Online annotation management system and method

• US 20060048047A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Navipal
• Original Assignee: Navipal
• Inventors: Tao, Peng
• Application Number:
  US11/215,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048047A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes

Abstract

An online annotation management system and method for creating annotations while browsing a web resource and managing the annotation information associated with corresponding web resources is disclosed. A computer-implemented method for enabling users to create annotations during an online session includes the steps of providing a switch module operable to enable the user to switch between a browsing mode and an annotation mode, and providing an annotation module operable to enable the user to annotate a resource being viewed. The annotated content created by the user is preferably stored in a private manner. The annotated content may be shared by the user with at least one peer if the user so desires.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling users to create annotations during an online session comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a switch module operable to enable the user to switch between a browsing mode and an annotation mode; and

(b) providing an annotation module operable to enable the user to annotate a resource being viewed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch module is operable to enable the user to switch between the browsing mode and the annotation mode with one click of a button.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation module is operable to enable annotation by highlighting at least a portion of the resource being viewed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation module is operable to enable annotation by inserting comments into the at least one portion of the resource being viewed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch module is a client-side plug in having a user interface.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user interface includes a button operable to indicate whether the user is in browser mode or in annotation mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation module comprises an annotation application running on an annotation server.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the annotation application is operable to record the user'"'"'s online session.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the annotation application is operable to allow the user to manage an annotation content.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the annotation application comprises a content-matching location object operable to represent the annotation content.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing applications associated with the annotation content.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the applications associated with the annotation content comprise a translation application.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the applications associated with the annotation content comprise a dictionary application.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the applications associated with the annotation content comprise a phonetic application.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the applications associated with the annotation content are managed by the annotation application.

16. A system for enabling users to create annotations during an online session comprising:

a switch module operable to enable the user to switch between a browsing mode and an annotation mode; and

an annotation module operable to enable the user to annotate a resource being viewed.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the annotation module is operable to allow the user to manage an annotation content

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the annotation module is operable to enable annotation by highlighting at least a portion of the resource being viewed

19. A computer readable medium comprising:

a code segment for providing a switch module operable to enable the user to switch between a browsing mode and an annotation mode; and

a code segment for providing an annotation module operable to enable the user to annotate a resource being viewed.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the annotation module is operable to allow the user to manage an annotation content.