US6356908B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic web page thumbnail generation
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1999-07-30
•
Granted: 2002-03-12
•
Expires: 2019-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for presenting content from the page in a distributed database. In a preferred embodiment, a page of data from the database is presented to a user. The page has a plurality of links to linked pages in the database. A set of thumbnail images of the linked pages in the database is presented to the user near the links to the linked pages.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Wayne Brown
- 👤 Kelvin Roderick Lawrence
- 👤 Michael A. Paolini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising the steps of presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising the steps of presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail is presented in a separate panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail image is presented proximate to a corresponding link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail corresponding to a link is presented when a pointer icon is moved proximate to the link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein thumbnail images of at least two linked web pages are presented and wherein the thumbnail images are presented in a list.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the list is a scrollable list.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the markup language is a hypertext markup language.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the markup language is an extensible markup language.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein there are at least two thumbnails and wherein the thumbnails are arranged around the perimeter of the presentation of the web page.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein there are at least two thumbnails, the web page is presented in a frame, and the thumbnails are arranged around the perimeter of the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail is presented in a dragable palette.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the pallet is resizable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the thumbnail is resizable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
192 words
A computer program product in a computer readable media for use in a data processing system for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising: first instructions for presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; second instructions for retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; third instructions for parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; fourth instructions for creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and fifth instructions for presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
192 words
A computer program product in a computer readable media for use in a data processing system for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising: first instructions for presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; second instructions for retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; third instructions for parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; fourth instructions for creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and fifth instructions for presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein there are at least two thumbnails and the thumbnails are presented in a separate panel from the web page.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein the thumbnail is presented proximate to a corresponding link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein the thumbnail corresponding to a link is presented where a pointer icon is moved proximate to the corresponding link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein the thumbnail is presented in a dragable palette.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 18 , wherein the palette is resizable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein the thumbnail is resizable.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising: first means for presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; second means for retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; third means for parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; fourth means for creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and fifth means for presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for presenting content from a web page in a distributed database, comprising: first means for presenting a web page from the distributed database, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages in the distributed database, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; second means for retrieving at least one of the linked web pages; third means for parsing the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; fourth means for creating a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and fifth means for presenting the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein there are at least two thumbnails and the thumbnails are presented in a separate panel from the web page.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the thumbnail is presented proximate to a corresponding link.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the thumbnail corresponding to a link is presented where a pointer icon is moved proximate to the corresponding link.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the thumbnail is presented in a dragable palette.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as recited in claim 25 , wherein the palette is resizable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the thumbnail is resizable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
196 words
A computer network, comprising: a network; a server connected to the network for providing web pages; and client connected to the network; wherein the network provides communications between the client and the server; the client receives a web page from the server; the client presents the web page from the server, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; the client retrieves at least one of the linked web pages; the client parses the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; the client creates a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and the client presents the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
196 words
A computer network, comprising: a network; a server connected to the network for providing web pages; and client connected to the network; wherein the network provides communications between the client and the server; the client receives a web page from the server; the client presents the web page from the server, wherein said web page includes a plurality of links to linked web pages, wherein the linked web pages are written in a markup language; the client retrieves at least one of the linked web pages; the client parses the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; the client creates a thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages, wherein the thumbnail image represents how the at least one of the linked web pages would be displayed by a browser which parsed the markup language of the at least one of the linked web pages; and the client presents the thumbnail image of the at least one of the linked web pages proximate to the web page so that a user may examine a thumbnail image to determine whether to navigate to a corresponding linked web page.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer network as recited in claim 28 , wherein the thumbnail is resizable.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer network as recited in claim 28 , wherein the thumbnail corresponding to a link is presented where a pointer icon is moved proximate to the corresponding link.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |