Mobile device retrieval and navigation

IP Verse

Patent No. US7840579 (titled "Mobile device retrieval and navigation") on Dec 12, 2006. The application was issued on Nov 23, 2010.

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Technical Landscape

In the mid-2000s when ’579 was filed, mobile information retrieval was typically implemented using hierarchical menu navigation or basic keyword searches at a time when hardware constraints made complex data entry non-trivial. When systems commonly relied on full-string matching or single-attribute queries rather than multi-stem relational searching, the limited screen real estate and reduced-entry keypads of portable devices necessitated efficient input methods to minimize user keystrokes. Consequently, the technical landscape was defined by a reliance on simple predictive text or manual browsing through deep folder structures to locate specific content or execute system commands.

Prosecution Position

The examiner allowed the application because the prior art did not suggest a system that can display a menu command as a selectable search result and then automatically transition the user into the menu system to perform that action upon confirmation. Additionally, the examiner noted that existing technologies lacked the specific method of matching two different input stems against two different attributes of a data object, particularly when implemented on a wireless phone using a separator to distinguish between the first and second inputs.

Claims

This patent contains 59 claims, of which claims 1, 13, 24, 25, 26, 50, and 51 are independent. The independent claims are generally directed to methods and systems for presenting information to a user based on structured input, relating that input to a library of candidates, and rendering results. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific aspects, features, or implementations of the independent claims, such as input methods, display metrics, and application launching.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)	Support for Specification	Interpretation
Display metric (Claim 24, Claim 50)	It may be determined that the first stem or the second stem is found within a particular attribute for an object in the library of candidates. A display metric is used for the object that is based on determining whether the first stem or the second stem is found within the particular attribute for the object. The display metric is used to determine an order in which the results are rendered and the results may be rendered based on the order.	A value used to determine the order in which results are rendered, based on whether stems are found within a particular attribute for an object.
First stem (Claim 1, Claim 26, Claim 51)	In one general aspect, information is presented to a user by receiving a first input from a user and structuring the first input as a first stem. A separator is received designating subsequently-received input as a second input. The second input is received and structured as a second stem. The first stem and the second stem are related to a library of candidates.	A structured form of the first input received from a user, used to relate to a library of candidates.
Library of candidates (Claim 1, Claim 24, Claim 25, Claim 26, Claim 50, Claim 51)	In one general aspect, information is presented to a user by receiving a first input from a user and structuring the first input as a first stem. A separator is received designating subsequently-received input as a second input. The second input is received and structured as a second stem. The first stem and the second stem are related to a library of candidates.	A collection of data or applications to which the stems are related to generate results.
Object likelihood metric (Claim 25, Claim 51)	A character likelihood metric is determined for each of one or more characters appearing within the first stem and an object likelihood metric is determined for different objects related to the stem using the character likelihood metric. The object likelihood metric is used to determine an order in which results are rendered and the results is rendered based on the order.	A value determined for different objects related to the stems, using a character likelihood metric, and used to determine the order in which results are rendered.
Second stem (Claim 1, Claim 26)	In one general aspect, information is presented to a user by receiving a first input from a user and structuring the first input as a first stem. A separator is received designating subsequently-received input as a second input. The second input is received and structured as a second stem. The first stem and the second stem are related to a library of candidates.	A structured form of the second input received from a user, separated from the first input by a separator, and used to relate to a library of candidates.

Patent Summary

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case Number	Filing Date	Title
2:25-cv-00758	Aug 1, 2025	Cerence Operating Company v. TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd. et al

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US7840579

Application Number: US11609697A
Filing Date: Dec 12, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2010
External Links: Slate, USPTO, Google Patents