search (2007): This describes Microsoft Windows Vista's system-wide search functionality, accessible from the Start Menu, which allowed users to search local files and web content, often launching a browser for web search results.
• Keystroke logging-Wikipedia (2007): Explains the known technique of intercepting low-level keyboard messages.
• Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) Version 1.3.4073 (2007): A tool demonstrating the ability to remap keyboard entries.
• Konfabulator-Gallery (2002-2005): Showcased small, dedicated graphical user interface applications (widgets) for specific tasks, implying the concept of an "interim GUI".

Obviousness Combinations and Motivation to Combine

The core inventive step described in the '277 patent involves combining readily available technologies to create a more efficient search initiation process. The motivation for a POSITA would be to improve user convenience and streamline the interaction with search functionalities, as explicitly stated in the '277 patent's summary.

Combination 1: Windows Vista "Instant Search" + Keystroke Logging / MSKLC + Konfabulator / US6564254B1 / US20070157118A1

1. Starting Point: Windows Vista "Instant Search"

   • Windows Vista, released in January 2007 (before the '277 patent's priority date), provided a system-wide "Instant Search" feature. This allowed users to type into a search box (e.g., within the Start Menu) to find both local files and initiate web searches. For web searches, it would launch a browser displaying the results. This feature directly demonstrates:
     • Receiving keyboard input for a search request.
     • Displaying a text entry field (the search box) functioning as an "interim GUI."
     • Receiving a text string.
     • Constructing a search string.
     • Launching a browser with the search string (for web searches).
   • The problem addressed by Instant Search—reducing the need to navigate multiple interfaces to access a search utility—is the same problem articulated in the '277 patent.

2. Adding the "First Keyboard Message" Trigger (Claims 1, 14):

   • The '277 patent emphasizes initiating the search via a specific "first keyboard message." The techniques for achieving this were well-known:
     • Keystroke logging demonstrated the ability to intercept low-level keyboard messages.
     • Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) showed that remapping registry entries was a known method to alter keyboard behavior and trigger actions.
   • A POSITA would be motivated to combine the keyboard interception/remapping techniques with the "Instant Search" functionality to make the search initiation even more immediate and context-independent. This directly addresses the '277 patent's goal of "efficient use of space on a display device" and reducing the "effective time of the searching operation" by circumventing graphical navigation. US20070157118A1 further supports this, teaching that a customizable button (which can be keyboard-mapped) can invoke applications and launch a web browser with a search query.

3. Refining the "Interim GUI" (Claims 1, 14, 22):

   • While Windows Vista's search box served as an interim input field, the concept of a small, dedicated, and non-general-purpose GUI was also well-established.
   • Konfabulator (later Yahoo! Widgets) explicitly taught the use of small, single-purpose applications ("widgets") that could reside on the desktop to provide quick access to information or functions without requiring a full application launch. A POSITA familiar with Konfabulator would be motivated to implement the search input field as a minimalist, transient "interim GUI" that appears on demand, consistent with the '277 patent's description of an interim GUI that "does not show search results and, is not a general purpose program".
   • Similarly, US6564254B1 describes a "floating window" for inputting network locations or search terms, serving a similar function as an interim GUI for search.
   • The motivation would be to achieve a less intrusive and more focused user interface for search input, directly supporting the patent's objective of "efficient use of space on a display device".

4. Including "Type of File to be Targeted" in Search String (Claims 1, 14, 22):

   • The '277 patent specifies that the text string "comprises text and a type of file to be targeted". Search engines and operating system search utilities commonly included options to filter searches by file type (e.g., documents, images, videos). Windows Vista's Instant Search itself offered basic filtering capabilities.
   • A POSITA would find it obvious to enhance any search utility by allowing users to specify the type of file to be searched for. This could be done through additional input elements (like radio buttons) or by structuring the text string itself, as mentioned in the '277 patent's description. This is a conventional improvement to make search results more relevant and efficient.

Specific Obviousness Argument for Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for launching a browser program on a computing device over a publicly accessible network): The combination of Windows Vista's Instant Search (for the core search-initiation-to-browser-launch functionality) with Keystroke logging or MSKLC (for triggering with a "first keyboard message") and Konfabulator or US6564254B1 (for implementing the "interim graphical user interface" as a lightweight, dedicated input field) renders this claim obvious. The inclusion of a "type of file to be targeted" is a conventional refinement of search queries. The phrase "receiving a text string via the text string entry field over the network" in Claim 1, while grammatically unusual for direct user input, is understood by a POSITA in context to mean that the input is received locally for the purpose of initiating a search on the network, consistent with the overall disclosure.
• Claim 14 (Computer-operated searching system): This claim describes a system incorporating the same functional elements as Claim 1. The monitoring, interface, and launching software routines are obvious implementations of the method steps using known programming practices. The distinction that "the browser program is different from the monitoring software routine, the interface software routine and the launching software routine" is inherent in the concept of launching a separate, existing browser application, as taught by US6564254B1 and US20070157118A1.
• Claim 22 (Method for searching on a local computer): This claim describes a local search scenario, which is explicitly covered by Windows Vista's Instant Search. The steps of using an interim GUI, receiving a text string (including file type), constructing a search string "adapted for searching the local computer," and launching a browser with it are all direct applications or obvious variations of the reasoning for Claim 1, tailored to a local search index.

Conclusion

Considering the state of the art in March 2007, the claimed invention of US7610277B2 would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The motivation to combine the various prior art elements—namely, the system-wide search functionality exemplified by Windows Vista's Instant Search, the known techniques for keyboard message interception and remapping, and the concept of lightweight, dedicated user interfaces from Konfabulator widgets or US6564254B1's floating window—would have been to enhance user efficiency and streamline the process of initiating searches. This combination would yield a predictable improvement in user experience by providing quick, context-independent access to search functions without occupying significant screen space.