Providing content to users

• US 8,095,580 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Reddy, Prakash, Rosenberg, Steven T., Bolwell, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M
• Application Number:
  US11/974,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20090100020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/51, 705/10, 725/137, 709/207, 707/736, 707/741, 707/750, 707/999.003, 707/999.005, 707/913, 707/999.107, 704/9, 715/231, 726/26, 713/193
• US Class Current: 707/913
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

A method of providing content to users, with a tool incorporated in a website, includes searching a content database; selecting content from the database; and printing the selected content in book form. A system for providing content includes a content tool; and a service module. The content tool is incorporated in a website and is in communication with the service module. The content tool and service module allow visitors to the website to search, select and customize content located in a database accessible to the service module. The content tool and service module allow the visitors to order a copy of the content.

Claims

1. A system for providing content, said system comprising:

a service module implemented by at least one processor and managed by a content provider, said service module being in communication with a content tool provided by said content provider and embedded in a third-party website that is independent from said service module and said content provider;

wherein said service module allows a visitor to said third-party website to search, select and customize content located in a database accessible to said service module through said embedded content tool; and

wherein said service module allows said visitor to order a copy of said content as customized by said visitor through the content tool embedded in the third-party website.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a production module in communication with said service module for producing said copy of said content.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said production module prints said content in book form.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said embedded content tool is configured for incorporation into any website.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein an appearance of said embedded content tool is configurable to match characteristics of said third-party website.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said service module is configured to narrow a search by said visitor through said embedded content tool based on subject matter of said third-party website.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said database comprises a database of electronic copies of books.

8. A method of providing content to users, comprising:

providing an embedded content tool to a third-party website, said content tool providing an interface to a service module independent from said third-party website;

searching a content database with said service module in response to a request from a visitor to said third-party website through said embedded content tool;

receiving in said service module a selection of content in said database from said visitor through said embedded content tool;

allowing said visitor to customize said content using said embedded content tool; and

initiating with said service module printing of said selected content as customized by said visitor on physical media.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein content in said database corresponds to subject matter on said third-party website.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said searching automatically incorporates search parameters based on subject matter of said third-party website.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said initiating of said printing is performed in response to a request from said visitor through said embedded content tool.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein allowing said visitor to customize said selected content comprises annotating said selected content.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein allowing said visitor to customize said selected content comprises reordering said selected content.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein allowing said visitor to customize said selected content comprises uploading from a computer of said user through said embedded content tool additional content that is added to said selected content from said database.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving at least one parameter for said printing from said visitor through said embedded content tool, said parameter selected from the group comprising:

size, binding type and paper quality.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising paying a commission to an operator of said third-party website in response to an order for said printing of said content.

17. The method of claim 8, further comprising shipping said selected content printing in book form to a purchaser.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing an operator of said third-party website to customize said content prior to printing.

19. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing an operator of said third-party website to customize an appearance of said embedded content tool.