System and method for delivering targeted data to a subscriber base via a computer network

• US 20040034686A1
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Guthrie
• Original Assignee: David Guthrie
• Inventors: Guthrie, David
• Application Number:
  US10/643,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20040034686A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

An information system includes a client component resident on a computer of the user, a server, and a database storage unit. The server is coupled to the computer and an internetwork such as the Internet. The server collects electronic information corresponding to a user'"'"'s predetermined customized profile for delivery to the client component from the internet sites and the server. The database storage unit is coupled to the server. Electronic information collected by the server is used to populate at least one archive stored in the database storage unit. The archive is associated with the user'"'"'s profile. The server sends checksums identifying the collected electronic information to the client component. The client component verifies that the electronic information has not previously been sent to the client component. The client component generates and transmits a message to the server indicating the electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component. The server deletes electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component from the archive. The server compresses electronic information remaining in the archive into a streaming format and sends the electronic information to the client component. The electronic information is decompressed by the client component and provided to the user via the computer. The invention also includes related methods.

Claims

1. An information system coupled to an internetwork for use by at least one user, the information system comprising:

a client component resident on a computer of the user;

a server coupled to the computer and the internetwork, the server collecting electronic information corresponding to a user'"'"'s predetermined customized profile for delivery to the client component from the internet sites and the server; and

a database storage unit coupled to the server, the electronic information collected by the server used to populate at least one archive stored in the database storage unit, the archive associated with the user'"'"'s profile.

2. An information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the server sends checksums identifying the collected electronic information to the client component, the client component verifies that the electronic information has not previously been sent to the client component, the client component generates and transmits a message to the server indicating the electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component, the server deleting electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component from the archive, the server compressing electronic information remaining in the archive into a streaming format and sending the electronic information to the client component, the electronic information decompressed by the client component and provided to the user via the computer.

3. An information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic information includes text articles and images.

4. An information system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the text articles and images contain medical information.

5. A method comprising the steps of:

a) collecting electronic information with a server, the electronic information corresponding to a user'"'"'s predetermined customized profile for delivery to the client component from the internet sites and the server;

b) populating an archive in a database with the collected electronic information, the archive associated with the user'"'"'s predetermined customized profile;

c) sending checksums identifying the electronic information from the server to the client component;

d) receiving the checksums at the client program;

e) verifying at the client component that the electronic information has not previously been sent to the client component, based on the checksums;

e) generating and transmitting a message from the client component to the server indicating the electronic information previously sent to the client component;

f) receiving the message from the client component at the server;

g) deleting electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component from the archive, based on the received message;

h) compressing the electronic information remaining in the archive into a streaming format;

i) sending the electronic information to the client component;

j) decompressing the electronic information at the client component; and

k) providing the electronic information to the user via the computer.

6. A method comprising the steps of:

a) defining a user profile based on characteristics of the user;

b) collecting electronic information corresponding to the user'"'"'s customized profile for delivery to a client component of a computer from Internet sites;

c) storing the collected electronic information in an archive of a database;

d) sending data identifying the collected electronic information from the server to a client component;

e) receiving the data identifying the collected electronic information at the client component;

f) determining with the client component whether the electronic information was previously transmitted to the client component based on the data identifying the electronic information and electronic information previously stored by the client component;

g) generating and transmitting a message from the client component to the server indicating the electronic information previously sent to the client component;

h) receiving the message from the client component at the server;

i) deleting electronic information that has been previously sent to the client component from the archive, based on the received message;

j) compressing the electronic information remaining in the archive into a streaming format;

k) sending the electronic information to the client component;

l) decompressing the electronic information at the client component; and

m) providing the electronic information to the user via the computer.