Internet based resource retrieval system
First Claim
1. A method for providing a plurality of digital replicas of physical region-based publications to a user system, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing, for each physical region-based publication, document information from which a digital replica of at least a portion of the physical region-based publication can be provided;
storing a region identifier for each document information corresponding to the region in which the physical region-based publication is targeted;
receiving a region input indicative of a location of interest from the user system;
utilizing the region input and the plurality of region identifiers to retrieve the document information for at least two physical region-based publications;
transmitting to the user system at least a portion of the document information indicative of the at least two physical region-based publications associated with the location of interest;
receiving from the user system a selection of at least one of the at least two physical region-based publications; and
transmitting at least a portion of the document information to the user system so as to allow a user of the user system to perceive the selected physical region-based publication in an electronic format that substantially corresponds to the format found in the physical region-based publication as it was physically published.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A resource retrieval system comprises a server having a searchable database wherein users can readily access region-based publications similar to, but not necessarily limited to, printed telephone directories. The resource retrieval system communicates with at least one user system, preferably via the Internet. In one embodiment, the server is accessed by the user system via an icon, which initiates an interactive interface wherein the user can “point and click” to a geographic area so as to further narrow the searchable field until arriving at a “virtual phone book,” or an electronic replica of an actual or physical telephone directory for a desired geographic region. Preferably, the replicated telephone directory is displayed in a manner so as to digitally or electronically replicate the traditional format of the physical telephone directory. Further, the replicated telephone directory can be further searched or accessed in a relative manner common with the use of the physical telephone directory while allowing for additional capabilities currently not found or available in print directories. In one embodiment, the present invention also includes interactive features which the user can utilize to access Internet addresses (e.g., webpage addresses) and/or telephone numbers provided within the content of the printed telephone directory.
42 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for providing a plurality of digital replicas of physical region-based publications to a user system, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing, for each physical region-based publication, document information from which a digital replica of at least a portion of the physical region-based publication can be provided; storing a region identifier for each document information corresponding to the region in which the physical region-based publication is targeted; receiving a region input indicative of a location of interest from the user system; utilizing the region input and the plurality of region identifiers to retrieve the document information for at least two physical region-based publications; transmitting to the user system at least a portion of the document information indicative of the at least two physical region-based publications associated with the location of interest; receiving from the user system a selection of at least one of the at least two physical region-based publications; and transmitting at least a portion of the document information to the user system so as to allow a user of the user system to perceive the selected physical region-based publication in an electronic format that substantially corresponds to the format found in the physical region-based publication as it was physically published. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification