Message board aggregator

• US 8,700,704 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Boadin Technology LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Arav, Gal
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MINH CHAU
• Application Number:
  US12/334,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/217
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

Web content representing a first message is displayed in a window of a computer program. The first message is one of a plurality of messages posted to an online forum. A plurality of message summaries are displayed in the same window of the computer program, contemporaneously with the first message. The plurality of message summaries include first information derived from the first message and second information derived from a second message in the plurality of messages. The web content representing the first message may, for example, be displayed in a first frame of the window and the information derived from the first message may be displayed in a second frame of the same window. The online forum may, for example, be a web-based financial message board.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

(1) displaying, utilizing a window, web content representing at least a portion of a first message, the first message comprising one of a plurality of messages posted to a first online forum;

(2) displaying, utilizing the window and contemporaneously with the web content, a plurality of message summaries, the plurality of message summaries comprising first information derived from the first message and second information derived from a second message associated with a second online forum;

causing, utilizing the window, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with a web page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page;

allowing receipt of a first input initiated by a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;

causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;

allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks; and

causing, in response to receiving the second input, causing display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks;

wherein third information derived from a third message is displayed, utilizing the window, and contemporaneously with the web content, the third message including an email;

wherein first preloaded information derived from the first message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and

second preloaded information derived from the second message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (2) comprises:

(2)(a) for each of the plurality of messages, deriving information from at least one of the following categories;

message title, message author, message identifier, message sentiment, message timestamp, message web address, message thread, message attribute, message link, message keyword, person being replied to, and message statistics; and

(2)(b) displaying the derived information.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

(3) receiving input from the user, the input indicating a category; and

(4) displaying, contemporaneously with (1), information derived from the first message in the indicated category.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein (4) comprises replacing at least some of the information displayed in (2) with the information derived from the message in the indicated category.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein (2)(a) comprises deriving the information from a plurality of the following categories:

the message title, the message author, the message identifier, the message sentiment, the message timestamp, the message web address, the message thread, the message attribute, the message link, the message keyword, the person being replied to, and the message statistics.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(3) receiving, initiated by the user, input selecting one of the plurality of message summaries;

(4) identifying a message in the plurality of messages corresponding to the selected message summary; and

(5) displaying fourth information derived from the identified message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the identified message is the first message, and wherein the fourth information contains information not contained in the first information.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein (3) comprises receiving input indicating that the user has positioned a cursor over the selected one of the plurality of message summaries.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein (5) comprises displaying the fourth information using a tooltip.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein (5) comprises displaying the fourth information using a static user interface object.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein (5) comprises displaying the fourth information retrieved from a local source.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

(6) before (5), selecting a size selected from at least two sizes; and

wherein (5) comprises displaying the fourth information at the selected size.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein (1) comprises displaying the web content in a first frame of the window, and wherein (2) comprises displaying the information derived from the first message in a second frame of the window distinct from the first frame.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first online forum comprises a web-based message board.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein (1) comprises:

(1)(a) copying the web content from the first online forum; and

(1)(b) displaying the copied web content utilizing the window.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein (1) comprises:

(1)(a) identifying a link to the web content in the first online forum; and

(1)(b) displaying the web content through the link.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein (2) comprises:

(2)(a) receiving the first and second information from at least one remote source;

(2)(b) storing the first and second information at a local source; and

(2)(c) displaying the first and second information from the local source.

18. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing display of web content in association with a plurality of messages, the plurality of messages including a first message and a second message, the first message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a first online forum, and the second message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a second online forum;

computer code for causing, utilizing a window of at least one web page, contemporaneous display of a plurality of message summaries, the plurality of message summaries comprising first information derived from the first message of the plurality of messages that is associated with the first online forum, the plurality of message summaries further comprising second information derived from the second message of the plurality of messages that is associated with the second online forum;

computer code for causing, utilizing the window, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with the at least one web page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the at least one web page;

computer code for allowing receipt of a first input initiated by a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;

computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the at least one web page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;

computer code for allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks; and

computer code for causing, in response to receiving the second input, causing display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that third information derived from a third message is displayed, utilizing the window, and contemporaneously with the web content, the third message including an email;

wherein the computer program product is further operable such that first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and

second preloaded information derived from another one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, and further comprising:

computer code for causing display of a stock-related field;

computer code for allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text input by the user as the user is typing the text utilizing the stock-related field;

computer code for causing determination whether the plurality of characters of text input by the user match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>

1 text strings; and

computer code for causing, if it is determined that the plurality of characters of text input by the user match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, and further comprising computer code for allowing receipt of input initiated by the user selecting one of the plurality of n-tuples;

and using text from the selected one of the plurality of n-tuples to complete input of the text to a system.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the using comprises replacing the characters typed so far by the user with text from the selected one of the n-tuples.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the using comprises appending text from the selected one of the n-tuples to the characters typed so far by the user.

23. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the stock-related field is displayed on the at least one web page.

24. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of n-tuples includes first text representing a stock ticker symbol and second text representing a company name corresponding to the stock ticker symbol.

25. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples.

26. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings of the matching ones of the plurality of n-tuples.

27. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a tooltip.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the tooltip is of variable size that is determined by the user.

29. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that at least one field that is displayed with the message summaries is determined by the user selection.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the at least one field includes at least one of a message title field, a message author field, or a message time submitted field.

31. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is capable of posting a new message to be reflected in the window.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the new message is posted to an external online forum.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the new message is posted to an internal online forum.

34. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum relates to a first subject matter, and the second online forum relates to a second subject matter.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, the first subject matter includes sports and the second subject matter includes financials.

36. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the third message is one of a plurality of third messages associated with a third online forum.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the third online forum is different from the first online forum and the second online forum.

38. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first set of one or more representations is sorted into categories.

39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is sorted into sub-categories associated with at least one of the categories.

40. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes additional summary information.

41. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message includes the first preloaded information.

42. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information includes more information with respect to the first information.

43. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a date and time.

44. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a beginning of message text.

45. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a static object.

46. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed without accessing a server.

47. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by the user.

48. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information derived from the third message is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by the user.

49. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the web content is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by the user.

50. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes hovering a cursor.

51. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes clicking.

52. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes interactions with one of the message summaries.

53. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the web content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the third message is capable of being accessed utilizing the website.

54. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the web content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed utilizing the website.

55. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the web content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new message is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the website.

56. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the web content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new posting is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the website.

57. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the web content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a reply message is capable of being generated by the user utilizing the website.

58. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message and the second message are interwoven.

59. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum includes at least one of a message board or a newsgroup.

60. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum is associated with an internal message board, and the second online forum is associated with an external message board.

61. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by the user.

62. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by the user, by visiting a web site served by an aggregation server that executes the computer code.

63. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed.

64. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed via a drop-down list.

65. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed by selecting the number.

66. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to control a manner in which the message summaries are displayed utilizing a message time submitted field.

67. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to enter a key term for controlling content of at least one of the first message or the second message.

68. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to select any of the message summaries, such that selecting one of the message summaries causes message content for a different message to be displayed.

69. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed via a single browser window.

70. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that revenue is generated utilizing advertisements.

71. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of message summaries are displayed utilizing an aggregation server.

72. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to enter preferences, and the plurality of message summaries are displayed based on the preferences.

73. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information is displayed in a separate frame.

74. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the email is displayed in a separate frame.

75. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is capable of posting a reply message to be reflected in the window.

76. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to select the first online forum and the second online forum.

77. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums.

78. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums, utilizing a drop-down menu.

79. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are different subsets of a single source.

80. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of articles.

81. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of news articles.

82. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the first message.

83. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the second message.

84. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with a plurality of first messages.

85. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with the second online forum.

86. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum relates to a first topic, and the second online forum relates to a second topic.

87. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum relates to a first sub-topic, and the second online forum relates to a second sub-topic.

88. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum have different uniform resource locators.

89. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the web content includes at least a portion of the plurality of messages.

90. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the web content includes at least a portion of the plurality of message summaries.

91. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single source.

92. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single uniform resource locator.

93. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different uniform resource locators.

94. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single domain.

95. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different domains.

96. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single web page.

97. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different web pages.

98. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the third message is associated with the second online forum.

99. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the web content includes an advertisement.

100. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the plurality of message summaries.

101. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the second online forum and the display of the plurality of message summaries.

102. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the third information and the display of the plurality of message summaries.

103. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first information derived from the first message associated with the first online forum is extracted from the first message.

104. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first set of one or more representations is a set of one or more textual representations.

105. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input initiated by the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.

106. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input initiated by the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.

107. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second set of representations is a set of graphical representations.

108. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input initiated by the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks.

109. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input initiated by the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks.

110. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations comprises computer code for causing display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks substantially immediately after receiving the first input.

111. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first set of one or more representations is specified by the user before displaying the first set of one or more representations.

112. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the second set of representations.

113. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the at least one web page is implemented utilizing AJAX technology.

114. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second set of representations are displayed instantaneously.

115. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second set of representations are displayed for allowing the user to scan through links before the causing display of the destination content.

116. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the second set of representations includes a set of logos.

117. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is presented in a form of a list of sub-categories.

118. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first portion of the at least one web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second portion of the at least one web page.

119. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first frame of the at least one web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second frame of the at least one web page.

120. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a left frame of the at least one web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a right frame of the at least one web page.

121. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first portion of the at least one web page, and a content associated with the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second portion of the at least one web page.

122. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a left frame of the at least one web page, and a content associated with the second set of hyperlinks is displayed in a right frame of the at least one web page.

123. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the plurality of message summaries are color-coded.

124. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the plurality of message summaries are word-coded.

125. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the plurality of message summaries are sorted by message title.

126. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes volatile memory.

127. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes non-volatile memory.

128. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the window includes a single window.

129. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the window includes a plurality of windows.

130. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is a rating of the one of the plurality of messages.

131. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is a rating of a popularity of the one of the plurality of messages.

132. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is a feedback relating to the one of the plurality of messages.

133. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first set of one or more representations includes a single representation.

134. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is a number of times others have recommended the one of the plurality of messages.

135. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer code is all provided by a server.

136. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first input and the second input is received over a network by the server.

137. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

displaying, utilizing a window of a web site, web content representing at least a portion of a first message, the first message comprising one of a plurality of messages posted to a first online forum;

displaying, the window and contemporaneously with the web content, at least one message summary, the at least one message summary comprising a first message summary including first information derived from the first message and a second message summary including second information derived from a second message associated with a second online forum;

receiving, initiated by a user, input selecting at least one particular message summary; and

displaying third information derived from the first message, in response to receiving the user input selecting the at least one particular message summary;

causing, utilizing the window, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with a web page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page;

allowing receipt of a first input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;

causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;

allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks; and

causing, in response to receiving the second input, causing display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks;

wherein fourth information derived from a fourth message is displayed, utilizing the window and contemporaneously with the web content, the fourth message including an email;

wherein first additional information derived from the first message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and

second additional information derived from the second message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction.

138. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

code for displaying, utilizing a window of a web site, web content representing at least a portion of a first message, the first message comprising one of a plurality of messages posted to a first online forum;

code for displaying, utilizing the window and contemporaneously with the web content, a message summary, the message summary comprising first information derived from the first message and second information derived from a second message associated with a second online forum;

code for receiving, initiated by a user, input selecting the message summary;

code for displaying third information derived from the first message, in response to receiving the user input selecting the message summary;

code for causing, utilizing the window, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with a web page that includes a second set of representations of a second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page;

code for allowing receipt of a first input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;

code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page such that the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;

code for allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks; and

code for causing, in response to receiving the second input, causing display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations of the second set of hyperlinks;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that fourth information derived from a fourth message is displayed, utilizing the window and contemporaneously with the web content, the fourth message including an email;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that first additional information derived from the first message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and

second additional information derived from the second message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction.