I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US007155451Bl
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Torres
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`(54) AUTOMATED BROWSING SYSTEM FOR
`PUBLISHERS AND USERS ON NETWORKS
`SERVING INTERNET AND REMOTE
`DEVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Damon C. Torres, 245 E. 11th St., Apt.
`SJ, New York, NY (US) 10003
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1072 days.
`
`EP
`
`5,748,190 A
`5,758,151 A
`5,760,771 A *
`5,768,528 A
`5,774,123 A
`
`5/1998 Kjorsvik ..................... 345/329
`5/1998 Milligan et al ............. 395/611
`6/1998 Blonder et al. ............. 345/854
`6/1998 Stunun .................. 395/200.61
`6/1998 Matson ....................... 345/357
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0749081 Al * 12/1996
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/144,906
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 1, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/922,063,
`filed on Sep. 2, 1997.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/025,360, filed on Sep.
`3, 1996.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 17/00
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 707/104.1; 715/501.1;
`715/704
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 707/10,
`707/103, 104,501; 395/200.48, 200.49;
`345/340-342, 348-350
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,287,266 A * 2/1994 Malec et al. ................... 705/1
`5,363,482 A * 11/1994 Victor et al. ................ 345/804
`5,515,490 A * 5/1996 Buchanan et al. ....... 707/500.1
`5,548,702 A * 8/1996 Li et al.
`..................... 345/346
`5,654,886 A * 8/1997 Zereski et al. ................. 702/3
`5,717,923 A
`2/1998 Dedrick ...................... 395/613
`5,721,827 A * 2/1998 Logan et al. .......... 395/200.47
`5,732,216 A * 3/1998 Logan et al. .......... 395/200.33
`5,740,549 A * 4/1998 Reilly et al . .................. 705/14
`
`Alan Braverman, "CCI Slide Show,"@ <http://www.ncs2.uiuc.edu/
`sdg/software/xmosaic/cci/cci-slide-show.html>, Accesssed Jul. 20,
`1999, Sep. 22, 1994. *
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Luke S. Wassum
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sofer & Haroun, L.L.P.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of sequencing and scheduling web resources, via
`a software application that collects URLs and feeds them to
`a Web browser, so that the amount of clicks and decisions
`are reduced when browsing the Internet. The method begins
`after a computer user with Net-access encounters a URL that
`leads to a collection of other URLs that the software
`application has arranged to be presented in a continuous,
`show manner. This collection of resources then plays auto(cid:173)
`matically, going from one resource to the next without the
`user being required to make a decision or click. The deci(cid:173)
`sion-making process is not inhibited, it is made optional. A
`method of inserting full-screen advertising, public service
`announcements, news, etc. has been developed. The server
`software application module described herein allows a pub(cid:173)
`lisher to stream URLs to a user who does not have the
`client-side software. The publishing module allows a user to
`format resources to a particularly desirable size and char(cid:173)
`acteristic that promotes readability during a show viewing
`session. This same module can publish collections of nodes
`for others to view as a whole sequence, accessible via
`e-mail, screen saver or as a web resource.
`
`64 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`AoboSerid
`
`Page 1 of 23
`
`

`

`US 7,155,451 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`5,774,664 A
`5,774,666 A *
`5,778,181 A
`5,778,187 A
`5,781,186 A *
`5,796,952 A
`5,799,157 A *
`5,799,292 A
`5,806,077 A
`5,809,247 A *
`5,819,273 A
`5,822,525 A *
`5,848,396 A *
`5,905,492 A *
`5,918,012 A *
`5,995,951 A *
`6,008,807 A *
`6,009,429 A *
`6,038,367 A *
`6,084,582 A *
`6,182,072 Bl
`6,233,591 Bl
`6,317,594 Bl*
`
`6/1998 Hidary et al ........... 395/200.48
`6/1998 Portuesi ...................... 725/110
`7/1998 Hidary et al ........... 395/200.48
`7/1998 Monteiro et al.
`...... 395/200.61
`7/1998 Jennings .................. 707/500.1
`8/1998 Davis et al.
`........... 395/200.54
`8/ 1998 Escallon ..................... 395/227
`8/1998 Hekmatpour ................ 706/11
`9/1998 Wecker ...................... 707/501
`9/ 1998 Richardson et al.
`........ 709/218
`10/1998 Vora et al. .................... 707/10
`10/1998 Tafoya et al. .......... 395/200.34
`12/1998 Gerace ........................ 705/10
`5/ 1999 Straub et al.
`............... 345/333
`6/1999 Astiz et al. ............ 395/200.47
`11/1999 Ferguson ..................... 706/10
`12/1999 Bretschneider et al. ..... 345/732
`12/1999 Greer et al.
`.................. 707/10
`3/2000 Abecassis .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 386/46
`7/2000 Qureshi et al .............. 345/302
`................... 707 /10
`1/2001 Leak et al.
`5/2001 Sherman et al. ............ 707/501
`11/2001 Gossman et al.
`........... 455/414
`
`Franz J. Hauck, "Supporting Hierarchical Guided Tours in the
`World Wide Web," Fifth
`International World Wide Web
`Conference, @ <http://wwwsconf.inria.fr/pich_html/papers/p30/
`overview.html >, Accessed Jun. 30, 1999, May 1996.*
`Hauck, Franz J. "Supporting Hierarchical Guided Tours in the
`World Wide Web", Fifth International World Wide Web Conference,
`May 6-10, 1996, downloaded from http://www5conf.inria.fr/
`fich_html/papers/P30/0verview.htrnl, accessed Jun. 30, 1999.*
`Hauck, F. "Supporting Hierarchical Guided Tours in the World Wide
`Web", Fifth International World Wide Web Conference, May 6-10,
`1996. *
`Handbook",
`Powerpoint
`"Microsoft
`Press,
`Microsoft
`Redmond:Microsoft Press, 1992, pp. 30-43, 274-285, 479-496.*
`PCT Search Report Dated Jan. 28, 1999 (Citing the above 4
`patents).
`Video Tape Demonstration, "Celebrating the Past by Looking to the
`Future," Date Unknown.
`"Guided Tours and On-Line Presentation: How Authors make
`Existing Hypertext Intelligible for Readers" Catherine C. Marshall
`and Pessy M. Irish. ACM Hypertext '89 Proceedings p. 15-26 Nov.
`1989.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`CLIENTS
`
`FIG. 1
`
`WEB SITES
`
`14
`
`INTERNET ACCESS
`PROVIDER
`
`16
`
`ON-LINE SERVICE
`PROVIDER
`
`12
`
`10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`Page 3 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`FIG. 2 A
`
`V 60
`
`62
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM
`'.
`BROWSER
`
`6 3~ .
`
`RAM
`34
`
`56
`
`43
`DIGITAL
`SIGNAL
`PROCESSOR
`
`32
`
`MICRO(cid:173)
`PROCESSOR
`
`MEMORY
`MANAGEMENT
`
`31
`
`42
`
`37
`
`HARO
`DISK
`
`FLOPPY
`DISK
`
`38
`KEYBOARD
`CONTROLLER
`
`41
`AUDIO
`VIDEO
`MOUSE
`CONTROLLER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER
`
`GRAPHIC
`DISPLAY
`
`25A
`
`258
`
`SPEAKER
`
`SPEAKER
`
`Page 4 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`NODES AND PATHS THROUGH STRUCTURES
`FIG. 2C
`FIG. 28
`312'-r)
`302
`312','\
`D-'302
`¥:::_.:.,::W
`,}J ----
`310
`304
`L _,,:-~-~:, ,:~ ... ~ ... :,,_ ~
`, --
`l)t:--t- --,~,- ---~- -:~
`' ..... .., ... ,' ', .......... - ,
`A--'-,,,~, '-300
`, ..........
`'
`' ,
`'
`'
`30Bh _____ U"\_306
`
`310
`
`b ,' ----
`
`304
`
`-d
`
`UNIQUE PATHS WITH THE SAME STARTING
`POINT AND A LENGTH OF ONE IN A
`NETWORK OF SIX RESOURCES
`
`FIG. 201
`
`312\:D.__
`
`-W302
`
`310
`
`304
`
`,'I,•,' ,t,-, ;, 1 ' ,
`L ,<--J-~~~-/~,,t,;;;, f ~ ,
`' - ,
`'
`_.,,\£)
`' -......
`,
`._,,"""Cifl.,,.-\.,,.
`',•,'.,~ ...... ',,,'
`3oaA- - - - - -~306
`A PATH WITH A LENGTH OF FOUR IN
`A NETWORK OF SIX RESOURCES
`
`'
`
`I
`
`I
`
`,
`
`'
`
`I
`
`...,...
`
`- "\
`
`I
`
`'
`
`~306
`308
`ALL POSSIBLE PATHS FROM ONE NODE TO
`ANOTHER IN A NETWORK OF SIX RESOURCES
`
`FIG. 202
`312
`302
`
`308
`
`304
`
`306
`
`THE STATE MAP OF THE PREVIOUS PATH
`
`FIG. 2F
`
`3 0 6 ~ ~ 3 0 4
`
`1
`
`8
`
`8
`
`311
`
`¥310
`
`4 A
`2 A
`r · --306
`r
`302-
`"@------{A>---(§j
`3
`THE STATE MAP OF THE PREVIOUS PATH
`
`Page 5 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`FIG. 3
`RoboSend
`
`USER STARTS
`THIS IS POINT "A"
`WHERE OTHER A 1-----..
`FIGURES CONNECT
`
`70
`
`94
`
`FIRST PAGE OF
`CHAIN REQUESTED
`
`72
`
`96
`
`REQUEST
`NEXT PAGE
`
`74
`1----...-iSERVER PARSES..._ _ _ _ _ .....j
`REQUEST
`
`REQUEST
`NEXT PAGE
`
`93
`
`RECORD THE DECISION
`TD USER DATABASE
`
`78
`
`YES
`
`RETRIEVE
`DYNAMIC
`CONTENT USING
`USER PROFILER
`
`~ ......... GET PRE-DEFINED CONTENT
`FROM RoboSurf (FIG.4l
`
`BO
`
`NO
`
`93
`
`RECORD THE DECISION
`TO USER DATABASE
`
`98
`
`100
`
`START RoboGuide
`SCREEN SAVER
`
`82
`
`ENCODE NEXT
`URL IN CONTENT
`
`DELIVER
`CONTENT
`
`TIMER
`STARTS
`
`84
`
`86
`
`NO
`
`92
`
`TIMER
`EXPIRES
`
`Page 6 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`FIG. 4
`RoboSurf
`
`START PLAYING
`
`110
`
`GET RESOURCE
`AT ENTRY POINT
`
`DELIVER RESOURCE
`TO BROWSER
`
`124
`
`112
`
`START TIMER
`
`114
`
`118
`
`TIMEOUT
`
`120
`
`GET NEXT
`RESOURCE
`
`YES
`
`Page 7 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`FIG. 5
`RoboGuide
`
`CLIENT GETS ADDRESS
`AUTOMATICALLY OR
`PROGRAMATICALLY
`
`v15o
`
`RoboGuide RECEIVES
`REQUEST
`
`v152
`
`RoboGuide RETRIEVES
`STRUCTURE FROM DATABASE
`
`v154
`
`I
`
`155
`COLLABOARTIVE FILTERING SELECTS . /
`PERSONALIZED LINKS
`
`I
`
`SEND DATA TO CLIENT
`
`I
`
`CLIENT PARSES DATA
`
`156
`
`158
`
`II
`
`A
`CONTINUED IN
`FIG. 3A
`
`Page 8 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`FIG. 5
`RoboPublisher
`
`USER STARTS
`PUBLISHING TOOL
`
`200
`
`NO
`
`216
`
`CHOOSE FROM PREVIOUSLY
`DEFINED STRUCTURES
`
`212
`
`STRUCTURE SET-UP
`DIALOG
`
`YES
`
`214
`
`220
`
`218
`
`SET DEFAULT
`STRUCTURE
`CHARACTERISTICS
`
`ADD NEW NODE/
`EDIT NODE/
`DELETE NODE
`
`COMPUTER LOADS STRUCTURE
`DEFINITION FROM DISK
`
`222
`
`220
`
`232
`
`ADD
`
`MODIFY
`
`DELETE
`
`224
`
`230
`
`234
`
`ENTER NODE INFORMATION AT
`CHOSEN SPOT IN STRUCTURE
`
`MODIFY NODE INFORMATION
`AND POSITION IN STRUCTURE
`
`REMOVE NODE FROM
`STRUCTURE AND LINK PREVIOUS
`NODE TO NEXT NODE
`
`226
`
`LOOP TO ADD/CUT/EDIT
`
`244
`
`DISCARD CHANGES .,._ _ _ NO,
`TO STRUCTURE
`
`240
`
`>-YE __ S - - - i WRITE CHANGES TO STORAGE
`
`Page 9 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec.26, 2006
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 7,155,451 Bl
`US 7,155,451 B1
`
`..... <
`
`.....J
`
`:,...:: = .......
`ct;
`:z:
`
`......
`
`(T)
`<C
`
`("'I") <
`
`~ :z:
`1--i
`.....J
`1--= '->
`
`FIG.6A
`
`~
`.
`t
`
`(.!)
`
`<'-' <
`
`........
`<'-'
`<C
`
`.....J
`
`-~ = 1--i
`=
`1--i = UJ
`
`LINK
`
`UJ
`1--
`
` EDITED
`
`.....
`
`<'-'
`<C
`
`Ln
`<'-'
`<C
`
`("'I")
`
`<'-'
`<
`
`Page 10 of 23
`
`Page 10 of 23
`
`

`

`"""' = """'
`
`UI
`~
`UI
`"""' UI
`"'-.....l
`
`d r.,;_
`
`0 ....
`('D a
`rJ'1 =(cid:173)
`
`l,O
`
`l,O
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`"'
`O'I
`N
`~
`('D
`c
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`/bld:url?
`
`session to an e-mail address.
`one can send a RoboSurfing
`and using Lotus Screen Cam,
`Video mail ts also possible.
`boards' of RoboSurf content.
`or synchronous shared 'white
`of pertinent Info via e-mail
`non-synchronous natl ficatlon
`of information either thru
`~
`which facilitate a sharing
`videoconferencing options
`shown in the e-mail and
`function of RoboSurf is
`ware downloads. A business
`database access and soft(cid:173)
`mix of text, audio. video
`content Is a multimedia
`res er arch library. The
`Newspapers and a
`mixed with some Radio,
`process is like TV
`finally PLAYED. The
`lautomaticallyl is
`Edited and Scheduled
`Reviewed. Rated. Censored,
`Picked, Gathered,
`all the content Found,
`This window is where
`!CONTENT WINDOW I
`®)1-------
`CONFIDENTIAL
`HIGHLY PROPRIETARY &
`(2121 533-3233
`by Damon C. Torres
`
`potato·
`"couch potato· hereby known as "web
`will facilitate a whole new breed of
`required with pointers on screens. This
`using precise eye-hand coordination
`SURF and PLAY the 'Net by touch. vs.
`will be available, allowing users to
`repllca of the software version !fig. Bl ~ )haE~-~AA~r=L~&-v=r=o=E=o-p=R=o=N=E~I
`A physical REMOTE CONTROL. that is a
`!REMOTE HARDWARE)
`---------<@ ~ N
`content consecutively. ~A
`and uniquely PLAY web
`for return viewing,
`forward & back, HARK ~ ~ 0
`Allow the user to SKIP
`lcoNrnot BunaNs1
`
`~==~===-m ~"--FE
`
`•
`
`Companies, Comedy, etc.
`such as: News, Sports,
`a sub menu of keywords.
`partners. Each site has
`pre-configured content
`added to this menu of
`from. Any site can be
`"sites· to choose
`current line-up of
`This area shows the
`i;lc;;HA;:;:;N;;;;NE;;:L::;D;;;I;:;;S;;PL:::;A:;;Y );-®
`
`uslng fast scan-mode,
`PLAY what you find,
`(news, sports, comedy ... )
`SCHEDULE by topic
`data when you choose.
`RoboSurf GATHERs this
`topics within sites.
`sources and related
`lnfo, then PICK content
`SEARCH for speclflc
`
`require downloading).
`& video that doesn't
`streaming media (audio
`any speed. Controls
`slow study mode -(cid:173)
`
`not
`
`enough connection for videoconferencing.
`have the proper specifications or a fast
`provide voice only for computers that do
`for a VIDEO TELEPHONY product that will
`software packages. One for E-HAIL and one
`These are buttons to summon third party
`
`·
`
`(9)-,
`
`the Web sites cruise across your screen. No clicks unless you want
`Just hit the PLAY button at one of our pr .. el profiles and watch
`
`your own. Then pick-up 111here you left off by simply htttlng playl
`to SKIP pages or sites. PAINT, HAAK for review later or SURF on
`
`Its Fast1
`
`accessible • aM PLAY·ABLE.
`
`to group the info you need. News frora several sites becomes more
`huge end comple• list of favurih bookmarke. we glve you CHANNELS
`download site&, and especially the Wurld Wide Web. Instead of a
`RoboSurflll auto11ates your use uf the Internet. frorn e-mail to FTP
`
`manageable. entertainment from around the world becomes
`
`Its Easy!
`
`advertisers sign on. you -,111 get 11ore of the tnformatlon you
`interested in because they are 111etched to your prufile. As 111urE!
`!distant relatlves). Not lust any ads though. Ads that you are
`RoboSurf111 ta paid for by advertisers. just Like TV and Radio
`
`want and less ads ebout things that you don't need.
`
`It& Freel
`
`0
`~ ~ ~ ff
`r-., ~,., p
`CLICK
`~
`I
`~8]~ :
`
`f~
`
`b S
`
`cur,
`
`sURF
`
`"""'
`
`PAINT
`
`STOP
`
`90 YAHOO
`
`72 THE '-£A.THEA CH
`ao P4THFDOER
`2S HTV
`22 MSNBC
`
`Internet, and 111e help you to organize it. schedule it, end play tt.
`Web s:ltes automatlcallyl Page after Pagel You pick any content on the
`RaboSurf'" Js the first praduct on the ·Net to allow a user to PLAY
`
`Its New!
`
`16 HDTWIFtil
`
`10 ESPNET SPORTZONE
`
`l DISNEY.COl1
`1 CNN
`
`OUR CHANNELS
`
`7
`
`FIG.
`
`'Gir 1: preschooler·, etc.
`·student·, 'Hot her', "Boy: 12-16".
`Professional·, 'Lawyer·, 'Banker',
`'Internet
`containing choices for:
`from a list of preset profiles
`software here, or just pick
`The user(s) can configure the
`
`printed. etc.
`marked for return,
`shows status: viewed,
`viewing times and
`Provides estimated
`line-up of programs.
`Displays the chosen
`
`Box settings
`Down and Dialog
`and Speed. Up,
`Volume, Channels
`Controls for
`
`Page 11 of 23
`
`

`

`US 7,155,451 Bl
`
`1
`AUTOMATED BROWSING SYSTEM FOR
`PUBLISHERS AND USERS ON NETWORKS
`SERVING INTERNET AND REMOTE
`DEVICES
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This is a continuation-in part application of a currently
`pending application Ser. No. 08/922,063 filed Sep. 2, 1997
`which in turn is based on U.S. Provisional Application
`60/025360 filed Sep. 3, 1996, both of which applications are
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to computer networks,
`and specifically to a method of sequencing and scheduling
`web pages, via a suite of software applications.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The worldwide network of computers commonly known
`as the "Internet" has grown tremendously since the creation
`of a subset known as the "World Wide Web" (WWW or
`Web), popularized in 1993. The emergence of the Web, and 25
`its accompanying standards enabled users to move beyond
`traditional on-line data exposure, which required knowledge
`of protocols and other low-level computer constructs, to a
`much more filtered and full-featured interface in the form of
`a "Web Browser." The Web Browser filters out the computer
`constructs, displaying only pertinent content, such as text,
`images, animations and sounds, while hiding from the user
`the computer codes that are used to negotiate access, gen(cid:173)
`erate and display this content.
`Some of the standards popularized by the web are Hyper(cid:173)
`text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Hypertext Markup Language
`(HTML) and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). HTTP
`allows HTML documents, which carry many forms of
`information, from text and images, to audio and video, to be
`easily found via a URL from a collection of networks known
`as the Internet. These networks have public and private files
`which are accessed via routing tables. The routing tables
`reside on Domain Name Servers (DNS) and are regularly
`updated.
`Two innovations provided by the Browser environment, 45
`HTTP and the Internet are: specialized display of data
`( certain text and graphics) and "Hyperlinks" which appear
`as "clickable-buttons" or "links" made of text or graphics in
`the Graphical User Interface (GUI) presented by the
`Browser. These links contain an address for another location 50
`on the Internet. Instead of seeing computer language full of
`telecommunications protocols and an occasional listing of a
`graphic file's name, the user sees only human pertinent text
`and an automatically displayed image within this text. The
`user is shown graphical or textual links to facilitate naviga- 55
`tion instead of having to properly enter complex path names.
`This combination of features, coupled with the ease of use
`that HTML provides as a page publishing format, have
`proved to be very popular, leading to a mass adoption of this
`new medium by many constituencies. These include educa- 60
`tion, most areas of business (publishing, finance, commerce,
`entertainment, etc.) and government. Given the increasing
`adoption of the Web, many non-technically oriented users
`use this new medium to go from page to page, shifting from
`one computer network to the next simply by making deci- 65
`sions on which links to click. Search engines which index
`the Web allow these users to quickly locate URLs and their
`
`2
`associated links. In addition, content aggregators collect and
`publish collections of Web pages. In just a few years, the
`Web has evolved from static pages to pages containing
`animation, personalized data, commerce-level security and
`5 streaming audio and video. A more recent innovation is the
`"Push Technology" model which is found in the more
`recently released browsers.
`Push technology, pioneered by Pointcast™, has been
`adopted by Netscape™ and Microsoft™, the two browser
`10 giants, as the next way to connect viewers with content. As
`implemented by Pointcast, push technology began in 1996
`as a personalized data gathering service. Users select content
`sources from a list and the Pointcast service automatically
`provides updated information which is displayed by the
`15 user's screen saver in a uniform format. Information pro(cid:173)
`viders who send information to users using the Pointcast
`system must first format their information according to
`requirements set by Pointcast. Thus, the "pages" of infor(cid:173)
`mation displayed by the Pointcast screen saver are specially
`20 prepared screens. A user of the Pointcast system can access
`information only from those sources which have prepared
`information in the Pointcast format.
`By collecting user interest profiles, the current "4.x" level
`browsers can constantly update a specific set of topics, from
`news, sports and weather, to financial and entertainment
`content. Thus, push technology enables information to come
`to the user instead of requiring the user to seek out the
`information. This not only facilitates a new distribution
`method for publishers and advertisers, but it also fosters new
`30 community models and demographics to go with them. As
`web browsing has evolved it has changed from a mere
`novelty, to a relied upon conduit of information flow.
`Recently, problems with access to a major on-line service
`provider produced lawsuits stemming from lack of access to
`35 mission-critical information, in both receipt and transmis(cid:173)
`sion. As this technology has moved from budding curiosity
`browsing to true reliance, the blossoming of the technology
`has yet to show what mature fruit it will provide. Commerce
`is a large part of the development of the medium as
`40 companies like Cisco and Boeing conduct exclusive web(cid:173)
`based sales in excess of one billion dollars. In addition,
`consumer and small business oriented vendors such as Dell
`have sales in excess of $1 million per day via their website.
`But what other services, beyond a catalog of information and
`products, will the Internet and its Web offer? The subject
`invention proposes a next-level of functionality that may
`provide an insight.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a
`presentation software is employed in a web browser soft(cid:173)
`ware. A triggering event, such as a mouse click on a single
`"link" commences the presentation of a series of resources
`instead of one resource at a time. This arrangement of
`resources, is defined as a "show structure" or "structure,"
`which contains a set of nodes. Each node represents a
`resource such as a web page, an executable file, or a data file
`stored at a predetermined location and accessed via its
`corresponding address. This structure allows access to one
`or several topics of information from several sources in a
`continuous arrangement. The topics of information include
`multimedia data such as audio, video, graphics and text that
`together define a presentation show to a user.
