System and method for managing online message board

• US 6,571,234 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1999
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CXT Systems, Inc. (Quest Patent Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Prophet Financial Systems, Inc. (Charles Schwab Corporation)
• Inventors: Gross, J. Nicholas, Knight, Timothy O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Debbie M
• Application Number:
  US09/309,712
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/4, 707/7, 707/10, 709/206, 345/700, 345/968
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting

Abstract

Queries and postings made to an online electronic message board are managed by a number of community and customized software search robots. The robots interact with subscribers to access, retrieve and post messages according to content groupings and classifications that reflect the collective shared interests, desires, etc., of such subscribers. Because the information is already pre-classified and indexed in such fashion, subscribers are given rapid access to key information that is most of interest to them, enhancing their overall experience with the system.

Claims

1. A tracking system for monitoring and analyzing message traffic on an online message board system used by a number of subscribers, said system comprising:

a set of message data items stored based on a classification scheme having a plurality of groups and classes;

a query processing program for processing a subscriber query to locate selected message data items of interest to the subscriber, said query being coded so that each such subscriber query can also be classified by said query processing program based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said query; and

a posting program adapted to receive and store subscriber message data items, at least some of said subscriber message data items being coded so that such subscriber message data items can also be classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameters for said subscriber message data item; and

wherein said coding characteristics and/or said identifying parameters of said subscriber queries and subscriber message data are tabulated, and selected portions are made available in tabulated form for inspection by the subscribers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of said subscriber message data items are coded based on a coding of a selected message located by said query processing program.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said subscriber queries are coded to have a coding based on a set of query filter parameters selected by a subscriber, and which query filter parameters are logically associated with said classification scheme.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said tabulated form includes a ranking of coding characteristics pertaining to:

(1) groups and/or classes most often queried; and

(2) groups and/or classes most often posted to.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said tabulated form includes a ranking of identifying parameters pertaining to:

(1) authors most often queried; and

(2) postings made by authors.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said tabulated form includes a ranking of identifying parameters pertaining to subscriber query formulation preferences compiled for all of said users of said system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said tabulated form includes user profile information, including information identifying parameters previously used in queries for each of said users of said system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said classification scheme is automatically modified on a periodic basis in response to tabulations of said coding characteristics and/or said identifying parameters of said subscriber queries.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein message data items are sent automatically to said subscriber during a session based on filter selection items previously customized by said subscriber during a prior session, and without requiring additional prompting by said user.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said codes for said subscriber message and subscriber queries are also changed in accordance with any modifications to said classification scheme.

11. A content building system operating on an online network server for building a database of information items accessible by a number of online subscribers, said system comprising:

a content extraction program adapted for locating and extracting selected information from one or more remote online network servers, which selected information matches a search criterion;

wherein said search criterion is specified by an operator of said online network server;

a sorting program configured for sorting said selected information and subscriber messages in accordance with a classification scheme so as to create a plurality of data files of sorted information items, each of said sorted information items being coded to fall within one or more categories of said classification scheme; and

wherein said classification scheme is specified by an operator of said online network server;

wherein information items can be located and reviewed by subscribers through subscriber queries performed in accordance with subscriber selected query parameters logically related to said one or more categories of said classification scheme.

12. The system of claim 11, further including:

a posting program adapted to receive subscriber messages, at least some of said subscriber messages being coded so that such subscriber messages can be classified in accordance with said classification scheme.

13. The system of claim 12 further including a database management program for integrating and storing said selected information and said subscriber messages.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said selected information is obtained from online message board systems located on said one or more online network servers.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein portions of said search criterion are automatically generated by a message tracking program based on an analysis of said subscriber queries.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein portions of said classification scheme are automatically generated by a message tracking program based on an analysis of said subscriber queries.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said selected information is obtained based on a priority schedule correlated with a frequency of occurrence of subject categories used in said subscriber messages and/or subscriber queries, so that information for subject categories occurring more frequently is retrieved at a higher priority than information for subject categories occurring less frequently.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein said system automatically builds content in proportion to subscriber popularity of such content, such that information for any particular type of content is retrieved at a rate proportional to such subscriber popularity.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said content extraction program also locates and extracts selected information from one or more online network servers in response to specific subscriber requests using customized search robots associated with said specific subscriber requests, such that customized classification schemes for content are generated for said specific subscriber requests.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein at least some portions of said classification scheme are derived by the system automatically from analyzing said selected information located and extracted from said one or more remote online network servers.

21. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;

(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;

(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;

(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;

(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;

(f) processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command is used to locate an author of said message items and/or additional message items originating from said author.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein during step (b) said filter selection items are configured to also include user customized filtering options for said message items.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein during step (c) said user query is based on one or more of said user customized filtering options.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein any and all of said electronic message items can be located using only one level of query windows within said user interface.

25. The method of claim 21, further including a step:

processing a user posting, which user posting contains a user electronic message item that is processed based on one or more of said filter selection items associated with said user posting.

26. The method of claim 25, further including a step (g):

storing said user electronic message item in one or more of said plurality of predefined information categories based on said filter selection items associated with said user posting.

27. The method of claim 25, further including a step (h):

tabulating said filter selection items associated with said user posting to generate statistical information concerning said predefined information categories.

28. The method of claim 27, further including a step (i):

processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command results in said statistical information being transmitted and perceived within said interface by said user.

29. The method of claim 21, further including a step (f):

processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command results in a second set of electronic message items being perceived within said interface by said user.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein said set of electronic message items are sent to said user automatically during a session based on a set of filter selection items previously selected by said user during a prior session, and without requiring additional prompting by said user.

31. A method of managing message items on an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) classifying first message items using a first set of predefined information categories, which first set of predefined information categories are searchable by users accessing the message board system;

(b) configuring a user interface for said users when they access the message board system such that said first set of predefined information categories are set up as a first set of filter selection items within said interface;

(d) further configuring for a user, on a user by user basis, said user interface to include a second set of filter selection items within said interface based on preferences of said user;

(e) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said first and/or second sets of filter selection items;

(f) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;

(g) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user;

wherein said user interface, including a visual arrangement of said first set of filter selection items and/or said second filter selection items is automatically configured for said user based on a frequency of usage by said users of said first set of filter selection items.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said second set of filter selection items constitute a subgroup selected by said user from said first set of filter selection items.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said second set of filter selection items are associated with a customized set of categories selected by said user, and which second set of filter items do not include any of said first set of filter items such that said user can locate second message items using a second set of predefined information categories, which second message items are separate from said first message items.

34. The method of claim 31, further including a step (h):

pre-loading said set of electronic message items in said interface to said user during a session automatically based on a set of filter selection items customized by said user during a prior session, and without requiring additional prompting by said user.

35. A method of monitoring and analyzing message traffic on an online message board system, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) classifying message items based on a classification scheme having a plurality of groups and classes;

(b) processing user queries received from users of the online message board system to locate selected message data items of interest to said users, said user queries being classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameter for said query; and

(c) processing user posted message data items from said users, said user posted message data items also being classified based on said classification scheme and/or other identifying parameter; and

(d) tabulating said user queries and user message data items to create message board system feedback information including at least;

(1) an identification of classification schemes most commonly queried;

(2) an identification of classification schemes most commonly posted to by users.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said message board system feedback information is made available for access to said users.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said classification scheme is derived in part from said message board system feedback information.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said system feedback information also includes:

(1) an identification of most frequently queried authors;

(2) an identification of most frequently posting authors.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein said system feedback information also includes:

(1) an identification of interface customizations most frequently used by the users of the online message board system.

40. A method of building message content for an online network server having a database of information items accessible by a number of online users, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) locating and extracting selected information from one or more remote online network servers, which selected information matches a predetermined search criterion and is associated with one or more information categories of a classification scheme;

(b) sorting both said selected information, as well as separate message items received from the online users, in accordance with said classification scheme so as to create a plurality of data files of sorted message items, each of said sorted message items being coded to fall within said one or more information categories of said classification scheme; and

(c) locating message items for the online users based on user search queries associated with said one or more information categories of said classification scheme; and

(d) analyzing said user message items and/or said user search queries, including content, authorship and codes associated with such user message items and user search queries;

wherein said predetermined search criterion and said classification scheme are adjusted periodically based on the results of step (d).

41. The method of claim 40, wherein selected information for information categories occurring more frequently in user search queries is retrieved at a higher priority than information for information categories occurring less frequently.

42. The method of claim 40, further including a step (e):

analyzing said selected information retrieved from said one or more remote online networks and recommending changes to said predetermined search criterion and said classification scheme based on such analysis.

43. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:

a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;

a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;

a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;

(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and

wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;

(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and

(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and

(iv) for providing a visual chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;

(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;

(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;

(vii) for processing a contact request from said user of the user query routine interface to contact an author of an electronic message.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said third routine interacts with the community of online users to process said first user query, said chart request, and said contact request while allowing said user to remain within a single screen used within a portion of said user query routine interface.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein said chart request can be made during a time in which substantive content for one or more of said first selected set of electronic messages is visible within said user query routine interface.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein said first selected set of electronic messages includes an entire set of electronic messages relating to a particular security provided in response to any selected single predefined search parameter.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein if said additional user specified option is provided by the user, a filtered version of said first selected set of electronic messages is presented within said user query routine interface.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein said additional user specified option includes one or more of the following for filtering said first set of electronic messages:

a text content criterion, an authorship criterion, a subject criterion, and/or a date criterion to be satisfied for generating a filtered subset of said first set of electronic messages to be displayed to said user.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein said third routine also is configured:

(viii) for providing a list of actual trades made in connection with said particular security.

50. The system of claim 43, wherein said electronic messages posted by the community of online users can include non-text files including audio files, picture files and/or graphics files.

51. The system of claim 43, wherein a status of said user within the community of online users is considered by said third routine when interacting with said user to process said first user query.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said status of said user is also considered by said first routine when processing said electronic messages.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said status of said user is based on a usage level of said user within the community of online users, and/or a subscription fee associated with said user.

54. The system of claim 43, wherein said user query routine interface is implemented as a java based applet operating within a browser program operating on said client computer.

55. The system of claim 43, wherein said first computer includes one or more servers accessible through the Internet.

56. The system of claim 43, wherein a fourth routine monitors said first user query and/or any electronic messages posted by said user and determines profile information for said user to determine appropriate advertising materials to be communicated to said user.

57. The system of claim 43, wherein said contact request includes information identifying and/or requesting an identification of a chat room to be used for communicating with said author of said electronic message.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein said author filtering tool causes any messages originating from a particular author to be designated with a specified indicator within the user query routine interface.

59. The system of claim 43, wherein any electronic messages associated with a particular author and/or particular security identified with a favorite status indicator can be retrieved as a set using a single predefined search parameter provided within the user query routine interface.

60. The system of claim 43, wherein the system also provides tabulation data for review by the community of online users, including a listing of most popular authors of electronic messages, and/or most popular message boards for a particular security.

61. The system of claim 43, wherein individual preferences of each of the community of online users, including preferred authors and subject matter, are maintained by the system.

62. The system of claim 43, wherein the system provides tabulated information to said user identifying queries made by others of the community of online users, and a ranking of the same based on a frequency of occurrence.

63. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:

a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;

a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;

a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;

(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and

wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;

(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and

(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and

(iv) for providing a visual time chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;

(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;

(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;

(vii) for transmitting a private message from said user of the user query routine interface to an author of an electronic message.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein said private message is not posted on the internet message board.

65. The system of claim 63 wherein said electronic messages posted by the community of online users can include non-text files including audio files, picture files and/or graphics files.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein any electronic messages associated with a particular author and/or particular security identified with a favorite status indicator can be retrieved as a set using a single predefined search parameter provided within the user query routine interface.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the system also provides tabulation data for review by the community of online users, including a listing of most popular authors of electronic messages, and/or most popular message boards for a particular security.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein individual preferences of each of the community of online users, including preferred authors and subject matter, are maintained by the system.

69. The system of claim 63, wherein the system provides tabulated information to said user identifying queries made by others of the community of online users, and a ranking of the same based on a frequency of occurrence.

70. An internet message board system associated with a community of online users and a plurality of information categories including one or more individual securities related categories, the system comprising:

a first routine executing on a first computer associated with the system for receiving and processing electronic messages posted by the community of online users for inclusion in the one or more individual securities related categories;

a second routine executing on said first computer for sorting and storing said electronic messages so that they are searchable by at least some of said community of online users according to the one or more individual securities related categories;

a third routine also executing on said third computer associated with the system, said third routine interacting with the community of online users and being configured;

(i) for receiving a first user query associated with the one or more individual securities related categories provided within a user query interface, said user query interface operating within a client computer system separate from said first computer; and

wherein said first user query can include a category search request for all electronic messages relating to a particular security based on selecting a single predefined search parameter provided within the interface and/or an additional user specified option to be used for filtering electronic messages otherwise falling within said category search request;

(ii) for locating a selected first set of electronic messages in response to said first user query; and

(iii) for transmitting such first selected set of electronic messages to said user query routine interface; and

(iv) for providing a visual chart of a securities trading price in response to a chart request provided within the user query routine interface for a chart related to a particular security;

(v) for interacting with an author filtering tool provided within the user query routine interface so that electronic messages originating from a particular author can be selectively not displayed within said user query routine interface;

(vi) for receiving a favorite status indicator from said user query routine interface specifying a particular author and/or a particular security as a favorite to be followed by the user of said user query routine interface;

wherein any electronic messages associated with a particular author and/or a particular security identified with a favorite status indicator can be retrieved as a set using a single predefined search parameter provided within the user query routine interface.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the system also provides tabulation data for review by the community of online users, including a listing of most popular authors of electronic messages, and/or most popular message boards for a particular security.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the system also provides feedback information to said user identifying queries made by others of the community of online users, and a ranking of the same based on a frequency of occurrence.

73. The system of claim 70, wherein individual preferences of each of the community of online users, including preferred authors and subject matter, are maintained by the system.

74. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;

(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;

(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;

(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;

(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;

(f) processing a user posting, which user posting contains a user electronic message item that is processed based on one or more of said filter selection items associated with said user posting;

(g) tabulating said filter selection items associated with said user posting to generate statistical information concerning said predefined information categories.

75. A method of handling message item postings and queries made to an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing message items so that they are searchable by users accessing the message board system based on a plurality of predefined information categories;

(b) configuring a user interface for said users when such users access the message board system such that said plurality of predefined information categories are set up as filter selection items within said interface;

(c) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said filter selection items;

(d) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;

(e) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user so that they can be perceived simultaneously with said filter selection items within said interface by said user;

(f) processing a user posting, which user posting contains a user electronic message item that is processed based on one or more of said filter selection items associated with said user posting;

(g) tabulating said filter selection items associated with said user posting to generate statistical information concerning said predefined information categories;

(h) processing a user command associated with one or more of said electronic message items taken from said set of electronic message items, which user command results in said statistical information being transmitted and perceived within said interface by said user.

76. A method of managing message items on an electronic message board system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) classifying first message items using a first set of predefined information categories, which first set of predefined information categories are searchable by users accessing the message board system;

(b) configuring a user interface for said users when any of such users access the message board system such that said first set of predefined information categories are set up as a first set of filter selection items within said interface;

(d) further configuring, on a user by user basis, said user interface to include a second set of filter selection items within said interface based on preferences of said user;

(e) receiving a user query received from said user interface based on at least one of said first and/or second sets of filter selection items;

(f) locating a set of electronic message items on the message board system corresponding to said user query;

(g) transmitting such set of electronic message items to said user;

wherein said second set of filter selection items are associated with a customized set of categories selected by said user based on particular information items requested by said user, and which second set of filter items do not include any of said first set of filter items such that said user can locate second message items using a second set of predefined information categories, which second message items are separate from said first message items.