Method and apparatus for providing a sponsoree-sponsor relationship in a directory, including eminent domain rights for the sponsoree
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for selecting and viewing a directory listing over a computer network comprising:
- receiving a search request from a user;
presenting a plurality of directory listings to the user based on the search request wherein each of the listings has a sponsor;
providing a plurality of buttons, wherein each of the buttons is associated with one of the directory listings;
providing the user with an offer to self sponsor the directory listing by actuating one of the buttons to facilitate communications for the user to accept the offer to sponsor a selected listing;
verifying an identifying of the user before allowing the user to self sponsor the selected listing;
obtaining a universal resource location to an active and browseable sponsor web page for the selected listing from the user;
retrieving the active and browseable self sponsor web page associated with the directory listing selected by the user and displaying the directory listing selected by the user concurrently with the active and browseable sponsor web page that was retrieved in a single web page if the directory listing is a self sponsor; and
retrieving the active and browseable sponsor web page from a third party sponsor if the directory listing is not a self sponsor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing sponsorship for a directory comprises permitting a search of the directory. The method further comprising displaying a search result on a page and incorporating a designated web page of a sponsor on the same page as the search result.
45 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for selecting and viewing a directory listing over a computer network comprising:
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receiving a search request from a user; presenting a plurality of directory listings to the user based on the search request wherein each of the listings has a sponsor; providing a plurality of buttons, wherein each of the buttons is associated with one of the directory listings; providing the user with an offer to self sponsor the directory listing by actuating one of the buttons to facilitate communications for the user to accept the offer to sponsor a selected listing; verifying an identifying of the user before allowing the user to self sponsor the selected listing; obtaining a universal resource location to an active and browseable sponsor web page for the selected listing from the user; retrieving the active and browseable self sponsor web page associated with the directory listing selected by the user and displaying the directory listing selected by the user concurrently with the active and browseable sponsor web page that was retrieved in a single web page if the directory listing is a self sponsor; and retrieving the active and browseable sponsor web page from a third party sponsor if the directory listing is not a self sponsor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for selecting and viewing a directory listing over a computer network comprising:
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a processor; a memory for storing information and instructions executed by the processor; means for receiving a search request from a user; means for presenting a plurality of directory listings to the user based on the search request wherein each of the directory listings has a sponsor; means for providing a plurality of buttons, wherein each of the buttons is associated with one of the directory listings; means for providing the user with an offer to self sponsor the directory listing by actuating one of the buttons to facilitate communications for the user to accept the offer to sponsor a selected listing; means for verifying an identifying of the user before allowing the user to self sponsor the selected listing; means for obtaining a universal resource location to an active and browseable sponsor web Page for the selected listing from the user; means for retrieving the active and browseable self sponsor web Page associated with the directory listing selected by the user and displaying the directory listing selected by the user concurrently with the active and browseable sponsor web page that was retrieved in a single web page if the directory listing is a self sponsor; and means for retrieving the active and browseable sponsor web page from a third party sponsor if the directory listing is not a self sponsor.
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29. A data storage medium with computer-executable instructions for selecting and viewing a directory listing over a computer network comprising:
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instructions for receiving a search request from a user; instructions for presenting a plurality of directory listings to the user based on the search request wherein each of the directory listings has a sponsor; instructions for providing a plurality of buttons, wherein each of the buttons is associated with one of the directory listings; instructions for providing the user with an offer to self sponsor the directory listing by actuating one of the buttons to facilitate communications for the user to accept the offer to sponsor a selected listing; instructions for verifying an identifying of the user before allowing the user to self sponsor the selected listing; instructions for obtaining a universal resource location to an active and browseable sponsor web page for the selected listing from the user; instructions for retrieving the active and browseable self sponsor web page associated with the directory listing selected by the user and displaying the directory listing selected by the user concurrently with the active and browseable sponsor web page that was retrieved in a single web page if the directory listing is a self sponsor; and instructions for retrieving the active and browseable sponsor web page from a third party sponsor if the directory listing is not a self sponsor.
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Specification