Computer method and apparatus using embedded message window for displaying messages in a functional bar
First Claim
1. A method implemented on a computer for displaying information to a user, comprising:
- (a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to a server via a network;
(c) in response to a user input of a search term, forwarding a search request to the server;
(d) receiving search results responsive to the search request and additional messages from the server, the additional messages having been selected by the server based on the search request;
(e) displaying the search results to the user; and
(f) displaying the additional messages in the message window in the functional bar area.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented method employs message windows in a functional bar (e.g., toolbar, status bar, address bar, task bar, etc.) embedded in a software program to display messages (including text, images, animation, video, audio, etc.), where the messages displayed in the windows are based on searches conducted by the user. The software program in which the windows are embedded may be a browser or non-browser application. The messages displayed in the windows are downloaded from a server connected to the computer. In one embodiment, the messages are downloaded when the computer is connected to the server and stored on the computer, and later displayed in the message windows when the computer is not connected to the server. The method can be used to display advertisement or to allow organizations to communicate with their constituents. The method allows advertisers and organizations to select subgroups of users to direct their messages to.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method implemented on a computer for displaying information to a user, comprising:
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(a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to a server via a network;
(c) in response to a user input of a search term, forwarding a search request to the server;
(d) receiving search results responsive to the search request and additional messages from the server, the additional messages having been selected by the server based on the search request;
(e) displaying the search results to the user; and
(f) displaying the additional messages in the message window in the functional bar area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method implemented on a system including a server and one or more client computers connectable to the server via a network, the method comprising:
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on each client computer;
(a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to the server via the network;
(c) in response to a user input of a search term, forwarding a search request to the server;
(d) receiving search results responsive to the search request and additional messages from the server, the additional messages having been selected by the server based on the search request;
(e) displaying the search results to the user; and
(f) displaying the additional messages in the message window in the functional bar area; and
on the server;
(g) obtaining and storing a plurality of messages from a plurality of message senders;
(h) receiving a search request from a client computer;
(i) obtaining search results responsive to the search request;
(j) selecting, from the plurality of stored messages, a subset of messages based on the search request; and
(k) transmitting the search results and the subset of messages to the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method implemented on a computer for displaying information to a user, comprising:
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(a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of a non-browser application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to a server via a network;
(c) receiving messages from the server; and
(d) displaying the messages in the message window in the functional bar area. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one sender client computer, at least one receiver client computer and at least one server, the method comprising:
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(a) the sender client computer transmitting to the server a first message and control information associated with the first message specifying intended recipient or recipients of the first message;
(b) the server storing the first message and the associated control information; and
(c) on the receiver client computer;
(c1) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(c2) connecting the receiver client computer to the server via a network;
(c3) receiving messages from the server; and
(c4) displaying the messages in the message window in the functional bar area. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method implemented on a computer for displaying information to a user, comprising:
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(a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to a server via a network;
(c) receiving a plurality of messages from the server;
(d) displaying at least a subset of the received messages in the message window in the functional bar area;
(e) storing the received messages; and
(f) displaying at least a subset of the stored messages in the message window in the functional bar area when the computer is disconnected from the server. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method implemented on a computer for displaying information to a user, comprising:
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(a) creating a functional bar area associated with a main window of an application program, the functional bar area including at least one message window;
(b) connecting the computer to a server via a network;
(c) receiving a plurality of messages from the server;
(d) storing user profile information; and
(e) filtering the received plurality of messages based on the stored user profile information to select a subset of the messages to be displayed;
(f) displaying the selected subset of messages in the message window in the functional bar area. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification