Appeal No. 2007-0220
Application No. 09/982,640
may be considered to be queried by the system for modifying or otherwise
refining the searches that the user initially enters.
According to the operation of Figure 1 beginning at the middle of
column 4, the results of the initial pass of a search argument through the
database search engine 16 in Figure 1 to the contextual database 22 in that
figure yields results for the claimed first search results, which in turn are
passed along with the initial search arguments to the associative search
engine 18 in that figure for queries with respect to the product database 24
which in turn yields its own search results corresponding to the claimed
second search results. For purposes of the single search engine of claim 1,
both search engines or the result of the second one or either one of them may
yield a search result and correspondingly, the claimed first and second
search engines of claims 11 and 25 may correspond to these elements as
well. It is significant to note here that the claimed first and second search
engines are not recited to be different search engines such that search results
derived from either one of them and which is further modified or refined
according to the teachings of Skillen may yield a second result effectively
from a second search engine. Clearly, from Skillen’s teachings, the more
refined the search, the smaller the ending subset of results.
Based upon the remarks at oral hearing and the nature of the
arguments in the principal Brief and Reply Brief, consistent with the above
noted constraints, no patentable significance can be given to the
characterization of information content relating to connotations and
demographic usages such as in independent claims 39 and 42 on appeal.
The mere use of a contextual searchable database 22 in Figure 1 and 46 in
Figure 2 relates to connotative information. The intent of Skillen in the use
6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013