(12) United States Patent
`US 8,020,083 B1
`(0) Patent No.:
`*Sep. 13, 2011
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Kembeletal.
`
`US008020083B1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CREATING
`AND AUTHORING INTERNET CONTENT
`USING APPLICATION MEDIA PACKAGES
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: John Albert Kembel, Palo Alto, CA
`(US); George Andrew Kembel, Menlo
`Park, CA (US); Daniel Kim,Palo Alto,
`CA (US); John Russell, Palo Alto, CA
`(US); Jake Wobbrock, Palo Alto, CA
`(US); Geoffrey Kembel, Menlo Park,
`CA (US); Jeremy Kembel, Palo Alto,
`CA (US); Joseph Bella, San Francisco,
`CA (US); Sridhar Devulkar, Mountain
`View, CA (US); Mark Wallin, Mountain
`View, CA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Mainstream Scientific, LLC, Mountain
`View, CA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 938 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 11/932,585
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 31, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 09/558,922, filed on
`Apr. 26, 2000, now Pat. No. 7,756,967.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 17/00
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 15/173
`U.S.C... 715/201; 715/741; 715/762; 709/224
`Field of Classification Search.................. 709/203,
`709/223, 224; 715/201, 741, 762
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`5,625,781 A
`5,649,186 A
`5,740,549 A
`5,761,662 A
`
`4/1997 Cline et al.
`7/1997 Ferguson
`4/1998 Reilly etal.
`6/1998 Dasan
`(Continued)
`
`WO
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO0180086 A2
`10/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Alexa 1.4.1 Support Pages, 9 pages, www.alexa.com/support/index
`1.html, Jan. 1999.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Chau Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
`Pittman, LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An Application Media Package is a software component for
`accessing and displaying Internet content which includes a
`definition for rendering a graphical user interface and a URL
`pointing to Internet content to be downloaded and presented
`within said user interface. An Application Media Viewer may
`be used in association with an Application Media Package to
`managethe collection, organization, sharing, and rendering
`of a plurality of such Packages. A development server sup-
`ports the community ofApplication Media Package develop-
`ers, providing developertools, including Package templates
`which provide an expedient method of re-purposing existing
`internet media into a new presentation package by choosing
`from existing examples. Access to tools and information may
`be controlled at the development server. The development
`server may also provide a development and test zone for
`Package verification, authentication and acceptance before
`posting.
`
`16 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`Application Media Package (Dot)
`
`XML Definition
`
`Appearance
`
`Control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Network reference a
`
`DMA message data
`
`ID tags
`12
`
`
`
`
`
`104
`
`105
`
`106
`
`108
`
`152
`
`Dot Definition
`
`Dot Content
`
`1
`
`Exhibit 1042
`Samsungv. DoDots
`IPR2023-00701
`
`Exhibit 1042
`Samsung v. DoDots
`IPR2023-00701
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`5,794,230
`5,796,393
`5,796,952
`5,801,702
`5,809,248
`5,838,906
`5,890,172
`5,893,091
`5,948,061
`5,974,446
`5,977,964
`5,983,227
`5,987,513
`5,995,756
`6,006,252
`6,012,090
`6,012,098
`6,018,344
`6,026,433
`6,065,044
`6,101,510
`6,115,040
`6,133,916
`6,161,112
`6,177,936
`6,199,082
`6,230,173
`6,237,030
`6,268,856
`6,275,854
`6,292,185
`6,297,819
`6,314,451
`6,341,305
`6,369,840
`6,393,407
`6,411,992
`6,418,440
`6,434,563
`6,460,029
`6,484,149
`6,487,566
`6,496,203
`6,537,324
`6,538,673
`6,549,612
`6,560,639
`6,571,245
`6,594,682
`6,662,341
`6,751,606
`6,784,900
`6,816,880
`6,834,302
`6,842,779
`7,107,548
`7,216,300
`7,356,569
`2002/0089536
`2002/009 1697
`
`PPPPPPPPEEEPPEESEPEEPPPS
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`8/1998
`Horadan etal.
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`MacNaughtonetal.
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`Davis et al.
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`Dolan et al.
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`Vidovic
`11/1998
`Doyleet al.
`3/1999
`Borman etal.
`4/1999
`Huntetal.
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`Merriman etal.
`10/1999
`Sonnenreich etal.
`11/1999
`Williamset al.
`11/1999
`Nazem et al.
`11/1999
`Prithviraj et al.
`Hermann
`11/1999
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`Wolfe
`1/2000
`Chunget al.
`1/2000
`Bayehetal.
`1/2000
`Harada etal.
`2/2000
`D’ Arlachet al.
`5/2000
`Ogasawara
`8/2000
`Stone et al. ee 715/234
`9/2000
`Bladow et al. oc 715/741
`10/2000
`Bukszar et al.
`12/2000
`Cragun etal.
`1/2001
`Cragun
`3/2001
`Ferrelet al.
`5/2001
`Ferrelet al.
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`Adamset al.
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`Bruck etal.
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`Koetal.
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`Srinivasan et al.
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`Pasqualiet al.
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`Sundaresan
`12/2002
`Beaumontet al. 0.0... 715/762
`3/2003
`Tabataet al.
`3/2003
`Maslov
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`Giffordet al.
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`Dan etal.
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`Huangetal.
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`Petersonet al.
`12/2003
`Cooper et al. ww. 715/234
`6/2004
`Frieset al.
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`Dobronsky etal.
`11/2004
`Strandberg etal.
`12/2004
`Harvell oes 709/224
`1/2005
`Nishizawa
`9/2006
`Shafron
`5/2007
`Dang
`4/2008
`Kembeletal.
`7/2002
`Dang weccccceesereees 345/749
`7/2002
`Huang etal. ww. 707/10
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`faqs, 4 pages, www.alexa.com/whatisalexa/faq.
`Alexa general
`html#general, Jan. 1999.
`“Custom Explorer Bars Give Sites an Edge,” 2 pages, www.
`microsoft.com/Windows/le/IE5/custom.asp, Jan. 1999.
`“Flexibility Across the Web,” 2 pages, www.microsoft.com/Win-
`dows/le/IES/choice.asp, Jan. 1999.
`“Web Accessories Overview,” 2 pages, www.microsoft.com/work-
`shop...er/accesory/overview/overiew.asp, Jan. 1999.
`“Browser Extensions Overview,” 2 pages, www.microsoft.com/
`workshop/browser/ext/overview/overview.asp, Jan. 1999.
`Alexa Technology, 4 pages, www.alexa.com/support/technology.
`html, Jan. 1999.
`“Creating Custom Explorer Bars and Desk Bands,” 13 pages, www.
`microsoft.com/workshop/browser/ext/overview/Bands.asp,
`Jan.
`1999.
`
`| page, www.alexa.com.whatisalexa/index/
`
`Alexa Internet Tour,
`html, Jan. 1999.
`“Revolutionary Ad Model,” Advertise on Alexa, | page, www.alexa.
`com/company/advertise.html, Jan. 1999.
`“The Alexa Service Appears on Your Desktop in Its Own Window,” |
`page, www.alexa.com/tour/overview.html, Jan. 1999.
`“Know More About the Sites You Visit,” 1 page, www.alexa.com/
`tour/site__stats-html, Jan. 1999,
`“Find Related Web Sites,” | page, www.alexa.com/tour/related_
`links.html, Jan. 1999.
`500,000 Sites and Growing,: 1 page, www.alexa.com/tour/archive.
`html, Jan. 1999.
`“Research Tools at Your Fingertips,” 1 page, www.alexa.com/tour/
`eb.html, Jan. 1999.
`“Reporting,” | page, www.alexa.com/company/reporting.html, Jan.
`1999.
`
`“Alexa Internet’s Related Links Integrated Into Netscape Browser,” |
`page, www.alexa.com/company/netscape.html, Jan. 1999.
`“Demographics,”
`alexa.com/company/demographics.html,
`1999.
`
`Jan.
`
`“Ads Appear in the Pop-up and on the Bar,” | page, www.alexa.com/
`company/adspecs.html, Jan. 1999.
`“Alexa Why Crawl,” | page, www.alexa.com/support/why_crawl.
`html, Jan. 1999.
`| page, www.alexa.com/tour/
`GIF Image 590x329 pixels, Alexa,
`images/alexa_overview.gif, Jan. 1999.
`| page,
`“It’s X-treme!,” Alexa, PC Magazine: The Best of 1998,
`www.zdnet.com/pemag/special/bestof8/internet5 html, Jan. 1999.
`“Search While You Surf,’ PC Magazine: Search the Web, | page,
`www.zdnet.com/pemag/features/websearch98/surf.html, Jan. 1999.
`MindSpring, MyYahoo, pp. 1-16, www.mindspring.com/myyahoo/
`contents.htm, Dec. 1997.
`Morrison, XML Unleashed, Sams Publishing, Dec. 21, 1999.
`Flanagan, JavaScript; The Definitive Guide, 3rd Ed., O’Reilly, Jun.
`1998.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`4JOMIONIOMION
`
`|_|=ainpowAenjeq||¢4avepaqu]abessaw|H~ZOTaean]
`
`Ju31|9!gFSPISMOOOMFI9€npASIDE|ve
`
`
`
`
`-——anpourBoyavena|—H96aeainpowuonepyeaulboq||89uoleoljddeJesied
`=fo]36TTw
`US 8,020,083 B1
`ES1-v0
`
`
`S|NPOWJeAJaSJsOnDey||aiNpowDulssed0ld
`
`UO!PBUUO}UOIBUUOD
`
`
`
`SSEORIEPYUI[OEYS
`
`Tas]|84
`
`
`
`NUaWa}9JUa]U0)
`
`
`
`
`
`WaysasbuljeiadoH-ZE
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`fO 100
`
`Dot Definition
`
`
`Dot Content
`
`101
`
`
`
`
`Visual Object(s)
`
`
`Internet Content
`
`Operation Element(s)
`
`103
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Application Media Package (Dot)
`
`XML Definition
`
`Appearance
`
`Control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HG, 3
`
`Network reference
`
`DMA message data
`
`ID tags
`
`Categories
`
`Events
`
`Dot Definition
`
`Dot Content
`
`Dot Definition
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`>
`
`Dot Database 202 ———)f[Standard Internet Content 262
`
`Home Dot 200
`261
`Serve Dot Content 263
`Dot Index/Shares 204
`Dot User Login Accounts 205
`Use Statistics 206
`
`201
`
`Dots ‘epee
`
`Java Servlets/JSP
`Oracles Enterprise
`
`Solaris
`
`Content Server
`155
`
`!
`i
`199- \
`prtcbr gnc centr m rnc nnn Penn nnn nnn T5547 T5500 ttt,
`' 210
`HTTP(S)
`HTTP(S)\«
`231
`r
`238
`157
`XMLfr7
`7
`CacningLayer
`Dott
`|:
`120
`'
`:
`HomeDot
`1
`200
`
`1
`
`(D)HTML 231!
`GIF 232:
`Flash 2341
`{Streaming Media 233,
`
`260
`
`Dot2
`a 230
`User Login 211
`App State 212
`1
`DotDefinitions 213
`1
`UseState Logs 214
`!
`Lee eee eee eeeShares 215 eee eee eee eee eee eee
`
`!
`'
`;
`1
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`HomeDot 200
`
`F
`
`User Profile 310
`<ALL_CONFIG>311
`<DOT>104
`<PRESET>313
`<HOMEDOT>314
`
`(D)HTML
`>reaming Media
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Client 199
`
`Dot Server 153
`
`Content Server 155
`
`240
`
`241
`
`|
`
`1
`
`Request Dot
`Definition
`
`1
`
`Retrieve Dot
`;
`'
`Definition from
`al
`
`'|Template DB ;
`
`Transmit Dot
`Definition to
`Client
`
`244
`
`!
`
`245
`'
`!
`
`246
`
`Retrieve Dot
`Definition
`
`Build Dot
`Frame
`
`Request Dot
`Content
`
`;
`1
`
`1
`:
`
`1
`
`248
`
`Present Dot
`Content in Dot
`Frame
`
`!
`
`1
`;
`
`t
`!
`
`1
`
`Transmit Dot a
`Content to
`Client
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`500~
`
`(| (4@ DoDots™ HomeDot™ Beta O)}
`4® DoDots™ GetNewDot
`My DotPacks™
`/wereDo)
`All My Dots
`y|
`A® AnyDay Calendar
`© AnyDayContacts
`4® AnyDay Contacts
`O CaleDot
`A® eHow
`O ClockDot
`A® Merriam-Webster Word Search
`© DoDots Feedback
`@ Merriam-Webster Word of the
`O eHowto:
`Day
`O Merriam-Webster Word Search
`© MP3 Dot
`A@ mySimon Keyword Search
`© mySimon Academy Awards
`A® mySimon Lite
`© mySimonLite
`A@ mySimon Academy Awards
`© PhotoPoint Photo of the Day
`A® mySimon Winter Sports
`O Welcome to DoDots
`A® PhotoPoint Photo of the Day
`O Work.com Business Search
`© ZDNetBreaking News
`
`502
`
`A® Work.com Business Search My Dots™
`
`QA ze
`
`FIG, 9
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Client 199
`
`Dot Server 153
`
`Content Server 155
`
`Log User In and
`Provide User
`Profile to Client
`
`231
`
`250
`
`User logs in
`
`Definitions
`
`Receive user
`Profile with
`Collected Dot
`
`253
`
`User Opens Dot
`
`Build Dot Frame|294 With User
`
`Profile Dot
`Definition
`
`255
`
`054
`
`Request Dot
`Content
`
`Present Dot
`Content in Dot
`Frame
`
`Transmit Dot
`Content to
`Client
`
`FIG. 10
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`404
`
`405
`
`407
`
`aa
`402
`User
`
`Dot
`
`\Ye
`
`User has
`No
`
`\Yes
`
`Run Add Dot
`
`4i1
`
`Useris
`No
`Requested Dot opens.
`KeepMe Dot opens.
`User may activate KeepMe operation
`(Note: KeepMe Dot may be provided by a
`third party Dot provider or as a default Dot)
`
`
`
`Useris informed of
`need for software |,
`
`User accepts No
`downlcae
`User ncoat
`
`certificate
`
`__|User gets “You Decided Not
`To Get the Dot” message.
`Operation ends
`
`Usergets license agreement seSeraccent No __|User gets “You Decided Not
`
`To Get the Dot” message.
`
` Operation ends
`
`
`
`and software location dialog
`
`trust cert.?
`
`416
`
`417
`
`User accepts license\No__.|User gets “You Decided Not
`andfile location?
`To Get the Dot” message.
`
`Yes Operation ends
`
`User elects to
`changefile location
`
`User is given file browser
`to change directory for the
`[files to be downloaded
`
`419
`
`418
`
`
`
`Installer download and background
`install operation.
`Requested Dot opens
`
`User may activate KeepMe operation
`
`(Note: KeepMe Dot may be provided by a
`
`User may
`
`initiate KeepMe
`
`FIG. 11
`
`420
`
`third party Dot provider or as a default DotpiSL
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`600ON
`
`
` aest
`Se
`[eebel
`mmm
`
`
`
`
`
`1}
`
`653
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`
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`
`651
`
`
`
`*s ~.659
`
`FIG. 12C
`
`rI
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Internet
`504
`
`f
`
`Cc
`
`yer es Servlet/JSP|
`
`Web|Servlet/JSP
`Server
`engine
`309
`510
`
`engine
`508
`
`ta
`
`dll
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Ooye
`
`750~,
`
`\
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`753
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`

`

`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CREATING
`AND AUTHORING INTERNET CONTENT
`USING APPLICATION MEDIA PACKAGES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation of and incorpo-
`rates by reference U.S. Non-Provisional patent application
`Ser. No. 09/558,922, filed Apr. 26, 2000, which claimsprior-
`ity from and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional
`Applicationser. 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. 09/558,925, filed Apr.
`26, 2000 and each of the aforementioned applications to
`whichit claimspriority.
`The present application is also related to and incorporates
`by reference the following U.S. patent applications: Non-
`Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,923, filed Apr. 26,
`2000; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,924,filed
`Apr. 26, 2000; Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/558,
`925, filedApr. 26, 2000; Non-Provisional application Ser. No.
`11/932,286; filed Oct. 31, 2007,
`titled “Component For
`Accessing And Displaying Internet Content”; Non-Provi-
`sional application Ser. No. 11/932,340,filed Oct. 31, 2007,
`titled “Server Including Components For Accessing And Dis-
`playing Internet Content And For Providing Same To A Cli-
`ent”; 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 Coor-
`dinating 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-Pro-
`visional 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. 11/932,630, 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”; 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”.
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document con-
`tains material which is subject to copyright protection. The
`copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduc-
`tion by anyoneofthe patent documentorthe patent disclosure
`as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfie or
`records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatso-
`ever.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention is related to accessing and viewing
`Internet content, and more specifically to a method and appa-
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`ratus for providing a unique frame, independent of a Web
`Browserapplication and window,for the retrieval and display
`of such content.
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`A user operating a client computer typically accesses the
`Internet by using a viewer application, such as a browserto
`view Internet content providedat a destination address, typi-
`cally a web page. In this context, Internet content and web
`applications are designedto fill the entire web page. It is
`knownto divide the Internet contentinto 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 whendisparate content is aggregated, in this man-
`ner,
`it is reassembled into a full web page and is served
`through a full-screen browser.
`Users and application developers therefore have limited
`control over the presentation of internet content: content is
`typically trapped within the frame of the browser. A develop-
`er’s only alternative to engaging a user page-by-page in a
`browseris to develop, distribute, and support custom client
`software. In the Web browserscenario, it is the content pro-
`vider, 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 contentat 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. Thereis a growing desire for individual
`users to fully control the aggregation and presentation of
`content and web applications that appears on a client com-
`puter.
`A user whowishes to view multiple web pagesor applica-
`tions 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 windowscorre-
`sponding to each browserinstance 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. Thatis, the
`controls associated with a browserare not fully configurable.
`Thus, the vendor of a browseris in a position to brand the
`browserand regulate the controls associated with the browser.
`There is a growing desire for content providers to notonlyfill
`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. However,
`the current browser applications provide very limited control
`to a user or content provide to alter the frame and controls
`provided by the browser window.
`In summary, therefore, the current model ofthe Internet has
`the following attributes and limitations:
`a) Internet contentis typically viewed one pageat a time,
`with each pagedisplayedserially displayed in a browser
`application window whichtypically takes up the major-
`ity of the user’s computerscreen realestate.
`b) Internet content is designed for delivery in web pages.
`Even if content is modularized, it is reassembled into a
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`US 8,020,083 B1
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`full web page and viewedserially in the window of
`browserapplication taking up a significantportion ofthe
`user’s desktop.
`c) There is a distinction both visually and architecturally
`between the “viewer application” (browser) and the
`“content/document” (web page) such that a browser
`window is not tailored to the content being displayed,
`but rather is capable of displaying any web content.
`d) Internet contentis effectively limited and trapped within
`the “frame”of the browser (viewerapplication). There-
`fore, content developers, users and web-application
`developers are limited in how the user experience is
`controlled.
`
`e) Although internet programming technologies (such as
`Java script, CSS, layers, flash, etc.) are giving web pages
`more functionality, the pages have limited access to
`application functionality such as access and control of
`the window andframe,the size of the frame, branding,
`application behavior such as size and menu items, etc.
`f) “Web-applications” such as web-mail and web calendars
`are being packaged and viewed through the page-by-
`page web model. Even though web-applications are
`being implemented by many online companies, the web
`is currently a destination page-based model where, for
`example, a user visits one page, then goes to another
`page andso on.It is therefore a sequential, linear expe-
`rience, e.g., one full pageat a time.
`In view ofthe foregoing, there is a need in the art to provide
`a technique for accessing multiple instances of distributable
`computer readable web content in which these instances are
`typically smaller than the full pages used in current web pages
`and web applications, and which maybe displayedin user- or
`content provider-controlled frames. Preferably, such tech-
`niques allow such access to be done simultaneously. Thereis
`a further need for providing the user withflexibility in select-
`ing, collecting, relating and viewing such web content and for
`giving the content providerflexibility in directing media to a
`specific user and controlling the framework in which media,
`such as web content, is presented. Finally, there is a need to
`gather more accurate information regarding the type of con-
`tent that a user enjoys, so that the user can be automatically
`provided with this content.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to systems and methods
`by which internet content may be authored and distributed.
`The invention provides for a structure defined herein as an
`Application Media Package. Application Media Packagesare
`web browser-readable code that
`is executed on a non-
`
`browser-based installed client application. The client appli-
`cation, referred to herein as an Application Media Viewer or
`HomeDot, executes independently from a web browser. The
`Application Media Viewer parses and executes the Applica-
`tion Media Package code to create the user experience. The
`terms Application Media Package and Dotare use synony-
`mously herein.
`In addition to the Home Dot, the Dot Server provides a
`central collection and distribution point for Dot related data.
`The Dotserver is communicatedto directly by the Home Dot
`application, by Dotusers, and by third party Dot developers.
`Internet content that is referenced within a Dot may or may
`not reside on the Dotserver. In general, it does not.
`The Dotserver supports the community of Dot developers,
`providing developertools, including Dot template which pro-
`
`4
`vide an expedient method of re-purposing existing internet
`media into a new presentation package by choosing from
`existing examples.
`The Dotserver supports posting and categorization meth-
`ods for Dot developers to place their Dots in a mannerthatis
`effective for Dot users, a manner that promotes Dot develop-
`ers, a manner that generates revenue by preferential place-
`ment of Dots, etc. The Dot server supports developer
`accounts. These accounts may control access to tools and
`information as well as provide a developmentand test zone
`for Dot verification, authentication and acceptance before
`posting.
`According to the present invention, the Dot is supported by
`a flat file format that enables a simple file download process
`that is completed by the HomeDot. Theflatfile format may be
`zipped and may also include a methodthat protects the con-
`tents of the Dot from source level viewing. Decoding and
`parsing is executed by the HomeDot.
`In one embodiment, the present invention provides for
`standard or base controls that are commontoall Dots. These
`
`controls include size and placementfortitle bar, exit button,
`resize button, and menu button.In addition, standard images
`or content are provided as a default for each ofthese controls.
`According to the present invention, each Dot developeris
`provided with a unique developer ID by whichall of his Dots
`is identified. Dots may also have a unique Dot ID, a Dot kind
`(or type attribute), and category.
`The above is a summary of a numberofthe uniqueaspects,
`features, and advantages of the present invention. However,
`this summary is not exhaustive. Thus, these and other aspects,
`features, and advantages ofthe present invention will become
`more apparentfrom the following detailed description and the
`appended drawings, when considered in light of the claims
`providedherein.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the drawings appendedhereto like reference numerals
`denote like elements between the various drawings. While
`illustrative, the drawings are not drawnto scale. In the draw-
`ings:
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of the overall architecture of a
`
`network in which the present invention may operate.
`FIG.2 is an illustration of the elements of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) according to one embodimentof the
`present invention.
`FIG.3 is an illustration of the elements of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) definition according to one embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`FIG.4 is an illustration of an instantiation of a generic GUI
`according to one embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is an example of an instance of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) according to one embodimentof the
`present invention.
`FIG.6 is an illustration of the communication flow associ-
`
`ated with the acquisition and instantiation of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) according to one embodimentof the
`present invention.
`FIG.7 is all illustration of the communication pathways
`associated with the building of a user profile, and the acqui-
`sition of Dots through links, packs, and sharelinks according
`to one embodimentofthe present invention.
`FIG.8 is an illustration of the communication pathways
`associated with the acquisition andinstantiation of an Appli-
`cation Media Package (Dot) according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
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`US 8,020,083 B1
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`5
`FIG. 9 is an example of a display showing Application
`Media Packages (Dot) available for downloading as well as
`Application Media Packages (Dots) already downloaded
`according to one embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of the communication pathways
`associated with the instantiation of an already-acquired
`Application Media Package (Dot) according to one embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`FIG.11 is a flow chart illustrating the download process of
`an Application Media Package (Dot) and Application Media
`Viewer (Home Dot) according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C areillustrations of Application
`Media Packages arranged in groups, and arrangedin vertical
`and horizontal Blocks (position-justified groups), respec-
`tively, according to an embodimentofthe present invention.
`FIG. 13 is an illustration of the client-server model of a
`
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG.14is an illustration of the message routing paths and
`elements of a Dot Messaging Architecture according to the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`is
`invention discloses a technology that
`The present
`capable ofprocessing distributable computer readable media.
`Distributable computer readable media includes, but is not
`limited to,
`standard Internet content,
`such as HTML,
`dHTML, images, imbedded ActiveX and Java applications,
`JavaScript, CSS, Perl scripts, Streaming Media, and/or Flash.
`The present invention is advantageous relative to prior art
`systems and methods because it provides improved mecha-
`nisms for simultaneously interacting with several indepen-
`dent sources of distributable computer readable media, col-
`lecting references to such media, and sharing such references
`with other users. The disclosed technology is further advan-
`tageous becauseit provides improved systems and methods
`for on screen managementofdistributable computer readable
`media.
`Central to the present invention is the concept of an Appli-
`cation Media Package. As used herein, the term Application
`Media Package refers to a component which includes a fully
`configurable frame with one or more controls; the frame
`through which content is optionally presented. The fully con-
`figurable 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 toalter the controls associated with the browser.
`Absence of Web Browser
`
`The Application Media Packageis a file that is comprised
`ofweb browserreadable language. Accordingto the preferred
`embodiment, the present invention renders, displays, and
`updates Internet data withoutthe use of a browser. In fact, no
`browserneedbeinstalled on the client computer on which the
`Application Package is instantiated. The present invention
`produces a user experience by parsing and rendering the
`Application Media Package through the Application Media
`Viewer. The Application Media Vieweris an installed client
`application which renders the Application Media Package as
`well as provides additional functionality to the user experi-
`ence (hence,it is more than simply a viewer application). The
`Application Media Viewer may render web browser readable
`content (of the type typically supported by a browser appli-
`cation) due to it being programmed utilizing the Microsoft
`IE4 object for receiving, parsing and rendering web content.
`It will be understood by oneskilled in theart that, despite its
`name, the Microsoft IE4 object is not a web browserapplica-
`
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`tion. One apparent difference between the Application Media
`Viewer and a typical web browser application is that the
`Application Media Viewer of the present invention is not
`designed to provide user web navigation and page control
`typically provided by a web browser.
`FIG.1 is a general illustration of a system in accordance
`with one embodimentof the present invention. In FIG. 1, a
`network 10 is operated in accordance with the present inven-
`tion. Network 10 includesat least one useror client computer
`20, at least one server computer of class 50, and optionally
`one or more server computers of class 82. User computer 20
`as well as server computers of class 50 and 82 are each
`connected by transmission channel 44, which is any wired or
`wireless transmission channel.
`
`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.
`Thus, the term “computer,” as used herein,is intendedin its
`broadest sense to include not only traditional workstations,
`laptops and similar devices, but any device containing a CPU
`of sufficient operability to utilize Internet data, such as web-
`enable cell phones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), and so
`forth.
`
`Output means42 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 meanssuch as mini-displays present in web-enabled
`cell phones, PDAs, etc.
`Typically, user computer 20 includes a main non-volatile
`storage unit 22, preferably a hard disk drive, for storing soft-
`ware and data. Further, user computer 20 includes one or
`more internal buses 26 for interconnecting the aforemen-
`tioned elements.
`In a typical embodiment, memory 30
`includes an operating system 32 for managingfiles and pro-
`gramsassociated with user computer 20. In some embodi-
`ments, operating system 32 includes a registry 34 that has one
`or more references to specified locations in system 10.
`The exemplary memory 30 ofFIG.1 further includes a web
`browser 36 for viewing Internet content and a separate col-
`lection of items, referred to herein as a client parser applica-
`tion 38. In some embodiments, client parser application 38
`uses the one or more references in registry 34 to obtain a login
`construct from server 50. In various embodiments, in accor-
`dancewith the present invention,client parser application 38
`runs in conjunction with one or more software modules, such
`as an event log module 98, which tracks user activity, a
`message interface module 107, which serves as a communi-
`cation interface between the client parser application 38 and
`web server 58 and/or external web servers, an application
`media processing module 109, one or more Application
`Media Packages 104-1 to 104-2, and an Application Media
`Viewer 119 which, amongother functions, regulates the char-
`acteristics of vi