Method and system for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user

• US 7,933,893 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Tedesco, Daniel E., Packes, John M., Tulley, Stephen C., Bemer, Kieth, Alderucci, Dean P., Kessman, Marc D., Jorasch, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hocker, John P
• Application Number:
  US11/421,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20070073773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,790 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/100, 707/102, 707/944, 707/717, 707/999.001, 705/10, 705/26
• US Class Current: 707/717
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/134 Distributed indices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/748 Hypervideo linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object in the context of video distribution systems H04N21/858
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9558 Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/986 Document structures and storage, e.g. HTML extensions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/944 Business related

Abstract

A method for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user which includes defining a customized viewpoint for the user. The viewpoint includes a preference for the user that provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource. The method also includes generating a request for content, receiving an electronic file in response to the request, and evaluating the electronic file to recognize a match between at least one portion of the electronic file and the data pattern. Upon recognizing a match, the electronic file is modified to include a link to the computer network resource associated with the matching data pattern, and the modified electronic file is presented to the user. Thus, the link included in the electronic file presented to the user is customized for the user, and different users who retrieve the same content can be provided with links to different computer network resources depending on their respective viewpoints.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

defining, by a device operated by a user, a customized viewpoint for the user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locating, by the user device, the data pattern in a first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generating, by the user device, a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which generating the second data structure comprises;

inserting into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

storing a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

altering the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer to provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint for a predetermined period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from the user to disable the association provided by the preference.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from the user to enable the association provided by the preference.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from the third party to disable the association provided by the preference.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from the third party to enable the association provided by the preference.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the status based on an instruction received from the user; and

receiving an instruction from the third party to override the determined status.

7. The method of claim 1, in which altering the status comprises disabling the preference after the predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising deleting the preference when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the association when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering the status when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the association when the link to the computer network resource has been activated to access the computer network resource a predetermined number of times.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering the status when the link to the computer network resource has been activated to access the computer network resource a predetermined number of times.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an authorization to adjust the status of the association; and

altering the status based upon the authorization.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering the status as a function of time.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an indication of a total number of times the preference has been accessed.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an indication of a number of times the preference has been accessed since the user last activated a link that was generated using that preference.

18. The method of claim 1, in which the balloon window emerges in response to the pointer being placed over the located data pattern.

19. The method of claim 1, in which the balloon window emerges if the located data pattern is clicked on using the pointer.

8. A computer-implemented method comprising:

defining, by a device operated by a user, a customized viewpoint for the user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locating, by the user device, the data pattern in a first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generating, by the user device, a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which generating the second data structure comprises;

inserting into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

storing a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

altering the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint until a predetermined number of hyperlinks are generated using the preference.

20. A computer readable memory storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

define a customized viewpoint for a user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locate the data pattern in the first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generate a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which the instructions for generating the second data structure comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to;

insert into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

store a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

alter the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer to provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint for a predetermined period of time.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to receive an instruction to disable the association provided by the preference.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to receive an instruction to enable the association provided by the preference.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to:

determine the status based on an instruction received from the user; and

receive an instruction from the third party to override the determined status.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 20, in which the instructions for altering the status comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to disable the preference after a predetermined period of time.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to delete the preference when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to disable the preference when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to alter the status when the association has been made a predetermined number of times.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to disable the association when the link to the computer network resource has been activated to access the computer network resource a predetermined number of times.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to alter the status when the link to the computer network resource has been activated to access the computer network resource a predetermined number of times.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to:

receive an authorization to adjust the status of the association; and

alter the status based upon the authorization.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to alter the status as a function of time.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to store an indication of a total number of times the preference has been accessed.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to store an indication of a number of times the preference has been accessed since the user last activated a link that was generated using that preference.

34. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a data storage device coupled to the processor, wherein the data storage device stores Web browser software and stores instructions configured to direct the processor to;

define a customized viewpoint for a user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locate the data pattern in the first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generate a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which the instructions for generating the second data structure comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to;

insert into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

store a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

alter the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer to provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint for a predetermined period of time.

35. A computer-implemented method of brokering modifications to a preference database, the method comprising:

receiving, by a device operated by a user, a first competitive bid from a first on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the first on-line merchant with a pattern of user-viewable text for a Web site;

receiving, by the user device, a second competitive bid from a second on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the second on-line merchant with the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site;

accepting, by the user device, one of the first competitive bid and the second competitive bid;

defining, by the user device, a preference that associates the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site with the respective on-line merchant corresponding to the accepted competitive bid;

updating, by the user device, a preference database based on the defined preference;

receiving, by the user device, a request from the user to retrieve electronic content of the Web site, in which the electronic content comprises a user-viewable portion;

determining, by the user device, that a portion of the user-viewable portion matches the pattern of user-viewable text;

modifying, by the user device, the electronic content to include an HTML hyperlink to a computer network resource that is associated with the respective on-line merchant, in which the HTML hyperlink is included substantially at the location of the matched portion of the user-viewable text portion; and

presenting, by the user device, the modified electronic content to the user, such that the hyperlink appears to the user in place of the portion of the user- viewable portion that matches the matched pattern.

36. The method of claim 35, in which the preference database is stored at a computer of the user.

37. The method of claim 35, in which the preference database is stored at a computer of the Web site.

38. The method of claim 35, in which the preference database is stored at a computer of an internet service provider.

39. The method of claim 35, in which the Web site is a portal Web site.

40. The method of claim 35, in which the electronic content comprises search results.

41. The method of claim 35, in which the electronic content comprises news.

42. The method of claim 35, in which the electronic content comprises email.

43. The method of claim 35, in which the electronic content comprises chat messages.

44. A computer readable memory storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive a first competitive bid from a first on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the first on-line merchant with a pattern of user-viewable text for a Web site;

receive a second competitive bid from a second on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the second on-line merchant with the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site;

accept one of the first competitive bid and the second competitive bid;

define a preference that associates the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site with the respective on-line merchant corresponding to the accepted competitive bid;

update a preference database based on the defined preference;

receive a request from the user to retrieve electronic content of the Web site, in which the electronic content comprises a user-viewable portion;

determine that a portion of the user-viewable portion matches the pattern of user-viewable text;

modify the electronic content to include an HTML hyperlink to a computer network resource that is associated with the respective on-line merchant, in which the HTML hyperlink is included substantially at the location of the matched portion of the user-viewable text portion; and

present the modified electronic content to the user, such that the hyperlink appears to the user in place of the portion of the user-viewable portion that matches the matched pattern.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 44, in which the instructions for updating the preference database comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to store the preference database at a computer of the user.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 44, in which the instructions for updating the preference database comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to store the preference database at a computer of the Web site.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 44, in which the instructions for updating the preference database comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to store the preference database at a computer of an internet service provider.

48. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a data storage device coupled to the processor, wherein the data storage device stores Web browser software and stores instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive a first competitive bid from a first on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the first on-line merchant with a pattern of user-viewable text for a Web site;

receive a second competitive bid from a second on-line merchant to define a preference that associates the second on-line merchant with the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site;

accept one of the first competitive bid and the second competitive bid;

define a preference that associates the pattern of user-viewable text for the Web site with the respective on-line merchant corresponding to the accepted competitive bid;

update a preference database based on the defined preference;

receive a request from the user to retrieve electronic content of the Web site, in which the electronic content comprises a user-viewable portion;

determine that a portion of the user-viewable portion matches the pattern of user-viewable text;

modify the electronic content to include an HTML hyperlink to a computer network resource that is associated with the respective on-line merchant, in which the HTML hyperlink is included substantially at the location of the matched portion of the user-viewable text portion; and

present the modified electronic content to the user, such that the hyperlink appears to the user in place of the portion of the user-viewable portion that matches the matched pattern.

49. A computer readable memory storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

define a customized viewpoint for a user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locate the data pattern in a first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generate a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which a generating of the second data structure comprises;

inserting into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

storing a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

alter the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint until a predetermined number of hyperlinks are generated using the preference.

50. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a data storage device coupled to the processor, wherein the data storage device stores Web browser software and stores instructions configured to direct the processor to;

define a customized viewpoint for a user that includes a preference for the user, wherein the preference provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network resource, in which the data pattern defines an arrangement of user-viewable text;

locate the data pattern in a first data structure by determining that the arrangement of user-viewable text matches a portion of text in the first data structure;

generate a second data structure including a link indicating the computer network resource associated with the located data pattern, in which a generating of the second data structure comprises;

inserting into the first data structure a hyperlink associated with a URL of the computer network resource, such that an indication of the hyperlink is included in a balloon window that emerges while a pointer is placed over the located data pattern; and

storing a status indicating whether the association provided by the preference is enabled; and

alter the status of the association in accordance with an offer, from a third party, accepted by the user, wherein the offer comprises an offer provide the user a benefit having a monetary value in exchange for the user agreeing to include the preference in the customized viewpoint until a predetermined number of hyperlinks are generated using the preference.