Information storage and retrieval device

• US 20040199503A1
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry L. Russell
• Original Assignee: Larry L. Russell
• Inventors: Russell, Larry L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,194,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A method of providing directed search for a web site address identified via a media channel and a method for creating a directed search database of web sites identified via a media channel. A preferred method of providing directed search for a web site address identified via a media channel comprises creating a database containing one or more web site identifiers associated with the identification of the web site address; permitting a user to search the database by inputting at least one of the web site identifiers; and providing to the user a search response including one or more web site addresses identified via the media channel. A preferred method for creating a directed search database of web sites identified via a media channel comprises providing each of a plurality of information providers access to a secured portion of the database; providing each information provider a plurality of identifier categories; allowing each information provider to store in the secured portion of the database a plurality of identifiers associated with a web site identified via a media channel, wherein each identifier corresponds to an identifier category; and creating a search query with the plurality of identifier categories, wherein a user searches the database by inputting at least one identifier in the search query, and a search result including a web site associated with the input identifier is provided when the search query is executed.

Claims

1. A method of providing directed search for a web site address advertised on a billboard, the method comprising:

creating a database containing one or more web site identifiers input by an advertiser associated with the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard;

permitting a user to search the database by inputting at least one of the web site identifiers; and

providing to the user a search response including one or more web site addresses advertised on the billboard,

wherein the one or more web site identifiers include at least one member of the group consisting of;

a location where the user may have seen the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard; and

a product or service associated with the web site address advertised on the billboard.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the search response further includes information related to a web site associated with the web site address advertised on the billboard.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more web site identifiers further include at least one member of the group consisting of:

a subject matter of interest associated with the web site address advertised on the billboard;

a time of day or date or dates when the user may have seen the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard; and

the name of a host, celebrity or personality associated with the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location where the user may have seen the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard is defined by one or more members of the group consisting of:

the name of a highway;

the name of a highway exit;

the name of a street;

the name of a city;

the name of a building; and

the name of a place of interest.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is password protected.

6. A method for creating a directed search database of web sites advertised on a billboard, comprising:

providing each of a plurality of information providers access to a secured portion of the database;

providing each information provider one or more identifier categories;

allowing each information provider to store in the secured portion of the database one or more identifiers associated with a web site advertised on the billboard, each identifier corresponding to an identifier category; and

creating a search query with the one or more identifier categories,

wherein the one or more web site identifiers include at least one member of the group consisting of;

a location where the user may have seen the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard; and

a product or service associated with the web site address advertised on the billboard, and

wherein a user searches the database by inputting at least one identifier in the search query, and a search result including a web site associated with the input identifier is provided when the search query is executed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the secured portion of the database is protected by a password.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising allowing each information provider to store in the secured portion of the database non-identifier information relating to the web site.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more identifiers further include at least one member of the group consisting of:

a subject matter of interest associated with the web site address advertised on the billboard;

a time of day or date or dates when the user may have seen the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard; and

the name of a host, celebrity or personality associated with the advertisement of the web site address on the billboard.