System method and article of manufacture for dynamically user-generated internet search directory based on prioritized server-sided user bookmarks

• US 6,546,393 B1
• Filed: 10/07/1999
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
• Original Assignee: Clickmarks, Inc. (Ealixir, Inc.)
• Inventors: Khan, Umair
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones, Charles
• Application Number:
  US09/414,992
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 707/501, 707/1, 707/203, 707/201, 707/4, 707/10, 709/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9562 Bookmark management

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for generating a prioritized network site directory. A link to a site on a network is generated. The site is then added to a site directory that includes a set of categories. The site is categorized into one of the categories of the site directory. The site is also ranked in the category. Sub-categories may also be created into which the site is categorized under one of the categories of the site directory. The site may additionally be ranked in the category according to: the number of generated links to the site, the frequency that the site is accessed by selection of the generated links, and/or polling.

Claims

1. A method for generating a prioritized network site directory, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating at least one link to a site on a network;

(b) adding the site to a site directory having a set of categories comprising at least one category, each category including a plurality of links;

(c) categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory;

(d) ranking the categorized site in the category;

(e) displaying the links in the category according to rank, the links including the at least one generated link;

(e) displaying an identity of the creator of the at least one generated link to a second user upon display of the links to the second user; and

(g) allowing the second user to send an information transmittal to the creator of the at least one link.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of adding the site to the site directory further comprises the steps of:

comparing the site to pre-existing sites in the site directory; and

generating a notification if the site matches one of the pre-existing sites of the site directory.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises the steps of:

generating a table of sites, wherein the table of sites comprises at least one pre-existing site ranked in the set of categories of the set directory;

determining whether the site exists in the table of sites; and

mapping the site to one of the categories of the set of categories if the site exists in the table of sites.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the step of categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises the step of

searching the site for keywords relating to the categories of the set of categories if the site does not exist in the table of sites.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the step of categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises the steps of:

selecting one of the categories into which the site is to be categorized;

comparing the selected category to the category to which the site is mapped;

and generating a notification if the selected category does not match the category to which the site is mapped.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the site is ranked in the category according to a type of ranking based on at least one of:

the number of generated links to the site, the frequency that the site is accessed by selection of the links, and polling.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of allowing a user to specify the type of ranking applied to the category, wherein the sites in the category are displayed according to the user-selected type of ranking.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of creating a sub-category into which the site is categorized;

assigning a creator identity to the sub-category that includes information about a creator of the sub-category;

granting the creator of the sub-category at least one privilege selected from a group consisting of;

recommending to accept or reject additional sites into and additional sub-categories under the sub-category, receiving information transmittals from users of the site in the sub-category, and transmitting information to users of sites in the sub-category.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information transmittal is selected from a group consisting of:

an electronic mail message and an instant message.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of adding the site directory further comprises:

comparing the site to pre-existing site directory; and

generating a notification if the sites matches one of the pre-existing sites of the site directory.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises:

generating a table of sites, wherein the table of sites comprises at least one pre-existing site ranked in the set of categories of the set directory;

determining whether the site exists in the table of sites; and

mapping the site to one of the categories of the set of categories if the site exists in the table of sites.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises:

selecting one of the categories into which the site is to be categorized;

comparing the selected category to the category to which the site is mapped; and

generating a notification if the selected category does not match the category to which the site is mapped.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises searching the site for keywords relating to the categories of the set of categories if the site does not exist in the table of sites.

14. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the site is ranked in the category according to a type of ranking based on at least one of:

the number of generated links to the site, the frequency that the site is accessed by selection of the links, and polling.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising allowing a user to specify the type of ranking applied to the category, wherein the sites in the category are displayed according to the user-selected type of ranking.

20. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of associating a mode of communication with the category;

the mode of communication being selected from a group consisting of;

a forum and a chat room.

16. A method for generating a prioritized network site directory, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating at least one link to a site on a network;

(b) adding the site to a site directory having a set of categories comprising at least one category, each category including a plurality of links;

(c) comparing the site to pre-existing sites in the site directory;

(d) generating a notification if the site matches one of the pre-existing sites of the site directory;

(e) categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory, wherein the step of categorizing the site into one of the categories of the site directory further comprises the step of;

i. generating a table of sites, whether the table of sites comprises at least one pre-existing site ranked in the set of categories of the set directory;

ii. determining whether the site exists in the table of sites;

iii. mapping the site to one of the categories of the set of categories if the site exists in the table of sites;

iv. searching the site for keywords relating to the categories of the set of categories if the site does not exist in the table of sites;

v. selecting one of the categories into which the site is to be categorized;

vi. comparing the selected category to the category to which the site is mapped;

vii. generating a notification if the selected category does not match the category to which the site is mapped;

(f) ranking the categorized site in the category, wherein the site is ranked in the category according to a type of ranking based on at least one of;

the number of generated links to the site stored in online bookmark accounts, the frequency that the site is accessed by selection of the links, and polling;

(g) allowing a user to specify the type of ranking applied to the category, wherein sites in the category are displayed according to the user-selected type of ranking;

(h) displaying the links in the category according to rank, the links including the at least one generated link;

(i) associating an identity of a creator of the at least one link with the at least one generated link;

(j) displaying the identity of the creator to a second user upon display of the links to the second user;

(k) allowing the second user to send an information transmittal to the creator of the at least one link, wherein the information transmittal is selected from a group consisting of;

an electronic mail message and an instant message;

(l) creating a sub-category into which the site is categorized;

(m) assigning a creator identity to the sub-category that includes information about a creator of the sub-category;

(n) granting the creator of the sub-category at least one privilege selected from a group consisting of;

recommending to accept or reject additional sites into and additional sub-categories under the sub-category, receiving information transmittals from users of site in the sub-category, and transmitting information to users of sites in the sub-category; and

(o) associating a mode of communication with the category, the mode of communication being selected from a group consisting of;

a forum and a chat room.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for generating a prioritized network site directory, comprising:

(a) a code segment that generates at least one link to a site on a network;

(b) a code segment that adds the site to a site directory having a set of categories comprising at least one category, each category including a plurality of links;

(c) a code segment that categorizes the site into one of the categories of the site directory;

(d) a code segment that ranks the categorized site in the category;

(e) a code segment that displays the links in the category according to rank, the links including the at least one generated link;

(f) a code segment that displays an identity of the creator of the at least one generated link to a second user upon display of the links to the second user;

(g) a code segment that allows the second user to send an information transmittal to the creator of the at least one link.

(h) a code segment that creates a sub-category into which the site is categorized;

(i) a code segment that assigns a creator identity to the sub-category that includes information about a creator of the sub-category; and

(j) a code segment that grants the creator of the sub-category at least one privilege selected from a group consisting of;

recommending to accept or reject additional sites into and additional sub-categories under the sub-category, receiving information transmittals from users of the site in the sub-category, and transmitting information to users of sites in the sub-category.

18. A computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising a code segment that grants the creator of the sub-category at least one of the privileges consisting of:

recommending to accept or reject additional sites into and additional sub-categories under the sub-category, receiving information transmittals from users of site in the sub-category, and transmitting information to users of sites in the sub-category.

19. A system for generating a prioritized network site directory, comprising:

(a) a logic that generates at least one link to a site on a network;

(b) a logic that adds the site to a site directory having a set of categories comprising at least one category, each category including a plurality of links;

(c) a logic that categorizes the site into one of the categories of the site directory;

(d) a logic that ranks the categorized site in the category;

(e) a logic that displays the links in the category according to rank, the links including the at least one generated link;

(f) a logic that displays an identity of the creator of the at least one generated link to a second user upon display of the links to the second user;

(g) a logic that allows the second user to send an information transmittal to the creator of the at least one link;

(h) a logic that creates a sub-category into which the site is categorized;

(i) a logic that assigns a creator identity to the sub-category that includes information about a creator of the sub-category; and

(j) a logic that grants the creator of the sub-category at least one privilege selected from a group consisting of;

recommending to accept or reject additional sites into and additional sub-categories under the sub-category, receiving information transmittals from users of the site in the sub-category, and transmitting information to users of sites in the sub-category.