`It is noted that in accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention the nodes that define a show structure or a struc(cid:173)
`ture may be arranged as a multidimensional sequence. An
`
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`4
`various resources, in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention, may function as an operating system for
`managing resources for display on the user's terminal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates the Internet
`and the World Wide Web environment in which the inven(cid:173)
`tion operates.
`FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a hardware system for
`utilizing the present software invention.
`FIGS. 2B-2F is an illustration of an exemplary node
`arrangements that define various show structures in accor(cid:173)
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a flow-chart diagram which is useful for describ(cid:173)
`ing a software application which runs on a server and
`sequences and displays URLs and predefined structure auto(cid:173)
`matically in accordance with timer settings while monitoring
`the navigation decisions of the user, if any.
`FIG. 4 is a flow-chart diagram of a client-side software
`application or Apple, which processes URLs and predefined
`structures automatically while monitoring the timer settings
`and navigation decisions of the user.
`FIG. 5 is a flow-chart diagram which illustrates the
`25 process by which initial structures of content are personal(cid:173)
`ized and delivered to the user.
`FIG. 6 is a flow-chart diagram which illustrates a method
`of formatting
`individual resources and collections of
`resources for use with the resource scheduling and organiz(cid:173)
`ing software shown in FIGS. 3 through 5.
`FIG. 6A is a graphical depiction of a process for editing
`a structure of nodes.
`FIG. 7 is a computer screen diagram of an exemplary user
`interface for the invention that is useful for describing
`35 features of the invention.
`
`3
`array of nodes may be available for a multimedia presenta(cid:173)
`tion or show. Each node in the array is accessible from the
`other nodes in the array. These nodes or a portion of these
`nodes are selected for presentation. A show structure is
`defined by one or more paths that are spanned through these 5
`nodes.
`The information conveyed by displaying the resources
`arranged may be interspersed with advertising and public
`service announcements (PSAs ). The presentation of all
`resources may be adjusted for different pacing attributes of 10
`individual users. While the invention may automate a num(cid:173)
`ber of the decisions that a user makes in viewing a plurality
`of resources, it in no way inhibits the interactivity currently
`present on the Web. The decision-making process is not
`inhibited: it is optional, allowing for preprogramming and 15
`navigating the arrangement of resources on-the-fly or simply
`watching a series of pre-edited resources. The present inven(cid:173)
`tion serves as an enhancement which refocuses the state of
`content delivery to a user via a communication medium,
`such as the Internet, TV/PC hardware and software offer- 20
`ings.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the present
`invention a method of presenting information content is
`provided, which includes the steps of accessing and provid(cid:173)
`ing the information from an arrangement of content sources,
`or a show structure of nodes. Each node in the structure
`includes both an address from which the information may be
`accessed and an indication of the duration for which the
`content will be presented. For each node, the method locates
`the content source, accesses the content and presents it for 30
`the indicated duration.
`According to another aspect of the invention, while the
`requested information is being presented, the method queues
`and caches the next resource, then loads the next resource
`for viewing.
`According to yet another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided by which structures of content sources
`may be generated. A user may select and organize content
`from a variety of sources by several methods including a
`bookmark list, a list of search results and through the 40
`creation of a structure of nodes by a "drag-and-drop" tech(cid:173)
`nique.
`According to yet another aspect of the invention, a
`method is provided for generating and publishing these
`structures. When a plurality of nodes are available for 45
`presentation, the system determines the order of such pre(cid:173)
`sentation based on predetermined set of criteria. Further(cid:173)
`more, a user may specify additional criteria for arranging the
`order of nodes in order to create a show structure. The
`method further includes provisions for a filter which cus- 50
`tomizes a preexisting structure by automatically conforming
`variable items in the structure to a predefined user profile.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`the presentation system and method of displaying resources
`includes a system for presentation of a user's local computer 55
`resources. Therefore, the arrangement of resources may
`include a show structure wherein each node in the structure
`represents a resource that exists locally within the user's
`computer. These resources may be scheduled in accordance
`with a specifiable arrangement and executed in accordance 60
`with the schedule.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`the method for creating a show structure may be employed
`by a variety of user terminals, such as computer PCS, dumb
`terminals, TV sets and other terminals that are capable of
`displaying information. Furthermore, for certain applica(cid:173)
`tions, the method for creating and displaying content from
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram which is useful for
`describing the connectivity of users and content providers on
`the Internet. Briefly, the Internet includes a large collection
`of content providers 10 which may be accessed by the users
`12. Typically, a user accesses content on a "server" by
`establishing a data communications connection to the server
`through the network of computers 14, 16 defined by the
`Internet. Each server 10 operates a "web site" which
`includes data files that contain text, images, audio or video
`content. The web site typically includes a group of linked
`HTML documents or pages that contain links to the data
`files. A user 12 may access the content in a file by simply
`selecting one of these links. The file may be transferred to a
`cache in the user's computer and presented using the
`browser or the content may be provided directly by the
`server 10 to the user 12 as an encoded data stream (e.g. an
`audio program) which is decoded and played out by the
`user's computer 12.
