Abstract: A portal information delivery system that provides one or more computer screens containing information content selected by a user and/or manager of the system in layouts also selected by the user and/or manager and that is suitable for use by individuals, small offices and home offices. The system provides for customizable selection of information content from third party information providers as well as from private information content that may be located on a SOHO computer system and personal information content that may reside on an individual personal computer. The system includes a content manager, a layout manager, and may also include connections to an access site for access to other content and services. The content manager and layout manager enable the user to organize and manage personal and business content on a SOHO computer system including content on individual personal computers making up the system.

Abstract: A multimedia kiosk authoring system for use in developing and maintaining user interface screens for multimedia kiosk systems. The authoring system enables the user interface for each individual kiosk to be customized quickly and easily within wide limits of variation, yet subject to constraints adhering the resulting interface to good standards of aesthetics and user friendliness. The system may be used to provide custom interfaces expeditiously even for hundreds of kiosks presenting information from numerous independent information sources. The authoring system uses the methods of object oriented programming to define specialized object classes for instantiation on individual kiosk interface screens subject to pre-defined limitations on variability. Links are provided to an appropriate database for multimedia presentations on an interface screen of content bearing information from the information providers.

Abstract: A multimedia kiosk authoring system for use in developing and maintaining user interface screens for multimedia kiosk systems. The authoring system enables the user interface for each individual kiosk to be customized quickly and easily within wide limits of variation, yet subject to constraints adhering the resulting interface to good standards of aesthetics and user friendliness. The system may be used to provide custom interfaces expeditiously even for hundreds of kiosks presenting information from numerous independent information sources. The authoring system uses the methods of object oriented programming to define specialized object classes for instantiation on individual kiosk interface screens subject to pre-defined limitations on variability. Links are provided to an appropriate database for multimedia presentations on an interface screen of content bearing information from the information providers.