Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the World Wide Web
First Claim
1. A method for assigning a user ID on a web server, the method comprising:
- establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;
obtaining user identity information from the user;
receiving a communication from the web server, the communication indicating validity of the user identification information and assigning a user ID to the user; and
enabling the user to utilize the web server if the user identity information is valid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network and a database are used to provide a hardware-independent, dynamic information system with information content user-controlled. Requests are received from individual users of the computer network to electronically publish information, and input is accepted from the individual users. Entries from the users containing the information to be electronically published are automatically collected, classified and stored in the database in searchable and retrievable form. Entries are made freely accessible on the computer network. In response to user requests, the database is searched and entries are retrieved. Entries are served to users in a hardware-independent page description language. The entries are password protected, allowing users to retrieve and update entries by supplying a correct password. Preferably, the process is entirely automated with any necessary billing being performed by secure, on-line credit card processing. The user making a database entry has complete control of that entry both at the time the entry is made and in the future after the entry has been made. The entry, when served to a client, is transformed on-the-fly to the page description language. Where the page description language is HTML and the computer network is the World Wide Web, the entry may function as a “mini” homepage for the user that made the entry. Provision is made for graphics and other kinds of content besides text, taking advantage of the content-rich nature of the Web.
113 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for assigning a user ID on a web server, the method comprising:
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establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;
obtaining user identity information from the user;
receiving a communication from the web server, the communication indicating validity of the user identification information and assigning a user ID to the user; and
enabling the user to utilize the web server if the user identity information is valid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for enabling a user to customize an interface on a web server, the method comprising:
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establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;
querying the user to determine whether a user ID is valid;
receiving a communication from the web server, the communication indicating validity of the user ID; and
enabling the user to customize an interface on the web server. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for storing user preferences, the method comprising:
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establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;
querying the web server to determine whether a user'"'"'s ID is valid;
receiving a response from the web server, the response indicating validity of the user'"'"'s ID; and
storing user preferences on the web server if the user ID is valid. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification