Abstract: A system for retrieving and disseminating information records from Internet sources includes a client device and an intermediary server system, including software, between the client device and the Internet. The system collects a record specific to a client from an individual one of said Internet sources in a first form in which the record is recorded at the Internet source, transforms the record from the first form to a second form specific to an application other than an Internet browser application, the application executable by the client device, and transmits the transformed record to the client device for display in the application other than an Internet browser application executable by the client device. In some cases the client device connects by a data link that is not Internet-compatible link. Data mining on the Internet specific to clients and client devices is taught, with aggregation services and synchronization for keeping a client up-to-date efficiently for changing data content.

Abstract: A data-gathering and reporting system for collecting WEB summaries from the Internet for individual subscribers to a Portal subscription system has a plurality of gatherer servers each connected to the Internet, to an ascending hierarchy of work request distribution servers, and to a ascending hierarchy of collector servers. A work request generator at the top of the hierarchy of distribution servers generates work requests for collecting WEB summaries, and a filer server at the top of the hierarchy of collector servers writes data to a database. Work flow is by work requests from the work request generator down the hierarchy of distributor servers to the gatherer servers, where work requests are accomplished by gathering WEB summaries from Internet servers according to the work requests, and by data collected from the gatherer servers up the hierarchy of collector servers to the filing server.

Abstract: An Internet portal system for accomplishing a multi-component task involving interaction with one or more Internet Web sites includes an Internet-connected server having access to client-related data, an internet-capable client station usable by a client, and software executing on the server for managing individual component tasks in execution of the multi-component task. The software, in response to initiation of a multi-component task specified by the client, defines the component tasks, identifies Internet Web sources for completion of the tasks, manages interaction with the identified Web sites gathering results of the interactions, integrates the gathered results, and communicates final results to the client at the client station. Tasks may be such as trip planning and may include payment for services rendered at Web sites, such as airline reservations, car rentals and the like.

Abstract: A system for retrieving and disseminating information records from Internet sources includes a client device and an intermediary server system, including software, between the client device and the Internet. The system collects a record specific to a client from an individual one of said Internet sources in a first form in which the record is recorded at the Internet source, transforms the record from the first form to a second form specific to an application other than an Internet browser application, the application executable by the client device, and transmits the transformed record to the client device for display in the application other than an Internet browser application executable by the client device. In some cases the client device connects by a data link that is not Internet-compatible link. Data mining on the Internet specific to clients and client devices is taught, with aggregation services and synchronization for keeping a client up-to-date efficiently for changing data content.

Abstract: An Internet portal system for accomplishing a multi-component task involving interaction with one or more Internet Web sites includes an Internet-connected server having access to client-related data, an internet-capable client station usable by a client, and software executing on the server for managing individual component tasks in execution of the multi-component task. The software, in response to initiation of a multi-component task specified by the client, defines the component tasks, identifies Internet Web sources for completion of the tasks, manages interaction with the identified Web sites gathering results of the interactions, integrates the gathered results, and communicates final results to the client at the client station. Tasks may be such as trip planning and may include payment for services rendered at Web sites, such as airline reservations, car rentals and the like.

Abstract: A data-gathering and reporting system for collecting WEB summaries from the Internet for individual subscribers to a Portal subscription system has a plurality of gatherer servers each connected to the Internet, to an ascending hierarchy of work request distribution servers, and to a ascending hierarchy of collector servers. A work request generator at the top of the hierarchy of distribution servers generates work requests for collecting WEB summaries, and a filer server at the top of the hierarchy of collector servers writes data to a database. Work flow is by work requests from the work request generator down the hierarchy of distributor servers to the gatherer servers, where work requests are accomplished by gathering WEB summaries from Internet servers according to the work requests, and by data collected from the gatherer servers up the hierarchy of collector servers to the filing server.

Abstract: An Internet-based subscription service accumulates and stores data pertinent to subscribers and subscriber's WEB destinations, monitors the subscriber's WEB browsing activities, and submits completed forms for the subscribers transparent to the subscribers. The forms may be log-in forms including passwords, and the service may periodically manage and alter security data such as passwords for a subscriber to enhance WEB security. In one aspect the service monitors subscribers filling out forms for the first time, then caches form information for subsequent use in submitting completed forms for the subscribers. In another aspect the service recognizes variable information required in forms, completes a proxy form with available information at the service, and then submits the proxy form to the subscriber to fill in the variable information before submitting the proxy form on behalf of the subscriber.

Abstract: A portal server includes a software agent configured to do summary searches for subscribers based on Internet destinations provided by the subscribers, to retrieve information from such destinations based on pre-programmed site information, and to download the summary information to the subscriber. The destinations and the nature of the information to be retrieved is pre-programmed. There is further a configuration and intitiation interface for a subscriber to set up and start a summary search. In some cases the summary searches are configured for individual clients as templates stored and retrieved at the Internet-connected server. Also in some cases retrieved information is immediately sent to the subscriber, and in other situations such information is saved at the portal to be retrieved by a subscriber at a later time. In preferred embodiments of the invention autologins are accomplished for a subscriber at Internet destinations by use of pre-stored configuration information.

Abstract: A portal server includes a software agent configured to do summary searches for subscribers based on Internet destinations provided by the subscribers, to retrieve information from such destinations based on pre-programmed site information, and to download the summary information to the subscriber. The destinations and the nature of the information to be retrieved is pre-programmed. There is further a configuration and intitiation interface for a subscriber to set up and start a summary search. In some cases the summary searches are configured for individual clients as templates stored and retrieved at the Internet-connected server. Also in some cases retrieved information is immediately sent to the subscriber, and in other situations such information is saved at the portal to be retrieved by a subscriber at a later time. In preferred embodiments of the invention autologins are accomplished for a subscriber at Internet destinations by use of pre-stored configuration information.