Retrieval, saving and printing in a computer network system environment

• US 6,035,325 A
• Filed: 05/13/1998
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Potts, Richard W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/078,280
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 364/DIG. 12, 364/DIG. 2, 709/10, 709/200, 709/203, 709/216, 709/218, 709/219, 709/245
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

A method for retrieving information in a computer network system having at least one network server device and a user device. The user device and said network server having established a successful network session so that they are in processing communication with one another. At first a target page is displayed on a screen or monitor connected to the user device. The target page including a number of first level link references for selection by any user where each first level link reference further includes subsequent level link references. An on-screen search option menu will then be provided to allow any user to search all reference links provided by the target page and all subsequent pages, and to identify only specific references according to the menu selection made. Some of the menu selection provided according to different embodiments of the present invention are media searches, FTP file searches, HREF searches and usernet/newsgroup searches. In some embodiments of the present invention print and save options are also provided as well as depth of search limitations. In another embodiment of present invention, more than one menu selections can be made at one time, resulting in multiple field searches.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving information in a computer, network system having at least one network server device and a user device, said user device and said network server having established a successful network session so that they are in processing communication with one another;

said method comprising;

displaying a target page on a screen connected to said user device, said target page including a plurality of first level link references for selection by any user where each first level link reference further includes subsequent level link references;

providing an on-screen search option menu to allow searching of all reference links provided by said target page and all subsequent pages, and to identify only specific references according to said menu selection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said computer network is an internet and said network server devices are web server devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said level link references are hyperlink references.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said menu selection provides for searching and storing of any and all HREF tags.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said menu selection also provides for creation of an internet e-mail to a user at a user'"'"'s address according to said HREF tag.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said menu selection provides for selection of media files.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said media file is an audio file.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said media file is a video file.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said media file is a bitmap file.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of storing said search result in a memory location.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of saving said search information to a medium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said menu selection provides for searching and storing of any and all usernet and newsgroup information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said stored information can be printed at user'"'"'s request.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said user inputs directory selection via an interface device electronically connected to said user device.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a depth of call option wherein any user is provided an option of limiting said search and storing of references to a specified level of link references.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said menu selection provides for FTP files.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said menu selection provides for searching and storing of any and all HREF tags.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple menu selections can be made at one time, allowing multiple field searches.