US6026429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seamless integration of internet resources
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1997-11-10
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Granted: 2000-02-15
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Expires: 2017-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for seanilessly searching and accessing information available through the Internet and other resources is disclosed. The present invention maintains a database of file objects available from numerous sources. The present invention updates the database periodically to ensure the accuracy and completeness of it. The present invention also may access and retrieve data from numerous sources when prompted by a sige and simple command initiated by the user. The user is shielded from the quirks and intricacies of various information sources.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Jones
- 👤 Gregory S. Gerard
- 👤 Julie H. Hanley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/958; G06F16/972; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0641; G06F16/951; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/955; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for integrating Internet and proprietary resources comprising: a plurality of information source objects for Internet resources; a plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; an information repository for storing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; a search engine for searching said information repository; a search request; and a front-end for specifying said search request and accessing at least one information source object located by said search engine in accordance with said search request.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for integrating Internet and proprietary resources comprising: a plurality of information source objects for Internet resources; a plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; an information repository for storing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; a search engine for searching said information repository; a search request; and a front-end for specifying said search request and accessing at least one information source object located by said search engine in accordance with said search request.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said information source objects comprises description information, location information, and information for accessing said information source object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a launcher for accessing said at least one information source object located by said search engine, said launcher invoked by said front-end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an update mechanism for each of said plurality of information source objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said update mechanism for said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources is Internet Yellow Pages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said update mechanism for said plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources is information from a system operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said Internet resources are the Web, Usenet, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol sites.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said proprietary resources are proprietary forums.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said front-end is a dedicated, interactive front-end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said front-end is a web browser.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for integrating Internet resources and proprietary resources comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of information source objects for Internet resources; defining a plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; storing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources in an information repository; specifying a search request; searching said information repository for information source objects in accordance with said search request; and accessing information source objects selected in accordance with said search request.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for integrating Internet resources and proprietary resources comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of information source objects for Internet resources; defining a plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources; storing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources in an information repository; specifying a search request; searching said information repository for information source objects in accordance with said search request; and accessing information source objects selected in accordance with said search request.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of specifiing said search request comprises the step of entering a search request in a front-end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said front-end is a dedicated, interactive front-end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said front-end is a web browser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of accessing said information source objects selected in accordance with said search request comprises the step of invoking a launcher, said launcher invoked by said front-end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of defining a plurality of information source objects comprises the steps of: specifing a description for each information source object; specifying a location for each information source object; specifying data for locating each information source object; and specifing data for accessing each information source object if it is selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of updating said information source objects for Internet resources and said information source objects for said proprietary resources.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said Internet resources are the Web, Usenet, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol sites.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said proprietary resources are forums.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 11, wherein information repository for Internet and proprietary resources comprising: a plurality of information source objects for Internet resources, said information source objects comprising description, location, and access information; a plurality of information source objects for proprietary resources, said information source objects comprising description, location, and access information; and a database for storing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for said proprietary resources.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The information repository of claim 20 wherein said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for said proprietary resources are accessible via library routines.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The information repository of claim 20 further comprising an update mechanism for each of said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for said proprietary resources.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The information repository of claim 22 wherein said update mechanism for each of said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for said proprietary resources converts information from a raw source into a format required by said information repository.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information repository of claim 20 further comprising relational database tables for storing and accessing said plurality of information source objects for Internet resources and said plurality of information source objects for said proprietary resources.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-08-16 | 2004-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-08-16 | 2008-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-14 | 2011-08-16 | 2012-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |