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US6389458B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method, apparatus and system for directing access to content on a computer network

Assignee: Tumbleweed Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1998-10-30
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Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2018-10-30
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Abstract

Abstract Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for directing an on-line user to predetermined information. Preferred embodiments of the instant invention interface with the user's browser to utilize the functions of the browser for directing user “traffic” on a network. In preferred embodiments, when a user accesses a web site page, a traffic control program is executed for the page, wherein the traffic control program controls the transmission (downloading) of data to the user computer and further creates a modified set of rules for at least one of the browser functions. Upon query (or other interaction) by the browser prior to closing page, the traffic control program interacts with the browser software to modify or control one or more of the browser functions, such that the user computer is further directed to a predesignated site or page (and displays a predesignated frame) upon execution of a browser function, instead of accessing the site or page typically associated with the selected browser function.

Inventors

  • 👤 Brian Shuster

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 22:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/34; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/954; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/50; H04L67/60; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim 227 words
In a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one frame-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a frameset associated with the displayed content page, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page of the recipient computer after said receiving step; transferring a frameset page with the first content page to the recipient computer, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least one frame for displaying the first content page, wherein the frameset page includes an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a second content page; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the second transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 227 words
In a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one frame-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a frameset associated with the displayed content page, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page of the recipient computer after said receiving step; transferring a frameset page with the first content page to the recipient computer, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least one frame for displaying the first content page, wherein the frameset page includes an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a second content page; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the second transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one frame-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the method further comprises preventing display of the third content page on the receipt computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page as an HTML page.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second transferring step further comprises transferring the frameset page with the unload function written in a browser script.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second transferring step further comprises transferring the frameset page including at least one hidden frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 269 words
In a computer network system comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page of a frameset, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page to the recipient computer after said receiving step; transferring a first control page and a second control page to the recipient computer with the first content page; transferring a frameset to the recipient computer with the first content page, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least two frames, a display frame for displaying the first content page, and a control frame for loading the first control page and the second control page in sequence, whereby activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser unloads the second control page and loads the first control page, activating a page-loading function on the first control page to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page for the display frame; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the third transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 269 words
In a computer network system comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page of a frameset, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page to the recipient computer after said receiving step; transferring a first control page and a second control page to the recipient computer with the first content page; transferring a frameset to the recipient computer with the first content page, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least two frames, a display frame for displaying the first content page, and a control frame for loading the first control page and the second control page in sequence, whereby activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser unloads the second control page and loads the first control page, activating a page-loading function on the first control page to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page for the display frame; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the third transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one page-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the method further comprises preventing display of the third content page on the recipient computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page as an HTML page.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the second transferring step further comprises transferring the first control page with the page-loading function written in a browser script.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the third transferring step further comprises transferring the frameset page with the control frame formatted as a hidden frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 211 words
In a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page to the recipient computer after said receiving step, wherein the first content page is formatted for display on the recipient computer and wherein the first content page includes an unloaded function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one page-unloaded function of the browser without the selection of any link displayed on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a second content page; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the second transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 211 words
In a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a method for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a first content page from a recipient computer over the network; transferring the first content page to the recipient computer after said receiving step, wherein the first content page is formatted for display on the recipient computer and wherein the first content page includes an unloaded function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one page-unloaded function of the browser without the selection of any link displayed on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a second content page; receiving a request for the second content page from a recipient computer after the second transferring step; and transferring the second content page to the recipient computer after the second receiving step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one page-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the method further comprises preventing display of the third page on the recipient computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page as an HTML page.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page with the page-loading function written in a browser script.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page with a frameset page.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first transferring step further comprises transferring the first content page comprising a page with at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 229 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one frame-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a frameset associated with the displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at lest one frameset-unloading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer; and a frameset page for the first content page stored in the memory, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least one frame for displaying the first content page, wherein the frame set page includes program instructions for an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link on the first content page, whereby the unload function is configured to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 229 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one frame-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a frameset associated with the displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at lest one frameset-unloading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer; and a frameset page for the first content page stored in the memory, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least one frame for displaying the first content page, wherein the frame set page includes program instructions for an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one frameset-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link on the first content page, whereby the unload function is configured to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 56 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the at least one frame-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the program instructions in the frameset page include instructions for preventing display of the third content page on the recipient computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the first content page is an HTML page.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the program instructions of the frameset page are written in a browser script.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the frameset page includes instructions for creating at least one hidden frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 262 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-loading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-loading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer; a first control page and a second control page stored in the memory; and a frameset page stored in the memory for the first content page, the first control page, and the second control page, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least two frames, a display frame for displaying the first content page, and a control frame for loading the first control page and the second control page in sequence, whereby activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser unloads the second control page and loads the first control page, activating a page-loading function of program instructions on the first control page to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page for the display frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 262 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages within a frameset, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-loading function of a browser, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-loading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer; a first control page and a second control page stored in the memory; and a frameset page stored in the memory for the first content page, the first control page, and the second control page, the frameset page specifying a frameset comprising at least two frames, a display frame for displaying the first content page, and a control frame for loading the first control page and the second control page in sequence, whereby activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser unloads the second control page and loads the first control page, activating a page-loading function of program instructions on the first control page to cause the recipient computer to request a second content page for the display frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 57 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the at least one page-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the program instructions of the first control page include instructions for preventing display of the third content page on the recipient computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the first content page is an HTML page.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the program instructions of the first control page are written in a browser script.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the frameset page includes instructions for formatting the control frame as a hidden frame.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 196 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer and the first content page including program instructions for an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link displayed on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a predetermined second content page.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 196 words
For a computer network comprising a plurality of recipient computers having browsers capable of displaying content pages, wherein individual ones of the browsers have at least one page-unloading function operable without activation of a link in a displayed content page to unload a displayed content page, a system for apparently modifying operation of the at least one page-unloading function of a browser displaying a first content page, thereby displaying a predetermined second content page upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function, comprising: a provider computer adapted to connect to a computer network, said provider computer operable to serve information to a recipient computer upon request therefrom; a memory connected to said provider computer; a first content page stored in the memory, the first content page formatted for display in at least one frame of a display on a recipient computer and the first content page including program instructions for an unload function configured to execute upon activation of the at least one page-unloading function of the browser without the selection of any link displayed on the first content page, whereby the unload function causes the recipient computer to request a predetermined second content page.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 57 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the at least one page-unloading function of the browser is activated by requesting a third content page not using a link displayed on the first content page, and the program instructions of the first content page include instructions for preventing display of the third content page on the recipient computer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the first content page is an HTML page.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the program instructions of the first content page are written in a browser script.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 26 words
The system of claim 36 , further comprising a frameset page stored in the memory for transfer to the recipient computer with the first content page.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the first content page comprises at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 2005-05-13 2005-11-12 2006-05-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-05-13 2009-11-12 2010-05-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-05-13 2013-11-12 2014-05-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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