(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0100836A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 3, 2007
`Eichstaedt et al.
`
`US 200701 00836A1
`
`(54) USER INTERFACE FOR PROVIDING THIRD
`PARTY CONTENT ASAN RSS FEED
`
`(75) Inventors: Matthias Eichstaedt, Sunnyvale, CA
`(US); Yunzhong Chen, San Jose, CA
`(US); Michael R. Cook, San Jose, CA
`(US); Ronald W. Ludwig, Tracy, CA
`(US); Sotirios Matzanas, San
`Francisco, CA (US); Kamlesh C.
`Pandey, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Adam
`Prishtina, San Jose, CA (US); Stephen
`W. Swales, Sunnyvale, CA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`DARBY & DARBY P.C.
`P.O. BOX 5257
`NEW YORK, NY 10150-6257 (US)
`(73) Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/262,501
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 28, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7/30
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ T07/10
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system, method, and apparatus are directed to managing
`a subscription to an RSS feed. A search component enables
`searching over a network for content associated with an RSS
`feed. In one embodiment, the search component receives a
`search query in the form of a structured query language
`(SQL), Boolean expression, or the like. The search compo
`nent may search for content based on the search query and
`validate the RSS feed associated with the results from the
`search. A list of validated RSS feeds may be sent to the user.
`The user may then select from the list and subscribe to a
`validated RSS feed. In addition, the user may employ the
`search query as an RSS feed. Thus, the same search may be
`performed automatically and the results compared to the
`previous search results. If a change in the search results is
`detected, the user may be alerted.
`
`AN
`103
`RSS Content
`
`
`
`102
`
`RSS Content
`Source
`
`100 -
`
`Client Device
`
`
`
`104.
`
`136
`
`
`
`
`
`Template
`Store
`
`Subscription
`Server
`
`106
`
`Collection
`Serer
`
`108
`
`110
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`Subscriber
`Store
`
`Feed Store
`
`Load Balancer
`
`
`
`
`
`Match Serer
`
`105
`
`RSS Delivery
`Serter
`
`124
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 01 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`
`
`RSS Content
`
`
`
`102
`
`RSS Content
`Source
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`-10
`
`132
`
`Client Device
`
`104.
`
`136
`
`
`
`
`
`Template
`Store
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Subscription
`Serger
`
`106
`
`
`
`108
`
`Collection
`Serer
`
`Load Balancer
`
`Match Server
`
`Match Server
`
`105
`
`RSS Delivery
`Serer
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`124
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 02 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`--
`
`Network Device
`
`Central Processing Init
`
`222
`
`223
`
`
`
`Storage
`
`244
`
`246
`
`A. 255
`dri
`
`e
`
`
`
`Nonremovable
`Storage
`
`input/output
`interface
`
`Network
`Interface
`Unit
`
`57
`
`248
`
`224
`
`262
`
`video
`display
`adapter
`
`Subscription
`Manager -
`Delivery Manager
`-
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 03 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`- 300
`
`O
`
`Client
`Device
`
`352
`
`3
`62
`
`
`
`Data Storage
`
`a storage
`
`
`
`
`
`Client Program
`
`Messaging
`Application
`
`Other Applications
`
`374
`
`376
`
`378
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`360
`
`FIG. 3
`
`380
`
`Wireless
`Interface(s)
`
`E.
`
`Display
`
`Keypad
`
`Illuminator
`
`Input/
`Output
`Interface
`
`Haptic
`Interface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 04 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`- 400
`
`402
`
`b Images Video Directory Local News Shopping
`SEARCH slashdot rss
`
`Search
`
`404 TS 1. sash
`Add to RSS Feed
`Slashdot. TurboGears. Python on Rails? Korean FTC May investigate ApplefSamsung. Why Do-It-Yourself P
`Doesn't Add Up. Successful Supersonic Jet Launch. Taking On Software Liability - Again. Optimizing Devel
`ss slashdot.org Slashdotislashdot - Mara fror this site - Save - Blurk
`2. Slashdot
`Add to RSS Feed
`threaded discussions related to news for nerds.
`Category: Computers and Technology Weblogs
`hdot. Org-35k-Cached - More from this site-Save - Black
`3. Slashdot
`Add to RSS Feed
`416
`Slashdot. IBM Vows Not to Genetically Discriminate. 20.000 Show up for X-Prize Expo. CEOs Who Invite
`Employees. Red Hat CEO Szulik on Linux Distro Consolidation. Goodbye Dark Matter. Hello General SNU
`iss.slashdot.org'Slashdotislashdoto - More from this site - Saye - Block
`
`405
`
`
`
`406
`
`
`
`Results 1 - 10 fat out 919
`
`414
`
`Afts
`
`407
`
`Add Search to RSS
`Feed
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 05 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`- 500
`
`
`
`508
`
`510
`
`520
`
`Recent updates to Ipso Kat
`
`Ipso Kipso Karipso Heru Alie
`Ipso Kipso Kaipaso Her Allie
`Ipso Kipso Karipso Heru. Allie
`Ipso Kipso Karipso Heru Allie
`Iso Kipso Karipso Heru Allie
`
`A Bla
`
`Ak Bls
`Ak Ba
`A Bla
`A Bla
`
`Ipso Sipso Karipso. Heru. Allie Ak Bla
`Monday June 20, 2005 2:1 PM PSr
`Cotent
`Content - - -
`Content . . .
`Content - . .
`Content
`. . . Content
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content
`Content - - -
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content
`Content . . .
`Content - . .
`Content . . .
`Content
`Content - - -
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content . . .
`Content
`Content . . .
`otel . .
`.
`
`Share this RSS Feed
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 06 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`600
`
`Create an Alert
`
`ty Alerts
`
`Alert
`
`Keep up with your anorite
`Conton from across the web.
`
`Be suro to chick Saw Art
`when you're done.
`View a Sarps Era Aset
`
`act surt of the RSS URL?
`Follow these steps;
`, Go to the site,
`2. Lock for a button or tink
`the test Youthere is an RSS
`or XML feed. example:
`3. Righted
`the link of baton
`and telect Cepy Shortcut.
`if you use e 43s with the
`Safar browser, controddick
`the irk or button and test
`copy tin.
`firefox sers should select
`Copy link location.
`4. Return to this page, end
`paste the URL into the field to
`the right.
`
`
`
`- - -
`
`2S. 604
`
`–s
`if you know the URL fif a Wobiog RSS food, storic hete.
`URL: Oview this sites
`Or choose from the My Yahoo! content you have already set up.
`Preferred RSS Feeds B8cNaas England UKEdition
`Yahoo! News-Search Results of port townsend
`Nex Queue
`Alertbox
`
`---
`
`... M.
`
`Receive acts
`Oas they happon
`Conco a day. if thoo aro changos
`
`Oolvory options
`Email
`O Messenger g)
`O Mobile 6
`
`foofoo Copa
`foo2
`y Penél ill
`-1
`
`609
`
`F.G. 6
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 07 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`START
`
`1.
`
`700
`
`704
`
`Receive Search Query
`
`Perform Search
`Query
`
`Validate RSS Feed
`Associated uvith
`Search Query Results
`
`Send Validated RSS
`Feed to User
`
`706
`
`708
`
`710
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`714.
`
`Receive Subscription
`Request for Validated
`RSS Feed
`
`716
`
`Subscribe lIser to
`Requested RSS Feed
`(see FIG. 9)
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 08 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`u 800
`
`802
`
`
`
`
`
`804
`
`Receive an RSS Feed
`Identifier
`
`RSS Feed
`Identifier
`Valid?
`
`806
`
`Receive Identifier of
`Share Recipient
`
`808
`
`SendMessage to
`Identified Share
`Recipient Regarding
`RSS Feed
`
`
`
`810
`
`
`
`Receive Subscription
`Request for RSS Feed
`
`NO
`
`
`
`812
`
`Subscribe Share
`Recipient to
`RSS Feed
`(see FIG. 9)
`
`
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 09 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`START - 900
`
`904
`
`Authenticate
`Subscriber
`
`906
`
`Receive RSS Feed
`Identifier
`
`
`
`908
`
`912
`
`
`
`
`
`RSS Feed
`Knoun and Valid?
`
`YE
`
`Receive Delivery
`Options
`
`914
`
`
`
`NO
`
`916
`
`Send List of
`Rigted NO
`eeS
`
`Subscriber
`Associated
`with Preferred RCS
`Feeds?
`
`
`
`Create Alert for
`Validated RSS
`Feed
`
`YES
`
`918
`
`Send List of Preferred
`RSS Feeds
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 10 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 3, 2007 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2007/01 00836A1
`
`u-o
`
`Receive Stored Search
`Query
`
`Receive Stored Search
`Query Result
`
`Perform Stored Search
`Query to Obtain Another
`Result
`
`1008
`
`
`
`
`
`Results
`Substantially Differs From
`Other Results?
`
`
`
`YES
`
`1010
`
`Create Alertfor Subscriber
`Based, in part, on
`Differences
`
`1012
`
`Send Alert of Search
`Result Differences to
`Subscriber
`
`
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 11 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 0083.6 A1
`
`May 3, 2007
`
`USER INTERFACE FOR PROVIDING THIRD
`PARTY CONTENT ASAN RSS FEED
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates generally to messag
`ing over a network, and more particularly, but not exclu
`sively, to a system and method for enabling a Subscription to
`a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed, in part, by using a
`search query.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The amount of readily available content available
`to a user over a network, Such as the Internet, has increased
`almost exponentially for the past several decades. Moreover,
`there is little indication that this rate of increase in available
`content will not continue in the foreseeable future. Providers
`of Such content include blogs, news sources, sports sources,
`weather sources, libraries, friends, universities, businesses,
`and the like. Many of these content providers provide new
`or changed content almost regularly.
`0003 Because of the large amount of changing content,
`users often seek mechanisms that help them manage noti
`fications of Such changes. One such mechanism uses an RSS
`feed. Generally, RSS provides web content or summaries of
`web content together with links to the full versions of the
`content, and other meta-data. This information may be
`delivered as an XML file typically called an RSS feed,
`webfeed, RSS stream, or RSS channel. RSS feeds enable a
`user to subscribe to a content providers website, or the like,
`and receive an alert indicating when a change to the content
`has occurred. However, locating content of interest that is
`also associated with an RSS feed remains a challenge. Thus,
`it is with respect to these considerations and others, that the
`present invention has been made.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0004 Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of
`the present invention are described with reference to the
`following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numer
`als refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless
`otherwise specified.
`0005 For a better understanding of the present invention,
`reference will be made to the following Detailed Description
`of the Invention, which is to be read in association with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein:
`0006 FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram illustrat
`ing one embodiment of an environment for practicing the
`invention;
`0007 FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram illustrat
`ing one embodiment of a server device that may be included
`in a system implementing the invention;
`0008 FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram illustrat
`ing one embodiment of a client device that may be included
`in a system implementing the invention;
`0009 FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an example
`screen layout of a search result for use in Subscribing to an
`RSS alert:
`0010 FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an example
`screen layout for use in sharing an RSS alert;
`
`0011 FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of an example
`screen layout of use in managing a Subscription to an RSS
`alert;
`0012 FIG. 7 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally
`showing an embodiment of a process for managing a Sub
`Scription request based on a search query;
`0013 FIG. 8 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally
`showing one embodiment of a process for sharing a Sub
`scription to an RSS alert;
`0014 FIG. 9 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally
`showing one embodiment of a process for providing a
`subscription to an RSS alert over a network; and
`0015 FIG. 10 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally
`showing one embodiment of a process for providing an RSS
`alert based on a detected change to a search query result
`operating as an RSS feed, in accordance with the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0016. The present invention now will be described more
`fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying draw
`ings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of
`illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the
`invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be
`embodied in many different forms and should not be con
`strued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
`these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
`be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope
`of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other
`things, the present invention may be embodied as methods
`or devices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the
`form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely soft
`ware embodiment or an embodiment combining software
`and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is,
`therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
`0017. Throughout the specification and claims, the fol
`lowing terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein,
`unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in
`one embodiment’ as used herein does not necessarily refer
`to the same embodiment, though it may. The phrase "in
`another embodiment as used herein does not necessarily
`refer to a different embodiment, although it may. As used
`herein, the term 'or' is an inclusive 'or' operator, and is
`equivalent to the term “and/or unless the context clearly
`dictates otherwise. The term “based on is not exclusive and
`allows for being based on additional factors not described,
`unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition,
`throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,'an, and
`“the include plural references. The meaning of “in”
`includes “in” and “on.”
`0018. As used herein, the term RSS refers to any of a
`family of file formats and associated mechanisms usable to
`enable a user to subscribe to and receive network syndicated
`content from a content provider over a network. Typically,
`the file format that is employed is XML, however, the
`invention is not so limited, and other file formats may be
`used. Syndicated content includes, but is not limited to such
`content as news feeds, events listings, news stories, blog
`content, headlines, project updates, excerpts from discussion
`forums, or even corporate information. The abbreviation
`RSS as used herein includes at least the following: Rich Site
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 12 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 0083.6 A1
`
`May 3, 2007
`
`Summary, RDF Site Summary, and Really Simple Syndica
`tion. Furthermore, although RSS is described, the invention
`is not limited to RSS. For example, Atom, a syndication
`specification adopted by the Internet Engineering Task Force
`(IETF) may also be employed. As used throughout this
`application, including the claims, RSS refers to RSS, Atom,
`and all syndication file formats derived therefrom. More
`over, as used herein, the terms “feed,” and “RSS feed,”
`Sometimes called a channel, refers to any mechanism that
`enables content notification and/or content access from an
`RSS content source (RCS). In one embodiment, an RSS feed
`may represent a Summary of content formatted in an RSS
`format and available for access.
`0019. Additionally, as used herein, the term “API refers
`to any form of application programming interface, or the
`like. An API may be implemented in any programming
`language, or enabled by hardware. An API may expose
`objects along with their methods, function calls, or the like.
`Such an API may include, but is not limited to, a web
`services interface, a remote procedure call (RPC) interface,
`or the like. The web services interface may include Web
`Services Description Language (WSDL), Simple Object
`Access Protocol-EXtensible Markup Language (SOAP
`XML), or the like.
`0020 Briefly stated, the present invention is directed
`towards a system, method, and apparatus for enabling a user
`to subscribe to an RSS feed, based, at least in part, on a
`search over a network. A search component enables the user
`to perform the search for content associated with an RSS
`feed that Substantially matches a search query. In one
`embodiment, the user employs a structured query language
`(SQL) instruction. In another embodiment, the user may
`provide to the search component a Boolean expression that
`is useable to search for content associated with an RSS feed.
`In still another embodiment, the user may select a search
`query from a list of available search queries. In one embodi
`ment, the results from the search are evaluated to verify that
`a valid RSS feed is available. In another embodiment, a list
`of validated RSS feeds is provided to the user. The user may
`then select from the list and subscribe to a validated RSS
`feed.
`0021. In another embodiment, the user may select to
`subscribe to the results of the search query as an RSS feed.
`Thus, the user may receive an RSS alert associated with
`when a change in the results of the search query is detected.
`The invention may automatically perform the search based
`on some criteria to determine whether the search results
`have changed. If the search results have changed for the
`same search query, an RSS alert may be provided to the user.
`In one embodiment, the criteria for automatically perform
`ing the search include performing the search periodically,
`based on Some event, or the like. Thus, the user may
`subscribe to an RSS feed based on the results of a search
`query and further receive RSS alerts when the results of the
`search query change. In one embodiment, the results of the
`search query may include additional RSS feeds. In another
`embodiment, the results of the search query include content
`associated with one or more content source providers.
`0022. Thus, as more catalogs, libraries, or any other form
`of indexed or searchable content becomes available it can be
`processed in an automated way to provide notifications to a
`user on a wide variety of topics from a vast number of
`distinct data Sources.
`
`Illustrative Operating Environment
`0023 FIG. 1 shows components of an exemplary envi
`ronment in which the invention may be practiced. Not all the
`components shown may be required to practice the inven
`tion, and variations in the arrangement and type of the
`components may be made without departing from the spirit
`or scope of the invention.
`0024. As shown in the figure, system 100 includes RCSs
`102-103, client devices 130-132, networks 104-105, Sub
`scription server 106, collection server 108, load balancer
`114, match servers 122-123, RSS delivery server 124, tem
`plate store 136, subscriber store 110, and feed store 112.
`0025 Network 104 enables communication between
`RCSs 102-103, client devices 130-132, subscription server
`106, and collection server 108. Subscription server 106 is
`also in communication with subscriber store 110 and tem
`plate store 136. Collection server 108 is in communication
`also with feed store 112, and load balancer 114. Load
`balancer 114 is also in communication with match servers
`122-123. Match servers 122-123 are in further communica
`tion with RSS delivery server 124, subscriber store 110, and
`feed store 112. RSS delivery server 124 is further in com
`munication with template store 136.
`0026 Client devices 130-132 may include virtually any
`computing device that is configured to receive and to send
`information over a network, such as network 104. Such
`devices may include portable devices such as, cellular
`telephones, Smart phones, display pagers, radio frequency
`(RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, Personal Digital Assis
`tants (PDAs), handheld computers, wearable computers,
`tablet computers, integrated devices combining one or more
`of the preceding devices, and the like. Client devices 130
`132 may also include other computing devices, such as
`personal computers, multiprocessor Systems, microproces
`sor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network
`PCs, and the like. As such, client devices 130-132 may range
`widely in terms of capabilities and features. For example, a
`client device configured as a cellphone may have a numeric
`keypad and a few lines of monochrome LCD display on
`which only text may be displayed. In another example, a
`web-enabled client device may have a touch sensitive
`screen, a stylus, and several lines of color LCD display in
`which both text and graphics may be displayed. Moreover,
`the web-enabled client device may include a browser appli
`cation enabled to receive and to send wireless application
`protocol messages (WAP), and/or wired application mes
`sages, and the like. In one embodiment, the browser appli
`cation is enabled to employ HyperText Markup Language
`(HTML), Dynamic HTML, Handheld Device Markup Lan
`guage (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML),
`WMLScript, JavaScript, EXtensible HTML (XHTML),
`Compact HTML (CHTML), Voice XML, and the like, to
`display and send a message.
`0027 Client devices 130-132 also may include at least
`one client application that is configured to receive content
`from another computing device. The client application may
`include a capability to provide and receive textual content,
`graphical content, audio content, alerts, messages, notifica
`tions, and the like. Moreover, client devices 130-132 may be
`further configured to communicate a message. Such as
`through a Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Mes
`sage Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 13 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 0083.6 A1
`
`May 3, 2007
`
`chat (IRC), mIRC, Jabber, Enhanced Messaging Service
`(EMS), text messaging, Smart Messaging, Over the Air
`(OTA) messaging, or the like, between another computing
`device, and the like.
`0028 Client devices 130-132 may also include a client
`application that is configured to enable a user of the device
`to subscribe to at least one RSS feed. Such subscription
`enables the user to receive through the client device an alert
`(or notification) that information is available for access. In
`another embodiment, the alert may include some or all of the
`information. Such information may include, but is not
`limited to, Stock feeds, news articles, personal advertise
`ments, shopping list prices, images, search results, blogs,
`sports, weather reports, other third party content providers,
`or the like. Moreover, the alerts may be provided to client
`devices 130-132 using any of a variety of delivery mecha
`nisms, including IM, SMS, MMS, IRC, EMS, audio mes
`sages, HTML, email, or another messaging application.
`0029. In some cases, a user could subscribe to an alert for
`certain content to be provided by all mechanisms available
`on the client device, and another alert for other registered
`content to be provided by a single delivery mechanism.
`Additionally, some alerts may be provided through RSS
`delivery server 124 with a push mechanism to provide a
`relatively immediate alert. In this case, the invention might
`employ stored subscriber profile information to deliver the
`alert to the user using a variety of delivery mechanisms. In
`contrast, other alerts can be provided with a pull mechanism
`where RSS delivery server 124 provides an alert and/or
`content in response to a request from a user. The requests can
`also be scheduled at predefined times to provide alerts.
`0030. For client devices 130-132 that may reside behind
`a Network Address Translation (NAT) device (not shown)
`over network 104, the pull mechanism may employ a
`connection established by a pull request to send the alert to
`the user. In one embodiment, how often the pull alert might
`be provided may be determined by a frequency with which
`a user makes a pull request for the alert and/or content.
`0031. The client application residing on client devices
`130-132 may also be configured to store a history of alerts.
`In one embodiment, the client application may be a mes
`saging application Such as described above.
`0032. In one embodiment, client devices 130-132 may
`enable a user to operate the computing device to make
`requests for data and/or services from other computers on
`the network. Often, the requested data resides in computing
`devices such as RSS delivery server 124, RCSs 102-103, or
`the like. Thus, in this specification, the term “client” refers
`to a computer's general role as a requester of data or
`services, and the term “server refers to a computer's role as
`a provider of data or services. In general, it is possible that
`a computer can act as a client, requesting data or services in
`one transaction and act as a server, providing data or services
`in another transaction, thus changing its role from client to
`server or vice versa.
`0033 RCSs 102-103 represent virtually any network
`device that is configured to provide the content through an
`RSS feed mechanism. Source RCSs 102-103 may include
`businesses, blogs, universities, friends, news sources, or the
`like that may provide various content, including personal
`content, educational content, advertisements, business con
`
`tent, or any of a variety of other topical content. RCSs
`102-103 may provide the content using either a push mecha
`nism, and/or a pull mechanism. That is, in one embodiment,
`at least one RCS may provide content, an alert, or the like,
`to collection server 108 indicating that content is available
`for access. In another embodiment, at least one RCS may be
`pulled using a variety of mechanisms, including queries, or
`the like, by such as collection server 108, to determine
`availability of content.
`0034) Devices that may operate as RCSs 102-103 include
`personal computers, desktop computers, multiprocessor sys
`tems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
`electronics, network PCs, servers, or the like.
`0035) Networks 104-105 are configured to couple one
`computing device with another computing device. Networks
`104-105 may be enabled to employ any form of computer
`readable media for communicating information from one
`electronic device to another. Also, networks 104-105 can
`include the Internet in addition to local area networks
`(LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections,
`such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, other
`forms of computer-readable media, or any combination
`thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, including those
`based on differing architectures and protocols, a router acts
`as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from
`one to another. Also, communication links within LANs
`typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while
`communication links between networks may utilize analog
`telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines
`including T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital
`Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wire
`less links including satellite links, or other communication
`links known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, remote
`computers and other related electronic devices could be
`remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modem
`and temporary telephone link.
`0036) Networks 104-105 may further include any of a
`variety of wireless sub-networks that may further overlay
`stand-alone ad-hoc networks, and the like, to provide an
`infrastructure-oriented connection. Such sub-networks may
`include mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks,
`cellular networks, and the like. Networks 104-105 may also
`include an autonomous system of terminals, gateways, rout
`ers, and the like connected by wireless radio links, and the
`like. These connectors may be configured to move freely and
`randomly and organize themselves arbitrarily, such that the
`topology of networks 104-105 may change rapidly.
`0037 Networks 104-105 may further employ a plurality
`of access technologies including 2nd (2G), 2.5, 3rd (3G), 4th
`(4G) generation radio access for cellular systems, WLAN,
`Wireless Router (WR) mesh, and the like. Access technolo
`gies such as 2G, 3G, and future access networks may enable
`wide area coverage for mobile devices, such as one or more
`of client devices 130-132, with various degrees of mobility.
`For example, networks 104-105 may enable a radio connec
`tion through a radio network access Such as Global System
`for Mobile communication (GSM), General Packet Radio
`Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment
`(EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
`(WCDMA), CDMA2000, and the like. Networks 104-105
`may also be constructed for use with various other wired and
`wireless communication protocols, including TCP/IP, UDP,
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Page 14 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 0083.6 A1
`
`May 3, 2007
`
`SIP, SMS, RTP, WAP, CDMA, TDMA, EDGE, UMTS,
`GPRS, GSM, UWB, WiMax, IEEE 802.11x, and the like. In
`essence, networks 104-105 may include virtually any wired
`and/or wireless communication mechanisms by which infor
`mation may travel between one computing device and
`another computing device, network, and the like. In one
`embodiment, network 105 may represent a LAN that is
`configured behind a firewall (not shown), within a business
`data center, or the like.
`0038. Additionally, communication media typically
`embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures,
`program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal
`Such as a carrier wave, data signal, or other transport
`mechanism and includes any information delivery media.
`The terms "modulated data signal.” and “carrier-wave sig
`nal include a signal that has one or more of its character
`istics set or changed in Such a manner as to encode infor
`mation, instructions, data, and the like, in the signal. By way
`of example, communication media includes wired media
`Such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optics, wave guides,
`and other wired media and wireless media Such as acoustic,
`RF, infrared, and other wireless media.
`0.039
`Subscription server 106 may include virtually any
`network device that is configured to provide an interface for
`use with a client device, such as client devices 130-132 for
`managing an RSS alert. In one embodiment, the interface
`may be a user interface. The user interface may be config
`ured to enable a user to subscribe to an RSS feed, unsub
`scribe to an RSS feed, modify options associated with an
`RSS feed, or the like. In one embodiment, several user
`interface menus are arranged for the user to Subscribe to an
`RSS feed based, in part, on whether the user accesses the
`user interface from a network location that includes associ
`ated RSS feed information, whether the user accesses sub
`scription server 106 from a network location when there is
`no RSS feed information available, but the user may have
`already subscribed to at least one RSS feed, or whether the
`user has no current subscriptions to RSS feeds through
`subscription server 106. In one embodiment, the user may be
`enabled to search for an RSS feed using a search query. The
`results of the search may provide an RSS feed to which the
`user may then Subscribe. In one embodiment, the search
`query may be provided to collection server 108 for auto
`matically performing the search query and providing an RSS
`alert to the user when a change in the results is detected.
`0040 Subscription server 106 may also request from
`client devices 130-132, various subscriber profile informa
`tion, including, but not limited to a user identifier (user-id),
`user name, alert type, alert Sub-type, frequency of receiving
`the alert, mechanism to receive the alert, RSS feed associ
`ated with an alert, or other information. Subscription server
`106 may store such subscriber profile information in sub
`scriber Store 110.
`0041. In one embodiment, subscription server 106 may
`be configured to provide an API or the like, for use with a
`client device, such as client devices 130-132. The API may
`be configured to enable a client application running on a
`client device to subscribe to an RSS feed, unsubscribe to an
`RSS feed, modify options associated with an RSS feed, or
`the like.
`0042. Subscriber store 110 includes virtually any device
`that may be configured to receive and manage Subscriber
`
`profile information, including, but not limited to a volatile
`and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media
`implemented in any method or technology for storage of
`Subscriber profile information, including computer readable
`instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
`Examples of computer storage media usable for Subscriber
`store 110 include RAM, CD-ROM, DVD, optical storage,
`magnetic cas