Digital ID for selecting web browser and use preferences of a user during use of a web application

• US 6,826,592 B1
• Filed: 08/24/1999
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack A. Turpin, RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: LV Partners LP (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Philyaw, Jeffry Jovan, Mathews, David Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): KANG, PAUL H
• Application Number:
  US09/382,420
• Time in Patent Office: 1,925 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 709/206, 709/228, 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/217, 709/229, 709/246, 713/1, 715/522
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/337 Profile generation, learning or modification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9566 URL specific, e.g. using aliases, detecting broken or misspelled links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/301 Name conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/45 Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4552 Lookup mechanisms between a plurality of directories; Synchronisation of directories, e.g. metadirectories
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A browser configuration architecture where input of a unique user ID automatically configures those browser applications preselected for auto-configuration from entries of a user preferences sheet. The user preferences sheet (2500) is part of the browser control software (2502) used for storing user preferences associated with one or more browser applications (2506, 2508, and 2510) loaded on a computer of the user. Upon completing the entry of preference information into the user preferences sheet (2500), the browser control software generates a unique user ID (2504) which is used to automatically configure the desired browser application according to the user preferences entered into the user preference sheet (2500). Each user of the browser control program (2502) of a computer is issued a unique user ID (2504) from which the respective user can auto-configure the desired browser application.

Claims

1. A method of configuring one or more browser software applications on a user computer for defining how a user interfaces with the one or more browser applications, comprising the steps of:

loading a browser configuration program on the computer of the user wherein the computer of the user has one or more browser software applications stored thereon;

entering by a user preferences into a browser preferences sheet of the browser configuration program specific to select ones of the one or more browser applications;

generating a user ID unique to the user from the browser configuration program in response to the user completing the preferences sheet and as a result thereof, which unique user ID creates an association between the completed preferences sheet, the select ones of the one or more of the browser software applications and the user; and

launching one of the one or more browser software applications on the user computer;

prompting the user or the unique user ID,

wherein subsequent input of the unique user ID, into the browser configuration program in response to the prompt on the user computer by the user automatically configures the selected one of the one or more browser software applications according to the respective user preferences for the launched one of the one or more browser software applications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a bar code is generated for the user along with the user ID, the bar code associated uniquely with the user ID and the respective user preferences.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user ID is unique to the user, and each user of the browser configuration program of the computer is issued a unique user ID.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is connected to a network having disposed thereon a central preferences server, which central preferences server provides registration services and storage of the browser preferences sheet.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the central preferences server issues the user ID and a unique bar code having the user ID thereon in response to the user transmitting the browser preferences sheet to the central preferences server.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the user inputs the user ID to a second browser configuration program which is located on a second computer disposed on the network, wherein the second browser configuration program accesses the central preferences server to obtain the user preferences sheet associated with the user ID, to configure the one or more browser applications located on the second computer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the browser preferences sheet accommodates preferences for the one or more browser applications, which browser applications are different from each other.