Systems and methods for continuously accumulating research information via a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for accumulating and displaying information items obtained via a computer network, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of selectable expert topics, each expert topic comprising one or more network computer accessible sources of information, the information items distributed on the network at addresses identifiable by resource locator links;
receiving a user search request, a selection of one of the plurality of expert topics, and update schedule information;
storing the user search request, a selection of one of the plurality of expert topics, and update schedule information;
in accordance with the update schedule information, providing the user search request to the information sources in the selected expert topic;
receiving and storing raw search results from the information sources;
processing the raw search results to eliminate dead resource locator links and duplicate items;
storing the processed raw search results as stored search results comprising a plurality of stored search items;
selecting a predetermined subset of the stored search items for communication to the user; and
communicating the predetermined subset of stored search items to the user, the predetermined subset of stored search items including resource locator links selectable by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for accumulating and displaying information items obtained via a computer network. A user having access to the Internet is provided, via a web site, with a plurality of selectable expert topics. Each expert topic comprises one or more network computer accessible sources of information. The user enters a user search request, selects one of the expert topics, and enters update schedule information. The user search request, a selected expert topic, and update schedule information is stored at a server site. In accordance with the update schedule information, the user search request is provided to the information sources in the selected expert topic. Raw search results from the information sources are received, stored, and processed to eliminate dead links and duplicate items. The processed raw search results are stored as search results comprising a plurality of stored search items. A predetermined subset of the stored search items is selected and communicated to the user.
324 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for accumulating and displaying information items obtained via a computer network, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of selectable expert topics, each expert topic comprising one or more network computer accessible sources of information, the information items distributed on the network at addresses identifiable by resource locator links;
receiving a user search request, a selection of one of the plurality of expert topics, and update schedule information;
storing the user search request, a selection of one of the plurality of expert topics, and update schedule information;
in accordance with the update schedule information, providing the user search request to the information sources in the selected expert topic;
receiving and storing raw search results from the information sources;
processing the raw search results to eliminate dead resource locator links and duplicate items;
storing the processed raw search results as stored search results comprising a plurality of stored search items;
selecting a predetermined subset of the stored search items for communication to the user; and
communicating the predetermined subset of stored search items to the user, the predetermined subset of stored search items including resource locator links selectable by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for accumulating information items via computer system connection for networked communications, comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of information sources into one or more expert topics;
searching for information from sources in accordance with prestored source ranking information;
displaying information retrieved from an information source with a high quality indicator prior to information retrieved from an information source with a lower quality indicator;
re-ranking the information sources within a selected expert topic based on a predetermined quality indicator; and
identifying potential new information sources off-line for arrangement into the one or more expert topics.
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15. A method for research to obtain a plurality of information items via a networked computer system, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of information sources in one or more expert topic categories, the information sources the information items distributed on the network at addresses identifiable by resource locator links;
in response to user input of a search request, applying the search request to one or more of the plurality of information sources;
receiving and storing a first set of search result items received from the one or more information sources;
processing a first set of search result items to eliminate dead resource locator links and thereby obtain a second set of search result items;
presenting a third set comprising a selected subset of the second set of search results to the user; and
receiving user input as to hiding selected items in the third set to a user list of selected viewed items, the third set including resource locator links selectable by the user.- View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification