System and method for managing online message board
DCFirst Claim
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1. A tracking system for monitoring and analyzing message traffic on an online message board system used by a number of subscribers, said system comprising:
- a set of message data items stored based on a classification scheme having a plurality of groups and classes;
a query processing program for processing a subscriber query to locate selected message data items of interest to the subscriber, said query being coded so that each such subscriber query can also be classified by said query processing program based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said query; and
a posting program adapted to receive and store subscriber message data items, at least some of said subscriber message data items being coded so that such subscriber message data items can also be classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said subscriber message data item; and
wherein said coding characteristics and/or said identifying parameters of said subscriber queries and subscriber message data are tabulated, and selected portions are made available in tabulated form for inspection by the subscribers.
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Abstract
Queries and postings made to an online electronic message board are managed by a number of community and customized software search robots. The robots interact with subscribers to access, retrieve and post messages according to content groupings and classifications that reflect the collective shared interests, desires, etc., of such subscribers. Because the information is already pre-classified and indexed in such fashion, subscribers are given rapid access to key information that is most of interest to them, enhancing their overall experience with the system.
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Citations
76 Claims
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1. A tracking system for monitoring and analyzing message traffic on an online message board system used by a number of subscribers, said system comprising:
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a set of message data items stored based on a classification scheme having a plurality of groups and classes;
a query processing program for processing a subscriber query to locate selected message data items of interest to the subscriber, said query being coded so that each such subscriber query can also be classified by said query processing program based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said query; and
a posting program adapted to receive and store subscriber message data items, at least some of said subscriber message data items being coded so that such subscriber message data items can also be classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said subscriber message data item; and
wherein said coding characteristics and/or said identifying parameters of said subscriber queries and subscriber message data are tabulated, and selected portions are made available in tabulated form for inspection by the subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A content building system operating on an online network server for building a database of information items accessible by a number of online subscribers, said system comprising:
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a content extraction program adapted for locating and extracting selected information from one or more remote online network servers, which selected information matches a search criterion;
wherein said search criterion is specified by an operator of said online network server;
a sorting program configured for sorting said selected information and subscriber messages in accordance with a classification scheme so as to create a plurality of data files of sorted information items, each of said sorted information items being coded to fall within one or more categories of said classification scheme; and
wherein said classification scheme is specified by an operator of said online network server;
wherein information items can be located and reviewed by subscribers through subscriber queries performed in accordance with subscriber selected query parameters logically related to said one or more categories of said classification scheme. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;
(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;
(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;
(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;
(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;
(f) processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command is used to locate an author of said message items and/or additional message items originating from said author. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of managing message items on an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) classifying first message items using a first set of predefined information categories, which first set of predefined information categories are searchable by users accessing the message board system;
(b) configuring a user interface for said users when they access the message board system such that said first set of predefined information categories are set up as a first set of filter selection items within said interface;
(d) further configuring for a user, on a user by user basis, said user interface to include a second set of filter selection items within said interface based on preferences of said user;
(e) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said first and/or second sets of filter selection items;
(f) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;
(g) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user;
wherein said user interface, including a visual arrangement of said first set of filter selection items and/or said second filter selection items is automatically configured for said user based on a frequency of usage by said users of said first set of filter selection items. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of monitoring and analyzing message traffic on an online message board system, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) classifying message items based on a classification scheme having a plurality of groups and classes;
(b) processing user queries received from users of the online message board system to locate selected message data items of interest to said users, said user queries being classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameter for said query; and
(c) processing user posted message data items from said users, said user posted message data items also being classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameter; and
(d) tabulating said user queries and user message data items to create message board system feedback information including at least;
(1) an identification of classification schemes most commonly queried;
(2) an identification of classification schemes most commonly posted to by users.- View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of building message content for an online network server having a database of information items accessible by a number of online users, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) locating and extracting selected information from one or more remote online network servers, which selected information matches a predetermined search criterion and is associated with one or more information categories of a classification scheme;
(b) sorting both said selected information, as well as separate message items received from the online users, in accordance with said classification scheme so as to create a plurality of data files of sorted message items, each of said sorted message items being coded to fall within said one or more information categories of said classification scheme; and
(c) locating message items for the online users based on user search queries associated with said one or more information categories of said classification scheme; and
(d) analyzing said user message items and/or said user search queries, including content, authorship and codes associated with such user message items and user search queries;
wherein said predetermined search criterion and said classification scheme are adjusted periodically based on the results of step (d). - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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43. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:
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a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;
a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;
a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;
(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and
wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;
(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and
(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and
(iv) for providing a visual chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;
(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;
(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;
(vii) for processing a contact request from said user of the user query routine interface to contact an author of an electronic message. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:
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a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;
a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;
a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;
(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and
wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;
(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and
(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and
(iv) for providing a visual time chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;
(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;
(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;
(vii) for transmitting a private message from said user of the user query routine interface to an author of an electronic message. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:
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a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;
a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;
a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;
(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and
wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;
(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and
(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and
(iv) for providing a visual chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;
(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;
(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;
wherein any electronic messages associated with a particular author and/or a particular security identified with a favorite status indicator can be retrieved as a set using a single predefined search parameter provided within the user query routine interface. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
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74. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;
(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;
(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;
(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;
(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;
(f) processing a user posting, which user posting contains a user electronic message item that is processed based on one or more of said filter selection items associated with said user posting;
(g) tabulating said filter selection items associated with said user posting to generate statistical information concerning said predefined information categories.
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75. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;
(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;
(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;
(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;
(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;
(f) processing a user posting, which user posting contains a user electronic message item that is processed based on one or more of said filter selection items associated with said user posting;
(g) tabulating said filter selection items associated with said user posting to generate statistical information concerning said predefined information categories;
(h) processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command results in said statistical information being transmitted and perceived within said interface by said user.
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76. A method of managing message items on an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) classifying first message items using a first set of predefined information categories, which first set of predefined information categories are searchable by users accessing the message board system;
(b) configuring a user interface for said users when any of such users access the message board system such that said first set of predefined information categories are set up as a first set of filter selection items within said interface;
(d) further configuring, on a user by user basis, said user interface to include a second set of filter selection items within said interface based on preferences of said user;
(e) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said first and/or second sets of filter selection items;
(f) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;
(g) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user;
wherein said second set of filter selection items are associated with a customized set of categories selected by said user based on particular information items requested by said user, and which second set of filter items do not include any of said first set of filter items such that said user can locate second message items using a second set of predefined information categories, which second message items are separate from said first message items.
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Specification