Multi-function browser toolbar with method for online institutional administrative browser control

• US 20040061720A1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matt Weber
• Original Assignee: Matt Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Matt
• Application Number:
  US10/437,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20040061720A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/760
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

A method and system for improving individual online usage through a multi-function Internet toolbar, and a system for an institutional online administration control allowing management of the toolbar interface for a group or a community of users utilizing the toolbar. The embodiments in the present invention include the ability for a user to search and toggle groups of online search engines specializing in a specific field; the enablement of a user to toggle highly structured static business portal content and information by professional category; the possibility for a user to shop online and earn shopping rewards directly from the toolbar with the reward amounts calculated and displayed on the toolbar; a provision for button-click access to login to online accounts; the enhancement of the user'"'"'s browser background by allowing the user to add images provided by the invention or images designed by the user and selected from local computer files; the increase in the user'"'"'s access to information by utilizing a resolution detection system in which the invention displays a set of toolbar buttons best suited for the user'"'"'s resolution setting; and the empowerment of a professional through the control option to refresh the entire look and feel of the toolbar button, images, menus, content, search engines and browser background designed by professionals for professionals to meet the demands of a specific given field. Yet another embodiment provides an institution (i.e. businesses, federal, state or local government, university or other) with the ability to administer or fully manage and control the Business Navigator invention online, including but not limited to the button names, menu items, images, search engines and visual background display of the toolbar for employees, customers, or students, or any group or community of users.

Claims

1. A method for improving online usage by providing a multi-function Internet browser toolbar plug-in to be installed in the browser of a Web surfer and comprising:

a. a search engine toggle means for toggling select groups of online search engines specializing in a specific field;

b. a portal toggle means for toggling select professional categories of highly structured static business portal content and information uniquely identifying itself;

c. a shopping rewards method means for shopping online and earning shopping rewards directly from the toolbar with the reward amounts calculated and displayed on the said toolbar,

d. a resolution detection system means for detecting computer resolutions to display the best toolbar button visual layout automatically upon download;

e. a browser background method means for adding browser backgrounds from a local machine or select determine image files;

f. an access management method means for which access to online accounts can be made with one button click from the aforementioned toolbar,

g. a toolbar reinstall method means for account retrieval and installation of new toolbar;

h. a professional browser interface means for a control option to refresh the entire look and feel of the toolbar buttons, images, menus, content, search engines and browser background to meet the demands of specific given fields.

2. a system for a Web-based toolbar control module comprising:

a. an online Web-based control module system means for which an organization can control and manage the aforementioned toolbar button names, menu names, button images, and browser background images and search engines for a group or community of unlimited users;

b. an online Web-based community of registered users control module supporting the aforementioned administrative control module means for monitor and controlling the registered user accounts.