`Content accessed by the browser may not be in a file on
`a remote computer but may be generated by the remote
`computer and transmitted to the user directly. Much of the
`data that may be accessed by a browser on a remote
`computer is classified by Multipurpose Internet Mail Exten-
`sion (MIME) type. One MIME type is an HTML file,
`another is a JPEG file, a still picture that is encoded
`according to the standard developed by the Joint Picture
`65 Experts Group. Mime types can also be proprietary data. In
`this instance, the browser may need to be configured with a
`"plug-in" program in order to decode and present the
`
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`5
`proprietary data. An example of such a plug-in is the
`Macromedia™ flash technology which allows streaming
`animation to be displayed with accompanying audio. For
`more information on MIME types, see Netscape's User
`Handbook at http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/1.1/ 5
`handbook/docs/answers.html, HTTP (HyperText Transfer
`Protocol) servers use HTML formatting. Netscape software
`has the built-in capability to read HTML-formatted pages
`(as well as the GIF, JPEG, and XBM graphic file formats).
`Netscape can interpret many other file formats with the help 10
`of external helper applications. To accommodate the file
`formats requiring helper applications, Netscape keeps a
`mapping of file formats to helper applications. MIME (Mul(cid:173)
`tipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standardized method
`for organizing divergent file formats. The method organizes 15
`file formats according to the file's MIME type. When
`Netscape software retrieves a file from a server, the server
`provides the MIME type of the file. Netscape uses the
`MIME type to establish whether the file format can be read
`by the software's built-in capabilities or, if not, whether a 20
`suitable helper application is available to read the file.
`For servers that do not provide a MIME type with a file,
`Netscape interprets the file's extension (a suffix appended to
`a file name). For example, the .HTML extension in the file
`name index.html suggests a file in the HTML format. 25
`Likewise, a zip extension suggests a compressed file, an .rtf
`extension suggests a file in the Rich Text Format, and so on.
`The Internet content relating to a show structure, in
`accordance with one embodiment of the invention, may be
`implemented as a new MIME type. Thus a show structure 30
`may be created by a show originator who intends to present
`a corresponding arrangement of resources to a user at a
`specifiable rate. The show structure may be transmitted to a
`plurality of users via the Internet. Thus, in order to ensure the
`integrity of a show structure a security arrangement in 35
`accordance with one embodiment of the invention is pro(cid:173)
`vided as described hereinafter.
`Thus, the software that creates the show structure allows
`the show originator, to encode the identity of its creator.
`Furthermore, a mechanism is employed to automatically 40
`verify that the show structure comprising the show has not
`been tampered with. In one exemplary implementation, this
`is accomplished by using cryptographic techniques; for
`example the Digital Signature Initiative (c.f. http://w3c.org/
`Dsig/Overview.html). The identity of the show originator is
`thus represented by a digital signature. The security status of
`the currently selected show structure is then visible at all
`times to the user. If a user chooses to edit a sequence of a
`show, the previously attached signature will be discarded
`and the user will be made aware of it's new unsigned status.
`Today it is taken for granted that, to access services,
`information and entertainment on the Web, a user must make
`certain choices, position the mouse pointer and click the
`mouse buttons appropriately to indicate the decisions. For
`example, in a typical Web access, these selections are made
`at a rate of approximately once per minute. The result of
`each mouse click is another page and another set of deci(cid:173)
`sions. Typically, a user is expected to c