System, method and apparatus for selecting, displaying, managing, tracking and transferring access to content of web pages and other sources

• US 7,216,290 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Amplify LLC (Salesforce.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goldstein, Eric, Machesky, Ralph E., Babineau, Matthew, Krzanowski, Derek, Thuma, Henri
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIES, LAURIE ANNE
• Application Number:
  US10/254,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20030221167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,686 Days
• Field of Search: 715/530, 715/501.1
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for selecting, displaying, managing, tracking and transferring access to content of Internet web pages and other sources has programming permitting a user to create custom selections of selected image, animation, movie and text content items, and other types of content items from web pages or other sources from the same or different network sources containing multiple content items in an independent, resizable, rescalable browser window; permitting the user to transfer access to the custom selection of content items to a recipient; permitting the user or recipient to navigate quickly to a source of a content item in the custom selection; and permitting the user to define search keywords for performing searches related to content items in a custom selection; and other features. A method of tracking viewing and sharing activities of content items and custom selections of content items by users and recipients is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said browser application is operable to save, on a computer storage device, a definition of said custom browser window displaying said first and second selected content items, said definition including said complete network locations of said first and second content items;

said browser application is operable to retrieve said definition from said computer storage device and to re-create said custom browser window including said first and second content items, said first and second content items being loaded from said complete network locations thereof upon re-creation of said custom browser window;

said computer storage device is a server connected to said first user computing device over a computer network;

said definition is assigned a unique identifier;

said browser application is operable to retrieve said definition from said server over said computer network using said unique identifier;

said system includes a second user computing device connected to said server over said computer network;

said server or said first user computing device is operable to send a hypertext link including said unique identifier to said second user computing device;

said second computing device is operable to receive said hypertext link and is operable to retrieve said definition from said server using said hypertext link;

said system includes means to detect a presence of predetermined software on said second user computing device operable to permit modification and saving of said custom browser window;

if said predetermined software is present on said second user computing device, said server is operable to deliver a first definition defining a first version of said custom browser window to said second computing device;

said first version of said custom browser windows including controls operable to modify said first custom browser window and to save a new definition of said first custom browser window;

if said predetermined software is absent from said second user computing device, said server is operable to deliver a second definition defining a second version of said custom browser window to said second computing device; and

said second version of said custom browser window not including controls to modify said second custom browser window or to save a new definition of said second custom browser window.

2. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said first selected content item is loaded in a first frame of said custom browser window and said second selected content item is loaded in a second frame of said custom browser window;

said first frame of said custom browser window includes a base reference of said first selected content item, and said first frame including said relative network location of said first selected content item;

said second frame of said custom browser window includes a base reference of said second selected content item, and said second frame including said relative network location of said second selected content item;

said first frame includes a frame division icon operable to divide said first frame into first and second sub-frames upon a click action thereon by said user through said pointing device; and

said first sub-frame including a content of said one frame and said second sub-frame being an empty frame.

3. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 2, wherein:

said first frame includes first, second, third and fourth frame division icons and a frame delete icon, said icons being operable upon a click action thereon by said user through said pointing device;

said first frame division icon is operable to locate said empty frame to a right of said first sub-frame;

said second frame division icon is operable to locate said empty frame to a left of said first sub-frame;

said third frame division icon is operable to locate said empty frame above said first sub-frame frame;

said fourth frame division icon is operable to locate said empty frame below said first sub-frame; and

said frame delete icon is operable to delete said first frame.

4. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 3, wherein:

said first, second, third and fourth frame division icons and said frame delete icon appear within said first frame when said pointing device is directed over said first frame and disappear when said pointing is directed outside said first frame.

5. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said custom browser window includes a first source-page-retrieval icon operable to load, in a third browser page, said first source web page.

6. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 5, wherein:

said custom browser window includes a second source-page-retrieval icon operable to load, in a fourth web page, said second source web page.

7. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said custom browser window includes a first home-page-retrieval icon operable to load, in a third browser window, a home page of a second-level domain of said first source web page.

8. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 7, wherein:

said custom browser window includes a second home-page-retrieval icon operable to load, in a fourth browser window, a home page of a second-level domain of said second source web page.

9. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said browser application is operable to analyze said first and second pluralities of displayed content items of said first and second source web pages; and

said browser application is operable to display a list of selectable ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items.

10. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

one of said first plurality of displayed content items is a rich media content item; and

said first selected content item is said rich media content item.

11. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 10, wherein:

said browser application displays a temporary selection icon when said pointing device is directed over said rich media content item in said first browser window; and

said browser application is operable to select said rich media content item upon a click event of said temporary selection icon by said pointing device.

12. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 11, wherein said temporary selection icon is displayed over said rich media content item when said pointing device is directed over said rich media content item.

13. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a third browser window, a third source web page having a third plurality of displayed content items, said third plurality of displayed content items including a section of text;

said browser application is operable for selection of a string of text from said section of text, said string of text being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said third plurality of displayed content items, and said string of text being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device; and

said browser application being operable to display said string of text in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said third plurality of displayed content items.

14. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 13, wherein said browser application is operable to identify said string of text from a click-and-drag operation of said pointing device over said string of text.

15. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 14, wherein said definition includes said string of text.

16. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said browser application is operable to display, in a third browser window, a third source web page having a third plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application is operable to select a group of selected content items from among said third plurality of content items, said group of selected content items being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said third plurality of displayed content items, and said group of selected content items being identified in response to a click-and-drag action of said user through said pointing device;

one content item of said group of selected content items being file-based and being defined in said third source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application is operable to load said group of selected content items in a third frame of said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said third plurality of displayed content items; and

said third frame of said custom browse window including a complete network location of said one content item.

17. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 16, wherein:

said first selected content item is loaded in a first frame of said custom browser window, said second selected content item is loaded in a second frame of said custom browser window, and said group of selected content items is loaded in a third fame of said custom browser window;

said first frame of said custom browser window includes a base reference of said first selected content item, and includes said relative network location of said first selected content item;

said second frame of said custom browser window includes a base reference of said second selected content item, and includes said relative network address of said second selected content item; and

said third frame of said custom browser window includes a base reference of said group of selected content items, and includes said relative network address of said one content item of said group of selected content items.

18. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, comprising:

a first user computing device having a network browser application and a user input pointing device;

said browser application being operable to display, in a first browser window, a first source web page having a first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a first selected content item from among said first plurality of displayed content items, said first selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items, and said first selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said first selected content item being file-based and being defined in said first source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said first selected content item in a custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said first content item and custom browser window including said complete network location of said first selected content item;

said browser application being operable to display, in a second browser window, a second source web page having a second plurality of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable for selection of a second selected content item from among said second plurality of displayed content items, said second selected content item being selectable exclusive of non-selected ones of said second plurality of displayed content items, and said second selected content item being identified in response to input from a user through said pointing device;

said second selected content item being file-based and being defined in said second source web page by a relative network location;

said browser application being operable to load said second selected content item in said custom browser window, exclusive of said non-selected ones of said first and second pluralities of displayed content items;

said browser application being operable to obtain a complete network location of said second content item and said custom browser window including said complete network location of said second selected content item;

said definition includes a plurality of keywords associated with said first and second selected content items, said keywords being selected by said browser application from second-level domains and titles of said first and second source web pages; and

said custom browser window includes a search icon, which search icon is operable to send a search query to a predetermined internet search engine using said keywords; and

said browser application is operable to display, in a third browser window, search results provided by said internet search engine in response to said search query.

19. A system for creating and displaying a custom selection of content items from web pages, as in claim 18, wherein:

said browser application is operable to accept supplemental keywords entered by said user; and

said search query includes said supplemental keywords.