US6253216B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a personal page
Assignee: TELE-PUBLISHING Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-13
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Granted: 2001-06-26
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Expires: 2017-06-13
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus of the invention includes a local computer network. Remote users may connect to the local computer network through a larger network, such as the Internet. The local computer network has at least one server computer which can be accessed by remote users. The local computer network also has at least one computer software program and at least one database located therein. The computer software programs prompt a remote user to select a page template for displaying the personal page. The programs next allow the remote user to contribute text and graphics to the personal page. The programs also allow the remote user to authorize others to review the personal page. The programs store attributes representing the layout of the personal page, the text and graphics contributed by the remote user, and the authorization information entered by the remote user in the one or more databases located on the local computer network.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew B. Sutcliffe
- 👤 Dennis Geller
- 👤 Kevin A. Dunn
- 👤 Mikel Maron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, the remote users having profile information stored in the computer network and accessible to other remote users, comprising the steps of: a) acceptable profile information from a plurality of remote users; b) prompting a page-creating remote user with a plurality of page templates for the personal page and receiving a template selection from the remote user; c) prompting the page-creating remote user to enter text to the personal page and receiving entered text from the remote user; d) prompting the page-creating remote user to select or enter graphical information to display on the personal page and receiving the selection or entry from the remote user; e) storing attributes representing each selection or entry made by the page-creating remote user in one or more databases; f) providing the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other remote user to access the personal page; g) storing the security parameters in one or more databases; and h) displaying the personal page upon request only to remote users who are authorized to access the personal page.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, the remote users having profile information stored in the computer network and accessible to other remote users, comprising the steps of: a) acceptable profile information from a plurality of remote users; b) prompting a page-creating remote user with a plurality of page templates for the personal page and receiving a template selection from the remote user; c) prompting the page-creating remote user to enter text to the personal page and receiving entered text from the remote user; d) prompting the page-creating remote user to select or enter graphical information to display on the personal page and receiving the selection or entry from the remote user; e) storing attributes representing each selection or entry made by the page-creating remote user in one or more databases; f) providing the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other remote user to access the personal page; g) storing the security parameters in one or more databases; and h) displaying the personal page upon request only to remote users who are authorized to access the personal page.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each page template is stored as a plurality of rows in one or more databases on the computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one row for each page template provides the overall layout of the personal page.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein at least one row for each page template corresponds to a field in the page template for receiving a remote user selection or entry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the attributes stored in one or more databases are each stored in a row corresponding to a field in the page template.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the graphics attribute stored represents the location of the graphics file selected or entered by the remote user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the row corresponding to the overall layout of the page template includes HTML code describing the page template layout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the personal page is displayed to an authorized remote user by retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the page template, retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the attributes representing selections or entries by the page-creating user, and graphically displaying the page-creating user's selections and entries using the HTML code describing the page template layout.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein only graphics having a smaller storage size than a predetermined storage size may be entered by a user.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, each remote user having profile information stored on the system, comprising the steps of: a) providing a page-creating user with a plurality of page templates for selection for the personal page; b) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for contributing text to the personal page; c) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for contributing graphics to the personal page; d) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for accessing the profile information of other remote users for selecting other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for entering security attributes authorizing at least one other remote user to view the personal page; and f) displaying the personal page only to authorized remote users.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, each remote user having profile information stored on the system, comprising the steps of: a) providing a page-creating user with a plurality of page templates for selection for the personal page; b) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for contributing text to the personal page; c) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for contributing graphics to the personal page; d) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for accessing the profile information of other remote users for selecting other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) providing the page-creating remote user with a means for entering security attributes authorizing at least one other remote user to view the personal page; and f) displaying the personal page only to authorized remote users.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein each page template is stored as a plurality of rows in one or more databases on the local computer network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one row for each page template provides the overall layout of the personal page.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein attributes representing page-creating remote user contributions to the personal page are stored in one or more databases, each attribute stored in a row corresponding to a field in the page template.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the row corresponding to the overall layout of the personal page includes HTML code describing the overall layout.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the personal page is displayed to an authorized remote user by retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the page template, retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the attributes representing selections or entries by the page-creating user, and graphically displaying the page-creating user's selections and entries using the HTML code describing the page template layout.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, each remote user having profile information stored on the system, comprising: a) means for storing profile information relating to each remote user; b) means for providing a page-creating remote user with a plurality of pre-stored page templates for selection for the personal page; c) means for the page-creating remote user to contribute text to the personal page; d) means for the page-creating remote user to contribute graphics to the personal page; e) means for the page-creating remote user to access the profile information of other remote users for selecting other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; f) means for the page-creating remote user to enter security attributes authorizing at least one other remote user to view the personal page; and g) means for displaying the personal page only to authorized remote users.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for providing a personal page on a computer system accessible to a plurality of remote users through a computer network, each remote user having profile information stored on the system, comprising: a) means for storing profile information relating to each remote user; b) means for providing a page-creating remote user with a plurality of pre-stored page templates for selection for the personal page; c) means for the page-creating remote user to contribute text to the personal page; d) means for the page-creating remote user to contribute graphics to the personal page; e) means for the page-creating remote user to access the profile information of other remote users for selecting other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; f) means for the page-creating remote user to enter security attributes authorizing at least one other remote user to view the personal page; and g) means for displaying the personal page only to authorized remote users.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein each pre-stored page template is stored as a plurality of rows in the one or more databases on the local computer network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein at least one row corresponding to each page template provides the overall layout of the page template.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein attributes representing remote user selection and contributions to the personal page are stored in one or more databases, each attribute stored in a row corresponding to a field in the page template.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means for displaying the personal page to an authorized remote user includes retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the user selected page template, retrieving the rows in one or more databases corresponding to the attributes representing selections or entries by the page-creating user, and graphically displaying the page-creating user's selections and entries using the page template layout.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer readable program code to: a) prompt a page-creating remote user with a plurality of page templates for displaying personal information and to receive a template selection from the remote user; b) prompt the page-creating remote user to enter text to the personal page and to receive entered text from the remote user; c) prompt the page-creating remote user to select or enter graphical information to display on the personal page and to receive the selection or entry from the remote user; d) store attributes representing each selection or entry made by the page-creating remote user in one or more databases; e) provide the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other remote user to view the personal page; f) store the security parameters in one or more databases; and g) display the personal page only to remote users who are authorized to access the personal page.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer readable program code to: a) prompt a page-creating remote user with a plurality of page templates for displaying personal information and to receive a template selection from the remote user; b) prompt the page-creating remote user to enter text to the personal page and to receive entered text from the remote user; c) prompt the page-creating remote user to select or enter graphical information to display on the personal page and to receive the selection or entry from the remote user; d) store attributes representing each selection or entry made by the page-creating remote user in one or more databases; e) provide the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other remote user to view the personal page; f) store the security parameters in one or more databases; and g) display the personal page only to remote users who are authorized to access the personal page.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the computer readable program code to display the personal page to an authorized remote user includes computer readable program code to retrieve the attributes representing selections or entries by the page-creating user, and graphically displaying the page-creating user's selections and entries using the selected page template.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing the page-creating remote user with a means for identifying and selecting at least one other remote user for authorization to view personal page that includes searching user profiles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the means for identifying and selecting at least one other remote user includes searching profile information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the page-creating user may grant authorization to view the personal page to another remote user when sending an electronic mail message to that other remote user.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein when the page-creating user authorizes a remote user to view the personal page, an electronic mail message is sent by the computer system to the authorized remote user indicating to that user that the user may view the personal page of the page-creating remote user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing means for the page-creating remote user to include a voice greeting in the personal page.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising profile matching means for selecting at least one other user of the system to authorize that user to view the personal page.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a networked computer system having a plurality of remote users, a computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer readable program code to: a) store profile information relating to each remote user, the profile information being accessible to other remote users of the system; b) provide a page-creating remote user with means to create a personal page having personal information; c) store attributes representing the personal information in the page-creating remote user's personal page in one or more databases; d) provide the page-creating remote user with means to select other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) provide the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other selected remote user to view the personal page; and f) store the security parameters in one or more databases.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a networked computer system having a plurality of remote users, a computer program product comprising computer useable medium having computer readable program code to: a) store profile information relating to each remote user, the profile information being accessible to other remote users of the system; b) provide a page-creating remote user with means to create a personal page having personal information; c) store attributes representing the personal information in the page-creating remote user's personal page in one or more databases; d) provide the page-creating remote user with means to select other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) provide the page-creating remote user with means to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other selected remote user to view the personal page; and f) store the security parameters in one or more databases.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 29 , wherein the personal page having personal information includes graphical information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program product of claim 29 , wherein the means to select other remote users includes means for searching user profiles including personal information for other remote users.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a networked computer system having a plurality of remote users, a system for providing a personal page comprising: a) means for storing profile information relating to each remote user, the profile information being accessible to other remote users of the system; b) means for creating a personal page having personal information for a page-creating remote user; c) means for storing attributes representing the personal information in the page-creating remote user's personal page in one or more databases; d) means for allowing the page-creating remote user to select other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) means for allowing the page-creating remote user to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other selected remote user to view the personal page; and f) means for storing the security parameters in one or more databases.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a networked computer system having a plurality of remote users, a system for providing a personal page comprising: a) means for storing profile information relating to each remote user, the profile information being accessible to other remote users of the system; b) means for creating a personal page having personal information for a page-creating remote user; c) means for storing attributes representing the personal information in the page-creating remote user's personal page in one or more databases; d) means for allowing the page-creating remote user to select other remote users to whom the page-creating remote user may wish to allow access to the personal page; e) means for allowing the page-creating remote user to input security parameters for the personal page, the security parameters specifying authorization of at least one other selected remote user to view the personal page; and f) means for storing the security parameters in one or more databases.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the means for creating a personal page having personal information for a page-creating remote user includes means for placing graphical information on the personal page.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the means to select other remote users includes means for searching user profiles including personal information for other remote users.
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) | 2004-06-25 | 2004-12-25 | 2005-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-12-25 | 2009-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-12-25 | 2013-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |