Content distribution over a network

• US 20070073845A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TMI Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Twintech E.U.
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,111,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/18 Address timing or clocking circuits; Address control signal generation or management, e.g. for row address strobe [RAS] or column address strobe [CAS] signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a transport function to provide and receive identifications of content available over a network and to provide and receive user-selected content over the network.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon that causes a computer system to retrieve user-selected content from a plurality of content providers, each operating independent servers, over a communications network, the computer program logic comprising:

a user interface function that causes the computer system to present an identification of content that is available from the plurality of content providers, and that causes the computer system to receive user-selections regarding the available content;

a transport function that causes the computer system to retrieve the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers.

2. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

an object manifest function that causes the computer system to generate an object manifest for the user selections, including one or more manifest list entries of the user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content;

wherein the transport function causes the computer system to retrieve the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers as identified by the one or more manifest list entries and corresponding source addresses.

3. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to:

present an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receive user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

present the retrieved user-selected content.

4. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to:

present an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receive user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

present the retrieved user-selected content.

5. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

6. The computer program product according to claim 4, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML content, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

7. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to present the retrieved user-selected content with a user interface that is customized to the respective content providers.

8. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to present the retrieved user-selected content with a user interface that is provided by the respective content providers.

9. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to present the retrieved user-selected content.

10. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to present the retrieved user-selected content.

11. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

12. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

13. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

14. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the storage function causes the computer system to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content even after the computer program product is deactivated.

15. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the storage function causes the computer system to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content even after the computer system is shut down.

16. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers.

17. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the computer program product is deactivated.

18. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage function that causes the computer system to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the computer system is shut down.

19. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

20. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

21. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

22. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

23. The computer program product according to claim 20, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

24. The computer program product according to claim 21, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

25. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

26. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

27. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

28. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

29. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

30. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

31. The computer program product according to claim 28, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

32. The computer program product according to claim 29, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

33. The computer program product according to claim 30, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

34. The computer program product according to claim 28, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to retrieve information relevant to setting the schedule from corresponding content providers.

35. The computer program product according to claim 34, wherein the transport function causes the computer system to retrieve schedule information updates from corresponding content providers.

36. The computer program product according to claim 28, wherein:

the user interface function causes the computer system to present the retrieved information regarding availability of updates, and causes the computer system to receive associated user-selections regarding the available updates; and

the transport function causes the computer system to retrieve the user-selected updates.

37. The computer program product according to claim 36, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to:

present an identification of the retrieved user-selected updates;

receive user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected updates; and

present the retrieved user-selected updates.

38. The computer program product according to claim 36, wherein the user interface function causes the computer system to present the information regarding availability of updates using a markup language.

39. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the content providers comprise publishers.

40. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the content providers comprise independent publishers.

41. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the content providers comprise servers.

42. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the content providers comprise independent servers.

43. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the content providers comprises one or more of publishers, independent publishers, servers, and independent servers.

45. The method according to claim 43, further comprises:

generating an object manifest for the user selections, including one or more manifest list entries of the user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content;

wherein said retrieving step retrieves the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers as identified by the one or more manifest list entries and corresponding source addresses.

46. The method according to claim 43, further comprising:

presenting an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receiving user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

presenting the retrieved user-selected content.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

50. The method according to claim 46, further comprising presenting the retrieved user-selected content with a user interface that is customized to the respective content providers.

51. The method according to claim 46, further comprising presenting the retrieved user-selected content with a user interface that is provided by the respective content providers.

53. The method according to claim 45, further comprising presenting the retrieved user-selected content.

55. The method according to claim 45, further comprising:

persistently storing the retrieved user-selected content.

56. The method according to claim 46, further comprising:

persistently storing the retrieved user-selected content.

63. The method according to claim 45, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

64. The method according to claim 46, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

66. The method according to claim 63, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

67. The method according to claim 64, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

69. The method according to claim 45, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving updates of the user-selected content.

70. The method according to claim 46, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving updates of the user-selected content.

72. The method according to claim 45, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

73. The method according to claim 46, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

75. The method according to claim 72, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

76. The method according to claim 73, wherein said repeatedly and automatically retrieving step comprises repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

44. A computer-implemented method for retrieving user-selected content from a plurality of content providers, each operating independent servers, over a communications network, the method comprising:

presenting an identification of content that is available from the plurality of content providers;

receiving user-selections regarding the available content; and

retrieving the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers.

47. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

presenting an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receiving user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

presenting the retrieved user-selected content.

49. The method according to claim 47, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML content, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

52. The method according to claim 44, further comprising presenting the retrieved user-selected content.

54. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

persistently storing the retrieved user-selected content.

57. The method according to claim 54, wherein said persistently storing step comprises persistently storing the retrieved user-selected content even after the computer program product is deactivated.

58. The method according to claim 54, wherein said persistently storing step comprises persistently storing the retrieved user-selected content even after the computer system is shut down.

59. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

persistently storing the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers.

60. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

persistently storing the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the computer program product is deactivated.

61. The method according to claim 44, further comprising:

persistently storing the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the computer system is shut down.

62. The method according to claim 44, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

65. The method according to claim 62, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

68. The method according to claim 44, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving updates of the user-selected content.

71. The method according to claim 44, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

74. The method according to claim 71, further comprising repeatedly and automatically retrieving information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

77. The method according to claim 71, further comprising retrieving information relevant to setting the schedule from corresponding content providers.

78. The method according to claim 77, further comprising retrieving schedule updates from corresponding content providers.

79. The method according to claim 71, further comprising:

presenting the retrieved information regarding availability of updates;

receiving associated user-selections regarding the available updates; and

retrieving the user-selected updates.

80. The method according to claim 79, further comprising:

presenting an identification of the retrieved user-selected updates;

receiving user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected updates; and

presenting the retrieved user-selected updates.

81. The method according to claim 79, wherein said presenting the retrieved information step comprises presenting the information regarding availability of updates using a markup language.

82. The method according to claim 44, wherein the content providers comprise publishers.

83. The method according to claim 44, wherein the content providers comprise independent publishers.

84. The method according to claim 44, wherein the content providers comprise servers.

85. The method according to claim 44, wherein the content providers comprise independent servers.

86. The method according to claim 44, wherein the content providers comprise one or more of publishers, independent publishers, servers, and independent servers.

87. An apparatus for retrieving user-selected content from a plurality of content providers, each operating independent servers, over a communications network, the apparatus comprising:

a user interface configured to present an identification of content that is available from the plurality of content providers and to receive user-selections regarding the available content; and

a transport module configured to retrieve the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers.

88. The apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising:

a processor configured to generate an object manifest for the user selections, including one or more manifest list entries of the user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content;

wherein the transport module retrieves the user-selected content from the plurality of content providers as identified by the one or more manifest list entries and corresponding source addresses.

89. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the user interface:

presents an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receives user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

presents the retrieved user-selected content.

90. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the user interface:

presents an identification of the retrieved user-selected content;

receives user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected content; and

presents the retrieved user-selected content.

91. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

92. The apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the presenting of the retrieved user-selected content comprises one or more of displaying text, displaying HTML content, displaying image content, playing audio content, playing video content, and presenting multimedia content.

93. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the user interface is customized to the respective content providers.

94. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the user interface is provided by the respective content providers.

95. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the user interface presents the retrieved user-selected content.

96. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the user interface presents the retrieved user-selected content.

97. The apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising:

a storage device configured to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

98. The apparatus according to claim 88, further comprising:

a storage device configured to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

99. The apparatus according to claim 89, further comprising:

a storage device configured to persistently store the retrieved user-selected content.

100. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the storage device persistently stores the retrieved user-selected content even after the user interface is closed.

101. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the storage device persistently stores the retrieved user-selected content even after the apparatus is shut down.

102. The apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising:

a storage device configured to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers.

103. The apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising:

a storage device configured to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the user interface is closed.

104. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a storage device configured to persistently store the identification of available content from the plurality of content providers event after the apparatus is shut down.

105. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

106. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

107. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the available content from the plurality of content providers includes multimedia content.

108. The apparatus according to claim 105, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

109. The apparatus according to claim 106, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

110. The apparatus according to claim 107, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more of HTML content, image content, audio content, and video content.

111. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

112. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

113. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve updates of the user-selected content.

114. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

115. The computer program product according to claim 88, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

116. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content.

117. The apparatus according to claim 114, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

118. The apparatus according to claim 115, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

119. The apparatus according to claim 116, wherein the transport module is configured to repeatedly and automatically retrieve information regarding availability of updates to the user-selected content according to a schedule.

120. The apparatus according to claim 114, wherein the transport module is configured to retrieve information relevant to setting the schedule from corresponding content providers.

121. The apparatus according to claim 120, wherein the transport module is configured to retrieve schedule updates from corresponding content providers.

122. The apparatus according to claim 114, wherein:

the user interface is configured to retrieved information regarding availability of updates, and to receive associated user-selections regarding the available updates; and

the transport module is configured to retrieve the user-selected updates.

123. The apparatus according to claim 122, wherein the user interface function:

presents an identification of the retrieved user-selected updates;

receives user-selections associated with the retrieved user-selected updates; and

presents the retrieved user-selected updates.

124. The apparatus according to claim 122, wherein the user interface presents the information regarding availability of updates using a markup language.

125. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the content providers comprise publishers.

126. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the content providers comprise independent publishers.

127. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the content providers comprise servers.

128. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the content providers comprise independent servers.

129. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the content providers comprises one or more of publishers, independent publishers, servers, and independent servers.

130. A computer program comprising a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon that causes a computer server system to aggregate content from a plurality of content providers over a communications network, for distribution to a plurality of users over the communications network, the computer program logic comprising:

a user computer interface function that causes the computer server system to receive users'"'"' selections regarding identified available content groups from identified content providers;

a first transport function that causes the computer server system to retrieve lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups from the identified content providers;

an object manifest function that causes the computer server system to provide identifications of the identified available content groups and the currently available content items; and

a second transport function that causes the computer server system to provide the lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups to the corresponding users;

wherein the first transport function is performed repeatedly by the computer server system to obtain updated lists of the available content items, in order to provide the effect of a subscription to the content groups.

131. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein said first transport function retrieves the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, responsive to the received users'"'"' selections.

132. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein said first transport function retrieves the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, independently of the received users'"'"' selections.

133. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the user computer interface function causes the computer server system to receive requests for access to arbitrary web objects from users.

134. The computer program according to claim 133, wherein the requests for access to arbitrary web objects comprise (Universal Resource Locator) URL addresses.

135. The computer program according to claim 133, wherein the requests for access to arbitrary web objects comprise providing URL addresses for sources of subscription content.

136. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the first transport function causes the computer server system to dynamically retrieve content from the identified content groups in response to users'"'"' requests.

137. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the user computer interface function causes the computer server system to receive users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the computer server system.

138. The computer program according to claim 131, wherein the user computer interface function causes the computer server system to receive users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the computer server system.

139. The computer program according to claim 132, wherein the user computer interface function causes the computer server system to receive users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the computer server system.

140. The computer program according to claim 137, wherein the user-supplied content groups are identified by the users to the computer server system using URL addresses.

141. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the user computer interface function triggers the first transport function to cause the computer server system to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

142. The computer program according to claim 131, wherein the user computer interface function triggers the first transport function to cause the computer server system to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

143. The computer program according to claim 132, wherein the user computer interface function triggers the first transport function to cause the computer server system to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

144. The computer program according to claim 141, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a third transport function that causes the computer server system to provide the retrieved updated lists of currently available content items to corresponding requesting users.

145. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the user computer interface function causes the computer server system to receive an object manifest of the users'"'"' selections, including one or more manifest list entries of user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content.

146. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the second transport function is performed repeatedly and automatically by the computer server system to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users.

147. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the second transport function is performed repeatedly and automatically by the computer server system to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

148. The computer program according to claim 131, wherein the second transport function is performed repeatedly and automatically by the computer server system to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

149. The computer program according to claim 132, wherein the second transport function is performed repeatedly and automatically by the computer server system to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

150. The computer program according to claim 147, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a third transport function that causes the computer server system to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

151. The computer program according to claim 148, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a third transport function that causes the computer server system to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

152. The computer program according to claim 149, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a third transport function that causes the computer server system to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

153. The computer program according to claim 147, wherein the second transport function causes the computer server system to provide schedule updates from the identified content providers to the corresponding users.

154. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprises multimedia content.

155. The computer program according to claim 154, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

156. The computer program according to claim 130, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

157. A computer-implemented method for aggregating content from a plurality of content providers over a communications network, for distribution to a plurality of users over the communications network, the computer program logic comprising:

receiving users'"'"' selections regarding identified available content groups from identified content providers;

retrieving lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups from the identified content providers;

providing identifications of the identified available content groups and the currently available content items; and

providing the lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups to the corresponding users;

wherein said retrieving step is repeatedly performed to obtain updated lists of the available content items, in order to provide the effect of a subscription to the content groups.

158. The method according to claim 157, wherein said retrieving step comprises retrieving the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, responsive to the received users'"'"' selections.

159. The method according to claim 157, wherein said retrieving step comprises retrieving the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, independently of the received users'"'"' selections.

160. The method according to claim 157, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving arbitrary web objects from users.

161. The method according to claim 160, wherein the arbitrary web objects comprise (Universal Resource Locator) URL addresses.

162. The method according to claim 160, wherein the arbitrary web objects comprise (Rich Site Summary) RSS feed URL addresses.

163. The method according to claim 157, wherein said retrieving step comprises dynamically retrieving content from the identified content groups in response to users'"'"' requests.

164. The method according to claim 157, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to a computer server system implementing said method.

165. The method according to claim 158, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to a computer server system implementing said method.

166. The method according to claim 159, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to a computer server system implementing said method.

167. The method according to claim 164, wherein the user-supplied content groups are identified by the users to the computer server system using URL addresses.

168. The method according to claim 157, wherein said receiving step triggers retrieving updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

169. The method according to claim 158, wherein said receiving step triggers retrieving updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

170. The method according to claim 159, wherein said receiving step triggers retrieving updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface function.

171. The method according to claim 168, further comprising:

providing the retrieved updated lists of currently available content items to corresponding requesting users.

172. The method according to claim 157, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving an object manifest of the users'"'"' selections, including one or more manifest list entries of user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content.

173. The method according to claim 157, wherein said step of providing the lists is performed repeatedly and automatically to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

174. The method according to claim 158, wherein said step of providing the lists is performed repeatedly and automatically to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

175. The method according to claim 159, wherein said step of providing the lists is performed repeatedly and automatically to provide the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

176. The method according to claim 173, further comprising:

providing information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

177. The method according to claim 174, further comprising:

providing information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

178. The method according to claim 175, further comprising:

providing information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

179. The method according to claim 173, wherein said step of providing the lists further comprises providing schedule updates from the identified content providers to the corresponding users.

180. The method according to claim 157, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprises multimedia content.

181. The method according to claim 180, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

182. The method according to claim 157, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

183. An apparatus for aggregating content from a plurality of content providers over a communications network, for distribution to a plurality of users over the communications network, the apparatus comprising:

a user computer interface configured to receive users'"'"' selections regarding identified available content groups from identified content providers;

a first transport module configured to retrieve lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups from the identified content providers;

a processor configured to provide identifications of the identified available content groups and the currently available content items; and

a second transport module configured to provide the lists of currently available content items from within the identified available content groups to the corresponding users;

wherein the first transport module repeatedly retrieves updated lists of the available content items, in order to provide to the users the effect of a subscription to the content groups.

184. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said first transport module retrieves the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, responsive to the received users'"'"' selections.

185. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said first transport module retrieves the lists of currently available content items from within the identified content groups from the identified content providers, independently of the received users'"'"' selections.

186. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the user computer interface receives arbitrary web objects from users.

187. The apparatus according to claim 186, wherein the arbitrary web objects comprise (Universal Resource Locator) URL addresses.

188. The apparatus according to claim 186, wherein the arbitrary web objects comprise (Rich Site Summary) RSS feed URL addresses.

189. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the first transport module dynamically retrieves content from the identified content groups in response to users'"'"' requests.

190. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the user computer interface receives users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the apparatus.

191. The apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the user computer interface receives users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the apparatus.

192. The apparatus according to claim 185, wherein the user computer interface receives users'"'"' selections regarding user-supplied content groups, wherein the user-supplied content groups are previously unknown to the apparatus.

193. The apparatus according to claim 190, wherein the user-supplied content groups are identified by the users to the apparatus using URL addresses.

194. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the user computer interface triggers the first transport module to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface.

195. The apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the user computer interface triggers the first transport module to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface.

196. The apparatus according to claim 185, wherein the user computer interface triggers the first transport module to retrieve updated lists of currently available content items from the identified content groups, in response to update user requests received by the user computer interface.

197. The apparatus according to claim 194, further comprising:

a third transport module configured to provide the retrieved updated lists of currently available content items to corresponding requesting users.

198. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the user computer interface receives an object manifest of the users'"'"' selections, including one or more manifest list entries of user-selected content and corresponding source addresses for the user-selected content.

199. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the second transport module repeatedly and automatically provides the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users.

200. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the second transport module repeatedly and automatically provides the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

201. The apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the second transport module repeatedly and automatically provides the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

202. The apparatus according to claim 185, wherein the second transport module repeatedly and automatically provides the lists of currently available content items to the corresponding users according to a schedule.

203. The apparatus according to claim 200, further comprising:

a third transport module configured to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

204. The apparatus according to claim 201, further comprising:

a third transport module configured to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

205. The apparatus according to claim 202, further comprising:

a third transport module configured to provide information relevant to setting the schedule to the corresponding users.

206. The apparatus according to claim 200, wherein the second transport module provides schedule updates from the identified content providers to the corresponding users.

207. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprises multimedia content.

208. The apparatus according to claim 207, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

209. The apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the aggregated content from the content providers comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

210. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon that causes a content provider computer system to provide user-selected content to a plurality of user computer systems over a communications network, said computer program logic comprising:

an object manifest function that causes the content provider computer system to generate an indication of at least one available content group that includes a set of one or more content items, the composition of said set of content items changes over time;

a first transport function that causes the content provider computer system to provide the indication of the available content group to the user computer systems over the communications network;

a first user computer system interface function that causes the content provider computer system to receive requests for a current list of available content items within the indicated available content group from the user computer systems; and

a second transport function that causes the content provider computer system to provide the current list of available content items to the corresponding user computer systems;

wherein the first user computer system interface function is invoked repeatedly and automatically by each of the user computer systems to retrieve updated lists of available content items, in order to provide the effect of a subscription to the indicated content group.

211. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the object manifest function causes the content provider computer system to generate a manifest list of the available content group and corresponding source addresses for the available content group.

212. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the object manifest function causes the computer system to generate a manifest list of the available content items and corresponding source addresses for the available content items.

213. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a second user computer system interface function that causes the content provider computer system to receive requests for user-selected content items of the available content items; and

a third transport function that cause the content provider computer system to provide the user-selected content items to the corresponding user computer systems.

214. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the second transport function causes the content provider computer system to further provide the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users.

215. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the second transport function causes the content provider computer system to further provide the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, if said available content items are non-duplicative of content items previously provided to the corresponding users.

216. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the second transport function causes the content provider computer system to further provide non-duplicative ones of the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, said non-duplicative content items having not been previously provided to the corresponding users.

217. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the first transport function, the first user computer system interface function, and the second transport function use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

218. The computer program product according to claim 213, wherein the first transport function, the second transport function, the third transport function, the first user computer system interface function, and the second user computer system interface function use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

219. The computer program product according to claim 217, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said first transport function, said first user computer system interface function, and said second transport function.

220. The computer program product according to claim 218, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said first transport function, said second transport function, said third transport function, said first user computer system interface function, and said second user computer system interface function.

221. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein user-readable portions of the list of available items are provided in HTML format.

222. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the content provider computer system comprises a web server.

223. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

224. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the first user computer system interface function is invoked repeatedly and automatically by the user computer systems according to a schedule.

225. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein said schedule is set by users of said user computer systems.

226. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein the computer program logic further comprises:

a third transport function that causes the content provider computer system to provide information relevant to setting said schedule by the users of the user computer systems.

227. The computer program product according to claim 226, wherein said provided information comprises schedule updates.

228. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein content items comprise multimedia content.

229. The computer program product according to claim 228, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

230. The computer program product according to claim 210, wherein content items comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

231. A computer-implemented method for providing user-selected content to a plurality of user computer systems over a communications network, said computer program logic comprising:

generating an indication of at least one available content group that includes a set of one or more content items, the composition of said set of content items changes over time;

providing the indication of the available content group user computer system over the communications network;

receiving requests for a current list of available content items within the indicated available content group from the user computer systems; and

providing the current list of available content items to the corresponding user computer systems;

wherein said step of receiving requests is repeatedly and automatically performed to retrieve updated lists of available content items, in order to provide the effect of a subscription to the indicated content group.

232. The method according to claim 231, wherein said generating step comprises generating a manifest list of the available content group and corresponding source addresses for the available content group.

233. The method according to claim 231, wherein said generating step comprises generating a manifest list of the available content items and corresponding source addresses for the available content items.

234. The method according to claim 231, further comprising:

receiving requests for user-selected content items of the available content items; and

providing the user-selected content items to the corresponding user computer systems.

235. The method according to claim 231, wherein said step of providing the current list of available content items comprises further providing the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users.

236. The method according to claim 231, wherein step of providing the current list of available content items comprises further providing the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, if said available content items are non-duplicative of content items previously provided to the corresponding users.

237. The method according to claim 231, wherein of providing the current list of available content items comprises further providing non-duplicative ones of the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, said non-duplicative content items having not been previously provided to the corresponding users.

238. The method according to claim 231, wherein said steps of providing the indication of the available content group, receiving requests, and providing the current list of available content items use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing steps with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

239. The method according to claim 234, wherein said steps of providing the indication of the available content group, receiving requests for a current list of available content items, providing the current list of available content items, receiving requests for user-selected content items, and providing the user-selected content items use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing steps with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

240. The method according to claim 238, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said steps of providing the indication of the available content group, receiving requests, and providing the current list of available content items.

241. The method according to claim 239, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said steps of providing the indication of the available content group, receiving requests for a current list of available content items, providing the current list of available content items, receiving requests for user-selected content items, and providing the user-selected content items.

242. The method according to claim 231, wherein user-readable portions of the list of available items are provided in HTML format.

243. The method according to claim 231, wherein the method is performed by a web server.

244. The method according to claim 231, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

245. The method according to claim 231, wherein said step of receiving requests for a current list of available content items is performed repeatedly and automatically according to a schedule.

246. The method according to claim 231, wherein said schedule is set by users of said user computer systems.

247. The method according to claim 231, further comprising:

providing information relevant to setting said schedule by the users of the user computer systems.

248. The method according to claim 247, wherein said provided information comprises schedule updates.

249. The method according to claim 231, wherein content items comprise multimedia content.

250. The method according to claim 249, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

251. The method according to claim 231, wherein content items comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

252. An apparatus for providing user-selected content to a plurality of user computer systems over a communications network, said apparatus comprising:

an object manifest module configured to generate an indication of at least one available content group that includes a set of one or more content items, the composition of said set of content items changes over time;

a first transport module configured to provide the indication of the available content group to the user computer systems over the communications network;

a first user computer system interface configured to receive requests for a current list of available content items within the indicated available content group from the user computer systems; and

a second transport module configured to provide the current list of available content items to the corresponding user computer systems;

wherein the first user computer system interface repeatedly and automatically receives requests from the user computer systems to retrieve updated lists of available content items, in order to provide the effect of a subscription to the indicated content group.

253. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the object manifest module is configured to generate a manifest list of the available content group and corresponding source addresses for the available content group.

254. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the object manifest module is configured to generate a manifest list of the available content items and corresponding source addresses for the available content items.

255. The apparatus according to claim 252, further comprising:

a second user computer system interface configured to receive requests for user-selected content items of the available content items; and

a third transport module configured to provide the user-selected content items to the corresponding user computer systems.

256. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the second transport module provides the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users.

257. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the second transport module provides the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, if said available content items are non-duplicative of content items previously provided to the corresponding users.

258. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the second transport module further provides non-duplicative ones of the available content items together with the current list of available items to the corresponding users, said non-duplicative content items having not been previously provided to the corresponding users.

259. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the first transport module, the first user computer system interface, and the second transport module use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

260. The apparatus according to claim 255, wherein the first transport module, the second transport module, the third transport module, the first user computer system interface, and the second user computer system interface use communications protocols that are compatible with those used by at least one of the user computer systems to perform similar transport and interfacing with other content provider computer systems, operated by content providers independent of said content provider.

261. The apparatus according to claim 259, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said first transport module, said first user computer system interface, and said second transport module.

262. The apparatus according to claim 260, wherein said at least one of the user computer systems use substantially similar software logic to perform said transport and interfacing with the other content provider computer systems as used with at least one of said first transport module, said second transport module, said third transport module, said first user computer system interface, and said second user computer system interface.

263. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein user-readable portions of the list of available items are provided in HTML format.

264. The apparatus according to claim 252, further comprising a web server.

265. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

266. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein the first user computer system interface repeatedly and automatically receives requests from the user computer systems according to a schedule.

267. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein said schedule is set by users of said user computer systems.

268. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein further comprising:

a third transport module configured to provide information relevant to setting said schedule by the users of the user computer systems.

269. The apparatus according to claim 268, wherein said provided information comprises schedule updates.

270. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein content items comprise multimedia content.

271. The apparatus according to claim 270, wherein the multimedia content comprises one or more of text content, image content, audio content, and video content.

272. The apparatus according to claim 252, wherein content items comprise one or more of HTML content, text content, image content, audio content, and video content.