System and method for creating and navigating a linear hypermedia resource program

• US 7,478,144 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2007
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hypermedia Navigation LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Texas Technology Ventures, LLP
• Inventors: Stuckman, Bruce Edward, Heinmiller, Wayne Robert, Light, Jordan Howard, Morse, James Richard, Sullivan, Barry James, Bossemeyer, Jr., Robert Wesley, Omanson, Richard, Genin, Kent E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAROT, BHARAT
• Application Number:
  US11/799,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20070208825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 709200-203, 709217-219, 709227-229, 709231-232, 709245-246, 715500-501, 715/513
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/20 Education
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1432 Metric aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02

Abstract

A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Claims

1. A method of creating a linear Web program that includes activation of a forward link indicator that exclusively activates a link to a next program element of a linearly linked sequence of program elements, the method comprising:

selecting a first media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a second media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a third media element of the linear Web program; and

associating a plurality of program elements to the linear linked sequence of program elements, wherein each of the plurality of program elements includes an address of one of a plurality of media elements, and wherein the plurality of media elements include the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

wherein the addresses of the plurality of media elements correspond to a single Website of the World Wide Web.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the linear Web program on a remote information node.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

sending the linear Web program from the remote information node to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first media element, the second media element and the third media element are selected in response to user selections.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining an order for the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

wherein the step of creating the linear Web program includes assigning the first media element, the second media element and the third media element to positions in the linearly linked sequence in accordance with the order.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the order is determined in response to user selections.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the plurality of program elements to the linear linked sequence of program elements includes associating the plurality of program elements by the linear linked sequence for navigation by activation of a backward link indicator that exclusively activates a link to a previous program element of the linearly linked sequence.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the linear Web program satisfies an education purpose.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first media element, the second media element and the third media element comprise separate Web pages of the World Wide Web.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first media element,

the second media element and the third media element are each stored on a remote information node.

11. A method comprising:

selecting a first media element of a linear Web program;

selecting a second media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a third media element of the linear Web program;

creating the linear Web program for navigation by a user by activation of a forward link indicator that exclusively activates a link to a next program element of a linearly linked sequence, by associating a plurality of program elements by the linear linked sequence, wherein each of the plurality of program elements includes an address of one of a plurality of media elements, and wherein the plurality of media elements include the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

storing the linear Web program on a remote information node; and

sending the linear Web program from the remote information node to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein addresses of the plurality of program elements correspond to a single Website of the World Wide Web.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first media element, the second media element and the third media element are selected in response to user selections.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining an order for the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

wherein the step of creating the linear Web program includes assigning the first media element, the second media element and the third media element to positions in the linear Web program in accordance with the order.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the order is determined in response to user selections.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of creating the linear Web program includes associating the plurality of program elements by the linear linked sequence for navigation by a user by activation of a backward link indicator that exclusively activates a link to a previous program element of the linearly linked sequence.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the linear Web program satisfies an education purpose.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the first media element, the second media element and the third media element comprise separate Web pages of the World Wide Web.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the first media element, the second media element and the third media element are each stored on the remote information node.

20. A method of creating a linear program of audio elements, the method comprising:

receiving a search request from a user;

selecting a first audio element in response to the search request;

selecting a second audio element in response to the search request;

selecting a third audio element in response to the search request;

associating the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element in a linearly linked fashion to produce the linear program of audio elements;

displaying a plurality of indicators, each of the plurality of indicators representing a corresponding one of the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element; and

in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of indicators, selecting the corresponding one of, the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element;

wherein the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element are stored on an information node of the World Wide Web.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

displaying a forward link indicator that selects a next program element of a linear program of audio elements.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

displaying a backward link indicator that selects a previous program element of a linear program of audio elements.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

displaying the linear program of audio elements to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the indicator includes at least one of:

text, icons and graphical depictions.

25. A method of creating a linear program of audio elements, the method comprising:

receiving a search request from a user;

selecting a first audio element in response to the search request;

selecting a second audio element in response to the search request;

selecting a third audio element in response to the search request;

associating the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element in a linearly linked fashion to produce the linear program of audio elements;

displaying a forward link indicator that selects a next program element of a linear program of audio elements; and

displaying a backward link indicator that selects a previous program element of a linear program of audio elements;

wherein the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element are stored on an information node of the World Wide Web.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

displaying a plurality of indicators, each of the plurality of indicators representing a corresponding one of the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of indicators, highlighting and selecting the corresponding one of, the first audio element, the second audio element and the third audio element.

28. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

sending the linear program of audio elements to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet.

29. A method comprising:

selecting a first media element of a linear Web program;

selecting a second media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a third media element of the linear Web program;

creating the linear Web program for navigation by a user by associating a plurality of program elements by a linear linked sequence, wherein each of the plurality of program elements includes an address of one of a plurality of media elements, and wherein the plurality of media elements include the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

storing the linear Web program on a remote information node;

sending the linear Web program from the remote information node to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet;

displaying an indicator, when selected in response to the action of a user, that skips one of the plurality of program elements.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein addresses of the plurality of program elements correspond to a single Website of the World Wide Web.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein displaying an indicator includes displaying a skip next button.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein displaying an indicator includes:

displaying a plurality of indicators, each of the plurality of indicators representing a corresponding one of the first media element, the second media element and the third media element.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising:

in response to a user selection of one of the plurality of indicators, highlighting and selecting the corresponding one of, the first media element, the second media element and the third media element.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the first media element, the second media element and the third media element are each stored on the remote information node.

35. A method comprising:

selecting a first media element of a linear Web program;

selecting a second media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a third media element of the linear Web program; and

creating the linear Web program for navigation by a user by associating a plurality of program elements by a linear linked sequence, wherein each of the plurality of program elements includes an address of one of a plurality of media elements, and wherein the plurality of media elements include the first media element, the second media element and the third media element;

wherein at least one of, the first media element, the second media element and the third media elements, includes tactile data.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the tactile data is convertible to tactile information in a user interface device.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

storing the linear Web program on a remote information node; and

sending the linear Web program from the remote information node to a subscriber station at a user location over the Internet.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein the subscriber station is capable of presenting tactile information.

39. A method for searching for video media elements and presenting information regarding a plurality of found video media elements to a subscriber station, the method comprising:

receiving a search request from the subscriber station to perform a video media element search, the search request including at least one search term and an indication to search for video media elements;

searching for video media elements based upon the search request to produce the information regarding the plurality of found video media elements;

creating a file for use by the subscriber station to create a user interface that includes the information regarding the plurality of found video media elements; and

transmitting the file to the subscriber station.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the user interface includes:

a viewing area in which at least one image of the plurality of found video media elements is presented; and

a map area in which information regarding some of the plurality of found video media elements is presented.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein at least some of the plurality of video media elements comprise JPEG images.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein at least some of the plurality of video media elements comprise MPEG images.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the file further includes at least one found video media element

44. A method for performing a search for media elements and for providing the media elements to a subscriber station, the method comprising:

receiving a search request from the subscriber station to perform a search for media elements, the search request including at least one search term;

searching for media elements based upon the search request to produce a plurality of found media elements;

selecting, from the plurality of found media elements, a first media element;

selecting, from the plurality of found media elements, a plurality of second media elements;

creating a file for use by the subscriber station to create a user interface that includes;

a viewing area in which the first media element is presented; and

a map area in which information regarding the plurality of second media elements is presented; and

transmitting the file to the subscriber station.

45. The method of claim 44,

receiving a map area selection request from the subscriber station, the map area selection request corresponding to a second media element;

selecting, from the plurality of found media elements, a plurality of third media elements;

creating another file for use by the subscriber station to create another user interface that includes;

a viewing area in which the second video media element is presented;

a map area in which information regarding the plurality of third media elements.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the map area of the user interface includes links to the plurality of second media elements.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein at least some of the plurality of media elements reside on differing Web sites.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the information regarding the plurality of second media elements comprise icons representative of corresponding media elements.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the map area and the display area are non-overlapping.

50. A method for creating a linear Web program comprising:

determining an experience level regarding a user;

selecting a first media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a second media element of the linear Web program;

selecting a third media element of the linear Web program;

associating a plurality of program elements to a linear linked sequence of program elements, wherein each of the plurality of program elements includes an address of one of a plurality of media elements, and wherein the plurality of media elements include the first media element, the second media element and the third media element; and

establishing a set of navigation commands among the linear linked sequence of program elements based upon the experience level regarding a user.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising activating a forward link indicator that exclusively activates a link to a next program element of the linearly linked sequence of program elements.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein determining an experience level regarding a user comprises:

providing an experience level interface to a creator of the linear Web program;

receiving experience level input from the creator; and

establishing the experience level based upon the experience level input received from the creator.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein the addresses of the plurality of media elements correspond to a single Website of the World Wide Web.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the addresses of the plurality of media elements correspond to a plurality of Websites of the World Wide Web.