Patents by Inventor Erik D. Hals

Erik D. Hals has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6920505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a navigation path for a visitor to a Web site, the determination being based, at least in part, on one or more search terms or keywords supplied by the visitor when conducting a search at the Web site are provided. The method and apparatus allow a Web site to dynamically determine one or more navigation path options to impose on a visitor to the Web site based on one or more search terms supplied by the visitor. The method includes a step during which one or more search terms are received directly or indirectly from a visitor to a Web site; a step during which a navigation path is determined from a set or plurality of navigation paths based, at least in part, on one of the search terms received during the previous step; and a step during which the visitor's navigation in the Web is directed in accordance with the determination made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ask Jeeves, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik D. Hals, George M. Nimeh, Donald L. Sierra
  • Publication number: 20020078230
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a navigation path for a visitor to a Web site, the determination being based, at least in part, on one or more search terms or keywords supplied by the visitor when conducting a search at the Web site. The method and apparatus of the present invention allow a Web site to dynamically determine one or more navigation path options to impose on a visitor to the Web site based on one or more search terms supplied by the visitor. The method includes a step during which one or more search terms are received directly or indirectly from a visitor to a Web site; a step during which a navigation a path is determined from a set or plurality of navigation paths based, at least in part, on one of the search terms received during the previous step; and a step during which the visitor's navigation in the Web is directed in accordance with the determination made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Erik D. Hals, George M. Nimeh, Donald L. Sierra