I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009083672B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Stuckman et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`*Jul. 14, 2015
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING
`AND NAVIGATING A LINEAR HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE PROGRAM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Bruce Edward Stuckman, Austin, TX
`(US); Barry James Sullivan, Long
`Grove, IL (US); Wayne Robert
`Reinmiller, Elgin, IL (US); Richard
`Omanson, Naperville, IL (US); Jordan
`Howard Light, Chicago, IL (US);
`Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., St.
`Charles, IL (US); James Richard
`Morse, Plainfield, IL (US); Kent E.
`Genin, Chicago, IL (US)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .......... H04L 67102 (2013.01); G06F 17130873
`(2013.01); G06Q 50120 (2013.01); H04N
`21126258 (2013.01); H04N 2114782 (2013.01);
`H04N 21147202 (2013.01); H04N 2118586
`(2013.01); H04L 1211432 (2013.01); H04L
`1211485 (2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC G06F 17/30; G06F 17/3074; G06F 17/30873
`USPC ................. 709/200--203, 217-219, 227-229,
`709/231-232, 245-246
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(73) Assignee: TQ ALPHA, LLC, Austin, TX (US)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 250 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/552,282
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 18, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0284621 Al
`
`Nov. 8, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 13/116,421, filed on
`May 26, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,250,173, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/426,428, filed on
`Apr. 20, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,250,170, which is a
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 15116
`H04L29/08
`
`(Continued)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(Continued)
`
`5,809,247 A
`5,818,439 A
`
`9/1998 Richardson
`10/1998 Nagasaka
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Bharat N Barnt
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Garlick & Markison; Bruce
`E. Stuckman
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method and system for creating and navigating linear
`hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system
`includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a
`plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more
`remote information nodes. A common remote information
`node is in communication with a subscriber station and the
`remote information nodes in the distributed network. The
`common remote information node contains at least one linear
`hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected
`media elements from one or more hypermedia resources
`linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the
`linear program having only one forward link to the next media
`element. The method includes the steps of downloading and
`displaying a media element in the linear program and
`responding to user commands to download and display the
`next media element in the linear program.
`
`24 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`1 of 22
`
`

`

`US 9,083,672 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`continuation of application No. 11/784,305, filed on
`Apr. 6, 2007, now Pat. No. 7,539,738, which is a con(cid:173)
`tinuationofapplicationNo. 10/884,187, filedonJul.1,
`2004, now Pat. No. 7,216,155, which is a continuation
`of application No. 09/964,104, filed on Sep. 26, 2001,
`now Pat. No. 6,779,026, which is a continuation of
`application No. 09/680,899, filed on Oct. 6, 2000, now
`Pat. No. 6,330,596, which is a continuation of appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 09/167,514, filed on Oct. 6, 1998, now Pat.
`No. 6,145,000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 17130
`G06Q50/20
`H04N21/262
`
`(2006.01)
`(2012.01)
`(2011.01)
`
`H04N211472
`H04N 2114782
`H04N21/858
`H04L 12114
`
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,877,766 A
`6,154,771 A
`6,360,234 B2
`7,424,523 B2 *
`7,478,144 B2 *
`7,949,707 B2 *
`2007/0168413 Al*
`* cited by examiner
`
`3/ 1999 Bates
`11/2000 Rangan
`3/2002 Jain
`9/2008 Stuckman et al ............. 709/219
`1/2009 Stuckman et al ............. 709/219
`5/2011 McDowall et al ............ 709/219
`7 /2007 Barletta et al. ................ 709/203
`
`2 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 1of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`REMOTE
`INFORMATION
`NODE
`
`16
`
`14
`
`COMMON
`REMOTE
`INFORMATION
`NODE
`
`14
`
`REMOTE
`INFORMATION
`NODE
`
`/ 10
`
`12
`
`Fig. 1
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`STATION
`
`18
`
`3 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 2of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`20
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`24
`
`22
`
`20
`
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`22
`
`Fig. 2
`
`4 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 3of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`20
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`22
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`24
`
`20
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`~ 27
`
`~23
`
`25
`
`Fig. 3
`
`5 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 4of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`32
`
`AMERITECH® CORPORATION
`
`IN A WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY,
`PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE™
`
`AMERITECH@
`CORPORATION
`
`SECURITY LINK
`FROM
`AMERITECH®
`
`F.C.C.
`
`U.S.P.T.O.
`
`31
`
`BACK
`
`30
`
`I
`
`28
`
`34
`
`Fig. 4
`
`6 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 5of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`38
`
`40
`
`42
`
`46
`
`48
`
`START
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY A FIRST
`BASE MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY OTHER
`MEDIA ELEMENTS FROM THE
`HYPERMEDIA RESOURCE PER
`USER COMMAND
`
`DISPLAY FORWARD LINK BUTION
`
`NO
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY ANOTHER
`BASE MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY OTHER
`MEDIA ELEMENTS FROM THE NEW
`HYPERMEDIA RESOURCE
`
`Fig. 5
`
`7 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 6of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`START
`
`DISPLAY EXPERTISE LEVEL MENU
`
`RECEIVE DESIRED EXPERTISE LEVEL
`
`MODIFY SET OF AVAILABLE COMMANDS
`
`54
`
`56
`
`58
`
`60
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY FIRST BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`62
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY FIRST HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE PER USER COMMANDS
`
`64
`
`DISPLAY FORWARD AND BACK
`COMMAND BUTTONS
`
`66
`
`DISPLAY LINEAR PROGRAM MAP
`
`70
`
`72
`
`DOWNLOAD AND
`DISPLAY SECOND
`BASE MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`DOWNLOAD AND
`DISPLAY SECOND
`HYPERMED~ RESOURCE
`PER USER COMMAND
`
`68
`
`NO
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY
`SELECTED PROGRAM ELEMENT
`
`74
`HYPERMEDIA RESOURCE PER USER COMMAND Fig. 6
`
`DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY REMAINDER OF
`
`8 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 7of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`20/i
`
`WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL?
`
`52~ NOVICE
`
`EXPERT
`
`INTERMEDIATE
`
`Fig. 7
`
`9 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 8of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`START
`
`SELECT FIRST BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`SELECT SECOND BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`Fig. 8
`
`START
`
`SELECT FIRST BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`ASSIGN FIRST BASE MEDIA
`ELEMENT AS FIRST
`PROGRAM ELEMENT
`
`SELECT SECOND BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`ASSIGN SECOND BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT AS SECOND
`PROGRAM ELEMENT
`
`Fig. 9
`
`82
`
`84
`
`86
`
`88
`
`90
`
`92
`
`10 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 9of13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`START
`
`SELECT FIRST BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`RECEIVE ASSIGNMENT
`COMMAND AND ASSIGN
`SELECTED MEDIA ELEMENT TO
`SELECTED PROGRAM ELEMENT
`
`SELECT SECOND BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`RECEIVE ASSIGNMENT
`COMMAND AND ASSIGN
`SELECTED MEDIA ELEMENT TO
`SELECTED PROGRAM ELEMENT
`
`START
`
`RECEIVE SEARCH CRITERIA
`
`EVALUATE MEDIA ELEMENTS
`
`SELECT FIRST BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`SELECT SECOND BASE
`MEDIA ELEMENT
`
`94
`
`96
`
`98
`
`100
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`108
`
`Fig. 10
`
`Fig. 11
`
`11 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`START
`
`RECEIVE SEARCH CRITERIA
`
`RECEIVE DESIRED
`TIME FRAME
`
`EVALUATE MEDIA ELEMENTS
`
`ASSIGN BASE MEDIA ELEMENTS
`TO PROGRAM ELEMENTS
`
`TRANSMIT PROGRAM TO USER
`
`GENERATE BILLING RECORD
`
`Fig. 12
`
`110
`
`112
`
`114
`
`116
`
`118
`
`120
`
`12 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`122
`
`20
`
`27
`
`~
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`¢R-21
`
`20
`
`22
`
`22
`
`Fig. 13
`
`13 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`20
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`24
`
`;
`
`/
`
`/
`
`I
`
`I
`
`22
`
`I
`I
`INTERNET
`I
`SEARCH """-,'
`
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`20
`
`22
`
`Fig. 14
`
`14 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`20
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`24
`
`22
`
`HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE
`
`24
`
`22
`
`Fig. 15
`
`15 of 22
`
`

`

`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING
`AND NAVIGATING A LINEAR HYPERMEDIA
`RESOURCE PROGRAM
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO PRIORITY
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`(1) the use of technology; and (2) the increasingly unorga(cid:173)
`nized, virtually unlimited number of choices that are avail(cid:173)
`able. The Web is not inherently a linear entertainment
`medium. A Web user may typically go directly from any given
`5 site to a large number of other sites. At best, some websites
`provide links to similar sites, however they typically do not
`offer more than a cursory indication of what the linked sites
`contain.
`In addition, even sophisticated Web users are often frus-
`trated by the amount of useless, undesirable material that
`appears on the Web. Take, for example, a user who wishes to
`look at pictures of classic automobiles. A search on classic
`automobiles may yield 10,000 hits. A website-by-website
`search for interesting material may yield many sites that do
`not meet the user's expectations as to the content, properties
`or quality. Some sites may be a single page that prompts a user
`to order a catalog. Other sites may have text but no pictures.
`Accordingly, there is a need for creating entertaining Web
`programs that appeal to a wide cross section of potential
`viewers.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority
`pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the follow(cid:173)
`ing U.S. Utility patent application which is hereby incorpo- 10
`rated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the
`present U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes:
`1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/116,421, filed May
`26, 2011, pending, claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
`§120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility 15
`patent application which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference in its entirety and made part of the present
`U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes:
`2. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/426,428, filed Apr.
`20, 2009, pending, claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 20
`§120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility
`patent application which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference in its entirety and made part of the present
`U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes:
`3. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/784,305, filedApr. 6, 25
`2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,539,738, claims priority pur(cid:173)
`suant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the fol(cid:173)
`lowing U.S. Utility patent application which is hereby
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made
`part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for all 30
`purposes:
`4. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/884,187, filed Jul. 1,
`2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,155, claims priority pur(cid:173)
`suant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the fol(cid:173)
`lowing U.S. Utility patent application which is hereby 35
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made
`part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for all
`purposes:
`5. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 09/964,104, filed Sep.
`26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,026, claims priority
`pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the
`following U.S. Utility patent application which is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
`and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent applica(cid:173)
`tion for all purposes:
`6. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 09/680,899, filed Oct. 6,
`2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,596, claims priority pursuant
`to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S.
`Utility patent application which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. 50
`Utility patent application for all purposes:
`7. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 09/167,514, filed Oct. 6,
`1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,000.
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for use in creating and
`navigating a linear hypermedia resource program according
`to a preferred embodiment.
`FIG. 2 illustrates hypermedia resources that may reside on
`information nodes in the distributed hypermedia network of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 diagranmiatically illustrates a linear hypermedia
`resource program and the selected base media elements in
`each of the desired hypermedia resources of the hypermedia
`resource data network.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface for use in navigating a
`hypermedia resource program in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for navigating a linear
`40 hypermedia resource program.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative method
`for navigating a linear hypermedia resource program in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface for prompting a user for
`45 an experience level in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a method of generating a linear hyperme(cid:173)
`dia resource program utilizing the system of FIG. 1 in accor(cid:173)
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a method of
`generating linear hypermedia resource program.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a third embodiment of
`a method for generating a linear hypermedia resource pro-
`gram.
`FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment
`of a method for generating a linear hypermedia resource
`program.
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method for generating a
`linear hypermedia resource program in billing a user.
`illustrates one preferred
`FIG. 13 diagrammatically
`embodiment of navigating a linear hypermedia resource pro(cid:173)
`gram.
`FIG. 14 diagrammatically
`illustrates one preferred
`embodiment of a method for creating a linear hypermedia
`65 resource program.
`FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment for of a
`method for creating a linear hypermedia resource program.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`55
`
`The World Wide Web (the "Web") provides an alternative
`source of information for consumers and business users.
`Some users also view the Web as a source of entertainment.
`Surfing the Web, cybercafes, etc. appeal to the sophisticated 60
`Web user as a way of having a good time.
`Many Americans raised in the television age view enter(cid:173)
`tainment as a serial event. Specifically, generations of viewers
`have experienced television shows, movies, radio programs,
`and concerts which all proceed linearly from a beginning to
`an end. Some potential Web users of this generation view
`surfing the Web as intimidating from perhaps two respects:
`
`16 of 22
`
`

`

`US 9,083,672 B2
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention addresses the need for creating and
`navigating entertaining Web programs
`that filter out
`unwanted information and present desired information in a
`series of linearly linked websites. In one embodiment of the
`present invention, a user starts with the first site and in a
`guided tour fashion, when finished, is directed exclusively to
`the second site. When done with the second site, the user is 10
`directed exclusively to the next site, etc. The progression of
`sites defines a programmed linear hypermedia resource path
`that is geared towards the entertainment of the user. Users
`may also implement the system and method described in
`more detail below for educational purposes or as a research 15
`tool.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a system 10 for use in navigating and
`generating a linear hypermedia resource program is shown.
`The system 10 includes a distributed hypermedia data net(cid:173)
`work 12 having a plurality of information nodes 14 and a 20
`common remote information node 16 all in communication
`with each other. A subscriber station 18 is in communication
`with the common remote information node 16 over a com(cid:173)
`munication line. In one embodiment, the distributed hyper(cid:173)
`media data network 12 may be the Web where the information 25
`nodes and common remote information node 14, 16 are serv(cid:173)
`ers, memory devices, personal computers, or the like that are
`capable of storing, processing, and exchanging data with
`other information nodes. The subscriber station 18 may be a
`personal computer or other device having capability of com- 30
`municating with the common remote information node 16
`and presenting audio, visual, or tactile information received
`from the common remote information node 16.
`As shown in FIG. 2, each information node may contain a
`plurality of hypermedia resources 20. Each hypermedia
`resource 20 contains a plurality of individual media elements
`22, including a base media element 24, that are associated by
`an indexed tree 21. In one embodiment, each hypermedia
`resource 20 may be a website on the Web. The base media
`element 24 can comprise a selected Web page of the website
`that serves as a logical entry point to the website. The plurality
`of other media elements 22 can include the additional pages
`of the website along with other media that may include audio
`and video clips and, optionally, tactile records that are con(cid:173)
`vertible to tactile information by means of a user interface
`device that includes tactile or force feedback. Each of the
`information nodes 14 in the distributed hypermedia data net(cid:173)
`work 12 may contain one or more hypermedia resources 20.
`Unlike a typical search result from an Internet search
`engine on the Web, a linear hypermedia resource program
`includes a selected group of media elements that are associ(cid:173)
`ated by a series of exclusive forward and backward links that
`are, in one embodiment, accessible at all times as the hyper(cid:173)
`media resources are browsed. FIG. 3 pictorially represents an
`embodiment of a preferred linear hypermedia resource pro(cid:173)
`gram in the context of the media element or elements in
`hypermedia resources connected by the linear hypermedia
`resource program 23. As shown in FIG. 3, a linear program
`may include a selected base media element from each of a
`number ofhypermedia resources of interest. Each base media
`element 24 is placed in a particular program element 25 in the
`linear hypermedia resource program 23 such that the program
`will move the user between hypermedia resources in a pre(cid:173)
`determined manner along an exclusive chain of linear links
`27, each selected base media element having one exclusive
`forward link and one exclusive backward link. Each program
`element 25 maybe a media element 22 from a hypermedia
`
`4
`resource 20. In one embodiment, the program element 25
`maybe the universal resource locator (URL) for each selected
`media element 24. In an alternative embodiment, each pro(cid:173)
`gram element 25 may be the entire content of a base media
`element 24.
`Preferably, the program elements 25 of a linear hypermedia
`resource program 23 are stored in the common remote infor(cid:173)
`mation node 16 controlled by the internet service provider
`used by a subscriber at a subscriber station 18 (FIG. 1). To
`accelerate the accessibility of each program element in a
`linear hypermedia resource program, each program element
`is preferably fully cached in the common remote information
`node so that all the information of the media element com(cid:173)
`prising each program element is retrieved prior to executing
`the linear hypermedia resource program. In this manner,
`variations in communication speeds between the common
`remote information node 16 and the information nodes 14
`containing selective hypermedia resources are minimized. As
`mentioned above, each media element making up a program
`element may contain textual, visual, audio and tactile infor(cid:173)
`mation. The program elements 27 of the linear hypermedia
`resource program may each come from a different hyperme(cid:173)
`dia resource, the same hypermedia resource, or a combination
`of the two.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a user inter(cid:173)
`face operable by a user at a subscriber station 18 to view a
`linear hypermedia resource program. Preferably the user
`interface 28 comprises a collection of areas 30, 32, 34 that
`each provide a user with separate functionality. A map area 30
`displays information representative of media elements in the
`linear program for all or a portion of the media elements 22 in
`the order arranged in the linear hypermedia resource pro(cid:173)
`gram. This information representative of the media elements
`that make up the program elements of the linear program may
`35 be text, icons, graphical depictions or other indicators capable
`of conveying the subject of the represented media element.
`The map area 3 0 may display the entire linear path comprised
`of all the elements in the linear program or simply a linear
`segment 31 of the entire linear path. A display area 32 shows
`40 the contents of a selected media element in the linearly linked
`chain of the hypermedia resource program. A command area
`34 preferably contains backward and forward directional but(cid:173)
`tons 36 that allow a user to send signals to the common remote
`information node to change the media element displayed in
`45 the display area 32 to a subsequent or previous media element
`in the linear hypermedia resource program as shown in the
`map area 30. In one embodiment of the present invention, any
`or all of the areas 30, 32 and 34 are implemented using Web
`frames. Dynamic pages that utilize templates and tables are
`50 alternative implementations of the areas 30, 32 and 34
`described above.
`Utilizing the system of FIGS. 1-2 and 4, methods for navi(cid:173)
`gating and creating a linear hypermedia resource program are
`described below. Referring to FIG. 5, one preferred embodi-
`55 ment of a method of navigating a linear hypermedia resource
`program is shown. A user may download and display a first
`base media element in the linear hypermedia resource pro(cid:173)
`gram (at step 38). In one embodiment, the contents of each
`program element of the linear hypermedia resource program
`60 are cached in memory at the common remote information
`node. The system, via the user interface 28, responds to addi(cid:173)
`tional user commands to download and display other media
`elements of the first hypermedia resource (at step 40).
`Although the entire hypermedia resource from which one or
`65 more media elements were preselected as program elements
`may also be cached at the common remote information node
`16, the media elements that do not make up the linear hyper-
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`US 9,083,672 B2
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`5
`media resource program are preferably accessed using links
`to the respective remote information node containing the
`hypermedia resource.
`A forward direction button 36 is displayed to the user on the
`display device of the subscriber station 18 and the subscriber
`station receives a first signal in response to an action of the
`user that indicates an activation of the forward link button (at
`steps 42, 44). Ifa signal is received indicating that the user has
`selected the forward directional button, a second base media
`element is downloaded and provided to the subscriber station 10
`(at step 46). As with the first hypermedia resource, the user
`may download and display selected media elements from the
`second hypermedia resource until satisfied (at step 48). The
`steps of responding to the user command to display a base
`media element of a hypermedia in a linear hypermedia 15
`resource program and, in response to subsequent commands
`of a user, to download and display other media elements from
`that hypermedia resource may be repeated many times. In this
`fashion, the user can traverse all of the program elements of
`the linear hypermedia resource program including all of the 20
`base media elements and any desired media elements of each
`hypermedia resource.
`By way of an example for implementing the method
`described above and shown in FIG. 5, consider a linear hyper(cid:173)
`media resource program directed to hypermedia resources on 25
`the Internet related to a television celebrity. In this example,
`the linear hypermedia resource program 23 is an Internet Web
`path implemented by a internet service provider at a common
`remote information node 16. The user starts on the Web path
`at the first website, for example, a website showing a type of 30
`automobile driven by the celebrity along with specifications
`and prices. The presentation of the website is within the
`display area 32 of the user interface 28. Outside the display
`area 32, a map area 30 showing other sites along the celebrity
`Web path is displayed and identifies the current site. In one 35
`embodiment of the present invention, a map of the entire
`linear path is presented. In an alternative embodiment, a
`selected linear segment 31 of the map is shown. In this fash(cid:173)
`ion, the user (by means of map zoom-in and zoom -out buttons
`not shown) can select a portion of the map of selected size to 40
`view by zooming into a particular site and reviewing it with
`more detail or zooming out and reviewing the map with more
`sites but with optionally less detail being displayed per site. In
`a further alternative, a user, by means of highlighting and
`selecting a particular program element from the map area 30, 45
`can selectively skip forward or backward to a particular pro(cid:173)
`gram element and its corresponding base media element.
`The user can activate the forward direction button 36 to go
`to a second website on the tour. The second website may
`display subject matter relevant to the real life of, or a movie 50
`character portrayal by, the celebrity. If, for example, the
`celebrity was known to smoke cigars, a cigar store website
`having a variety of cigars for sale via mail order can be
`displayed. As the user progresses through the linear program,
`the user may come across a website having little appeal to the 55
`user and so the user may simply hit the forward direction
`button 36 to proceed along to the next in the serially linked
`series of websites. In addition, a skip next button (not shown)
`can likewise allow a user to skip the next program element in
`the linear program 23 and proceed directly to the program 60
`element after the next program element. The remaining pro(cid:173)
`gram elements 25 in the linear program 23 can include web(cid:173)
`site pages for Broadway plays the celebrity acted in, vacations
`in exotic locations associated with the celebrity, pictures of
`the celebrity in favorite roles, and so on.
`It should be noted that, in one embodiment of the present
`invention the user is free to engage hyperlinks that are present
`
`6
`in each hypermedia resource. This allows the user to browse
`any of the individual hypermedia elements of the hypermedia
`resource as well as other linked hypermedia resources that
`may not be on the linear path. In this embodiment, the acti(cid:173)
`vation of the forward or back buttons directs the user to the
`next or previous hypermedia resource, respectively, and
`therefore allows the user to return to the path provided by the
`linear program 23.
`FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the method
`illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the common remote
`information node 16 solicits the user for an experience level.
`The user interface 28 preferably contains a user experience
`level screen 50 that inquires as to a user's experience level in
`browsing hypermedia resources such as the Web. The expe(cid:173)
`rience level screen 50 provides an experience level menu
`having multiple experience level indicators 52 (see FIG. 7). In
`the embodiment of FIG. 6, the system displays the experience
`level menu and receives a desired experience level instruction
`from the user (at steps 54, 56). Upon receipt of the selected
`experience level, the common remote information node
`modifies the set of available commands to accord with the
`desired experience level (at step 58).
`In one embodiment, selection of a beginner experience
`level disables all links appearing on media elements in the
`linear hypermedia resource program. This feature discour(cid:173)
`ages users from leaving the path defined by the program and
`becoming lost in cyberspace. In an alternative embodiment,
`the step of modifying the set of available commands may
`include disabling Web links between hypermedia resources
`20 and only allowing a user to peruse media elements 22
`within a selected hypermedia resource 20 until the next
`hypermedia resource 20 in the linear hypermedia resource
`program is selected through the forward or back direction
`buttons 36 in the user interface 28.
`After selecting the experience level and modifying the set
`of available commands, the method proceeds in much the
`same way as described in FIG. 5. The system downloads and
`displays a first base media element (at step 60) and downloads
`and displays selected media elements from the first hyperme(cid:173)
`dia resource per user commands (at step 62). The node 16
`displays the forward and back buttons 36 (at step 64) and
`displays the linear program map 30 on the user interface 28 (at
`step 66). The node 16 waits to receive a next signal from the
`user (at step 68) and displays the second base media element
`of the second hypermedia resource in a linear hypermedia
`program ifa first signal is received (at step 70). The common
`remote information node 16 will then download and display
`selected media elements from the second hypermedia
`resource as directed by user commands received at the user
`interface (at step 72). The user then may decide to use the
`back button to send the signal to the system that returns to the
`previous hypermedia resource (at step 74). Alternatively, if
`after displaying the first base media elements of the first
`hypermedia resource the user selects an alternative command
`such as by selecting a particular program element from the
`map area 30, the system recognizes that command and down-
`loads and displays the base media element that corresponds to
`the selected program element (at steps 76, 78). The system
`will subsequently download and display any selected hyper(cid:173)
`media resources chosen by the user (at step 80).
`While FIG. 6 describes the operation of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion in the context of one embodiment including a first and
`second hypermedia resource, one of ordinary skill in the art,
`based on the teachings herein, will recognize that this method
`65 will similarly apply to a linear program 23 of arbitrary length.
`Further, while the step of displaying the linear program map
`is shown as a discrete step, the display of the program map can
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`US 9,083,672 B2
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`7
`persist during the operation of the method described above
`and can be updated after each new program element is
`selected for displaying the user's position in the linear pro(cid:173)
`gram. In addition, the back and forward command buttons can
`likewise be persistently displayed during the operation of the
`program.
`According to another aspect of the invention, in one
`embodiment a user at a subscriber station 18 may utilize
`software at the common remote information node 16 to gen(cid:173)
`erate a linear hypermedia resource program. As shown in
`FIG. 8, a user may be browsing a distributed hypermedia data
`network, such as the Web, and simply select a first base media
`element of a desired hypermedia resource (at step 82) and
`then proceed to select a base media element for a subsequent
`hypermedia resource (at step 84). The progression of select(cid:173)
`ing base elements for desired hypermedia resources may
`continue until the user has accumulated a desired number of
`base media elements. At the conclusion of selecting indi(cid:173)
`vidual base media elements, the user is left with a sequence of
`exclusively linked hypermedia resources that may be saved
`for future perusal. Thus, the linear hypermedia resource pro(cid:173)
`gram provides advantages over standard bookmark functions
`available on Internet Web browsers because an entire
`sequence of websites/Web pages having an exclusive linear
`path may be saved. Additionally, the entire content of each
`media element (such as a Web page) selected may be cached
`in a memory at the common remote information node oper(cid:173)
`ated by the internet s