Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-01
2001-09-11
Rinehart, Mark H. (Department: 2152)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C709S200000, C709S213000, C709S217000, C709S218000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289362
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer networks, and more particularly provides a system and method for generating, transferring and using annotated universal addresses which can be presented by multimedia presentation tools, including internet browsers.
2. Description of the Background Art
One of the latest means of communication to obtain truly widespread acceptance is the medium known as the Internet. A global network, connecting millions of computers, the Internet is rapidly becoming the ‘ultimate’ way of communication. Still, it has quite a few drawbacks. Some, like its speed (or lack thereof), are readily apparent to the regular user.
In real life, we (consciously or unconsciously) ‘judge a book by its cover’, i.e. we form an opinion about other people based on how they present themselves, through their style of clothing, the car they drive, their hobbies and interests, and the people they admire or detest. Users of the Internet find it virtually impossible to present themselves, other than through what they ‘say’ in email, on newsgroups, etc. Technical users have some ability to present themselves through their web sites. However, setting up and maintaining such a presence on the web requires talents from many different disciplines, including Computer Science, Human-Computer Interface design, graphic design, fine art, and writing. It is obvious from many examples available on the web today, that not all users have all of these skills in equal proportions. As such, the Internet is essentially a faceless medium, meaning you hardly know who you're dealing with.
In the real world, when we visit a place we like, we often take home some tangible memory of that place, like photographs or souvenirs. On the web, we don't really have that option. The only ‘memories’ we might have of where on the web we have been last week, are some rather inexpressive bookmarks that say “Welcome to the homepage of SomeCompany” (or even worse: http://www.somecompany.com/). Such references give us no (sensory) clue whatsoever as to why we liked that particular place on the web, and whether or not we might like to visit again in the future. In this sense, our exploits on the web are rather volatile; i.e. we don't have anything ‘tangible’ by which to remember our travels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for generating, transferring and using annotated universal addresses which can be presented by multimedia presentation tools, including internet browsers.
The system and method enable a user to maintain an ordered set of network object links (annotated universal addresses or AUAs) in an AUA database. The contents of the AUA database are presented to the user within a presentation context (e.g., template format). The system allows the user to select a different presentation context without effecting the contents of the AUA database. One of the types of presentation contexts is organized like a diary or agenda. Each context may include theme sections (e.g., car section, sport section, personal finance section, etc.) and sections per day. All of the sections optionally may be organized by time.
The system comprises a server which acts both as the AUA database server and as a presentation context server. Alternatively, this server may be divided into two separate servers. The system further includes an owner system and content providers. Each content provider includes descriptions of presentable objects, AUAs which identify the location of the objects (the universal address part of the AUA) and have annotations for controlling aspects of the objects. Each content provider also includes transfer scripts enabling the transfer of the AUAs to the AUA database server. The AUA database and presentation context server maintains the AUAs in a per user AUA database and maintains template formats (presentation contexts that are to be shared by all users that have selected the same presentation context for their AUA database) for subsequent retrieval. Accordingly, the AUA database owner or other user can access the AUAs and the template information to have the AUAs presented. Since content providers have defined the annotations within the AUA, the content provider controls certain aspects of the objects as they are presented to the owner and any other user.
One embodiment provides a method which includes the steps of receiving a request from a client for both an AUA database and an associated presentation context, identifying the template and AUA database corresponding to the request, the annotated universal address including a universal address identifying a location of an object and including an annotation for controlling an aspect of the object, and transmitting the format information and the annotated universal address to the client.
Another embodiment provides a method which includes the steps of requesting access to an AUA database on a server, receiving format information and an annotated universal address from the server, the annotated universal address including a universal address identifying a location of an object and including an annotation for controlling an aspect of the object, generating network data using the format information and the AUA, and retrieving the object specified by the universal address part of the AUA.
Yet another embodiment provides a method which includes the steps of specifying a universal address to identify a location of an object, generating an annotation for controlling an aspect of the object, associating the universal address with the annotation to generate an annotated universal address, associating a request interface with the annotated universal address, generating network data for presenting the object and the request interface, and enabling transfer of the annotated universal address upon receiving an indication at the request interface.
Still another embodiment provides a method which includes the steps of requesting addition of an annotated universal address to an AUA database. on a server, receiving a transfer script in response to the request, initiating execution of the transfer script to request a transfer applet from the server, and initiating execution of the transfer applet to transfer the annotated universal address to the AUA database on the server.
The system and method of the present invention may advantageously enable a user to maintain an AUA database and a presentation context associated with it. This enables a user to maintain for instance a more exciting catalog (“diary”, “agenda” or any other presentation context) of web sites or objects available from the web sites. The system and method enable the diary owner to provide other user's with access to the owner's AUA database and presentation context. The system and method enable a diary owner to change formats among several available formats. The system and method enable a content provider to create AUAs for objects at his web site, to have these AUAs transferred from the web site by a user to the user's database, and to have a new access path to the object from within the presentation context associated with the user's database. The system and method advantageously enable a content provider to target more appropriate users with advertisements. The system and method enable a content provider to maintain some control of the objects displayed at the user's diary.
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pate
Aidministrator Nederland B.V.
Farahi Farzaneh
Fenwick & West LLP
Rinehart Mark H.
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