US6430567B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for multi-user awareness and collaboration
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
•
Filing: 1998-06-30
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2018-06-30
Abstract
Abstract In embodiments of the present invention incorporate a facility to make a user, or client, aware of other users that are currently viewing the same Web, or display page. Functionality is provided in a browser to allow a user to initiate a collaboration operation with other users on the same Web page. A user provides user information to a registry via a registration process. The registry is further updated to include an entry identifying the page that is currently being viewed by a user. The user can access a collaboration interface to view a list of users that are currently viewing the same page as the user. The collaboration interface further allows the user to select a collaboration operation to collaborate with one or more users that are currently viewing the same page. In embodiments of the invention, the collaboration interface is generated by a Java applet and is contained within a portion of any general-purpose or special-purpose browser. The collaboration interface accepts input entered within an input field of the interface and processes it accordingly. A request to change Web pages updates the registry to reflect the new page. If the input is a request to initiate a collaborative operation, the collaboration interface initiates the operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard N. Burridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/954; G06Q10/107; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/964; Y10S707/966; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; capturing an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; storing said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information having identification information of all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; capturing an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; storing said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information having identification information of all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; executing said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field; transmitting said address specification to a server upon capturing of said address specification from said input field; storing said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resourse; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; executing said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field; transmitting said address specification to a server upon capturing of said address specification from said input field; storing said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resourse; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; capturing a web page address for a network resource specified by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; storing said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: obtaining registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; retaining said registration information in a repository of user information; capturing a web page address for a network resource specified by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; storing said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
220 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to capture an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information having identification information of all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
220 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to capture an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information having identification information of all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
292 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said client computer to execute said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field; computer readable program code configured to cause said client computer to transmit said address specification to said server upon capturing of said address specification from said input field; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
292 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said client computer to execute said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field; computer readable program code configured to cause said client computer to transmit said address specification to said server upon capturing of said address specification from said input field; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
210 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to capture a web page address for a network resource specified by said user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
210 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to obtain registration information from a network user, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; computer readable program code configured to cause a server computer to retain said registration information in a repository of user information; computer readable program code configured to cause a client computer to capture a web page address for a network resource specified by said user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to store said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to generate from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource; computer readable program code configured to cause said server computer to transmit said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 13 wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
193 words
An system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer capturing an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, transmitting said address specification to said one or more servers, said one or more servers storing said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
193 words
An system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification, name, and electronic mail address; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer capturing an address specification for a network resource requested by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, transmitting said address specification to said one or more servers, said one or more servers storing said address specification in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository of user information a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer generating a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, said client computer executing said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field and transmitting said address specification to said one or more servers upon capturing of said address specification from said input field, said one or more servers storing said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer generating a graphical user interface (GUI) in a display area of a browser program, said GUI having an input field configured to accept an address specification by said network user for a network resource, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, said client computer executing said browser program to capture said address specification entered by said network user into said input field and transmitting said address specification to said one or more servers upon capturing of said address specification from said input field, said one or more servers storing said address specification in said repository of user information in an entry associated with said network user, said repository identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said address specification is a web page address.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer capturing a web page address for a network resource specified by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, transmitting said web page address to said one or more servers, said one or more servers storing said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for providing multi-user awareness and collaboration in a computer network environment, comprising: one or more servers in a network environment, said one or more servers obtaining registration information from a network user and retaining said registration information in a repository of user information, said registration information comprising said network user's identification; a client computer in said network environment being used by said network user, said client computer capturing a web page address for a network resource specified by said network user, wherein said network resource does not provide a direct access to a chat room, transmitting said web page address to said one or more servers, said one or more servers storing said web page address in said repository of user information, said repository of user information identifying all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers generating from said repository a list comprising said all network users currently viewing said network resource, said one or more servers transmitting said network resource, said list, and a collaboration menu to said network user, said collaboration menu comprising at least one user collaboration option.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said registration information further comprises: said user's name; said user's electronic mail address.
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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) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |