Method of controlling an Internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface
First Claim
1. An Internet browser interface displayable by an Internet browser, the Internet browser enabling a user to access and navigate the Internet and to receive and display one or more Web pages from one or more Internet sites, the Internet browser having a bounded user interface area containing at least one Internet browser toolbar having at least one toolbar button providing predetermined functionality, the Internet browser further having a display area for displaying Web pages, the area for displaying Web pages being a separate area from the user interface area of the browser, comprising:
- software that when executed operates as a control interface object that is displayed with the Internet browser interface while the browser is activated, the interface object being displayed within bounds of the user interface area of the browser such that the interface object remains within the bounds of the user interface area of the browser as part of the user interface of the browser, said interface object making additional functionality that is not part of the Internet browser prior to display of said interface object available to the user after said display, such that once the interface object is displayed it remains displayed within the bounds of the user interface area of the browser and said additional functionality remains available to the user regardless of a subsequent Internet site to which the Internet browser is caused to navigate after said display.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user'"'"'s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user'"'"'s browser and browser interface.
128 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An Internet browser interface displayable by an Internet browser, the Internet browser enabling a user to access and navigate the Internet and to receive and display one or more Web pages from one or more Internet sites, the Internet browser having a bounded user interface area containing at least one Internet browser toolbar having at least one toolbar button providing predetermined functionality, the Internet browser further having a display area for displaying Web pages, the area for displaying Web pages being a separate area from the user interface area of the browser, comprising:
software that when executed operates as a control interface object that is displayed with the Internet browser interface while the browser is activated, the interface object being displayed within bounds of the user interface area of the browser such that the interface object remains within the bounds of the user interface area of the browser as part of the user interface of the browser, said interface object making additional functionality that is not part of the Internet browser prior to display of said interface object available to the user after said display, such that once the interface object is displayed it remains displayed within the bounds of the user interface area of the browser and said additional functionality remains available to the user regardless of a subsequent Internet site to which the Internet browser is caused to navigate after said display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24)
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17. A method for establishing an affinity between an Internet user and a predetermined Internet site, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing to the Internet user, via the predetermined Internet site, access to a control program that when installed causes a user customizable interface object to be created on an interface of a browser used by the Internet user to traverse the Internet, the browser having a bounded user interface area containing at least one Internet browser toolbar having at least one browser toolbar button providing predetermined functionality, the Internet browser further having a display area for displaying Web pages, the area for displaying Web pages being a separate area from the user interface area of the browser, the program further causing a user interface element to be added to and remain within the bounded user interface area of the Internet browser as part of the user interface area of the Internet browser regardless of any subsequent Internet site to which the Internet browser is caused to navigate after being added; and
(b) enabling a function to be accessed via said interface object, said function enabling the Internet user to interact with the predetermined Internet site. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 25. An Internet browser interface displayable by an Internet browser on a computer display and including an ActiveX control interface object that is displayed with the Internet browser interface while the browser is activated and which provides a link to a predetermined Internet site regardless of an Internet site to which the computer is connected via the browser.
- 29. An Internet browser interface displayable by an Internet browser on a computer display and including a Plug-in interface object that is displayed with the Internet browser interface while the browser is activated and which provides a link to a predetermined Internet site regardless of an Internet site to which the computer is connected via the browser.
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33. A method for establishing an affinity between an Internet user and a predetermined Internet site, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing to the Internet user, via the predetermined Internet site, access to a control program that permits a user customizable interface object to be created on an interface of a browser used by the Internet user to traverse the Internet; and
(b) enabling user selected functions to be accessed via said interface object, said functions enabling the Internet user to interact with the predetermined Internet site. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification