Method for converting internet messages for publishing

• US 7,421,476 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2003
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric R. Weaver
• Original Assignee: Eric R. Weaver
• Inventors: Weaver, Eric R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Jinsong
• Application Number:
  US10/695,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20040093558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/205, 709/206, 709/227, 707/2, 707/3, 707/7
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method of converting internet messages is provided. A first message database is provided on a first computer which is coupled to the Internet and accessible by users thereof. Internet messages from an Internet discussion forum such as a standard e-mail users group, message forum or newsgroup database can be transferred from the first database to a more specialized forum in a second database on a second computer, also coupled to the Internet, utilizing a protocol provided on the second computer. The messages can be edited and revised for further discussion and eventual publishing as a book, web page or other known publishing format.

Claims

1. A method for converting Internet messages for publishing, the steps of the method comprising:

a) providing at least one computer coupled to the Internet;

b) providing a first message database on the at least one computer;

c) posting a message on the first message database for access by users of the Internet;

d) permitting the users of the Internet to respond to the first message by posting subsequent messages to the first message database on the at least one computer;

e) providing a second message database on the at least one computer;

f) providing a protocol for interfacing the first and second databases;

g) establishing a set of rules for the protocol which permits the users of the Internet to retrieve specific messages from the first database;

h) importing the retrieved specific messages from the first database to the second database by utilizing the interfacing protocol;

i) editing the retrieved messages in the second database in a predefined structure;

j) outputting the predefined edited retrieved messages in a published format;

k) establishing a hierarchy for the second database thereby permitting a single user to act as a moderator for controlling the steps of importing retrieved messages, editing retrieved messages and outputting the predefined edited retrieved messages; and

l) permitting the moderator to give access to the steps of importing retrieved messages, editing retrieved messages and outputting the predefined edited retrieved messages to a user of the Internet at the discretion of the moderator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message database is an Internet discussion format selected from the group consisting of an email user group, a message forum and a newsgroup.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of editing the retrieved messages in the second database permits adding and deleting data to the retrieved messages.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing a membership for the second database for all users of the Internet, the membership controlled by the moderator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the membership permits users of the Internet having access to the second database to communicate with one another.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein membership communication permits the users to view and respond to all messages posted in the second database.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of permitting the moderator to block messages posted to the second database by the users of the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a display menu accessible by the moderator for defining the rules of the protocol.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a virtual trash can for retaining deleted data, the virtual trash can located on the at least one computer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of retrieving deleted data located in the virtual trash can.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of a) interfacing the second database with a publisher;

and b) transferring the predefined edited retrieved messages to the publisher.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first database is located on a first computer and the second database is located on a second computer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the protocol for interfacing the first and second databases is located on the second computer.