METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR IMPLEMENTING COLLABORATIVE BOOKMARKS AND SYNCHRONIZED BOOKMARK LISTS

• US 20030009521A1
• Filed: 04/19/1999
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: CRAGUN, BRIAN JOHN
• Granted Patent: US 6,557,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9562 Bookmark management

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmark lists. A bookmark list is created. User selected changes are identified and the bookmark list is updated. A bookmark list is received by a user. The received bookmark list and changed elements of the bookmark list can be automatically stored. A server can be used to maintain the collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmark lists. Alternatively, embedded update records can be created in e-mail and bookmark lists are synchronized by sending e-mail messages to each participant. Proposed changes are distributed to the participants for the bookmarks list. Nominated changes and approved changes are identified. Opinions of the participants are recorded, tallied and displayed. The bookmark list can be updated responsive to group approval.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks comprising the steps of:

receiving a bookmark list; and

storing said received bookmark list.

2. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a bookmark list includes the step of receiving an element of said bookmark list.

3. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 2 includes the steps of creating said element of said bookmark list utilizing a separate computer system and sending said created element of said bookmark list to each participant for said bookmark list.

4. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 1 includes the step of creating said bookmark list utilizing a separate computer system.

5. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 4 includes the steps of sending said created bookmark to each participant for said bookmark list.

6. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 5 includes the steps of creating an embedded record in e-mail and sending said e-mail to each said participant for said bookmark list.

7. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks comprising the steps of:

creating a bookmark list;

identifying user selected changes; and

updating said bookmark list.

8. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 7 wherein the step of creating a bookmark list includes the steps of displaying and editing list properties responsive to user selections.

9. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 8 wherein the step of displaying and editing list properties responsive to user selections includes the steps of identifying and displaying a status of nominated or approved, a folder and a link.

10. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 9 includes the steps of identifying and displaying a nominator, an opinion vote, and an approver.

11. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 7 wherein the step of identifying user selected changes includes the steps of receiving a nominate selection, creating a nominate link record, and sending said created record to each participant for said bookmark list.

12. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 11 includes the steps of sending said created record to a server.

13. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 11 includes the steps of creating an embedded record in e-mail and sending said e-mail to each said participant for said bookmark list.

14. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 7 wherein the step of identifying user selected changes includes the steps of receiving an approval selection, creating an approval link record.

15. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 7 wherein the step of identifying user selected changes includes the steps of receiving an opinion selection, creating an opinion link record.

16. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 7 includes the steps of identifying an elapsed time or an update time, adding updates to an update list and performing a handle update list routine.

17. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of performing said handle update list routine includes the steps of identifying a show changes user selection and obtaining all change records and displaying a change list.

18. A computer-implemented method for implementing collaborative bookmarks as recited in claim 17 includes the steps of identifying a show moves user selection and obtaining all move records and displaying a moves list.

20. Apparatus for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 19 wherein said stored collaborative bookmark list record includes user selected updates.

21. Apparatus for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 19 wherein said bookmark record of said stored collaborative bookmark list record includes a status indication, said status indication including nominated and approved.

22. Apparatus for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 19 includes a stored participant record and approval record.

23. Apparatus for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 19 includes a stored participant record and opinion record.

25. A computer program product for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 24 wherein said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program updating said bookmark list includes sending updated records to each participant for said bookmark list.

26. A computer program product for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 24 wherein said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program receiving user selections includes receiving user nominate selections.

27. A computer program product for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 24 wherein said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program receiving user selections includes receiving user opinion selections.

28. A computer program product for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks as recited in claim 24 wherein said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program receiving user selections includes receiving user approval selections.

19. Apparatus for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks comprising:

a stored collaborative bookmark list record, said stored collaborative bookmark list record including a plurality of participants, at least one bookmark record, and a refresh time, and

a collaborative bookmark and synchronized bookmark management program utilizing said stored collaborative bookmark list record for maintaining a bookmark list.

24. A computer program product for implementing collaborative bookmarks and synchronized bookmarks comprising:

a collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program;

said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program storing a bookmark list;

said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program receiving user selections; and

said collaborative and synchronized bookmark management program updating said bookmark list.