Method, system, and storage medium for facilitating web searching and brand recognition capabilities over a computer network

• US 20030208624A1
• Filed: 05/01/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accessify, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: James Grossman
• Inventors: Grossman, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for facilitating website searching and brand recognition capabilities over a computer network. The system comprises a server, a search engine in a communication with the server, and a website marking tool including a user interface executing on the server. The website marking tool provides registration services for qualified websites. The system also comprises a data storage device in communication with the server. The data storage device stores databases of registered website addresses. The website marking tool provides distinctive marking indicia to the registered website addresses for promoting brand recognition and facilitating website searching by distinguishing the registered website addresses from non-registered website addresses displayed at the at least one user system as a result of conducting a web search. The invention also comprises a method and storage medium for implementing the website marking tool.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating website searching and brand recognition capabilities over a computer network, comprising:

a server;

a search engine in communication with said server;

a website marking tool including a user interface executing on said server, said website marking tool providing registration services for qualified websites;

a data storage device in communication with said server, said data storage device storing databases of registered website addresses; and

,

a link to at least one user system;

wherein said website marking tool provides distinctive marking indicia to said registered website addresses, said marking indicia operable for promoting brand recognition and facilitating website searching by distinguishing said registered website addresses from non-registered website addresses displayed at said at least one user system as a result of conducting a web search.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a link to a commercial services provider, wherein said website marking tool provides said commercial services provider with access to said databases of registered website addresses and said user interface, said access to said databases and said user interface occurring via at least one of:

a hypertext transfer protocol link, and

a software download provided via said website marking tool.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said commercial services provider comprises at least one of:

a search engine; and

a

a web browser.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said website marking tool provides said commercial services provider with access to said registration services, said access to said registration services occurring via at least one of:

a hypertext transfer protocol link; and

a software download provided via said website marking tool.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said commercial services provider comprises at least one of:

an Internet service provider;

a commercial portal; and

a domain name registrar.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said website marking tool provides said at least one user system with access to said databases of registered website addresses and said user interface, said access occurring via at least one of:

a hypertext transfer protocol link; and

a software download provided via said website marking tool.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one user system comprises a computer processing device operated by at least one of:

a private individual;

an organization;

a commercial vendor;

a government agency representative;

a consumer advocacy representative;

a website operator; and

a website owner.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said distinctive marking indicia include at least one

a seal;

a color;

a symbol;

embedded data;

biometric data;

a type font;

a type size;

a graphical layout;

graphical data;

audio data;

a product identification;

a product model;

a logo;

a slogan; and

smartcard data.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein content provided to said user system is dependent on the type of said user system.

10. A web site marking tool for facilitating brand recognition capabilities over a computer network, comprising:

at least one database operable for storing registered website addresses;

a

a database of distinctive marking indicia;

a user interface in communication with said at least one database, said user interface

including an application screen or other form operable for receiving registration data from a registrant;

a means for providing distinctive marking indicia to registered web site addresses;

a means for linking each of said registered web site addresses stored in said at least one database with a server, said server comprising a storage facility for a corresponding registrant'"'"'s website; and

a means for cross-linking a first registered website address with a second registered website address.

11. The website marking tool of claim 10, further comprising:

software operable for enabling a registered website entity to post selected distinctive marking indicia on a corresponding website.

12. The website marking tool of claim 11, wherein said software further enables said registered website entity to apply said selected distinctive marking indicia on at least one of said entity'"'"'s:

promotional material;

stationary;

products; and

product packaging.

13. The website marking tool of claim 10, wherein said registration data requested of said registrant via said application screen include:

a description of intellectual property rights relevant to said registrant'"'"'s website;

contact information;

a primary selection comprising a first website name, wherein said registrant indicates a principal website in relation to another website associated with said registrant;

an optional secondary selection comprising a second website name, wherein said registrant indicates a subordinate website in relation to said first website name; and

an optional multiple listing selection wherein said applicant requests registration services for multiple website addresses.

14. The website marking tool of claim 10, wherein said registration data is verified by at least one of:

a human operator associated with an entity executing said website marking tool;

an automated feature of said website marking tool; and

a combination of said human operator and said website marking tool.

15. The website marking tool of claim 10, further comprising:

a means for notifying said registrant of an approval status;

a means for re-verifying said registrant'"'"'s application upon a request from said registrant;

by a

a means for tracking effectiveness of said registered web site addresses based upon for searches performed over time; and

a means for generating reports.

16. The website marking tool of claim 10, wherein said user interface includes a means for customizing presentation of content contained in a registered site, said customizing including:

a time select option operable for designating an amount of time a web page may be displayed; and

a summary option operable for summarizing points of interest determined by said user.

17. The website marking tool of claim 16, wherein the amount of time is defined as short, medium or long.

18. A method for facilitating website searching and brand recognition capabilities over a computer network, comprising:

providing an application to a registrant, said registrant requesting to register at least one website, wherein said application includes requests for data;

upon receiving a completed application from said registrant, implementing a verification process for determining eligibility of said website based upon data provided in said completed application, said verification process including;

ensuring said registrant has authority to register said website;

ensuring said registrant has a proprietary interest in said website; and

her

checking application data for accuracy;

if said application is approved;

entering said application data into a database;

providing distinctive marking indicia to said application data;

notifying said registrant that said application is approved;

tracking website activity occurring at said website; and

providing reports relating to website activities to said registrant; and

if said application is not approved, notifying said registrant and performing at least one of;

conducting a re-verification of said application wherein said application is incomplete and registrant provides missing information; and

providing said registrant with a re-application option wherein said registrant resolves any conflicts responsible for causing disapproval of said application.

19. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for facilitating website searching and brand recognition capabilities over a computer network, said storage medium including instructions for causing a server to implement a method, comprising:

providing an application to a registrant, said registrant requesting to register at least one website, wherein said application includes requests for data;

upon receiving a completed application from said registrant, implementing a verification process for determining eligibility of said website based upon data provided in said completed application, said verification process including;

ensuring said registrant has authority to register said website;

ensuring said registrant has a proprietary interest in said website; and

checking application data for accuracy;

if said application is approved;

entering said application data into a database;

that

providing distinctive marking indicia to said application data;

notifying said registrant that said application is approved;

tracking website activity occurring at said website; and

providing reports relating to website activities to said registrant; and

if said application is not approved, notifying said registrant and performing at least the a one of;

conducting a re-verification of said application wherein said application is incomplete and registrant provides missing information; and

providing said registrant with a re-application option wherein said registrant resolves any conflicts responsible for causing disapproval of said application.