Abstract: In one embodiment, a message containing message information is received in an end-user's computer. A portion of the message information is first displayed in a caption area. Preferably, the caption area only has enough information to attract the end-user's attention, or provide a hint of the information contained in a subsequently displayed slider window area. A slider window area containing another portion of the message information is displayed after the caption area. Typically, the slider window area is larger than the caption area and contains more information. If the end-user has not acted on either the caption area or the slider window area, indicating that she is not interested in the presented message information, the slider window area automatically closes after a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for updating content on a computer network are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a method includes receiving from a message delivery program on a client computer a first keyword submitted by a web browser on the client computer to an original search engine, the original search engine not being a part of the server computer, the web browser being separate from the message delivery program and providing the client computer a first search result that is different from a search result provided by the original search engine.

Abstract: A bedpan system including an underlayment for supporting a supine human patient above a substantially horizontal supporting surface, wherein the underlayment has: a substantially horizontal top surface upon which the patient rests, a substantially parallel, spaced apart bottom surface for lying upon the supporting surface, and a bedpan cavity having an open top in registry with buttocks of the patient; the bedpan system comprising: an underlayment that is an inflatable mattress constructed substantially of flexible plastic sheet material comprising: a top sheet providing the top surface, a bottom sheet providing the bottom surface, side wall sheets attached between the top sheet and the bottom sheet providing substantially vertical side walls around the perimeter of the underlayment when it is inflated, and cavity sidewall sheets attached between the top sheet and the bottom sheet providing substantially vertical sidewalls in the cavity; a cavity base that is joined to the cavity sidewalls as a closed bottom

Abstract: In one embodiment, client-side programs are employed to observe the navigation of consumers to various websites. Addresses of web pages viewed by consumers may be used to fetch the web pages. A fetched web page may be parsed for one or more keywords. The relevance of the web page to a keyword may be ranked according to consumer preferences, which may relate to consumer interaction with the web page. Web pages and their ranking information may be stored in an index. The index may be consulted to find links to web pages relevant to a keyword employed in a search request.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for updating content on a computer network are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a method includes receiving from a message delivery program on a client computer a first keyword submitted by a web browser on the client computer to an original search engine, the original search engine not being a part of the server computer, the web browser being separate from the message delivery program and providing the client computer a first search result that is different from a search result provided by the original search engine.

Abstract: A bedpan system including an underlayment for supporting a supine human patient above a substantially horizontal supporting surface, wherein the underlayment has: a substantially horizontal top surface upon which the patient rests, a substantially parallel, spaced apart bottom surface for lying upon the supporting surface, and a bedpan cavity having an open top in registry with buttocks of the patient; the bedpan system comprising: an underlayment that is an inflatable mattress constructed substantially of flexible plastic sheet material comprising: a top sheet providing the top surface, a bottom sheet providing the bottom surface, side wall sheets attached between the top sheet and the bottom sheet providing substantially vertical side walls around the perimeter of the underlayment when it is inflated, and cavity sidewall sheets attached between the top sheet and the bottom sheet providing substantially vertical sidewalls in the cavity; a cavity base that is joined to the cavity sidewalls as a closed bottom

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first search result responsive to a first search request is displayed in a presentation vehicle that is separate from a browser employed by an end-user to submit the first search request. The presentation vehicle may be a pop-under, for example. Upon detection of a second search request submitted by the end-user, the same presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second search result. In another embodiment, a presentation vehicle is employed to display a first content responsive to a first end-user behavior. An end-user behavior may be an activity that an end-user engages in while on a computer network. The end-user behavior may be navigation from one web site to another web site or submission of a search request, for example. The presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second content in response to a second end-user behavior.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method to be performed in a client computer includes the acts of sending a request for information from a client computer to a first server computer accessible over a computer network, receiving in the client computer a first response to the request for information, and receiving in the client computer a second response to the request for information. The first server computer may include a search engine and the first response may be a search result from the search engine. The second response may be a search result presented by a message delivery program resident in the client computer. The second response may include a message content that relates to a keyword employed by the end-user in the request for information. Because the keyword represents the end-user's interest in a topic, the chance of the end-user being interested in the message content is increased.

Abstract: In one embodiment, addressing information identifying a location in a computer network is received in a computer. The location may be a website or a specific web page of a website on the Internet, for example. A keyword may be determined based on the addressing information. A search may be performed on the keyword to obtain a search result, which may be displayed in a presentation vehicle such as a pop-under, for example.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for selectively distributing messages to viewers. Specific embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products for distributing messages to viewers based upon information about potential viewers. In specific embodiments, targeted messages are made available to the client machines in response to client message requests by a server that takes the machine and/or user ID provided as part of the client request and queries the database to see if there are any messages pending for that user or that match that user's profile. Specific embodiments can provide a plurality of messages coupled together to form a campaign. The client can receive the campaign using available bandwidth unused by foreground applications, such as web browsers and the like.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for presenting information to a user. At a client, information about a user is collected. Via a network, the collected information is transmitted from the client to a location so that a user profile for the user can be generated based on the collected information. Based on the generated user profile, content is selected for the user. At the client, the content is received via the network and then subsequently presented to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for collecting information about a user. A set of one or more rules for collecting information is obtained by a first application on a client. The first application is utilized to monitor a second application on the client in communication with the network for information that satisfies one or more rules of the set of rules. The second application is utilized by a user to access sites coupled to the network. Information that that satisfies one or more rules of the set of rules is collected from the second application utilizing the first application. At least a portion of the collected information is stored on the client utilizing the first application. Content is received via the network for presentment by the first application based on the portion of the collected information stored on the client.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client computer receives messages from a server computer over a computer network. The messages are displayed in the client computer based on preference settings that may be configured by end-users. This advantageously gives end-users some control over messages provided to them. In one embodiment, end-users configure the preference settings to specify the number of messages they can be shown within a period time, when to display messages relative to the loading of a web page, and/or where to display messages. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications including in the delivery of advertisements over the Internet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, addressing information identifying a location in a computer network is received in a computer. The location may be a website or a specific web page of a website on the Internet, for example. A keyword may be determined based on the addressing information. A search may be performed on the keyword to obtain a search result, which may be displayed in a presentation vehicle such as a pop-under, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for displaying multiple windows in a networked computer. Embodiments of the invention may be employed in a variety of applications including advertising delivery on the Internet. In one embodiment, an advertising window is displayed by determining an area occupied by a browser window in a computer screen, determining if there is available space to display the advertising window in the computer screen, and displaying the advertising window in an available space if there is one. If there is no available space in the computer screen, the browser window may be reconfigured to make room for the advertising window. The present invention advantageously allows an advertising window to be displayed without substantially overlapping a browser window, thereby minimizing possible end-user confusion as to content source. In addition, the advertising window is displayed with minimal interruption to end-user browsing activity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first search result responsive to a first search request is displayed in a presentation vehicle that is separate from a browser employed by an end-user to submit the first search request. The presentation vehicle may be a pop-under, for example. Upon detection of a second search request submitted by the end-user, the same presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second search result. In another embodiment, a presentation vehicle is employed to display a first content responsive to a first end-user behavior. An end-user behavior may be an activity that an end-user engages in while on a computer network. The end-user behavior may be navigation from one web site to another web site or submission of a search request, for example. The presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second content in response to a second end-user behavior.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a consumer is informed of a source of messages (“source”) during the downloading of an item over a network. Thereafter, messages delivered to the consumer are marked with a source indicator. An educational campaign may also be launched to further provide information about the source. For example, additional messages may be delivered to the consumer, with some of the messages containing further information about the source. The educational campaign not only helps in identifying the source, but also helps in ensuring that the consumer fully understands, and acknowledges, any agreement that the consumer entered into during the download process. In one embodiment, user interfaces that are in close proximity to each other are assigned different activation sequences to help prevent inadvertent activation of a user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a consumer is informed of a source of messages (“source”) during the downloading of an item over a network. Thereafter, messages delivered to the consumer are marked with a source indicator. An educational campaign may also be launched to further provide information about the source. For example, additional messages may be delivered to the consumer, with some of the messages containing further information about the source. The educational campaign not only helps in identifying the source, but also helps in ensuring that the consumer fully understands, and acknowledges, any agreement that the consumer entered into during the download process. In one embodiment, user interfaces that are in close proximity to each other are assigned different activation sequences to help prevent inadvertent activation of a user interface.