Hyperlink with graphical cue

• US 8,682,961 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Boadin Technology LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Arav, Gal
• Primary Examiner(s): SMARTH, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US12/334,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20090193349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,929 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A computer program provides a first set of representations (e.g., textual representations) of a first set of hyperlinks. In response to selection by a user of one of the first set of hyperlink representations (such as by clicking on or hovering a cursor over the representation), the program displays a second set of representations (e.g., graphical representations) of a second set of hyperlinks. The user may select one of the second set of representations, in response to which the program navigates to the destination of the hyperlink. The second set of representations may, for example, be logos of companies, and the second set of hyperlinks may be hyperlinks to the companies'"'"' web sites.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

(A) displaying a first set of representations of a first set of hyperlinks that are each representative of a predetermined category of content in connection with a page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page, where the second set of hyperlinks are each representative of a plurality of subcategories of content associated with the predetermined category and are displayed below a corresponding one of the first set of representations in a menu format;

(B) receiving first input from a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of hyperlink representations;

(C) in response to receiving the first input, displaying the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to at least one server;

(D) receiving second input from the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

(E) in response to receiving the second input, causing display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

(F) causing display of a field in connection with the page for conducting a search in connection with at least a portion of the content hosted by the at least one server;

(G) allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text from the user as the user is typing the text utilizing the field;

(H) causing determination whether the characters match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>

1 text strings; and

(I) causing, if it is determined that the characters match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of representations is a set of textual representations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein (B) comprises receiving the first input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the first set of hyperlink representations.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein (B) comprises receiving the first input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the first set of hyperlink representations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of representations is a set of graphical representations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein (D) comprises receiving the second input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein (D) comprises receiving the second input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein (C) comprises displaying the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks substantially immediately after receiving the first input.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the first set of representations.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the second set of representations.

11. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing display of a first set of representations of a first set of hyperlinks that are each representative of a predetermined category of content in connection with a page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page, where the second set of hyperlinks are each representative of a plurality of subcategories of content associated with the predetermined category and are displayed below a corresponding one of the first set of representations in a menu format;

computer code for allowing receipt of a first input from a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of hyperlink representations;

computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to at least one server;

computer code for allowing receipt of a second input from the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

computer code for causing, in response to receiving the second input, display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

computer code for causing display of a field in connection with the page for conducting a search in connection with at least a portion of the content hosted by the at least one server;

computer code for allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text from the user as the user is typing the text utilizing the field;

computer code for causing determination whether the characters match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>

1 text strings; and

computer code for causing, if it is determined that the characters match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the first set of representations is a set of textual representations.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the first set of hyperlink representations.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the first set of hyperlink representations.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second set of representations is a set of graphical representations.

16. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations.

17. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations.

18. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations comprises computer code for causing display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks substantially immediately after receiving the first input.

19. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the first set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the first set of representations.

20. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the second set of representations.

21. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the page is implemented utilizing AJAX technology.

22. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second set of representations are displayed instantaneously.

23. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second set of representations are displayed for allowing the user to scan through links before the-causing the display of the destination content.

24. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the second set of representations includes a set of logos.

25. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations of the first set of hyperlinks is sorted into categories.

26. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is sorted into sub-categories.

27. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is presented in the form of a list of sub-categories.

28. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations of the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first portion of the page, and a content associated with the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second portion of the page.

29. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations of the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first frame of the page, and a content associated with the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second frame of the page.

30. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations of the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a left frame of the page, and a content associated with the first set of hyperlinks is displayed in a right frame of the page.

31. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first portion of the page, and a content associated with the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second portion of the page.

32. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a left frame of the page, and a content associated with the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a right frame of the page.

33. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein computer program product is configured such that the field is displayed on the page.

34. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that each of the plurality of n-tuples includes first text representing a name and second text representing a location corresponding to the name.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the plurality of n-tuples are sorted according to the name thereof independent of whether the received text matches the second text and not the first text.

36. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first text precedes the second text.

37. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising computer code for causing display of a plurality of color-coded message summaries.

38. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples.

39. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising computer code for causing display of a plurality of word-coded message summaries.

40. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising computer code for causing display of a plurality of message summaries sorted by message title.

41. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings of the matching ones of the plurality of n-tuples.

42. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising first preloaded information displayed utilizing a tooltip of variable size that is determined by the user.

43. The computer program product of claim 11, and further comprising computer code for allowing receipt of input from the user selecting one of the plurality of n-tuples;

and using text from the selected one of the plurality of n-tuples to complete input of the text to a system.

44. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the using comprises replacing the characters typed so far by the user with the text from the selected one of the n-tuples.

45. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the using comprises appending text from the selected one of the n-tuples to the characters typed so far by the user.

46. The computer program product of claim 11, and further comprising computer code for causing display of a plurality of message summaries.

47. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the plurality of message summaries comprise first information derived from a first message of a plurality of first messages associated with a first online forum.

48. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the plurality of message summaries comprise second information derived from a second message of a plurality of second messages associated with a second online forum that is different from the first online forum.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that a content is displayed with the plurality of message summaries utilizing the page, and the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed utilizing the page.

50. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the computer program product is configured such that at least one field that is displayed with the message summaries is determined by a user selection.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the at least one field includes at least one of a message title field, a message author field, and a message time submitted field.

52. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that a content is displayed with the plurality of message summaries utilizing the page, and a new message is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the page.

53. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that a content is displayed with the plurality of message summaries utilizing the page, and a new posting is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the page.

54. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that a content is displayed with the plurality of message summaries utilizing the page, and a reply message is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the page.

55. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first online forum includes at least one of a message board and a newsgroup.

56. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed.

57. The computer program product of claim 56, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to control the number of the message summaries that are displayed via a drop-down list.

58. The computer program product of claim 56, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to control the number of the message summaries that are displayed by selecting the number.

59. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to control the manner in which the message summaries are displayed utilizing a message time submitted field.

60. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to select any of the message summaries, such that selecting one of the message summaries causes message content for a different message to be displayed.

61. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed via a single browser window.

62. The computer program product of claim 47, and further comprising computer code for causing preloading and initially hiding first additional information associated with the first message.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, and further comprising computer code for causing display, in response to a first user interaction, the first additional information associated with the first message.

64. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the plurality of message summaries comprise second information derived from a second message of a plurality of second messages associated with a second online forum that is different from the first online forum.

65. The computer program product of claim 64, and further comprising computer code for causing preloading and initially hiding second additional information associated with the second message.

66. The computer program product of claim 65, and further comprising computer code for causing display, in response to a second user interaction, the second additional information associated with the second message.

67. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information each includes additional summary information.

68. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first message includes the first additional information.

69. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information includes more information with respect to the first information.

70. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information includes a date and time.

71. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information includes a beginning of message text.

72. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information is displayed utilizing a tooltip.

73. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information is displayed utilizing a static object.

74. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information is displayed without accessing a server.

75. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by the user.

76. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction includes hovering a cursor.

77. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction includes clicking.

78. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction includes interactions with one of the message summaries.

79. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first online forum is associated with a first website, and the second online forum is associated with a second web site.

80. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information each includes a date and time.

81. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information each includes a beginning of message text.

82. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information are displayed utilizing a tooltip.

83. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information are displayed utilizing a static object.

84. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information are displayed without accessing a server.

85. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first additional information and the second additional information are displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by the user.

86. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes hovering a cursor.

87. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes clicking.

88. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes interactions with one of the message summaries.

89. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first message and the second message are interwoven.

90. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first online forum is associated with an internal message board, and the second online forum is associated with an external message board.

91. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by the user.

92. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by the user, by visiting a web site served by an aggregation server that executes the computer code.

93. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the user is allowed to enter a key term for controlling content of at least one of the first message and the second message.

94. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that revenue is generated utilizing advertisements.

95. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that a subset of text in at least one of the n text strings that matches characters typed so far by the user is visually emphasizing.

96. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations include hyperlinks.

97. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations link between different content.

98. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer program product is configured such that the first set of representations link between different files.

99. A system including a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

means for causing display of a first set of representations of a first set of hyperlinks that are each representative of a predetermined category of content in connection with a page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page, where the second set of hyperlinks are each representative of a plurality of subcategories of content associated with the predetermined category and are displayed below a corresponding one of the first set of representations in a menu format;

means for allowing receipt of a first input from a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of hyperlink representations;

means for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to at least one server;

means for allowing receipt of a second input from the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

means for causing, in response to receiving the second input, display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

means for causing display of a field in connection with the page for conducting a search in connection with at least a portion of the content hosted by the at least one server;

means for allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text from the user as the user is typing the text utilizing the field;

means for causing determination whether the characters match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>

1 text strings; and

means for causing, if it is determined that the characters match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.

100. A system including a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

logic for causing display of a first set of representations of a first set of hyperlinks that are each representative of a predetermined category of content in connection with a page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page, where the second set of hyperlinks are each representative of a plurality of subcategories of content associated with the predetermined category and are displayed below a corresponding one of the first set of representations in a menu format;

logic for allowing receipt of a first input from a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of hyperlink representations;

logic for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are pre-downloaded with the page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to at least one server;

logic for allowing receipt of a second input from the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

logic for causing, in response to receiving the second input, display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of hyperlink representations;

logic for causing display of a field in connection with the page for conducting a search in connection with at least a portion of the content hosted by the at least one server;

logic for allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text from the user as the user is typing the text utilizing the field;

logic for causing determination whether the characters match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>

1 text strings; and

logic for causing, if it is determined that the characters match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.