Method and system of providing customizable buttons

• US 20050039144A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fan, Duke Tsao-Ming, Wada, Alan, Burke, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,793,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/840
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention provides for one or more customizable buttons, used with a downloadable toolbar for an Internet browser. The method may comprise directing an Internet browser user, using a computer, to a button modification medium, receiving modification information from the Internet browser user and loading the modified buttons on the computer.

Claims

1. A method of providing a customizable button of a graphical user interface for use with a downloadable toolbar for a browser, the method comprising:

receiving from a user, user-defined button characteristics;

retrieving the user-defined button characteristics; and

transmitting the user-defined button characteristics to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has an account with a customizable button provider, the method further comprising:

the customizable button provider associating the user-defined button characteristics with an account of the user;

receiving information to enable the user to log into the account; and

logging the user into the account such that the retrieving and transmitting occurs in response to logging the user into the account.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the user-defined button characteristics to the user along with non-user-defined button characteristics of buttons for a downloadable toolbar.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizable button is implemented using an ActiveX control.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizable button is part of a downloadable toolbar and provides a function of the downloadable toolbar.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise a universal resource identifier associated with a location on a network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the network is the Internet.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the universal resource identifier is associated with a browser extension which, when loaded on a computer of the user, adds functionality to the browser.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the browser navigates to the location associated with the customizable button when the user selects the customizable button.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the customizable button is associated with a search field of the downloadable toolbar, the method further comprising:

causing a search query entered in the search field to be directed to the location associated with the universal resource identifier for a search to be performed by a search provider at the location.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise an icon associated with the customizable button.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise a title associated with the customizable button.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizable button defines a first region and a second region, wherein by selecting the first region, the user initiates a functionality associated with the customizable button, and wherein by selecting the second region, the user initiates a menu including at least one menu item, wherein the at least one menu item is defined at least in part by the user-defined button characteristics.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein one of the at least one menu items comprises a button modification option.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a button modification request; and

receiving modification information from the user, the modification information modifying the user-defined button characteristics.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

directing the user to a modification medium; and

providing a plurality of button modification options at the modification medium.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising initiating modification of the customizable button such that the user-defined button characteristics associated with the customizable button are changed in accordance with the modification information.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the modification information comprises a universal resource identifier to associate with the customizable button.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the modification information comprises a title to associate with the customizable button.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the modification information comprises an icon to associate with the customizable button.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the icon is selected from a plurality of predefined icon choices provided by a customizable button provider.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the icon is an image provided by the user.

23. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising:

determining a particular universal resource identifier to which the browser is directed; and

applying the modification information so as to modify the user-defined button characteristics to associate the customizable button with the particular universal resource identifier.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the modification is implemented by initiating a modification of the toolbar.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying at least the universal resource identifier associated with the customizable button and the particular universal resource identifier prior to modification.

26. A method of providing customizable buttons for a graphical user interface, the method comprising:

receiving from a first user, first user-defined button characteristics;

receiving from a second user, second user-defined button characteristics;

associating the first user-defined button characteristics with a first user;

associating the second user-defined button characteristics with a second user;

in response to the first user utilizing a shared computer, providing the first user-defined button characteristics to the shared computer to enable the computer to display buttons for the first user in accordance with the first user-defined button characteristics, and resulting in the shared computer having buttons customized to the first user in accordance with the first user-defined button characteristics when the shared computer is utilized by the first user; and

in response to the second user utilizing the shared computer, providing the second user-defined button characteristics to the shared computer to enable the shared computer to display buttons for the second user in accordance with the second user-defined button characteristics, and resulting in the shared computer having buttons customized to the second user in accordance with the second user-defined button characteristics when the shared computer is utilized by the second user.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving information to enable the first user to log into a first user account; and

logging the first user into the first user account such that the providing of the first user-defined button characteristics occurs in response to logging the first user into the first user account.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

receiving a request from the second user to log into a second user account; and

logging the first user into the second user account, wherein the providing of the first user-defined button characteristics occurs in response to logging the first user into the first user account.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

logging the first user out of the first user account prior to logging the second user into the second user account.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein providing the first user-defined button characteristics and providing the second user-defined button characteristics to the computer further comprise providing the first user-defined button characteristics and the second user-defined button characteristics along with non-user-defined button characteristics of buttons for a downloadable toolbar.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the customizable buttons are implemented using an ActiveX control.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the customizable buttons are part of a downloadable toolbar for adding user-defined functionality to the downloadable toolbar.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the first user-defined button characteristics comprise a universal resource identifier associated with a location on a network.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the network is the Internet.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the universal resource identifier is associated with a browser extension which, when loaded on the shared computer, adds functionality to the browser.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the browser navigates to the location associated with one of the customizable buttons when selected by the first user.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein one of the customizable buttons is associated with a search field of the downloadable toolbar, the method further comprising:

causing a search query entered in the search field to be directed to the location associated with the universal resource identifier for a search to be performed by a search provider at the location.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein the first user-defined button characteristics comprise an icon associated with one of the customizable buttons.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein the first user-defined button characteristics comprise a title associated with one of the customizable buttons.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein one of the customizable buttons defines a first region and a second region, wherein by selecting the first region, the first user initiates a functionality associated with the one customizable button, and wherein by selecting the second region, the user initiates a menu including at least one menu item, wherein the at least one menu item is defined at least in part by the user-defined button characteristics.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein one of the at least one menu items comprises a button modification option.

42. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a button modification request; and

receiving modification information from the first user, the modification information modifying the first user-defined button characteristics.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

directing the first user to a modification medium; and

providing a plurality of button modification options at the modification medium.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising initiating modification of one of the customizable buttons such that the first user-defined button characteristics associated with the one customizable button are changed in accordance with the modification information.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the modification information comprises a universal resource identifier to associate with the customizable button.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the modification information comprises a title to associate with the customizable button.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the modification information comprises an icon to associate with the customizable button.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the icon is selected from a plurality of predefined icon choices provided by a customizable button provider.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein the icon is an image provided by the user.

50. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

determining a particular universal resource identifier to which a browser is directed; and

applying the modification information so as to modify the first user-defined button characteristics to associate the one customizable button with the particular universal resource identifier.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the modification is implemented by initiating a modification of the graphical user interface.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising displaying the universal resource identifier associated with one of the customizable buttons and the particular universal resource identifier prior to modification.

53. A method of providing a customizable button for a graphical user interface, the method comprising:

receiving from a user, user-defined button characteristics;

associating the user-defined button characteristics with the user;

in response to the user utilizing a first computer, providing the user-defined button characteristics to the first computer, to enable the first computer to display a button for the user in accordance with the user-defined button characteristics, and resulting in the first computer having a button customized to the user in accordance with the user-defined button characteristics when the user utilizes the first computer;

in response to the user utilizing a second computer, providing the user-defined button characteristics to the second computer, to enable the second computer to display a button for the user in accordance with the user-defined button characteristics, and resulting in the second computer having a button customized to the user in accordance with the user-defined button characteristics when the user utilizes the second computer.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

receiving first information to enable the user to log into a user account; and

logging the user into the user account such that the providing of the first user-defined button characteristics occurs in response to logging the user into the user account.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

receiving second information to enable the user to log into the user account; and

logging the user into the user account such that the providing of the second user-defined button characteristics occurs in response to logging the user into the user account.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the providing the user-defined button characteristics to the first computer and providing the user-defined button characteristics to the second computer further comprise providing the user-defined button characteristics along with non-user-defined button characteristics of buttons for a downloadable toolbar.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the customizable button is implemented using an ActiveX control.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein the customizable button is part of a downloadable tool bar and provides a function of the downloadable toolbar.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise a universal resource identifier, which is associated with a location on a network.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the network is the Internet.

61. The method of claim 53, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise an icon associated with the customizable button.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the universal resource identifier is associated with a browser extension which, when loaded on the first computer, adds functionality to the browser.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the browser navigates to the location associated with the customizable button when the user selects the customizable button.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein the customizable button is associated with a search field of the downloadable toolbar, the method further comprising:

causing a search query entered in the search field to be directed to the location associated with the universal resource identifier for a search to be performed by a search provider at the location.

65. The method of claim 53, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise a title associated with the customizable button.

66. The method of claim 53, wherein the user-defined button characteristics comprise a title associated with the customizable button.

67. The method of claim 53, wherein the customizable button defines a first region and a second region, wherein by selecting the first region, the user initiates a functionality associated with the customizable button, and wherein by selecting the second region, the user initiates a menu including at least one menu item, wherein the at least one menu item is defined at least in part by the user-defined button characteristics.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein one of the at least one menu items comprises a button modification option.

69. The method of claim 53, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a button modification request; and

receiving modification information from the user, the modification information modifying the user-defined button characteristics.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising:

directing the user to a modification medium; and

providing a plurality of button modification options at the modification medium.

71. The method of claim 69, further comprising initiating modification of the customizable button such that the user-defined button characteristics associated with the customizable button are changed in accordance with the modification information.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the modification information comprises a universal resource identifier to associate with the customizable button.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein the modification information comprises a title to associate with the customizable button.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein the modification information comprises an icon to associate with the customizable button.

75. The method of claim 65, wherein the icon is selected from a plurality of predefined icon choices provided by a customizable button provider.

76. The method of claim 65, wherein the icon is an image provided by the user.

77. The method of claim 69, the method further comprising:

determining a particular universal resource identifier to which a browser is directed; and

applying the modification information so as to modify the user-defined button characteristics to associate the customizable button with the particular universal resource identifier.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the modification is implemented by initiating a modification of the graphical user interface.

79. The method of claim 77, further comprising displaying the universal resource identifier associated with the customizable button and the particular universal resource identifier prior to modification.

80. A system for providing a customizable button of a graphical user interface that is part of a downloadable toolbar for a browser, the system comprising:

at least one server configured for;

receiving from a user, user-defined button characteristics;

retrieving the user-defined button characteristics; and

transmitting the user-defined button characteristics to the user.

81. The system of claim 80, the server further configured for:

associating the user-defined button characteristics with an account of the user;

receiving information to enable the user to log into the account; and

logging the user into the account such that the retrieving and transmitting occur in response to logging the user into the account.

82. Computer readable computer code for providing a customizable button of a graphical user interface as part of a downloadable toolbar for a browser, the code, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform a method comprising:

receiving from a user, user-defined button characteristics; and

applying the user-defined button characteristics to the customizable buttons to enable use by the user of the customizable buttons having the user-defined characteristics.

83. The computer code of claim 82, wherein the user has an account with a customizable button provider, the method performed by the computer further comprising:

sending information to enable the user to log into a user account at the provider; and

receiving the user-defined button characteristics from the provider after the user is logged into the account.

84. The computer code of claim 82, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the user-defined button characteristics by the user along with non-user-defined button characteristics of buttons for a downloadable toolbar.

85. The computer code of claim 82, wherein the computer code comprises an ActiveX control.

86. A method of providing a customizable button of a graphical user interface for use with a downloadable toolbar for a browser, the method comprising:

receiving from a user, user-defined button characteristics;

retrieving the user-defined button characteristics;

transmitting the user-defined button characteristics to the user;

receiving a button modification request;

directing the user to a modification medium, the user modification medium comprising a modification Web page that comprises a plurality of user selectable button modification options;

wherein the modification options comprise a universal resource identifier to associate with the customizable button, a title to associate with the customizable button, and an icon to associate with the customizable button; and

receiving a selected modification option that modifies the user-defined button characteristics and causes the display of a modified customizable button as part of the downloadable toolbar.

87. A method of providing a button of a graphical user interface, for use with a downloadable toolbar for a browser, the button being capable of being customized, the method comprising:

receiving a button modification request;

directing the user to a configuration medium, the user configuration medium comprising a configuration Web page that comprises a plurality of user selectable button configuration options;

receiving configuration modification information; and

causing the display of the button, the button being customized based upon the user-defined button characteristics.