HK1178271B - Enabling immersive search engine home pages - Google Patents

Description

Realization of immersive search engine homepage

Background

The internet provides a vast and rapidly growing pool of information and resources through its billions of web pages. To find desired content, computer users often utilize search utilities. Exemplary internet search engines are well known in the art, for example, the generally known commercial engine is the BING search engine provided by microsoft corporation (Redmond, Washington). Initially after the user has expressed a desire to utilize the search utility, a home page associated with the particular search utility is presented, which includes a search query entry area in which the user may enter keywords or phrases that the user wishes to obtain search results related to. Often a background image corresponding to the search engine home page is also presented. Generally, such search utility home page background images are static images that may be visually appealing to the user, but have little other use in an immersive experience or to promote the user's attachment to the search utility.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for, among other things, implementing immersive, interactive search engine home pages. After receiving a request to present a search engine home page, a first image is sent for presentation, the first image being presented on only a portion of the available display. The transmitted first image comprises a portion of a larger image (e.g., a substantially centered portion), but also appears as a complete image itself. A search box capable of receiving the entered search query is also sent for presentation. Additional image portions are subsequently (or substantially simultaneously) transmitted for presentation on portions of the available display that are not covered by the first image. The first image and the additional image portion collectively comprise the larger image, which may be configured to cover the entire available display. Further, some portions of the larger image may not be visible on the available display absent some type of user interaction with the larger image. Interaction, such as panning, zooming, etc., with the larger image is allowed, thereby providing the user with an immersive, interactive experience with the search engine home page.

Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system in which embodiments of the present invention may be employed;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page prior to loading and sending surrounding image portions, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page during or after loading and sending surrounding image portions, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page having an interactive section capable of providing additional content, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. The description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Various aspects of the technology described herein are directed, in common, to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for, among other things, implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page. After receiving a request to present a search engine home page, a first image is sent for presentation, the first image being presented on only a portion of the available display. The transmitted first image comprises a portion of a larger image (e.g., a substantially centered portion), but also appears as a complete image itself. A search box capable of receiving the entered search query is also sent for presentation. Additional image portions are subsequently (or substantially simultaneously) transmitted for presentation on portions of the available display that are not covered by the first image. The first image and the additional image portion collectively comprise a larger image, which may be configured to cover the entire available display. Further, some portions of the larger image may not be visible on the available display absent some type of user interaction with the larger image. When rendered, interactions such as panning, zooming, and the like with the larger image are allowed, thereby providing the user with an immersive, interactive experience with the search engine home page.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page. The method includes receiving a request to present a search engine home page on a display and sending an image for presentation on a first portion of the display, wherein the first portion includes less than the entire display. The transmitted image comprises a portion of a larger image. The method also includes transmitting the plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the display different from the first portion. The image and the plurality of additional image portions collectively comprise the larger image. Further, the method includes enabling user interaction with the larger image.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page. The system comprises: a search engine associated with one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media; and a data store coupled with the search engine and configured to store image data. The search engine is configured to receive a request to present a search engine home page on the display, and send an image for presentation on a first portion of the display, wherein the first portion includes less than the entire display. The image comprises a substantially centered portion of a larger image. The search engine is further configured to transmit a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the display different from the first portion, the image and the plurality of additional image portions collectively comprising the larger image, and the search engine is further configured to enable user interaction with the larger image.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page. The method includes receiving a request from a browser for presentation of a search engine home page on a display and determining that the requesting browser is capable of presenting a high resolution, interactive panoramic image or other explorable photo image (e.g., a synthetic image (synth)), and sending the image for presentation on a substantially centered first portion of the display. The substantially centered first portion comprises less than the entire display, and the image comprises a substantially centered portion of the panoramic or other explorable light image. The method also includes transmitting a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the display that is different from and surrounds the substantially centered first portion. The image and the plurality of additional image portions collectively comprise the panoramic image or other explorable light image. Further, the method includes enabling user interaction with the panoramic image or other explorable light image (e.g., a composite image).

Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary operating environment in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is described below in order to provide a general context for various aspects of the present invention. Referring to the drawings in general and initially to FIG. 1 in particular, an exemplary operating environment for implementing embodiments of the present invention is shown and designated generally as computing device 100. Computing device 100 is but one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention. Neither should the computing device 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-useable or computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal digital assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program modules (including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so forth) refer to code that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Embodiments of the invention may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including hand-held devices, consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, and the like. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the computing device 100 includes a bus 110 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory 112, one or more processors 114, one or more presentation components 116, input/output (I/O) ports 118, I/O components 120, and an illustrative power supply 122. Bus 110 represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of FIG. 1 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, these blocks represent logic and not necessarily actual components. For example, a presentation component such as a display device may be considered an I/O component. Further, the processor has a memory. The inventors hereof recognize that such is the nature of the art, and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 1 is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention. No distinction is made between categories such as "workstation," server, "" laptop, "" handheld device, "etc., as all of these categories are contemplated as falling within the scope of fig. 1 and refer to" computing device.

Computing device 100 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computing device 100 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer-readable media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computing device 100. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

The memory 112 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable, or a combination of both. Exemplary hardware devices include solid state memory, hard disk drives, optical disk drives, and the like. Computing device 100 includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as memory 112 or I/O components 120. Presentation component(s) 116 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speakers, a printing component, a vibrating component, and the like.

I/O ports 118 allow computing device 100 to be logically coupled to other devices, some of which may be built-in, including I/O components 120. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, and the like.

As previously mentioned, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for implementing, among other things, immersive, interactive search engine home pages. After receiving a request to present a search engine home page, a first image is sent for presentation, the first image being presented on only a portion of the available display. The transmitted first image comprises a portion of a larger image (e.g., a substantially centered portion), but also appears as a complete image itself. A search box capable of receiving the entered search query is also sent for presentation. Additional image portions are subsequently (or substantially simultaneously) transmitted for presentation on portions of the available display that are not covered by the first image. The first image and the additional image portion collectively comprise a larger image, which may be configured to cover the entire available display. Further, some portions of the larger image may not be visible on the available display absent some type of user interaction with the larger image. When rendered, interactions such as panning, zooming, and the like with the larger image are allowed, thereby providing the user with an immersive, interactive experience with the search engine home page.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram is provided illustrating an exemplary computing system 200 in which embodiments of the present invention may be employed. In general, computing system 200 illustrates an environment in which an immersive, interactive search engine home page is implemented. As described in greater detail below, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implementing such an immersive search engine home page by sending images that allow a user to interact with them for presentation on a display. In this way, the user receives a seamless transition from the first still image to a larger image with which s/he can interact, and gets a rich immersive experience at the search engine home page. (it should be noted that although the phrase "search engine home page" is used herein, the functionality described is equally applicable to any online landing page.

Among other components not shown, computing system 200 generally includes a client device 210, a search engine 212, and an image data store 214, all in communication with each other over a network 216. Network 216 may include, without limitation, one or more Local Area Networks (LANs) and/or Wide Area Networks (WANs). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. Accordingly, the network 216 is not further described herein.

It should be understood that any number of client devices, search engines, and image data stores may be employed in computing system 200 within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Each of which may comprise a single device/interface or multiple devices/interfaces cooperating in a distributed environment. For example, the search engine 212 may include multiple devices and/or modules disposed in a distributed environment that collectively provide the functionality of the search engine 212 described herein. In addition, other components/modules not shown may also be included within computing system 200.

In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented as stand-alone applications. In other embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be implemented by client device 210 as an internet-based service or as a module within search engine 212. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number and nature of the components/modules illustrated in fig. 2 are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting. Any number of components/modules may be employed to achieve the desired functionality within the scope of embodiments hereof. Further, the various components/modules may be located on any number of search engines or user computing devices. Merely by way of example, the search engine 212 may be provided as a single server (as shown), a cluster of servers, or a computing device remote from one or more of the remaining components.

It should be understood that the above and other arrangements described herein are set forth only as examples. Other arrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, commands, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to or in place of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether. Further, many of the elements described herein are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, and in any suitable combination and location. Various functions described herein as being performed by one or more entities may be carried out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. For example, various functions may be carried out by a processor executing instructions stored in a memory.

The client computing device 210 may include any type of computing device, such as, for example, computing device 100 described with reference to fig. 1. In general, the client computing device 210 includes a browser 218 and a display 220. The browser 218 is configured to render a search engine home page having a static image and/or an interactive image that is at least a portion of a background associated with the display 220 of the client computing device 210. Browser 218 is also configured to receive user input for requests for various web pages, including search engine home pages, to receive user-entered search queries, which are typically alphanumeric and/or text input entered through a user interface presented on display 220 and allowed to enter a specified search box, and to receive content for presentation on display 220, e.g., from search engine 212. It should be noted that the functionality described herein as being performed by the browser 218 may be performed by any other application capable of rendering Web content. Any and all such variations, and any combination thereof, are contemplated as falling within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

The search engine 212 is configured to receive and respond to requests received from various components associated with the client computing device, such as the browser 218 associated with the client computing device 210. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented with any number of search utilities. For example, an Internet search engine or a database search engine may utilize the present invention. These search engines are well known and commercially available engines in the art that share many similar processes not further described herein.

As shown, the search server 212 includes a receiving component 222, a browser capability determination component 224, and an image acquisition and sending component 226. The illustrated search engine 212 also has access to an image data store 214. Image data store 214 is configured to store image data, i.e., information associated with images. In various embodiments, such information may include, but is not limited to, raw image data, optimized image data, portions of image data (e.g., image tiles described in more detail below), and so forth. In an embodiment, image data store 214 is configured to be searchable for one or more items stored in association therewith. It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the information stored in association with the image data store 214 may be configurable and may include any information related to images configured for presentation on a search engine home page. The content and quantity of such information is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the present invention in any way. Further, while shown as a single, independent component, image data store 214 may, in fact, be a plurality of storage devices (e.g., a database cluster), portions of which may reside in association with search engine 212, client computing device 210, another external computing device (not shown), and/or any combination thereof.

The receiving component 222 of the search engine 212 is configured to receive a request for presentation of a search engine home page. Typically, such a request is received through a browser associated with the client computing device, such as browser 218 associated with client computing device 210.

The image data stored in association with image data store 214 may take any number of different forms. For example, such image data may be a single image or a plurality of images that are placed together such that the result appears to be a continuous single image. Further, such image data may be in the form of a panoramic or other explorable light image (e.g., a composite image). The term "panoramic" as utilized herein refers to a wide-angle view or representation of an image such that it appears to a person viewing the larger image that she/he is standing at one location and looking from a single vantage point toward a different direction. The term "composite image" as utilized herein refers to image data that is collectively combined and rendered so as to appear as if a viewer is looking at the same object from multiple different directions or vantages. Regardless of the source of the image data, embodiments of the present invention decompose the image data into individual image data portions or tiles so that the data can be processed in smaller blocks containing less information. This allows for faster and more efficient image data processing. Accordingly, the image data store 214 is also configured to store individual image data portions or tiles.

Upon receiving a request to present a search engine home page, the browser capability determination component 224 is configured to determine whether a browser associated with the requesting client computing device is capable of receiving and presenting a larger, high-resolution interactive image as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page. In embodiments, there may be a preference determination component (not shown) configured to determine whether any applicable user preference setting allows or prevents presentation of such interactive images as at least a portion of the background of a search engine home page.

Image acquisition and transmission component 226 is configured to receive image data (e.g., from image data store 214) and transmit such image data to a browser associated with the client computing device for presentation as at least a portion of the background of a search engine home page. If the browser capability determining component 224 determines that the browser associated with the requesting client computing device is unable to receive and/or render a larger, high-resolution interactive image as at least a portion of the background of a search engine home page, the image acquisition and transmission component 226 is configured to acquire a static image, which is typically configured to be presented on less than a portion of the entire available display and to transmit such image for presentation. If, however, it is determined that the browser associated with the requesting client computing device is capable of receiving image data that provides an immersive, interactive user experience with the search engine home page, image acquisition and transmission component 226 is further configured to transmit high resolution large image data for presentation as at least a portion of the background corresponding to the search engine home page.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to achieve an experience that is "equivalent" to existing search engine home pages, but then transition to a richer interactive experience that provides the ability to show and/or interact with larger images, panoramic images, and/or other explorable light images (e.g., composite images). In an initial peer-to-peer experience, image acquisition and transmission component 226 transmits images or image portions for presentation on a display of a client device (e.g., client computing device 210) such that the presented search engine home page appears to the user as she/he expects. Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram illustrates an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page before loading and sending surrounding image portions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

High quality and/or high resolution images are often too large to be efficiently and timely transmitted over the internet. It is desirable to be able to load images quickly in order to provide user functionality as quickly as possible. It may therefore be desirable within the scope of embodiments of the present invention to optimize the image data, for example, by compression techniques and/or resolution modification techniques. In embodiments, such functionality may be implemented, for example, using CSS, JavaScript, and common image file formats that may run on a variety of browsers. Further, in embodiments, it is desirable to provide an optimal user experience based on the bandwidth or connection speed associated with the requesting computing device. Any and all such variations, and any combination thereof, are contemplated as falling within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Returning to fig. 2, after (or substantially concurrently with) loading the initial image and sending such image data for presentation on display 220, embodiments of the present invention relate to loading image data associated with a larger image (e.g., a panoramic image or other explorable light image) in the background. In embodiments, the search engine 212 may be downloading different forms of image data (e.g., multi-resolution image data or "tiles") in the background, which may be used to display interactive large flat images, cylindrical panoramic images, spherical panoramic images, or other explorable light images (e.g., composite images). One exemplary technology that may be utilized to accomplish this function is the deep zoom/seadrag technology that is owned by microsoft corporation (Redmond, Washington) and is currently used within the services and applications sold under the trademark PHOTOSYNTH. The search engine home page appears to load as the user intended, but as the image tile is unloaded from the screen, it fades around the portion of the available display that is not covered by the initial image, and provides the user with the functionality to pan around and zoom deeper into the larger image. Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic diagram illustrates an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page during or after loading and sending of surrounding image portions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The idea about when to fade in the pixel data of larger images is based on tradeoffs that exist for individual multi-resolution image viewers. The various multi-resolution formats are iteratively loaded at progressive quality. It may therefore be undesirable to load the highest pixel quality before fading in image data for presentation on an available display that is not covered by the initial image. In such an embodiment, the image data will continue to iteratively load and refine itself and improve until it reaches a maximum quality. If a high resolution initial image is presented, it may be desirable to keep such image data on the screen for as long as possible, acting as a "fovea" around which there is a more blurred picture. In an embodiment, the user focus may continue to remain on the high resolution initial image by fading out the boundary slightly even once fully loaded.

In an embodiment, as the image tiles are loaded for presentation around the portion of the available display that is not covered by the initial image, the area surrounding the search engine home page image (i.e., the "border") is at least partially obscured (e.g., faded) to show the various extents of the larger interactive image once fully loaded. This uses up more of the available display and is therefore a more impressive view of the image. But it remains static.

In other embodiments, as the larger image (which includes the initial image and the image tiles loaded for presentation on the available display surrounding the initial image) is fully loaded, it is faded in and interaction therewith is enabled. For example, in embodiments, a larger image may become draggable to explore a cylindrical or spherical panorama that can be dragged up, down, left, and right to reveal additional information, and may zoom in and out (e.g., with a mouse wheel) to reveal more or less information. In an embodiment, the larger image may "wrap around" so that the user may traverse a full 360 degrees and eventually return to its starting position in the panorama.

In an embodiment, the image comprises one or more interactive sections. Additional information and/or images are presented after user interaction with a particular interactive zone. The additional information and/or images typically relate in some way to the base image associated with a particular interactive section. The interactive sections are anchored to pixel locations within the larger image in order to highlight specific aspects of each interactive image. These interactive sections may provide details about the content within the interactive image, as well as guide the user to query and search verticals available within the search engine. With the introduction of scrollable and interactive content, the interactive sections in the larger image are anchored to the pixel coordinates in the larger image, which means that panning and zooming within the image will simultaneously move the visual position of the interactive sections. This allows, for example, an interactive section located on a penguin in a south panorama to always hover over that penguin regardless of how the user moves through the panorama. This also means that if the currently viewed portion of the panorama does not include the anchored pixels, the interactive section may not appear on the screen at all.

In addition to interactive sections that are activated upon user interaction therewith, embodiments of the present invention may also provide interactive functionality without explicit user initiation. That is, automatic (i.e., without user-initiated) small image movements (e.g., panning and/or highlighting controls) may occur to alert or remind the user that additional functionality may be used with respect to the image and to entice the user to participate in the provided interactive experience. Any and all such variations, and any combination thereof, are contemplated as falling within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram illustrates an exemplary screen display of a search engine home page having an interactive section capable of providing additional content, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided illustrating an exemplary method 600 for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in block 610, a request to present a search engine home page on a display is received, for example, from a browser associated with a client device (e.g., client computing device 210 of FIG. 2). In response to receiving the request, an image is sent for presentation on a first portion of a display associated with the requesting device (e.g., display 220 of computing device 210 of FIG. 2), as represented in block 612. The transmitted image comprises a portion of a larger image, but may itself appear as a complete image. Subsequently (or substantially simultaneously), a plurality of additional image portions are transmitted for presentation on a second portion of the display associated with the requesting device, wherein the second portion is different from the first portion. This is indicated in block 614. In an embodiment, the first portion may comprise a substantially central portion of the available display and the second portion may comprise an area of the available display surrounding the first portion. (As utilized herein, the term "substantially centered" refers to a display or image portion having additional portions surrounding the substantially centered portion in all directions corresponding thereto, and is not intended to limit embodiments thereof to an actual central portion. As shown in block 616, user interaction with respect to the larger image is enabled. Such user interactions may include, without limitation, panning, zooming, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram illustrates another exemplary method 700 for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in block 710, a request is received from a browser associated with a client device (e.g., browser 218 associated with client computing device 210 of FIG. 2) for presentation of a search engine home page on a display. After receiving the presentation request, it is determined whether the requesting browser is capable of presenting high resolution interactive images, such as panoramic images and other explorable light images (e.g., composite images). This is indicated in block 712. It should be noted that although not shown in FIG. 7, it is desirable to provide an optimal user experience based on the bandwidth or connection speed associated with the requesting computing device, according to embodiments thereof. Thus, it may additionally be determined whether the bandwidth or connection speed associated with the requesting computing device allows for optimal presentation of high resolution interactive images.

If it is determined that the requesting browser is capable of rendering high-resolution interactive images (and if applicable, that the bandwidth or connection speed associated with the requesting computing device allows for optimal rendering of such images), the images are sent for rendering on a substantially centered portion of a display associated with the requesting device (e.g., display 220 of computing device 210 of FIG. 2), as represented in block 714. The transmitted image includes a substantially centered portion of the larger image, but may itself appear as a complete image. Subsequently (or substantially simultaneously), a plurality of additional image portions are transmitted for presentation on a second portion of the display associated with the requesting device, wherein the second portion is different from the substantially central first portion. This is indicated in block 716. In an embodiment, the second portion may comprise an area of the available display surrounding the substantially central first portion. The image and additional image portions collectively comprise the larger image. As shown in block 718, user interaction with respect to the larger image is enabled. Such user interactions may include, without limitation, panning, zooming, and the like.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page. The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will recognize alternative embodiments without departing from its scope.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the order of the various steps shown in method 600 of fig. 6 and method 700 of fig. 7 is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, and that the steps may in fact occur in a number of different sequences within embodiments thereof. Any and all such variations, and any combination thereof, are contemplated as falling within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A method for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page, the method comprising:

receiving (710) a request from a browser to present a search engine home page on a display;

determining (712) whether the browser is capable of receiving, as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page, image data providing an immersive, interactive user experience for a search engine home page and is capable of presenting the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for a search engine home page;

sending (714) an image for presentation on a first portion of the search engine home page in response to the request, wherein the first portion comprises less than the entire display and the image comprises a portion of a larger interactive image;

sending (716) a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the search engine home page different from the first portion, wherein the image and the plurality of additional image portions collectively comprise the larger interactive image; and

enabling (718) additional user interaction with the image while presenting the larger interactive image,

wherein if it is determined that the browser is unable to receive the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page and is unable to present the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page, the image for presentation on the first portion of the search engine home page is a static image configured for presentation on less than the entire display of the first portion, and if it is determined that the browser is able to receive the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page and is able to present the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page, the image for presentation is the image data that provides the immersive, interactive user experience with the search engine home page for presentation as at least a portion of a background of the search engine home page.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises at least partially blurring a boundary between the first image and the additional image portion such that the larger interactive image appears more continuous.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the search engine home page comprises iteratively sending a plurality of additional image portions, each iteration having a higher resolution than an immediately previous iteration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling user interaction with the larger interactive image includes enabling at least one of panning the larger interactive image around and zooming into the larger interactive image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the larger interactive image includes at least one interactive section anchored to a pixel location within the larger interactive image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the larger interactive image comprises at least one of a panoramic image and an explorable light image visible from multiple vantage points, multiple directions, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion is a centered first portion and the second portion is different from and surrounds the centered first portion.

8. A system for implementing an immersive, interactive search engine home page, the system comprising:

a search engine (212) associated with one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media, the search engine (212) comprising a browser capability determination component (224) for determining whether the browser is capable of receiving, as at least a portion of a background of a search engine home page, image data that provides an immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page and is capable of presenting the image data that provides the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page; and

a data store (214) coupled to the search engine (212),

wherein the search engine (212):

receiving (710) a request from a browser to present a search engine home page on a display; sending (714) an image for presentation on a first portion of a search engine home page comprising less than the entire display in response to the request, wherein the image comprises a substantially centered portion of a larger interactive image presenting views of content from a plurality of different directions;

sending (716) a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of the search engine home page different from the first portion, wherein the image and the plurality of additional image portions collectively comprise the larger interactive image; and

upon presentation of the larger interactive image, enabling (718) additional user interaction with the image,

wherein if it is determined that the browser is unable to receive the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page and is unable to present the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page, the image for presentation on the first portion of the search engine home page is a static image configured for presentation on less than the entire first portion of the display, and if it is determined that the browser is able to receive the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page as at least a portion of the background of the search engine home page and is able to present the image data providing the immersive, interactive user experience for the search engine home page, the image for presentation is the image data that provides the immersive, interactive user experience with the search engine home page for presentation as at least a portion of a background of the search engine home page.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a boundary between the image and additional image portions is at least partially blurred such that the larger interactive image appears more continuous.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the search engine iteratively transmits a plurality of additional image portions for presentation on a second portion of a search engine home page, each iteration having a higher resolution than an immediately previous iteration.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the search engine enables user interaction with the larger interactive image by enabling one or more of panning around the larger interactive image or zooming into the larger interactive image.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the larger interactive image includes at least one interactive section anchored to a pixel location within the larger interactive image.