FACILITATING ACCESSING AND DISPLAYING NETWORK CONTENT
An informational component for accessing and displaying content includes a definition for rendering a graphical user interface within which content may be served from one or more network locations and presented independent from another application. The informational component may include one or more of a definition of a content element. The definition of the content element may reference a network location from which the content element may be transmitted. The content element may be presented within the graphical user interface. A provider of an informational component or informational components may thus create customized displays within which intended content may be rendered. An application component may be used in association with the informational component to manage the collection, organization, sharing, and rendering of a plurality of such informational components.
The present application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/932,286, filed Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,510,406, which is a continuation of and incorporates by reference U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/558,925, filed Apr. 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,660,868, which claims priority from and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/131,083, filed Apr. 26, 1999, 60/131,114, filed Apr. 26, 1999, 60/131,115, filed Apr. 26, 1999, 60/176,687, filed Jan. 18, 2000, and 60/176,699, filed Jan. 18, 2000. The present application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/932,286, filed Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,510,406 and each of the aforementioned applications to which it claims priority.
The present application is also related to and incorporates by reference the following U.S. patent applications: Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,922, filed Apr. 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,756,967; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,923, filed Apr. 26, 2000; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,924, filed Apr. 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,569; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,286, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Server Including Components For Accessing And Displaying Internet Content And For Providing Same To A Client”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,392, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Method For Accessing And Displaying Internet Content”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,427, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Component For Coordinating The Accessing And Rendering Of An Application Media Package”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,456, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Tracking and Tracing User Activity with Application Media Packages”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,553, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Displaying Time-varying Internet based Data using Media Application Packages”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,585, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “System and Methods for Creating and Authoring Internet Content using Application Media Packages”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,630, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Methods of Obtaining Application Media Packages”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,663, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Indexing, Sorting, and Categorizing Dots”; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,692, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “System and Methods of Messaging between Application Media Packages” (attorney docket no. IMS 07-05-10); and, Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/932,763, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Component For Accessing And Displaying Internet Content In Association With a Web Browser Application”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA user operating a client computer typically accesses the Internet by using a viewer application, such as a browser to view web content provided at a destination address, typically a web page. In this context, web content and web applications are designed to fill the entire web page. It is known to divide the web content into different regions of a single web page. For example, personalized web pages can be specified, such that a user views a variety of content sources in a single page, such as stock information, weather information, and sports information, which is aggregated at the server that delivers the web page to the user, who then views the aggregated content in a single web page. Observe that even when disparate content is aggregated, in this manner, it is reassembled into a full web page and is served through a full-screen browser. Web content and application developers therefore have limited control over the user experience: content is typically trapped within the frame of the browser. A developer's only alternative to engaging a user page-by-page in a browser is to develop, distribute, and support custom client software. In the Web browser scenario, it is the content provider, not the user that aggregates the information that is viewed by the user. Thus, the user is not in a position to separately aggregate the content at a client computer, instead the user is constrained to view the content that has been delivered in the manner provided by the server computer hosting the web page. There is a growing desire for individual users to fully control the aggregation and presentation of content and web applications that appears on a client computer.
A user who wishes to view multiple web pages or applications can open multiple instances of a browser. However, the user will not be able to view each “full-screen” page at the same time. Instead, the user must adjust the windows corresponding to each browser instance and view only part of each page. The information appearing in each browser is not designed for viewing in this manner. Thus, the user cannot create an optimized display of content from multiple sources.
Currently, content providers and end users have limited tools to alter the browser in which content appears. That is, the controls associated with a browser are not fully configurable. Thus, the vendor of a browser is in a position to brand the browser and regulate the controls associated with the browser. There is a growing desire for content providers to not only fill a browser with their content, but to also fully brand and control the frame in which the content appears. Further, in some instances, content providers desire to limit the controls associated with a browser or viewer, so that a user is more inclined to view a single set of content, for example, by having limited access to previously viewed content.
At the present time, it is relatively difficult to trace the content viewing activity of a client computer. In other words, it is difficult to identify the type of content that a particular user of a client computer favors. Consequently, there are limited tools 25 available to provide a user with tailored information that would be of particular interest to the user.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art to provide a technique for accessing multiple instances of distributable computer readable media in their entirety simultaneously, where these instances are typically smaller than the full pages used in 30 current web pages and web applications. There is a further need for providing the user with flexibility in selecting, collecting, relating and viewing such computer readable media, and for giving the media provider flexibility in directing media to a specific user and controlling the framework in which media is presented. Finally, there is a need to gather more accurate information regarding the type of content that a user enjoys, so that the user can be automatically provided with this content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention includes a method of presenting distributable computer readable media to a user in response to a user request. The method comprises the steps of identifying a definition of a Networked Information Monitor (NIM). A NIM frame is defined for the NIM using the definition. Content is then retrieved for the NIM. Then, the content is placed in a NIM viewer defined by the frame.
The invention also includes a method of altering a Networked Information Monitor (NIM). The method includes the step of receiving a message at a NIM. The message specifies a configurable feature of the NUM. The NIM is altered in accordance with the configurable feature of the message.
The apparatus of the invention includes a computer readable memory to direct a computer to function in a specific manner. The computer readable memory includes a first executable module to identify a definition of a Networked Information Monitor (NIM). A second executable module defines a NIM frame for the NIM using the definition. A third executable module retrieves content for the NIM. A fourth executable module places the content in a NUM viewer defined by the frame.
The apparatus of the invention further includes a computer readable memory with a first executable module to receive a Networked Information Monitor (NIM) message. The NIM message specifies a configurable feature of a NIM. A second executable module alters the NIM in accordance with the configurable feature of the NIM message.
The present invention discloses a technology that is capable of processing distributable computer readable media. Distributable computer readable media includes, but is not limited to, standard web content, such as HTML, dHTML, images, imbedded ActiveX and Java applications, JavaScript, CSS, Pen scripts, Streaming Media, and/or Flash. The present invention is advantageous relative to prior art systems and methods because it provides improved mechanisms for simultaneously interacting with several independent sources of distributable computer readable media, collecting references to such media, and sharing such references with other users. The ac disclosed technology is further advantageous because it provides improved systems and methods for on screen management of distributable computer readable media.
In the system and method of the present invention, a user logs into a server by providing a login identifier to a login construct. The login identifier is used by the server to obtain an unprocessed user profile that corresponds to the user. The unprocessed user profile is processed by the server to generate a processed user profile. Advantageously, this processing step allows for up-to-date refinement of the user profile. Up-to-date refinements include, for example, the addition of advertisements directed to the user based on one or more characteristics in the user profile. The processed user profile is delivered to the client computer associated with the user. The processed user profile includes references to the networked information monitors (NIMs). As used herein, the term networked information monitor or NIM refers to a fully configurable frame with one or more controls; the frame through which content is optionally presented. The fully configurable frame utilized in accordance with the invention stands in contrast to present web browsers, which are branded by the browser vendor and which have limited means by which to alter the controls associated with the browser.
Attention is initially directed toward the home NIM of the invention, which coordinates the activities of all other NIMs that are accessed by a user. The home NIM facilitates much of the technology of the present invention, including the ability to simultaneously review multiple sources of distributable computer readable media as well as to package and distribute such media.
User computer 20 is any device that includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 24 connected to a random access memory 30, a network connection 28, and one or more user input/output (“i/o”) devices 40 including output means 42. Output means 42 is any device capable of communicating with a user and includes, for example, a video monitor, a liquid crystal display, voice user interfaces, and/or integrated graphic means such as mini-displays present in web-phones. Typically, user computer 20 includes a main non-volatile storage unit 22, preferably a hard disk drive, for storing software and data. Further, user computer 20 includes one or more internal buses 26 for interconnecting the aforementioned elements. In a typical embodiment, memory 30 includes an operating system 32 for managing files and programs associated with user computer 20. In some embodiments, operating system 32 includes a registry 34 that has one or more references to specified locations in system 10. The exemplary memory 30 of
Server computer 50 includes standard server components, including a network connection device 46, a CPU 52, a main non-volatile storage unit 54, and a random access memory 56. Further, server computer 50 includes one or more internal buses 48 for interconnecting the aforementioned elements. Memory 56 stores a set of computer programs, modules and data to implement the processing associated with the present invention.
The embodiment of memory 56 illustrated in
When an unprocessed user profile is identified by login validation module 66, it is processed by user profile processor module 68 to produce a processed profile. It will be appreciated that the services of user profile processor module 68 are highly advantageous because they allow for last minute user profile revisions. Such revisions include, for example, the addition or customization of NIMs referenced by the user profile, and/or server redirect information that is a function of current server load in system 10. Importantly, the processed user profile includes a reference to a home NIM. The home NIM is capable of accessing each of the NIMs that are represented in the processed user profile. Memory 56 further includes delivery module 70, which coordinates the delivery of portions of the home NIM to the client based on parameters specified in the processed user profile.
Once a user has successfully logged into system 10, request server module 72 handles requests for specified NIMs from client 20. When such a request is received, request server module 72 routes the request to an address that corresponds to the specified NIM and transmits the specified NIM to client 20. One class of specified networked information handled by request server module 72 is requests for NIMs. When such a request is received, request server module 72 searches NIM templates database 74 for the specified NIM. NIM templates database 74 includes a large number of NIM templates. Each NIM template defines the characteristics of a specific NIM, including fully configurable frame characteristics, viewer and control characteristics, and NIM content references.
The web server 58 illustrated in
System 10 is highly scalable and thus supports a large number of users. This scalability stems from the fact that the server 50 is delivering the definition associated with a NIM. The content displayed in the NIM may be located on a separate computer.
Memory 56 provides a statistical analysis module 104 for tracking key events associated with users. This information is stored in statistics database 80. The information collected by statistical analysis module 104 is used for a wide variety of purposes, including server load optimization and directed advertising, as discussed below. As described below, the statistical information gathered in accordance with the invention includes fully traced events defining the type of content and the duration over which all content is viewed by a user. This type of comprehensive information is not available using present techniques.
Much of the distributable computer readable media that is available for processing is stored as content elements 94 on server 82. Server 82 is a standard web server that includes components such as a network connection device 88, a CPU 86, a main non-volatile storage unit 84, a random access memory (RAM) 92, and one or more internal buses 90 for interconnecting the aforementioned elements. RAM 92 includes some of the content elements 94 stored by server 82. Other content elements 94 are stored in storage unit 84. In some embodiments, a single web server 58 is capable of directly accessing content elements 94 located on one or more servers 82. In other embodiments, each server 82 has a resident web server module that works in conjunction with server 50 to identify, optionally dynamically generate, and serve content elements 94 upon demand.
Now that general architecture of a system in ac dance with the present invention has been disclosed, attention turns to
The request for “session_config” originates on client 20 and is sent to server 50 where it is processed by login module 60 of web server 58. Upon receiving request 202, login module 60 creates a “session_config” global login script (204). Processing step 204 is advantageous relative to systems that have static global login scripts because it allows for the incorporation of highly variable information. This highly variable information includes, for example, system settings such as up-to-date server redirect information, server content address changes, directed advertisements, and messages. An exemplary “session_config” is found in Example 1 below. Each line of data has an associated numeral. The remaining text in the example describes the purpose of select data.
Example 1
Line 1 of the exemplary “session_config” of Example 1 provides the version tag for the expected version of the home dot system that corresponds to the “session_config” script. In one embodiment, client parser application 38 determines whether it is up-to-date using the information in line 1. If client parser application 38 determines that it is outdated, an upgrade request is made in accordance with the instructions provided by the UPGRADE flag of line 2. In one embodiment, the UPGRADE flag in line 2 of Example 1 describes the location of an executable program, one of skill in the art will appreciate that this flag can in fact reference any form of instruction, including a flat file, a web page, a script, a symbol, or an address.
Lines 3 through 18 in Example 1 define the functionality that is provided by a server, such as server 50. For example, line 8 of Example 1 provides the location of a set of instructions that are called when a user requests a password change. Furthermore, line 9 of Example 1 provides the location of master list of NIMs that are publically available. Lines 14 and 15 of Example 1 provide the location of specialized server-side functionality that allows users to share data such as NIM definitions.
Lines 19 through 26 of Example 1 define where the default appearance of a NIM and a home NIM are found within system 10. Lines 27 through 31 define a collection of system NIMs. A system NIM is any type of NIM that is to be distributed to each user of system 10. In some embodiments, system NIMs are used to provide a core functionality. In Example 1, line 28 defines a NIM that provides users with a convenient mechanism for collecting additional NIMs. Line 29 defines the location of a NIM that is invoked when the user presses a help button associated with a home NIM. Finally, line 30 defines the location of a NIM that is used to log into system 10.
Returning to
Login construct 148 (
Once a login construct has been prepared by login constructor 62, it is transferred back to client 20 (214) (
In
Working in conjunction with client parser application 38, the login construct accepts the user login and sends it to server 50 for validation (218). As illustrated in the exemplary system of
The processed user profile includes a reference to each NIM in system 10 that is associated with the login identifier provided in processing step 216. One of the NIMs referenced by the processed user profile is the home NIM that corresponds to the login identifier provided in processing step 216. When executed in conjunction with client parser application 38 in processing step 226, the home NIM provides a mechanism for accessing each of the NIMs referenced by the processed user profile Like the login construct, the home NIM includes several components, including pull down menus and screen manipulation functionality. The reference to the home NIM in the processed user profile includes the system 10 address of each of these components. Therefore, in one embodiment, construction of the home NIM in processing step 226 involves one or more requests to server 50 and/or server 82 for content (228) that is then rendered (230) in accordance with the home NIM description provided in the processed user profile. In some embodiments, the home NIM is distinct from other NIMs in the sense that a large proportion of the home NIM in such embodiments is pre-compiled. Such embodiments are advantageous because some of the functionality provided by the home NIM requires substantial client 30 processing resources. Therefore, to minimize such processing resource requirements, many aspects of the home NIM are pre-compiled in some embodiments. In other embodiments, however, the home NIM has a structure that is substantially the same as a regular NIM. In such embodiments, simple script commands are used to identify the NIM as a home NIM.
Upon completion of processing step 230, the user is granted access to all of the technologies of the present invention, including the ability to view multiple NIMs simultaneously, collect new NIMs, customize NIMs, and share customized NIMs with other users. An exemplary processed user profile is provided in Example 2. Once again, each line of data is identified with a numeral, while the remaining text in the example describes select data. In some embodiments, the user is granted specific privileges and the extent to which the user is granted access to system 10 is regulated by the types of privileges that have been granted to the user.
Example 2
Example 2 describes a representative processed user profile in accordance with the present invention. In general, a processed user profile includes three major components: (i) a definition of each NIM associated with the user, (ii) a description of each pack associated with the user and, (iii) the last state of each home NIM associated with a user. In Example 2, the definition of each NIM associated with the user is found on lines 4 through 31. Specifically, lines 4 through 31 describe NIM definitions I through N. In Example 2 there is only one pack associated with the user. This pack, entitled “New DotPack,” is found on lines 32 through 35 of Example 2. The final major component of the processed user profile found in Example 2 is the last state of the home NIM, which is defined on lines 37 through 43. This code stores the last state of the home NIM. Such last state information includes whether the home NIM was collapsed, and the position of the home NIM on the screen.
When the user wishes to log out of system 10, the processed user profile is transferred from client 20 to server 50. When web server 58 receives the processed user profile, it passes the processed user profile to user profile database manager 100. User profile database manager 100 stores the processed user profile as the unprocessed user profile 76 corresponding to the user. In some embodiments, such a storage operation involves a conversion process. For example, advertisements or specific system NIM definitions are stripped from the processed user profile in order to convert the processed user profile to the unprocessed user profile 76 that corresponds to the user. In some embodiments, the processed user profile is periodically transferred, in its entirety or incrementally, from client 20 to server 50 and saved in the manner described in the log out procedure above. Such timed periodic or event based backup procedures are possible because NIM definitions are efficiently described, thus the absolute size of a processed user profile remains relatively small. Accordingly, timed backups of a processed user profile to user profile database 76 are possible without extensive use of system 10 bandwidth or server 50 resources.
At this stage, a system (
Attention now turns to some of the advantages and features of the present invention. In
The visual manifestation of home NIM 162 illustrates additional benefits and features of a home NIM in accordance with the present invention. When a user selects tab 176, a list of the NIMs that are present in the processed user profile associated with the user is displayed in viewer 180. As disclosed in more detail below, a user has the option to associate a collection of NIMs into an object termed a “pack”. The pack references some subset of the NIMs associated with a user as well as associated state information. This arrangement includes, for example, whether a visual manifestation corresponding to each MM is displayed on output means 42 or not, the dimensions of each visual manifestation, and the position of each visual manifestation. The name of each pack is stored in the processed user profile. A user reviews packs associated with the user by selecting tab 178 (
In total,
Importantly, the user can categorize NIMs using filter 190. Categories include such topics as sports, personal, weather, etc. Furthermore, the user can add NIMs to the processed user profile associated with the user as well as delete NIMs. There are a variety of mechanisms that enable a user to add a NIM to the processed user profile. One mechanism is to receive links to NIMs from other users of system 10 (
NIM 192 provides a system that enables users to add select NIMs to their user profile with a single click or keystroke sequence. NIM 192 includes tab 194 that allows the user to select premiere NIMs and a general tab 196 that allows the user to review a general catalog of NIMs that is present in NIM templates database 74 (
In
In one embodiment, the user is provided with the option of (i) incorporating a NIM selected in list 198 into the processed user profile or (ii) transiently executing the NIM on client 20. Furthermore, when the user receives NIMs from other users, the user has the option to transiently operate the received NIMs on client 20. If the user decides to keep the transient NIMs at a later date, the user has the option to add the transient NIMs to the processed user profile at that time. Thus, in such embodiments, the user effectively has the option to “preview” NIMs before adding them to the processed user profile. This is advantageous because it reduces the chances of filling the user profile with undesirable NIMs. Such a feature is particularly advantageous in the case of novice or inexperienced users of system 10. Furthermore, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the concept of transient NIM execution raises the possibility of executing NIMs on a client 20 during a period of time in which the user is not logged into system 10. For example, consider a NIM that is executed on a client 20 after a user initiated response to a web page advertisement presented in web browser 36. Although the user is not logged into web server 58 and therefore does not have a processed user profile resident on client 20, the user can execute the NIM on client 20 on a transient basis. Furthermore, if the user wishes to add the transiently executed NIM to the user profile 76 associated with the user, the user can log into web server 58 and then add the NIM to the processed user profile that is delivered to client 20 as a function of the log in process.
Another important feature of the present invention is the ability for users to share NIMs with each other. For example, if a user wishes to share the NIM “AnyDay Calendar” that was added to list 188 in
When a user toggles “share via email” button 109 at a time when one or more NIMs in list 107 have been selected, the definition of each selected NIM is copied from the processed user profile associated with the user into a container and the container is sent to server 50 (
As is readily apparent upon review of
In the embodiment shown in
Each frame 137 provides functions and controls for manipulating the visual manifestation of the NIM 133 corresponding to the frame. For example, some frames 137 include a dismiss button 141. When the user clicks on dismiss button 141, the corresponding NIM 133 is dismissed. Additionally, some frames 137 include a menu button 143. When the user clicks on button 143, a menu appears. In one embodiment, the menu is a pull down menu and the menu items are defined in the corresponding NIM definition. In an abstract example, the NIM definition provides a menu definition of the format:
Menu 143-(I)-“Get more NIMs” URL
where (I) refers to the N.sup.th element of the menu that is activated when menu button 143 is pressed, “Get more NIMs” is the menu element name, and URL is the event or web address that is called when the user selects the N.sup.th element of the menu associated with button 143.
The developer has full control over all aspects of the appearance and functionality of NIM frame 137. Thus, a NIM developer has the ability to control, for example, the functionality located at any corner of frame 137, functionality placed along the top or bottom of the frame, or on the sides of the frame. As an illustration, frame 137-3 includes a control button 145 that allows the user to resize the visual manifestation of NIM 133-3. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the bottom row of NIM frame 137 could have any number of buttons, including a forward control, a backward control, and similar controls, each of which provides the user with distinct functionality.
An advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to embed commands that affect frames 137 in the content of the computer readable media delivered to frame viewer 135. The use of embedded commands provides NIM developers with powerful tools and additional flexibility. For example, a developer can use embedded commands, such as the menu command above, to design a NIM that has a context sensitive help menu. Each time a particular event occurs, the developer changes the content of the help menu using embedded commands. For example, when a sound file is delivered to a NIM, the sound file may be attached to a set of embedded commands that provide sound manipulation functionality in the form of a pull down menu. Elements of such a pull down menu include a command for saving the sound file to disk, commands for fast forward, stop, and play, and commands for sound enhancement. After the sound file has been played, embedded commands are used in this example by the developer to reset the menu associated with button 143 to some default state. One of skill in the art will appreciate the benefits and advantages of a frame 137 that is capable of being modified based on commands embedded in the machine readable media delivered to the corresponding viewer 135. The developer can use presentation tools, such as adding transient help buttons, resizing the visual manifestation of the NIM, changing the frame border color, changing the title of the frame, and changing the frame border patterns, to create a more effective application.
One of the advantages of the disclosed pack system is that it provides a convenient mechanism for rapidly assembling NIMs that track diverse sources of information. Furthermore, when a useful set of NIMs is collected into a pack, the user can share the pack with other users using the same procedure previously identified for sharing one or more NIMs. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, NIMs are commercial applications and that appropriate use of packs provides an additional dimension for application development. Therefore, in some embodiments, pack recipients are subscribers to a service provided by a pack developer. In other embodiments, pack recipients are purchasers or licensees of packs. In still other embodiments, pack recipients receive packs developed by friends, family members, or business associates.
The technology of the present invention further provides a set of NIM management tools to help a user manage displayed NIMs. In some embodiments of the present invention, these management tools are provided by visual management module 114 (
An additional management tool, illustrated in
The present technology further provides additional methods for controlling visual manifestations of NIMs. For example, in one embodiment, the user has the option to select multiple NIMs by pressing a predefined key such as the keyboard “Ctrl” key, before selecting a specified NIM. While continuing to depress the control key, the user has the option to select additional NIMs and add the corresponding NIMs to a group. The user then has the option to move each of the NIMs in a single coordinated fashion as a group. Furthermore, by entering a designated keyboard or mouse sequence, the user has the option to move a single NIM even in situations where the NIM is in a group. In one embodiment in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the user clicks the visual manifestation corresponding to a locked NIM that the user wishes to move in an independent manner and the user does not click the visual manifestation when the user wishes to move the NIM in a manner that is coordinated with the other NIMs. Additional features of the present invention include the option to select rows or columns of NIMs using specialized control sequences. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user selects a column of NIMs by clicking on a NIM while holding down the alphanumeric character “c” on the keyboard.
It will be appreciated that one advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to display multiple NIMs and that each NIM provides a specialized visual experience. Therefore, NIM alignment tools are advantageous because they allow users to quickly make room on output means 42 for additional NIMs and/or to produce highly styled NIM arrangements. Accordingly, the present technology provides a specialized feature to rapidly align NIMs. This technology is illustrated in
The features of the home NIM of the invention have been fully described. Attention presently turns to the architecture and operation of individual NIMs utilized in accordance with the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, after a user has logged into the system, as discussed above in connection with
Collected NIMs may be opened or closed by clicking on the control button next to the NIMs name or on the NIM's name itself, in list 188, and all NIMs may be closed by clicking on the “all off button” 166. The user may place NIMs into categories in a list of categories 190, which can be edited by clicking on the-Edit” button 168. New NIMs may be added to the user's collection of NIMs by clicking on the “Get” button 172.
After the user is logged in and has clicked on the NIM, the applications server 50 retrieves the NIM definition from the NIM template database 74 using the NIM ID, in step 242, and provides it to the client 20 in step 243. The client 20 receives the NIM definition from the applications server 50 in step 244, and the client parser application 38 creates a frame in the display of the user interface 42 in step 245. In step 246, the client 20 requests the necessary content elements 94 stored at the URLs identified in the NIM definition from the corresponding content server 82. The content server 82 transmits the content 94 in step 247, and in step 248 the client parser application 38 places the content in the viewer, which is enclosed by the frame, allowing the user to preview the NIM. Alternatively, the client parser application 38 may simply collect the NIM, adding it to the user's processed user profile.
The user may then view the NIM on the user interface display 42, and may interact with the NIM much in the same way as a user may interact with Internet content or web applications. This may change the NIM from its present, “raw” state to a used state reflecting alteration or use of the NIM by the user. For example, the user may direct the NIM to different content within the NIM if the NIM content enables the user to do so. Or, the user may provide information to the content server 82 which allows the NIM to be personalized. The user may additionally be given the option of changing the size of the frame.
If the user collects the NIM, the NIM will be added to the user's list of collected NIMs such as the list 188 shown in
If the NIM's state has been altered by the user or by the content—if for example, the user has directed the NIM to Internet content other than the initially-displayed content, provided personalizing information, or changed the properties of the frame, or if the content itself has caused an alteration in the NIM—this alteration will be reflected in the NIM definition stored in the user profile database 76. Information which personalizes the resulting content, instead of being stored in a “cookie” on the client's hard drive, can be stored as part of the NIM definition. This advantageously permits personalization of content, such as web content that is associated with the NIM content and the user, without storing a cookie on the client 20.
A user may also access a NIM which has been previously collected, and possibly altered by use as explained above. As previously described, the user profile 76 includes NIM definitions for NIMs which have been viewed and collected by each user. A screen shot showing NIMs 188, which have been previously collected by a user is shown in
As discussed above, on login (step 250) the user's profile is retrieved by the client parser application 38 in the client 20 (step 251 and 252). The user's profile, stored in the user profile database 76, includes the NIM definition for each of the NIMs previously collected, and possibly altered, by each user. The NIM definitions, as discussed above, includes the NIM frame definition and the definition of the controls for filling the viewer within the frame with content. After log in, a local copy of the processed user profile is stored on the client 20, and this copy is further processed as the user collects new NIMs, or uses new or collected NIMs such that the NIMs are altered.
When the user clicks on the name of a collected NIM (step 253) the client parser application 38 creates a frame in the display 42 of the user interface 40 in step 254. At step 255, the client 20 requests the necessary content elements 94 stored at the URLs identified in the NIM definition from the corresponding content servers 82, which provide the content 94 in step 256. It will be appreciated that these URLs need not be the same as the initialization URLs in the “raw” NIM definition stored in the NIM template database 74 on applications server 50, and in fact the content servers need not be the same content servers corresponding to the initialization URLs. In step 257, the NIM parser application 38 places the content in the NIM frame, and the NIM is then fully opened.
In one embodiment, the NIM definitions are defined using Extensible Markup Language (XML), so that the NIM as a whole—the frame and the content within the viewer—is advantageously as flexible as standard web content. NIMs are extremely flexible, because the definition of the NIM is content, rather than compiled code. The NIM definition defines the structure of the NIM, and everything that is visible in a NIM is based on standard Internet content, such as HTML, dHTML, or GIFs, and is referenced or pointed to by the NIM definition. An “application”-type NIM, such as a web calendar or web mail, may be changed by the user, by the content provider, or by other content, while advantageously avoiding the need to distribute and support a hard-coded compiled application. The definition of a NIM thus includes everything that is needed for the NIM to be rendered and filled with Internet content.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
In one embodiment, a NIM is identified by three ID strings 270: GlobalID, Domain and Kind. A GlobaliD is used when the MM definition is within a share. It is unique with respect to other NIM tags in the share. A NIM's domain is a unique label for the owning company or developer of the NIM, such as “dodots.com.” Finally, a NIM's kind, which is specified by the NIM's developer, is a helpful identifier for finding the NIM, but need not be unique. Examples of possible NIM kinds include “mp3”, “scriblets,” and “calculator.” As discussed above, a NIM definition will typically be written in a format which facilitates sharing of data over the Internet, such as XML. An XML specification for the NIM identification strings, for one embodiment of the invention follows. The bold text identifies NIM definition data, while the remaining text describes the data.
GLOBALID=“string” Used only within <SHARE> tags. This GLOBALID must be unique with respect to other <NIM> tags in this <SHARE>.
DOMAIN=“string”
Unique label for the owning company of this NIM. In theory, NIMs may be limited to communicating with NIMs only from their own domain.
KIND=“string”
Helpful identifier for finding such a NIM from another NIM. Does not have to be unique.
The NIM definition also includes the definition of a frame 271, which specifies the frame size and shape, and optionally the frame orientation and/or location on the user's screen. The space within the frame is the control space or viewer; visible controls are distributed within the control space or viewer.
The NIM definition may optionally include controls for: a titlebar; a NIM menu with flexible menu entries; an exit button; and a bottombar. A typical layout for these components is: titlebar at the top of the control space, with menu on the left and exit button on the right, and the bottombar at the bottom.
The titlebar component gives the user a place to grab and drag the NIM in a windowed environment. In one embodiment, it is implemented as a GIF rendering control that can be targeted to a local or remote titlebar image. The titlebar will preferably have a fixed height and width that is a function of the NIM's width. The titlebar is preferably capable of being located at any position on the periphery of the NIM. Overlay text can also be specified to layer on top of the titlebar image. The bottombar may be implemented in a similar fashion, but typically will not include text overlay. The titlebar and bottombar may be filled in with initialization data from a fixed data file, or alternatively with Internet content from, example, an initialization URL.
In one embodiment, a menu definition 271 is also included in the NIM definition. The menu includes items and actions of the NIM provider's choosing. For example, menu items may include the title “browse” associated with the action of targeting a full-screen browser or another NIM, and retrieving content for that browser or NIM from a specified address such as a URL. Logging off, or directing the NIM to another address or URL, are also possible menu action items. Menu action items that require communication of messages between the NIM and another NIM may also be provided—for example, opening another NIM, or changing the content of another NIM that is already open. Communication of messages between different parts of the system is discussed below.
An XML specification for a frame, titlebar, bottombar and menu, for one embodiment of the invention follows:
As shown in
Different classes of controls may be used. For example, a control may be a web rendering object, which can render web content such as HTML, dHTML, images, imbedded ActiveX and Java applications, JavaScript, CSS, Streaming Media, and/or Flash. Alternatively, a control may be any object capable of rendering any kind of computer readable media, such as a GIF rendering object or an custom-designed object to display a particular kind of information. Alternatively, a control may be an object capable of processing any kind of application logic, such as a Java module. For example, an on-line brokerage firm could implement a custom stock-chart-rendering control, and define a NIM to use this control.
As discussed above, the control space is located within the frame, and one or more controls can be flexibly positioned within the control space, and these controls may include a titlebar and a bottombar, as well as other controls. The location of controls is specified by the layout in the definition of the controls 273 within the NIM definition. In one embodiment, the controls are laid out or positioned within the NIM frame according to a flexible grid. In this embodiment, the NIM definition allows the control space to be subdivided into equal vertical and horizontal units, and then for the controls to be positioned and sized within the control space.
A control definition will typically include initialization data. For example, where a control is a web rendering object, the definition will include initial URLs. When the NIM is opened, the control will navigate to the initial URLs to obtain content and render the NIM. If the control is a GIF, the control could retrieve the GIF file from a content server or from the application server. A NIM definition may optionally include additional tags identifying initialization parameters for different platforms: for example, a URL is suitable for a PC, but a “P-URL” may be provided as well, pointing to content suitable for users viewing NIMs through a personal digital assistant (PDA) or similar device.
Controls are typically installed on the applications server, and may be updated after installation by the applications server. The home NIM code, downloaded when the client becomes “NIM-enabled,” includes the then-existing controls. Controls are updated as new controls are installed on the server or when a user requests a NIM that requires a new control. The server may then may download such updates to the client parser application, for example on log-in. The NIM framework allows any control to be positioned and initialized in a control space in a NIM, as discussed above.
An XML specification for control definition and layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, follows:
<CONTROL_LAYOUT> Contains zero or more <CONTROL> tags.
WIDTH=“integer” Divides control space into this many evenly spaced columns. Default is 1.
HEIGHT=“integer” Divides control space into this many evenly spaced rows. Default is 1.
WIDTHSCALES=“TRUE”|“FALSE” Default is true.
HEIGHTSCALES=“TRUE”|“FALSE” Divides control space into this many evenly spaced columns. Default is 1.
CLASS=“string” Class may be “Browser,” “GIF reader,” or other object for rendering computer readable media.
KIND=“string”
ID=“string” Must be unique with other controls in this NIM.
LEFT=“integer” X position of the control in container unites. Default is 0.
TOP=“integer” Y position of the control in container units. Default is 0.
WIDTH=“integer” Width in container units. Default is 1.
HEIGHT=“integer” Height in container units. Default is 1.
URL=“URL” This is read if and only if this control is of class “Browser”. This is the URL to which this control navigates. Otherwise, may include address for other control content, e.g. GIF address in applications server.
<CATEGORIES> Contains zero or more <CATEGORY> tags.
<CATEGORY> Adds the NIM to this category. This is the only way categories are specified; i.e. there is no master category list.
NAME=“string” This is the name of the category.
A NIM definition may also optionally include home NIM categories 274. A home NIM category used by home NIM 204 is a convenient way for a user to keep track of collected NEVIS. When a user adds a NIM to a category 204, the category is added, as a string element, to the categories element 274 of the NIM definition in the user profile. For example, a user may categorize a particular NIM as “entertainment,” or “news,” or “reference.” This category will then be added to the categories element 274 of the MM definition.
A NIM definition may also optionally include an events element 275, which defines actions to certain NIM events. For example, the OnClose event, when a NIM is closed, may be assigned a specific and targeted action, similar to a menu item. An XML specification for the event element in a NIM definition, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, follows:
The first line of this definition establishes the identification of the NIM definition, as discussed above: it is in the domain “calculator,” and the kind of display is “basic.”
In one embodiment, the domain will be the domain name associated with the content provider. The domain name is a unique label for the provider or developer of the NIM. The NIM's “kind” is a helpful identifier for locating the NIM, and need not be unique. A NIM may also be identified using a GlobalID, when the NIM is being shared. Since the NIM defined by this XML file is not being shared, it does not have a GlobalID.
The second line of the example XML NIM definition establishes the size and appearance of the NIM frame, defining a NIM viewer in which the NIM content will be placed. The third line ensures that the height and width of the frame are fixed—that is, the size of this frame cannot be adjusted by the user. The fourth and fifth lines establish the title of the NIM—“Basic calculator”—and its location. The next four lines establish the location and placing of the titlebar and bottombar, and relevant images, e.g. mouse-over. Thus, the first part of the example NIM definition defines the NIM frame. The definition of a frame, titlebar, menu and other aspects distinguish a NIM from a browser—the content provider has control over the frame size and every aspect of the NIM's appearance, whereas when a browser is used, the content provider has to adapt to the browser display size, and browser titlebar, menu, logo and other aspects cannot be controlled by the content provider.
The rest of the NIM definition identifies, positions, and initializes the NIM's controls, which, in this case, are contained by the NIM frame. In this example, the next few lines establish that a single control will start in the upper left corner of the NIM viewer, that the control is of the type “browser,” or web-rendering, and that the initialization URL for the control is www.dodots.com/dots/Calc/CALCULATOR2.htm. This URL is typically referred to as the “initialization URL,” because it is where the NIM looks for NIM content when it is opened. Where the control is of type “browser,” the content will typically be HTML content. However, any standard Internet content—HTML, dHTML, flash, streaming media, or Java, for example—may be used. As discussed earlier, a control, could include types other than a browser. The final two lines of the XML file close the definition file.
It will be appreciated that the NIM is designed such that content consumes the entire frame. In one embodiment, the content for the corners of the frame—the menu and the exit button—and the frame sizing images are served by an application server and referenced when the user logs in. Everything else is developed and served by a separate NIM developer. This differs fundamentally from the current approach to providing web content, in which there is a strong distinction between the viewer application—the browser—and the web page or web content. Using present browser-type technology, the content is trapped within the viewer. To obtain a cohesive application feel and access to application features, the current alternative is to develop custom client applications. NIMs allow a developer to provide an application feel without developing custom client applications.
NIMs and the client parser application have a messaging architecture—the NIM messaging architecture, or NMA—that enables NIMs, controls, and the client parser application to communicate. Messaging, in combination with the NIM definition, gives the content of a NIM access to the application/rendering program—the client parser application—and to other NIMs, allowing true application behavior. The NIM definition, discussed above, is accessible, flexible, and may be changed by a NIM or a user while the NIM is in use, even after it's been rendered.
The content provider, the user, or other NIMs can change a NIM. For example, the content—which includes the titlebar and menu elements—may be changed by the NIM provider by simply enhanced NIM content, using 20 messaging, so that NIMs can exhibit true application behavior. For example, an online brokerage firm can go beyond providing a NIM that renders stock tracking charts, and allow users to trade on-line via a second NIM that can interact with other NIMs such as the first NIM to help facilitate the activity.
A NIM can be changed by its content, or by another NIM, using messaging. This enables a NIM to, for example, notify a user of events, such as a change in content. A NIM could, for example, remain open, but in a collapsed mode, until a particular event occurs, and could then either expand to normal size, or open another related NIM. For example, if a particular stock hits a predetermined price, the stock tracking chart NIM discussed earlier can notify the user by expanding, by popping up a message, or by opening another NIM (such as a stock trading NIM). Alternatively, the NIM could notify the user of a particular event by coming into focus or changing size or content. These changes could also be made by sending messages from a content or applications server to the NIM.
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, an NMA message has two components: a recipient, or address, and the message body. Both are represented as strings. The address may specify an exact NIM, a kind of NIM or control, a domain, or the system, meaning the overall home NIM display. For example, in one embodiment, the address may be in the form:
if the communication is between NIMs in different domains, or
# system
if the communication is to the system.
In one embodiment, if the address is not properly specified it defaults to # system. The message interface 106 in the client 20 can flexibly allow, restrict MM addressing or sending messages—for example, the message interface can ensure that only certain NIMs can send message to a particular NIM. This allows NIM developers to develop coordinated NIMs that can interact, by sending messages to e.g. change content or open one another, without allowing other NIMs to interact with their coordinated NIMs.
In one embodiment, a specifier in n address may be the unique identification of the NIM, control or domain in question: <specifier>:=<ID>. Alternatively, where the kind of NIM or control receiving the message is important but the specific NIM or control is not, the specifier may address a message to the closest matching recipient using a search criteria: <specifier>:=<kind>#<search criteria>. The kind should be a type of NIM or control that is installed in the system. Search criteria may be, for example, “any,” “open,” or “closed.” Finally, where the control is being specified, the specifier may be a symbol, such as “.”, indicating that the message is addressed to the sending NIM. For example, in one embodiment, the address # system sends the message to the system. The address #. sends the message to the NIM which sent the message. The address #7 sends the a message to the NIM with the identifier 7. The address #B#open:5 sends a message to the control with the identifier 5, in the first open dot of kind B found in the system.
In one embodiment, certain NIMs will have privileges to send particular messages to certain NIMs, and not to other NIMs. For example, NIMs in a domain may be permitted to send control messages to other NIMs in the same domain, but not to NIMs in other domains. Thus, a NIM provider may have control over messaging between NIMs in his domain, and prevent NIMs in other domains from changing NIMs in his domain. Alternatively, NIM providers may coordinate with NIM providers in other domains, permitting certain messaging privileges between some of the NIMs in their respective domains. The HomeNIM and other system NIMs, such as the login NIM, which are in the system domain, may have certain messaging privileges that no other NIMs have, such as logging the user out or closing all the currently-open NIMs.
In one embodiment of the invention, the second part of the message, the body, is represented as a string of characters. Messages may be sent to the client parser application, to the frame of a NIM, or to a control. Messages may be specific, defined messages, as shown in the following examples, or may be any javascript, which may be sent in or out of NIM content. Examples of defined messages to the client parser application, in one embodiment, are:
Messages can also be sent from a NIM to itself, or to another NIM, and the identified actions or functions, specified in the body, are performed on the receiving NIM. The following are examples of messages to a NIM for one embodiment of the invention:
The above examples of NIM messages may, in one embodiment of the invention, be sent to a NIM by another NIM. For example, a user may provide input to a NIM, for example a stock tracking chart NIM, indicating an interest in another NIM, such as a stock trading NIM. The current NIM may then send an “open” message to the second NIM to open it, if it wasn't already open. The current NEM may then send a navigate message (see below) that may include an argument, such as a URL or other content pointer, so that the second NIM could be opened to a specific URL indicated by the first NIM.
Finally, messages may be sent to a control of a NIM, either by the NIM itself, another control, the HomeNim system, or another NIM. As examples, the following control messages are provided in one embodiment of the invention:
Control messages may be used by a NIM, addressed to its own control, or to the control of another NIM. Control messages may also be sent by the HomeNIM, or by the applications server or content server.
An example of a message to a NIM is window.external.PostMessage(“#.:”,“#collapse)” this is a message from a NIM, to itself, collapsing the NIM. Another example of a message from a NIM to another NIM is “window.external.PostMessage(“#mp3#any:”,“#open”)”, which is addressed to a NIM with the kind “mp3,” but only if it is in the same domain as the sending NIM. The body of the message instructs the message of type mp3 to open. An example of a javascript message is “window.external.PostMessage(“mp3#any:1”, “33play( )”)”, which sends a message to the mp3 NIM control that calls the javascript function play( ).
The operation of the home NIM and individual NIMs has been described. Attention presently turns to different techniques used in accordance with the invention 25 to host NIMs.
As shown and described in relation to
In addition, Management Modulel 12 preferably contains executable procedures 403 for controlling and managing the NIM system. These procedures 403 may include: a Collection procedure 404 for obtaining new NIMs; a Sharing procedure 405 for sharing NIMs with others; Development procedures 406, such as a DevZone procedure 407 and a DevNIM procedure 408, for creating, modifying or deleting NIMs; Publishing procedures 409, such as a PubZone procedure 410 and a PubNIM procedure 411, for publishing NIMs so that they are publically accessible; and Administration procedures 412, such as an AdminZone procedure 413 and an AdminNIM procedure 414, for administering the system. It should be noted that the NIM sharing procedure, discussed in further detail below, may be processed by either the Server module (102 of
For ease of explanation, the individual or organization that controls the server (50 of
Each NIM is fully configurable and definable. The NIM definition module 418 contains details defining the NIM, such as the look-and-feel 419, of the Raw NIM, initialization URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) 420, and a location 421 of where the developer would like the NIM to open on a users's computer screen. The look and feel of the NIM is the appearance and function of the NIM interface. The look and feel may characterize the frame or skeleton layout, the graphics used to represent certain functions, such as opening and closing the NIM, whether the frame is sizable, and the appearance and operation of menus in the frame.
The definition module 418 may also contain Initialization URLs 420 which reference resources containing content. The content resources may be HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), dHTML, images, programs such as Java applets, or any other file supported by HTTP. The Initialization URLs 420 contains the name of the protocol required to access the resource, a domain name that identifies a specific computer on a network, such as the Internet, and a hierarchical description of a file location on that specific computer. These files or resources are then used by the home NIM to fill in the frame and controls with content. In addition, the definition module 418 may contain other details such as the location 421 on a user's computer screen where the NIM should initially open.
The NIMIndex may be used to search for, learn about, and collect NIMs. The NIMIndex is typically accessed from either a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer® or Netscape Navigator® or from the home NIM, 108 of
A user accessing the NIMIndex from a Web Brow typically navigates to a main NIMIndex web page such as that shown in
Navigation of the Internet generally occurs through the use of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), which are the addresses of files or resources accessible on the Internet. The type of resource depends on the Internet application protocol. Using the World Wide Web's protocol, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the resource can be an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) page, an image file, a program such as a Java applet, or any other file supported by HTTP. The URL contains the name of the protocol required to access the resource, a domain name that identifies a specific computer on the Internet, and a hierarchical description of a file location on the computer and usually takes the form: “URL=protocol://machine.name[:port]/directory/document.name′?[&argu-ments]” The “protocol” is the Internet protocol used to reach the document or resource. On the Web, the “protocol” is typically HTTP, but it can take any number of forms, such as ftp (file transfer protocol), file (a local file), gopher (gopher protocol), mailto (electronic mail address), news (Usenet news), telnet and tn3270 (interactive sessions), wais (wide area information servers), or the like.
The “machine.name” is the name of the host come where the document resides (such as www.NIM.com). The “:port” portion of the address is optional and is only necessary when a resource is accessible through a non-standard TCP port number. Although the standard port number for HTTP is 80, there are numerous Web servers on the Internet that use non-standard ports, such as port 8000.
The NIM system, however, may also utilize a proprietary NIM protocol. An example of a URL using the proprietary NIM protocol is: “NIMS:?NIMTemplate=<N/M_ID>”
The NIM protocol URL is used to collect, distribute, and share NIMs. When collecting NIMs the NIM protocol URL is referred to as a NIMLink. When distributing or sharing NIMs the NIM protocol URL is referred to as a ShareLink.
The “NIMs:” term defines the NIM protocol or scheme and is always followed by a colon. The “?NIMTemplate=<NIM_ID” is an argument, where a dollar sign (5) and a question mark (?) are used to denote path and/or search elements. It should be noted that no path is supplied (i.e.: “//path/to/something”). The argument instructs the client parser application (38 of
In one embodiment, the address for where the client parser application (38 of
When a protocol URL takes the form of a NIMLink, the client parser application responds by obtaining the NIM definition from the NIM Template database, optionally adds the NIM to the user's processed user profile (unless the NIM has been specified to be opened in transient mode, which may be specified in the argument), and optionally opens the NIM on the user's display screen.
In one embodiment, by default, unless specified otherwise, a NIM will be added to a users collection (transient—false) and will be opened (open—true). A NIMLink with arguments may look as follows: “NIMS:?NIMTemplate&transient=true” or “NIMS:?NIMTemplate&open=false”. More than one additional argument could be added by appending another argument to the URL which may read as “&argument=value”.
A ShareLink (discussed below) is similar to a NIMLink and may read “NIMS:?share=123”, where 123 is the SHARE ID referencing the share module within the ShareLink Database. Pack Links (discussed below) typically read as “NIMS:?pack-123”, where 123 is the PACK_ID referencing a pack module within the NIM Template Database.
Once the user decides that he would like to add a NIM to his home NIM, the user clicks on the “get it now” or “Get This Dots™ NIMLink 450 (
The Collection procedure (404 of
When a user selects or clicks on any of the NIMLinks 480, NIMLink 480 references the NIM_ID (416 of
Users (or developers) may share NIMs they have collected, and perhaps even modified, with other users (or developers) in accordance with this viral distribution architecture. Because the NIM definition contains basic reference information, such as data to instantiate the NIM and URLs and other references to where the NIM content is located, a NIM is easily and quickly distributed, collected, and shared. By-packaging Internet content and applications as NIMs and referencing the NIMs by NIMLinks, the system advantageously gives Internet content viral characteristics as the NIMs can easily be distributed or shared between users.
Each NIM definition contains just enough information to define and initialize the NIM's components (NIM frame, controls, etc.). For example, this information may contain data to configure the skeleton or frame that is filled in by NIM content from a developer's server. The NIM definition is therefore fairly small in size (−2K), and is therefore easily distributable as an XML file or Blob (binary large object), which is communicated using the same mechanisms (HTTP/HTTPS requests) as regular Web pages.
This is especially useful where a user has collected a NIM or a group of NIMs (Packs) that he would like to send to another user. For example, a user may have an online trading NIM, calculator NIM, and stock research MM all set up in various positions on his screen, and would like to share the entire Pack with a friend who is remotely connected to the Internet.
To share NIMs with others, the system utilizes the Sharelink database 78 of 25
When users share NIMs or NIM packs, their home NIM application generates a 10 share module, which may for example be an XML Blob containing the NIM definition or Sharepack modules shared. The shared NIM XML is then sent to, and saved in, the Sharelink database (78 of
If a user receives shared NIM(s) or pack(s) and has a home NIM installed on his client computer, then clicking on the Sharelink adds the NIM(s) to the user's home NIM and opens the shared NIM(s) on the user's screen. If a recipient of a shared NIM does not have the home NIM installed on his computer, then the home NIM is downloaded and installed (with the user's cooperation), the shared MM is added to his local processed user profile, and the NIM is opened.
The NIM management module (112 of
Because NIM content is based on existing Internet content standards (HTML, DHTML, GIFs, etc.) developers can create MM content using their existing Internet content development tools and methodologies. Therefore, no special hardware or software is required to develop or serve NIM content.
Furthermore, as the application server (50 of
Two means are provided for creating NIMs. First, a Developer Zone Web site (DevZone) and second, a set of developing NIMs (DevNIMs). Both means enable NIM developers to create, define, and modify NIM definitions, and to support the NIM development process which results in XML NIM definitions being added to the NIM Templates database and NIMLinks generated.
The DevZone is a Web site where NIM developers can view a list of NIMs they have defined and/or published, add new NIMs, and categorize, view, modify, or delete their existing NIMs. The DevZone is preferably rendered in a Web browser, is hosted on the Web server (82 of
To access the NIM definition (for modification or review) the developer clicks on a “modify” or “preview” link 524 as transient (e.g. to add the NIM to their home NIM for previewing and testing). By clicking on the “modify” link, the developer is taken to the NIM modification web page, as shown in
To create a new NIM, the developer launches the DevNIM and enters a NIM name 550 into the DevNIM. The server then obtains an empty NIM (a NIM with default or no initialization data and with only basic characteristics) from the NIM Template Database using the procedure for collecting NIMs described above, and saves the empty NIM under the supplied new NIM name 550 locally in the developer's processed user profile. The developer may then modify the empty NIM to the required form using the DevNIM. In the preferred embodiment a pull down menu 552 is provided where the developer can select which feature to modify, such as the frame characteristics (
Each time the developer modifies a setting, the DevNIM, using the DevNIM procedure, sends NMA messages to the newly saved NIM to modify its definition parameters. For example, modifying the NIMs name, size, TitleBars, BottomBars, or WebConduits (as shown in
Unlike the DevZone, a new XML NIM definition and NIMLink is not generated every time a modification is made. All modifications (during the development cycle) are made locally to the NIM definition and are stored in the developer's processed user profile. The DevNIM embodiment, therefore, requires a separate publishing step that promotes the newly created NIM definition from the developer's user profile, to the NIM templates database on the application server.
To publish the NIM, the NIM developer categorizes the NIM and the NIM definition is copied from the developer's processed user profile to the NIM Templates database.
A publishing NIM (PubNIM), implemented with Publishing procedures 409, is provided to handle these functions. The PubNIM may therefore be shared or transmitted to the developer along with the DevNIM. The PubNIM contains a PubNIM procedure (411 of
Alternatively, the new NIM may be published directly from the DevNIM. Once a user is satisfied with the NIM, he may select an option which publishes that NIM definition to the NIM Templates database. It should be noted that a developer may modify his NIMs at any time from the DevNIM.
As mentioned earlier, when a developer is first authorized to create and/or modify NIMs, or at any time thereafter, information about that developer is saved in that developer's user profile (76 of
A developer may also create application programs using NIMs, which a user may access from his client computer. Just as client-side application characteristics (sizing, position, menus) are accessible to content via NMA, the system may offer server-side application functionality, or toolkits, which are accessible through the NMA.
A developer can build a NIM application without implementing, hosting, or supporting complex server or client applications. By using the server toolkits, a developer can develop NIMs that exhibit server-application behavior by focusing on implementing NIM content (just like standard Internet content).
For example, a NIM's content (an HTML page) may send a message to the system (or server) to request a credit card to be processed. Other toolkit examples may include credit card billing, user profiling, targeted advertising, email, chat rooms, Internet telephony applications, or calendars.
Any server-side application can be made accessible through the NMA, as a toolkit, just as client-side application behaviors are made accessible. In the current implementation, server-side application functions could be offered by a NIM (exposed via javascript functions on a page in a hidden frame). Other NIMs could access this functionality by sending NMA messages to this “Toolkit NIM” calling the functions. A NIM developer may therefore focus on Internet content development while accessing the features, behaviors, and functionality of an application just as if he had developed custom client and server side applications. The NIM management module (112 of
A system administrator has the power to create, modify or delete users, developers, NIMs, other administrators, or NIMIndex categories, depending on that administrators access privileges. In a similar manner to the DevZone and DevNIM, system administrators may utilize either a Web browser administration zone (AdminZone), or an administration NIM (AdminNIM) which both make use of Administration procedures (412 of
To access the AdminZone, an administrator typically passes through a secure portal, such as by supplying a login identity and password. Once within the AdminZone, the administrator may search for a NIM by NIM name or title 552, category, developer, developer contact name, or status, as shown in
Utilizing an AdminZone procedure (413 of
Also utilizing the AdminZone procedure, the administrator may manage NIMIndex categories by creating new categories, modifying or deleting existing categories, and/or adjusting the layout of the NIMs within those categories as shown in
Finally, utilizing the AdminZone procedure (413 of
The foregoing discussion has explored the inherent nature of NIMs. Attention now turns to different techniques that may be used to exploit information that is associated with the use of NIMs. In particular, the following discussion is directed toward the accumulation of statistical information that is only available in view of the architecture of the present invention.
Currently, the predominant method of tracking and collecting user online behavior is severely limited for a number of reasons. First, most Internet use or visitor statistics are single-dimensional (linear, sequential) because Internet content is presented to users one full-screen page at a time. Second, users visit and leave sites so rapidly their visits are barely meaningful. Third, user's browsing habits are often discontinuous (browsers give users navigational bypass controls—back, forward, home, refresh, stop, etc.). Fourth, user behavior tracking is limited from a single site's server point of view. Current use statistics are plagued with the challenge of tracking continuous user behavior (especially from a cross-company perspective), with more than a single dimension of use context. Finally, because a computer may have multiple users, or a single user may use multiple computers, tracking continuous user on-line behavior is extremely difficult.
One of the advantages of the NIM system as illustrated in
Referring to
A home NIM Download Event 704 is logged when the user clicks on a link to request the home NIM user application. Preferably, the start time 752, and the end time 754 are recorded for this event. Also recorded is the provider ID 750 which is a parameter (generally, an integer) that represents the content provider partner who provided the link to the user.
NIM Download Event 706 is logged when the home NIM acquires a NIM via a NIMLink. The start time 752, the end time 754, and the provider ID 750 are recorded for this event. Also recorded is the NIM ID 756 which is a parameter (generally, an integer) that represents the NIM that was just downloaded.
NIM Display Event 708 is logged when a user activates a NIM. The NIM ID 756, the start time 752, and the end time 754 are recorded for this event. Web Click-Through Event 710 is logged whenever a user links from a NIM to a full-screen browser. This can occur when a user clicks on a link in the NIM, or it can occur automatically through the NIM messaging, or directly through the content provider. The NEM ID 756, the start time 752, and the Internet address 758 of the link are recorded. Page-View Event 712 is logged whenever a user views a page of content within a NIM. The NIM ID 756, and the start time 752 are recorded for this event.
First NIM Installation Event 714 is logged the first, a NIM or NIM Pack is installed from a web site. This event is logged only once for each user account. The NIM ID 756, start time 752, and end time 754 are recorded for this event.
First home NIM Startup Event 716 is logged when the home NIM runs for the first time. This event is logged only once for each user account. The start time 752 is recorded for this event.
Transient Mode Event 718 is logged when the home NIM runs in transient mode. Transient mode occurs when the home NIM runs before the user has logged in. The start time 752, and the end time 754 are recorded for this event.
Shared NIM Received Event 720 is logged for each NIM a user receives as part of a share. If a NIM Pack is shared, this event will be recorded for each NIM in the shared pack. The NIM ID 756, the start time 752, and the end time 754 are recorded for this event.
Shared NIM Pack Received Event 722 is logged for each NIM Pack a user receives as part of a share. Thus, when a NIM Pack is shared, an Event 720 will be logged for each NIM in the NIM Pack, while an Event 722 will be logged once for the NIM Pack itself. The start time 752, and the end time 754 are recorded for this event.
The events listed above are tracked in one particular embodiment. Other embodiments may track more or perhaps fewer events. This comprehensive event tracking is possible because each user event can be identified by the NIM Server through communication with the home NIM. Additional events may include tracking when a user sends a share or tracking when a user sends a NIM or a NIM Pack.
Returning to
As shown in step 806 of
A user download of a new NIM (step 808) may be from a partner's web site or the NIM Server. When this occurs, the raw NIM definition is copied into the user's User Profile 76. The event log 98 records two events. First, because this is the first NIM the user has installed, a First NIM Installation Event 714 is recorded. The start time 752, the end time 754, and the provider ID 750 of the download site are preferably recorded. The second event recorded is a NIM Download Event 706. The Event Log Module 98 preferably tracks the NIM ID 756, the provider ID 750, the start time 752, and the end time 754 for this event. The next thing a user may do is open the NIM (step 810). This consists of retrieving the NIM definition from the user's User Profile and getting NIM content from the provider 82, as discussed above. The NIM is displayed for the user and the Event Log Module 98 records a NIM Display Event 708. However, at this point, the Event Log Module 98 can only record the start time 752, and the NIM ID 756 for this event. The end time 754 is recorded when the NIM is closed.
For every page of content a user views within a NIM 812, a Page-View Event 712 is recorded. Some page views may require content from the provider 82. The NIM ID 756, and the start time 752 are recorded for this event.
The NIM may also enable the user to click on a link that results in navigating to a full screen web browser (step 814). When a user does this, a Web Click-Through Event 710 is recorded. The Event Log Module 98 records the NIM ID 756, the start time 752, and the URL of the web site that is passed from the NIM content to the browser 758.
When the NIM closes (step 816), the end time 754 for the NIM Display Event 708 is recorded. When the user logs out of the home NIM (step 818), the event log is uploaded to the Server 50 (of
In one embodiment of the invention, the previously described Event Log Module 98 (within the client computer 20 of
The Statistics Database 80, illustrated in
Referring to
A primary advantage of the present invention is that, because NIMs are used in groups and are used more often and for longer periods of time than web pages or web sites, real-time multi-dimensional NIM use data (that's a function of which NIMs are activated simultaneously) can be accumulated. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, this accumulated data is used to generate a multi-dimensional consumer profiling database. The Multi-Dimensional Consumer Profile Module 902 uses information from the Statistics Database 80 to examine, for each user, the start time, and the end time of each NIM Display Event It then determines the NIMs (using the NIM IDs) that are opened simultaneously for each user. The Module 902 determines, for every selected NIM, the other NIMs that a given user may use in conjunction with the selected NIM. The Module 902 also determines how often these other NIMs are used simultaneously with the selected NIM. For example, Company X provides a NIM for selling its books. The Multi-Dimensional Consumer Profile Module 902 determines for Company X that a particular user has a NIM related to finance activated 30% of the time the user has the book-selling NIM acted, a NIM related to computers 20% of the time the user has the book-selling NIM activated, and a NIM related to wedding gifts 5% of the time the user has the book-selling NIM activated. This will provide Company X with a more complete profile of the user's interests.
The Real-Time Advertising Module 904 determines the NIMs that each user has displayed at any given moment. This information is used by a content provider partner or by the NIM Server to target advertising information. For example, if a user has a NIM related to sports displayed simultaneously with Company X's book-selling NIM, Company X uses this information to stream an advertisement for a sports book. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by associating each NIM with a context keyword. This is done by incorporating the context keyword into the NIM definition or, alternatively, by maintaining a table of NIMs and their corresponding context keywords. For example, the NIM related to sports is associated with the context keyword “sports.” Moreover, the Real-Time Advertising Module 904 may combine the real-time user information with the historical user information from the Statistics Database 80 to provide advertisers with a complete picture of a user's interests.
The Pack Building Module 906 uses the Statistics Database 80 to determine which NIMs are being used simultaneously. The Module 906 also determines which NIMs are being shared as NIM Packs. From this, the Module 906 provides information to content provider partners about which NIMs should be bundled together. In alternate embodiments, the Module 906 builds a NIM Pack based upon the information it processes. For example, if the Pack Building Module 906 determines that an airline NIM is being used with a hotel NIM and a car rental NIM, the Module 906 may build a NIM Pack with a restaurant NIM.
Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the NIM Server 82 may track the content within a NIM in a Content Database 1050, as illustrated in
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, each of the content providers may track its own content information. The content providers could then compare its content information with the user information provided by the Statistics Database of the NIMServer.
Finally, referring to
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. In other instances, well known circuits and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessary distraction from the underlying invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A server in operative communication with a client computing device over a network, the server comprising:
- electronic memory having stored thereon a networked information monitor template, the networked information monitor template comprising: a definition of a viewer graphical user interface within which content in a web browser-readable language-may be presented; a definition of a first content element for the networked information monitor template, the definition of the first content element referencing a first network location from which the first content element for the networked information monitor template is served over the network; an element configured to cause said viewer graphical user interface to be displayed by the client computing device separately from any graphical user interface of any other application; an element configured to cause the client computing device to request the first content element to be served from the first network location over the network; and an element configured to cause the client computing device to present the first content element received from the first network location in the viewer graphical user interface;
- wherein the definition of the viewer graphical user interface and/or the first content element define all controls for enabling a user to interact with the first content element specify through the viewer graphical user interface, and
- one or more processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules, the one or more computer program modules being configured to receive a request for the networked information monitor template from the client computing device over the network, and responsive to the received request, to transmit the networked information monitor template to the client computing device over the network.
2. The server of claim 1, wherein said definition comprises the definition of at least one control for controlling an aspect of said viewer graphical user interface.
3. The server of claim 2, wherein said aspect is the location at which said viewer graphical user interface is presented on a display associated with the client computing device.
4. The server of claim 2, wherein said aspect is the size of said viewer graphical user interface when presented on a display associated with the client computing device.
5. The server of claim 1, wherein said networked information monitor template including information in extensible markup language (XML) format.
6. The server of claim 1, wherein said definition specifies the appearance of said viewer graphical user interface.
7. The server of claim 6, wherein said definition specifies an image to be rendered in said viewer graphical user interface.
8. The server of claim 7, wherein said definition causes the first content element to be presented in association with said image.
9. The server of claim 7, wherein said definition causes the first content element to be rendered at least in part within said image.
10. The server of claim 7, wherein said definition further includes the definition of at least one control permitting the control over the image.
11. The server of claim 1, wherein said definition further includes the definition of at least one control permitting the user to interact with the first content element in order to effectuate a change in the first content element for presentation within said viewer graphical user interface.
12. The server of claim 1, wherein said content includes audio data, video data, graphics data, still image data, textual content and/or interactive content.
13. The server of claim 1, wherein said networked information monitor template includes an element configured to cause the first content request for the first content element to be periodically sent by client computing device to the first network location referenced by the definition of the first content element included in the network monitor template.
14. The server of claim 1, wherein said networked information monitor template further comprises a networked information monitor template identifier uniquely identifying the networked information monitor template.
15. The server of claim 16, wherein said networked information monitor template identifier may be shared between users of a plurality of client computing devices such that requests for the networked information monitor template are receivable by the server from individual ones of the client computing devices over the network.
16. The server of claim 1, wherein said networked information monitor further comprises a category label which permits the networked information monitor template to be sorted on the server with other such networked information monitor templates by category.
17. The server of claim 1, wherein the network information monitor template further comprises a definition of a second content element for the network information monitor template, the definition of the second content element referencing a second network location from which the second content element for the networked information monitor template is served over the network, and wherein the method further comprises
- an element configured to cause the client computing device to request the second content element to be served from the second network location over the network; and
- an element configured to cause the client computing device to present the second content element received from the second network location in said viewer graphical user interface;
- wherein the definition of the viewer graphical user interface and/or the second content element define all controls for enabling a user to interact with the second content element through the viewer graphical user interface.
18. A server in operative communication with a client computing device over a network, the server comprising:
- electronic storage having stored thereon: a first networked information monitor template comprising a first XML file, the networked information monitor template further comprising a definition of: a first viewer graphical user interface for presentation on a client computing device; a first image to be presented within said first viewer graphical user interface; an element configured to cause said first viewer graphical user interface to be presented on a display associated with the client computing device separately from any graphical user interface of any other application; a first content element for the networked information monitor template, the definition of the first content element referencing a first network location from which the first content element for the networked information monitor template is served over the network; and an element configured to cause the client computing device to present the first content element in the first graphical user interface;
- wherein the definition of the first viewer graphical user interface and/or the first content element define all controls for enabling a user to interact with the first content element through the first viewer graphical user interface, and a second networked information monitor template comprising a second XML file; and
- one or more processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules, the one or more computer program modules being configured to receive a single request for the both of the first networked information monitor template and the second networked information monitor template from the client computing device over the network, and responsive to the received single request, to transmit both of the first networked information monitor template and the second networked information monitor template to the client computing device over the network.
19. The server of claim 18, wherein the second networked information monitor template comprises a definition of:
- a second viewer graphical user interface for presentation on the client computing device;
- a second image to be presented within said second viewer graphical user interface;
- an element configured to cause said second viewer graphical user interface to be presented on the display associated with the client computing device separately from any graphical user interface of any other application;
- a second content element for the networked information monitor template, the definition of the second content element referencing a second network location from which the second content element for the networked information monitor template is served over the network;
- wherein the definition of the second viewer graphical user interface and/or the second content element define all controls for enabling a user to interact with the second content element through the second viewer graphical user interface.
20. The server of claim 19, wherein the first viewer graphical user interface, the first image, and the first content element are separate and discrete from the second viewer graphical user interface, the second image, and the second content element, respectively.
21. The server of claim 19, wherein the first network location referenced by the definition of the first content element is separate and discrete form the second network location referenced by the definition of the second content element.
22. A computer-implemented method of serving a networked information monitor template to one or more client computing devices over a network, the method being implemented in a server comprising electronic storage and one or more physical processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules, the method comprising:
- storing the networked information monitor template to the electronic storage, the networked information monitor template comprising: a definition of a viewer graphical user interface within which content in a web browser-readable language may be presented; a definition of a first content element for the networked information monitor template, the definition of the first content element referencing a first network location from which the first content element for the networked information monitor template is served over the network; an element configured to cause said user interface to be displayed by the client computing device separately from any graphical user interface of any other application; an element configured to cause the client computing device to request the first content element to be served from the first network location over the network; and an element configured to cause the client computing device to present the first content element received from the first network location in said viewer graphical user interface;
- receiving, over the network from a first client computing device, a request for the networked information monitor template;
- wherein the definition of the viewer graphical user interface and/or the first content element define all controls for enabling a user to interact with the first content element through the viewer graphical user interface, and
- responsive to the received request, transmitting the networked information monitor template to the first client computing device over the network.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
- receiving, over the network from a second client computing device, a request for the networked information monitor template; and
- responsive to the received request, transmitting the networked information monitor template to the second client computing device over the network.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein said definition further comprises the definition of at least one control for controlling an aspect of said viewer graphical user interface.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein said aspect is the location at which said viewer graphical user interface is presented on a display associated with the first client computing device.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 12, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 19, 2013
Applicant: MAINSTREAM SCIENCTIFIC, LLC (Mountain View, CA)
Inventors: John Albert Kembel (Palo Alto, CA), George Andrew Kembel (Menlo Park, CA), Daniel S. Kim (Palo Alto, CA), John Russell (Palo Alto, CA), Jake Wobbrock (Palo Alto, CA), Geoffrey S. Kembel (Menlo Park, CA), Jeremy L. Kembel (Palo Alto, CA), Lynn D. Gabbay (Sunnyvale, CA)
Application Number: 13/965,067
International Classification: H04L 12/24 (20060101);
