System and method of a web browser with integrated features and controls

• US 20030222902A1
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Earthlink LLC (EarthLink Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: EarthLink Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, David, Jarol, Scott, Chupin, Fabrice, Redkey, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,222,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/95 Retrieval from the web
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment

Abstract

A web browser for Internet access distinguishes between client users and supervisory users. Supervisory users are authorized to create and/or modify local content access settings to Internet resources that are stored in a local data structure and/or a remote data structure. Client users are prevented from accessing these local content access settings. When a client user logs on, the all-in-one environment retrieves the local content access settings and connects to a predetermined remote site to retrieve additional content access control information. Modules embedded within the all-in-one environment coordinate local and remote control access settings to provide regulation, in the form of control and/or screening of the Internet resources, of the content that the client user can access. The amount of regulation afforded is readily modified through the setting of local content access settings by a local supervisor and by the selection of the remote site(s) contacted for additional content access control information. The all-in-one environment also encompasses one or more interactive agents to assist and/or entertain client users during Internet access. In some embodiments of the present invention, the all-in-one web browser is rendered to have a three-dimensional look and feel and provide unique features to enhance the web browsing experience.

Claims

1. A system for accessing and viewing information on the internet comprising:

a web browser; and

an animated agent programmed to interact with features of said browser.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said animated agent'"'"'s interaction comprises displaying words in a textual manner while essentially simultaneously speaking the displayed words.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein displaying words in a textal manner comprises displaying words within a cartoon balloon.

4. The system of claim 1 comprising programming to send and receive electronic mail wherein said animated agent interacts with said electronic mail programming.

5. The system of claim 1 comprising programming to access and communicate with chat rooms wherein said animated agent interacts with said chat room access and communication programming.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising content across control programming.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said content access programming comprises access to a local data structure encompassing locally set content across criteria and access to a remote data structure encompassing remotely set content access criteria.

8. An all-in-one web browser for Internet access comprising:

a first module for identifying a client user;

a second module for identifying a supervisory user;

a third module for creating or modifying local content access settings to Internet/Intranet resources and a local data structure for storing said settings, wherein said third module is not accessible for creating modifying local content access settings to said client user;

a fourth module for accessing one or more remote data structures having one or more remote content access controls to Internet resources;

a fifth module fo rcoordinating local control settings retrieved from said local data structure with said one or more remote content access controls, wherein said fifth module controls said client user'"'"'s access to Internet/Intranet resources;

a first interactive agent to provide audible and visual prompts to said supervisory user for creating said local content access settings.

9. The all-in-one environment of claim 8 comprising an environment having a three-dimensional look and feel, wherein said three-dimensional look and feel is enhanced by animation of said first and/or second interactive agent.