US008020083B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kembel et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`*Sep. 13, 2011
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHODS FOR CREATING
`AND AUTHORNG INTERNET CONTENT
`USINGAPPLICATION MEDIA PACKAGES
`
`(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
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,625,781 A
`4/1997 Cline et al.
`5,649,186 A
`7/1997 Ferguson
`32:3: A
`E. E. et al.
`wr.
`Continued
`(Continued)
`
`(US); Geoffrey Kembel, Menlo Park,
`CA (US); Jeremy Kembel, Palo Alto,
`CA (US); Joseph Bella, San Francisco,
`CA (US); Sridhar Devulkar, Mountain
`NE CA S.s Mark Wallin, Mountain
`1ew,
`
`(73) Assignee: Mainstream Scientific, LLC, Mountain
`View, CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 938 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`lai p
`Ca10.
`(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.
`(2006.01)
`G06F I7/00
`(2006.01)
`G06F 5/73
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......... 715/201: 715/741; 715/762; 709/224
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 709/203,
`709/223, 224; 715/201, 741, 762
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`WO
`
`WOO180086 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 MediaViewer may
`be used in association with an Application Media Package tO
`manage the collection, organization, sharing, and rendering
`of a Pulity of such E. E. E. E.
`ports the community of Application Media Package develop
`ers, providing developer tools, 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
`
`106
`
`Dot Definition
`
`Control
`
`NetWOrk ref
`etWOK reference
`DMA message data
`ID tags
`Categories
`
`Events
`
`------------
`110
`Dot Content
`
`J12
`150
`
`Dot Definition
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 8,020,083 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Horadan et al.
`8, 1998
`5,794,230
`MacNaughton et al.
`8, 1998
`5,796,393
`8, 1998
`Davis et al.
`5,796,952
`9, 1998
`Dolan et al.
`5,801,702
`9, 1998
`Vidovic
`5,809,248
`Doyle et al.
`11, 1998
`5,838,906
`3, 1999
`Borman et al.
`5,890,172
`4, 1999
`Hunt et al.
`5,893,091
`9, 1999
`Merriman et al.
`5.948,061
`10, 1999
`Sonnenreich et al.
`5,974,446
`11, 1999
`Williams et al.
`5,977.964
`11, 1999
`Nazem et al.
`5,983,227
`Prithviraj et al.
`11, 1999
`5,987,513
`11, 1999
`5,995,756
`Hermann
`12, 1999
`Wolfe
`6,006,252
`Chung et al.
`1, 2000
`6,012,090
`Bayeh et al.
`1, 2000
`6,012,098
`1, 2000
`Harada et al.
`6,018,344
`2, 2000
`D'Arlach et al.
`6,026,433
`Ogasawara
`5, 2000
`6,065,044
`8, 2000
`Stone et al. ................... T15,234
`6,101,510
`9, 2000
`Bladow et al. ................ 715,741
`6,115,040
`10, 2000
`BukSZaret al.
`6,133,916
`Cragun et al.
`12, 2000
`6,161,112
`Cragun
`1, 2001
`6,177,936
`3, 2001
`Ferrel et al.
`6,199,082
`5, 2001
`Ferrel et al.
`6,230,173
`5, 2001
`Adams et al.
`6,237,030
`T/2001
`Bruck et al.
`6,268,856
`8, 2001
`Himmel et al.
`6,275,854
`9, 2001
`Ko et al.
`6,292,185
`10, 2001
`6,297.819
`Furst
`11, 2001
`Landsman et al.
`6,314.451
`1, 2002
`Wolfe
`6,341,305
`4, 2002
`Barnett et al. ................ 71.5/853
`6,369,840
`5, 2002
`Middleton et al.
`6,393.407
`6, 2002
`Srinivasan et al.
`6,411,992
`T/2002
`Kuo et al.
`6,418.440
`Pasquali et al.
`8, 2002
`6,434.563
`10, 2002
`Fries et al.
`6,460,029
`11, 2002
`Jammes et al.
`6,484, 149
`11, 2002
`Sundaresan
`6,487,566
`12, 2002
`Beaumont et al. ............ 715,762
`6,496.203
`3, 2003
`Tabata et al.
`6,537,324
`3, 2003
`Maslov
`6,538,673
`4, 2003
`Gifford et al.
`6,549,612
`5/2003
`Dan et al.
`6,560,639
`Huang et al.
`5/2003
`6,571.245
`T/2003
`Peterson et al.
`6,594,682
`Cooper et al. ................ T15,234
`12, 2003
`6,662,341
`6, 2004
`Fries et al.
`6,751,606
`Dobronsky et al.
`8, 2004
`6,784,900
`Strandberg et al.
`11, 2004
`6,816,880
`12, 2004
`Harvell ......................... TO9,224
`6,834,302
`1/2005
`Nishizawa
`6,842,779
`9, 2006
`Shafron
`7,107,548
`Dang
`5/2007
`7,216,300
`4, 2008
`Kembel et al.
`7,356,569
`Dang ............................ 345,749
`T/2002
`2002fOO89536
`Huang et al. .................... 707/10
`T/2002
`2002/009 1697
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Alexa general facs, 4 pages, www.alexa.com/whatisalexaffaq.
`htmligeneral, 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/IE5/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/browsertext/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/browsertext overview?Bands.asp,
`Jan.
`1999.
`Alexa Internet Tour, 1 page, www.alexa.com.whatisalexaindex/
`html, Jan. 1999.
`“Revolutionary Ad Model.” Advertise on Alexa, 1 page, www.alexa.
`com/company/advertise.html, Jan. 1999.
`“The Alexa Service Appears on Your Desktop in Its Own Window. 1
`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.” 1 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,” 1 page, www.alexa.com/company/reporting.html, Jan.
`1999.
`"Alexa Internet's Related Links Integrated Into Netscape Browser,” 1
`page, www.alexa.com/company/netscape.html, Jan. 1999.
`“Demographics,” alexa.com/company/demographics.html, Jan.
`1999.
`Ads Appear in the Pop-up and on the Bar, 1 page, www.alexa.com/
`company adspecs.html, Jan. 1999.
`"Alexa Why Crawl. 1 page, www.alexa.com/support why crawl.
`html, Jan. 1999.
`GIF Image 590x329 pixels, Alexa, 1 page, www.alexa.com/tour?
`images/alexa overview.gif, Jan. 1999.
`“It's X-tremel.” Alexa, PC Magazine: The Best of 1998, 1 page,
`www.zdnet.com/pcmag/special/bestof)8/internet5.html, Jan. 1999.
`"Search While You Surf” PC Magazine: Search the Web, 1 page,
`www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/websearch98/surf.html, Jan. 1999.
`MindSpring, My Yahoo, 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
`
`

`

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`lesnt_|9[NpowBo]yueAzLf86
`
`SINPOWJaAsas
`
`ulboTy
`
`TorosGoM
`
`UO!JBUUO?)UOleuUo?
`
`
`JOMIONYOMIAN
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`SSECLIEPHUIjaJEYS
`
`Tam]|8%
`
`
`
`N4USW9]aJU9}U0}
`
`UOoaUU0)
`
`OMEN
`
`6IT
`
`Page 3 of 42
`
`DoDots Exhibit 2063
`Samsung v. DoDots - IPR2023-00701
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Dot Content
`
`/1 100
`
`Dot Definition
`
`Visual Object(s)
`
`101
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet Content
`
`Operation Element(s)
`
`103
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Application Media Package (Dot)
`XML Definition
`
`
`
`Appearance
`
`Control
`
`NetWOrk reference
`
`DMA meSSage data
`ID tags
`Categories
`
`EVentS
`
`FIG. 3
`
`DOt Definition
`
`Dot Content
`
`DOt Definition
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`174
`
`FIG 4
`
`166
`
`172
`
`Page 6 of 42
`
`DoDots Exhibit 2063
`Samsung v. DoDots - IPR2023-00701
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 7 of 42
`
`DoDots Exhibit 2063
`Samsung v. DoDots - IPR2023-00701
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`s
`
`C d
`201
`
`DOt Database 202
`HOme DOt200
`Dot Index/Shares 204
`Dot User Login ACCOunts 205
`USe StatisticS 206
`Java ServletS/JSP
`Dots AppServer- Oracles Enterprise
`Solaris
`153
`
`S- Standard Internet Content 262
`261
`SerWe Dot COntent 263
`
`Content Server
`155
`
`210 JHTTP(S)
`XML
`Caching Layer
`219
`HOme DOt
`
`\
`
`HTTP(S)
`XML
`
`157
`
`259
`
`200
`
`260
`
`UserLogin 211
`App State 212
`DOtDefinitions 213
`USeState LOgS 214
`Shares 215
`
`(D)HTML 231:
`GIF 232
`Flash 234
`Streaming Media 233
`
`230
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`
`
`Sharelink320
`
`DOtlink321
`Dotnacks)
`
`HOmeDOt200
`USer Profile 310
`<ALL CONFIG>311
`SEE13
`
`KHOMEDOT)314
`
`DOt 120
`(D)HTML
`Streaming Media
`Flash
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Cient 199
`
`DOt Server 153
`
`COntent Server 155
`
`240
`
`241
`
`Request DOt
`Definition
`
`Retrieve DOt
`N Definition from
`Template DB
`
`Retrieve DOt
`Definition
`
`244
`
`I
`
`TranSmit DOt
`Definition to
`Client
`
`242
`
`243
`
`245
`
`246
`
`248
`
`Build DOt
`Frame
`
`Request DOt
`Content
`
`Present DOt
`Content in DOt
`Frame
`
`247
`
`TranSmit DOt
`COntent to
`Client
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`500 N
`
`
`
`MODODotsTM GetNewDot
`/ Premier Dots Y
`avy.
`AYDay Clae? Old
`?ee AnyDay Contacts
`MO eHOW
`/(9 Merriam-Webster Word Search
`/6 Merriam-Webster Word of the
`Day.
`/O mySimon Keyword Search
`/O mySimon Lite
`/O mySimon Academy Awards
`/(9 mySimon Winter Sports
`/(9PhotoPoint Photo of the Day
`/O Work.com Business Search
`
`GODoDotsTM HomeDott MBeta O(3)
`My Dots"
`A Georeau, Dos
`v.
`O AnyDay Contacts
`O CalcDot
`O ClockDot
`ODoDOts Feedback
`O eHow to:
`O Merriam-Webster WordSearch
`OMP3 Dot
`O mySimon Academy Awards
`QmySimon ute
`O PhotoPoint Photo of the Day
`O Welcome to DoDots
`O Work.com BusineSS Search
`OZDNet Breaking NeWS
`
`502
`
`6
`
`Share GDG)
`
`FIG 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Client 199
`
`DOt SerWer 153
`
`COntent Server 155
`
`250
`
`252
`
`253
`
`User logs in
`
`Receive USer
`Profile With
`Collected DOt
`Definitions
`
`User Opens Dot
`
`
`
`Build Dot Frame 254
`With USer
`Profile DOt
`Definition
`
`255
`
`257
`
`Request Dot
`
`Present DOt
`Content in DOt
`Frame
`
`L0g User In and 251
`PrOWide USer
`Profile to Client
`
`256
`
`TranSmit DOt
`Content to
`Client
`
`FIG 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`400
`
`402
`
`lies
`es S
`
`404
`User has NYe
`VHome Dot?
`NO
`
`406
`User is informed Of
`need for SOftWare
`
`410
`
`408
`User acceptSVNO
`download?
`YeS
`USergets trust
`Certificate
`
`4O7
`Run Add DOt
`Operation
`
`411.
`
`405
`USer is NYeS
`Registered?
`NO
`Requested Dot Opens.
`KeepMe Dot Opens,
`User may activate KeepMe Operation
`(Note: KeepMe Dot may be provided by a
`third party Dot provider Orasa default DOt)
`
`USergets You Decided Not
`To Get the Dot" message.
`
`Operation ends
`
`409
`
`User gets You Decided Not
`To Get the Dot" message.
`Operation ends
`
`413
`
`414
`USergets license agreement ye(s) No
`and Software location dialog
`trust Cert. 2
`412
`
`416
`
`User accepts licensey No
`and file OCation?
`YeS
`
`417
`User gets You Decided Not
`To Get the Dot" message.
`Operation ends
`
`User is given file broWSer
`to change directory for the
`files to 5e downloaded
`419
`
`
`
`User elects to
`change file location
`418
`Installer download and background
`install Operation.
`Requested Dot OpenS.
`KeepMe Dot Opens,
`User may activate KeepMe Operation
`(Note: KeepMe Dot may be provided by a
`third party Dot provider Oras a default DOt
`
`USer may initiate KeepMe
`fath
`p
`FIG. 11
`Y
`
`420
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`600ON
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
`FIG. 12C
`FIG. 12C
`
`Page 14 of 42
`
`DoDots Exhibit 2063
`Samsung v. DoDots - IPR2023-00701
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
`Internet
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Dot Cient
`501
`
`DOt Client
`502
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`503
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`DODOt
`NetWOrk
`512
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`505
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`engine
`506
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`Servlet/JSP |
`engine
`508
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`509
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`510
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`
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`513
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`511
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2011
`Sep. 13, 2011
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 8,020,083 B1
`US 8,020,083 B1
`
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`
`Page 16 of 42
`
`DoDots Exhibit 2063
`Samsung v. DoDots - IPR2023-00701
`
`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHODS FOR CREATING
`AND AUTHORNG INTERNET CONTENT
`USINGAPPLICATION MEDIA PACKAGES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`10
`
`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 claims prior
`ity 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,
`15
`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
`which it claims priority.
`The present application is also related to and incorporates 20
`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, filed Apr. 26, 2000: Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 25
`11/932.286; filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Component For
`Accessing And Displaying Internet Content: Non-Provi
`sional application Ser. No. 1 1/932,340, filed Oct. 31, 2007,
`titled “Server Including Components For Accessing And Dis
`playing Internet Content And For Providing Same To A Cli- 30
`ent’: Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 1 1/932,392; 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 35
`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. 1 1/932,553, filed Oct. 31, 2007,
`titled “Displaying Time-varying Internet based Data using 40
`Media Application Packages': Non-Provisional application
`Ser. No. 1 1/932,630, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled “Methods of
`Obtaining Application Media Packages': Non-Provisional
`application Ser. No. 1 1/932,663, filed Oct. 31, 2007, titled
`“Indexing, Sorting, and Categorizing Dots': Non-Provisional 45
`application Ser. No. 1 1/932,692, 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 50
`With a Web Browser Application”.
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document con- 55
`tains material which is Subject to copyright protection. The
`copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduc
`tion by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure
`as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent fie or
`records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatso- 60
`eVe.
`
`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
`Browser application 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 browser to
`view Internet content provided at a destination address, typi
`cally a web page. In this context, Internet content and web
`applications are designed to fill the entire web page. It is
`known to divide the Internet 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 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
`browser is to develop, distribute, and Support custom client
`software. In the Web browser scenario, 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 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 com
`puter.
`A user who wishes to view multiple web pages or 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 windows corre
`sponding 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. 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 of the Internet has
`the following attributes and limitations:
`a) Internet content is typically viewed one page at a time,
`with each page displayed serially displayed in a browser
`application window which typically takes up the major
`ity of the user's computer Screen real estate.
`b) Internet content is designed for delivery in web pages.
`Even if content is modularized, it is reassembled into a
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`full web page and viewed serially in the window of
`browser application taking up a significant portion of the
`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 content is effectively limited and trapped within
`the “frame of the browser (viewer application). 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
`JavaScript, 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 and frame, 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 and so on. It is therefore a sequential, linear expe
`rience, e.g., one full page at a time.
`In view of the 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 incurrent web pages
`and web applications, and which may be displayed in user- or
`content provider-controlled frames. Preferably, such tech
`niques allow Such access to be done simultaneously. There is
`a further need for providing the user with flexibility in select
`ing, collecting, relating and viewing Such web content and for
`giving the content provider flexibility 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.
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`vide an expedient method of re-purposing existing internet
`media into a new presentation package by choosing from
`existing examples.
`The Dot server Supports posting and categorization meth
`ods for Dot developers to place their Dots in a manner that is
`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 development and 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 Home Dot. The flat file format may be
`Zipped and may also include a method that protects the con
`tents of the Dot from source level viewing. Decoding and
`parsing is executed by the Home Dot.
`In one embodiment, the present invention provides for
`standard or base controls that are common to all Dots. These
`controls include size and placement for title bar, exit button,
`resize button, and menu button. In addition, standard images
`or content are provided as a default for each of these controls.
`According to the present invention, each Dot developer is
`provided with a unique developer ID by which all 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 number of the unique aspects,
`features, and advantages of the present invention. However,
`this Summary is not exhaustive. Thus, these and other aspects,
`features, and advantages of the present invention will become
`more apparent from the following detailed description and the
`appended drawings, when considered in light of the claims
`provided herein.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the drawings appended hereto like reference numerals
`denote like elements between the various drawings. While
`illustrative, the drawings are not drawn to 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 embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of the elements of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) definition according to one embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of an instantiation of a generic GUI
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is an example of an instance of an Application
`Media Package (Dot) according to one embodiment of 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 embodiment of 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 embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of the communication pathways
`associated with the acquisition and instantiation of an Appli
`cation Media Package (Dot) according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
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`SUMMARY OF 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 Packages are
`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
`Home Dot, 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 Dot are 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 Dot server is communicated to directly by the Home Dot
`application, by Dot users, and by third party Dot developers.
`Internet content that is referenced within a Dot may or may
`not reside on the Dot server. In general, it does not.
`The Dot server supports the community of Dot developers,
`providing developertools, including Dottemplate which pro
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`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 embodiment of 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
`ment of 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 are illustrations of Application
`Media Packages arranged in groups, and arranged in Vertical
`and horizontal Blocks (position-justified groups), respec
`tively, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 13 is an illustration of the client-server model of a
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 14 is an illustration of the message routing paths and
`elements of a Dot Messaging Architecture according to the
`present invention.
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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 embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a
`network 10 is operated in accordance with the present inven
`tion. Network 10 includes at least one user or 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 intended in 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 cellphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and so
`forth.
`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-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 managing files and pro
`grams associated with user computer 20. In some embodi
`ments, operating system32 includes a registry 34 that has one
`or more references to specified locations in system 10.
`The exemplary memory 30 of FIG. 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
`dance with 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-n, and an Application Media
`Viewer 119 which, among other functions, regulates the char
`acteristics of visual manifestations of Application Media
`Packages 104-1 to 104-in when displayed on output device 42.
`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