System and method for managing an online message board
First Claim
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1. A message management system for use with an online electronic message board, said system comprising:
- a first routine executing on a computer associated with the system for sorting electronic messages and storing them in a plurality of groups such that they are reviewable by users within a web browser as individual sets of electronic messages identified under separate group names;
a second routine also executing on a computer associated with the system, said second routine being configured;
(i) for receiving a user query; and
(ii) for locating electronic messages in response to said user query; and
(iii) for transmitting at least a list of such electronic messages to a user in response to said query; and
wherein said second routine is further configured to display listings of messages in a first portion of a user query interface based on a group of filter buttons provided within a second portion of said user query interface, such that a first listing of a first set of messages for a first group can be provided within said user query interface in response to a first user operation selecting a first group name filter button, and a second listing of a second set of messages for a second group can be provided within said user query interface in response to a second user operation selecting a second group name filter button;
said user query interface being further controlled so that said group filter buttons, including said group name filter button and said second group name filter button, are both visible in said second portion of said user query during both said first user operation and said second operation to facilitate review of messages by a user.
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Abstract
A database management system employs a number of community and customized software search robots. The robots interact with subscribers to access, retrieve and post content according to content groupings and classifications that reflect the collective shared interests, desires, etc. of such subscribers. A user query interface is also adapted to facilitate searching and review of the content through predefined and customized filtering parameters.
274 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A message management system for use with an online electronic message board, said system comprising:
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a first routine executing on a computer associated with the system for sorting electronic messages and storing them in a plurality of groups such that they are reviewable by users within a web browser as individual sets of electronic messages identified under separate group names; a second routine also executing on a computer associated with the system, said second routine being configured; (i) for receiving a user query; and (ii) for locating electronic messages in response to said user query; and (iii) for transmitting at least a list of such electronic messages to a user in response to said query; and wherein said second routine is further configured to display listings of messages in a first portion of a user query interface based on a group of filter buttons provided within a second portion of said user query interface, such that a first listing of a first set of messages for a first group can be provided within said user query interface in response to a first user operation selecting a first group name filter button, and a second listing of a second set of messages for a second group can be provided within said user query interface in response to a second user operation selecting a second group name filter button; said user query interface being further controlled so that said group filter buttons, including said group name filter button and said second group name filter button, are both visible in said second portion of said user query during both said first user operation and said second operation to facilitate review of messages by a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. 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 using a web browser based on individual sets of electronic messages identified under separate group names; (b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system using said web browser such that said separate group names are set up as group filter selection items within a first portion of said interface; (c) receiving a first user query received from said user interface for a first group of messages based on a user selecting a corresponding first group filter selection items from said first portion of said interface; (d) locating a first group of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said first user query; (e) transmitting at least a first list of electronic message items from said first group of electronic messages to said user so that such first list can be perceived in a second portion of said interface while said group filter selection items are also simultaneously visible within said interface by said user; (f) changing said electronic messages in said second portion of said interface so that a second list of electronic messages for a different group can be perceived while said group filter selection items remain visible in said first portion of said interface. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing message items on an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) [1] storing first message items using a first set of predefined information categories, which first set of predefined information categories are defined and configured by an operator of the electronic message board; (a) [2] storing second message items using a second set of information categories, which second set of information categories are defined and configured by users of the electronic message board; (b) configuring a user interface used by users for accessing 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 a first portion of said user interface, and said second set of predefined information categories are set up as a second set of filter selection items within said first portion of said user interface; wherein each user of the message board system can set up individual preferences for said first set of filter selection items and said second set of filter selection items within said first portion of said user interface; (c) 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; (d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query; (e) transmitting at least a list of electronic message items to said user, which list is displayed in a second portion of said user interface; wherein both said list and said first set of filter selection items and said second set of filter selection items are visible at the same time within the user interface to facilitate querying operations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification