Abstract: A method for distributing timely information over a computer network where a Timely Information Server collects and organizes information from Timely Information Providers and then broadcasts the organized information to endusers in the form of an alerts over a plurality of alert channels. The alert is comprised of keywords and arguments, wherein the keywords describe the subject matter of the alert and the arguments provide content of the alert. The Timely Information Server maintains a dictionary of all possible keywords and the endusers copy a portion of the dictionary to their local computers to create individual keyword profiles which are comprised of keywords and Boolean operators. When an alert satisfies a Boolean equation in a users keyword profile the headline of the alert (stored as an argument) is displayed and the user is given the option to link his/her web browser to an associated URL (also stored as an argument).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 11, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 6, 1999
Assignee:
Immediata Corporation
Inventors:
Douglas Hunt, Mauro Calvi, Carlen Brett Bennett, Robert L. Hines, Jr., James Peterson