US6864904B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Framework for providing visual context to www hyperlinks
Assignee: Google LLC
•
Filing: 2000-11-08
•
Granted: 2005-03-08
•
Expires: 2020-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and a system for presenting Internet information to a user including providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink, and at least partially concurrently providing a visual image of another web page of at least one web site which is represented by the at least one hyperlink.
Inventors
- 👤 Shirli Ran
- 👤 Eldad Barnoon
- 👤 Yuval Yarom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/957; G06F16/9577
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and at least partially concurrently providing a thumbnail visual image of the home page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and at least partially concurrently providing a thumbnail visual image of the home page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed alongside the visual image of said web page.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed within the visual image of said web page.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 4 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein a plurality of thumbnail visual images represented by at least one hyperlink are displayed simultaneously along with said visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said web page comprises an HTML page.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said providing a-thumbnail visual image comprises: employing a web browser including visualization functionality which interfaces via the Internet with said image server.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 8 and wherein said visualization functionality is operative to download via the image server from an image database images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 8 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: generation of a list of hyperlinks from a web page; elimination of links which refer back to a web server sending said web page; determination of whether redirection links are present and if so, providing thumbnail visual images of ultimate destinations thereof; and providing thumbnail visual images of remaining hyperlinks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 8 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: receiving a list of hyperlinks; splitting a URL of each hyperlink into URL components including at least a path component and a host component; trimming a path component based on the consideration of finding the most representative image of a given web page; and constructing a new URL including a trimmed path component.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said providing a-thumbnail visual image comprises: employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server including visualization functionality.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 12 and wherein said visualization functionality is operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 13 and wherein said annotated web page includes the web page having within it thumbnail visual images of homepages of web sites referenced by hyperlinks contained in the web page.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for generating an image server database of thumbnail visual images of web pages, the method comprising: receiving a list of URLs corresponding to said web pages, the thumbnail visual images of which it is desired to supply to said image server database; operating a multiplicity of downloaders simultaneously to retrieve from the Internet, web pages and embedded objects corresponding to URLs from said list; causing a thumbnail generator to render retrieved web pages retrieved simultaneously by said multiplicity of downloaders; and causing said thumbnail generator to shrink said rendered images of said retrieved web pages and supply them to said image server database.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for generating an image server database of thumbnail visual images of web pages, the method comprising: receiving a list of URLs corresponding to said web pages, the thumbnail visual images of which it is desired to supply to said image server database; operating a multiplicity of downloaders simultaneously to retrieve from the Internet, web pages and embedded objects corresponding to URLs from said list; causing a thumbnail generator to render retrieved web pages retrieved simultaneously by said multiplicity of downloaders; and causing said thumbnail generator to shrink said rendered images of said retrieved web pages and supply them to said image server database.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 16 also comprising deleting executable content from said retrieved web pages.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: first functionality providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and second functionality operative at least partially concurrently with said first functionality for providing a thumbnail visual image of the home page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: first functionality providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and second functionality operative at least partially concurrently with said first functionality for providing a thumbnail visual image of the home page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed alongside the visual image of said web page.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 19 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed within the visual image of said web page.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 21 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein a plurality of thumbnail visual images represented by at least one hyperlink are displayed simultaneously along with said visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said web page comprises an HTML page.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said second functionality comprises third functionality employing a web browser including visualization functionality which interfaces via the Internet with said image server.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 25 and wherein said visualization functionality is operative to download via the image server from an image database images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 25 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: generation of a list of hyperlinks from a web page; elimination of links which refer back to a web server sending said web page; determination of whether redirection links are present and if so, providing thumbnail visual images of ultimate destinations thereof; and providing thumbnail visual images of remaining hyperlinks.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 25 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: receiving a list of hyperlinks; splitting a URL of each hyperlink into URL components including at least a path component and a host component; trimming a path component based on the consideration of finding the most representative image of a given web page; and constructing a new URL including a trimmed path component.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said second functionality comprises fourth functionality employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server including visualization functionality.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 29 and wherein said visualization functionality is operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 30 and wherein said annotated web page includes the web page having within it thumbnail visual images of homepages of web sites referenced by hyperlinks contained in the web page.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for generating an image server database of thumbnail visual images of web pages, the system comprising: a multiplicity of downloaders, each receiving at least one URL from a list of URLs corresponding to said web pages, the thumbnail visual images of which it is desired to supply to said image server database, and simultaneously retrieving from the Internet web pages and embedded objects corresponding to said at least one URL; and at least one thumbnail generator operative to render the web pages, shrink said rendered images of the web pages and supply said rendered images to said image server database.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for generating an image server database of thumbnail visual images of web pages, the system comprising: a multiplicity of downloaders, each receiving at least one URL from a list of URLs corresponding to said web pages, the thumbnail visual images of which it is desired to supply to said image server database, and simultaneously retrieving from the Internet web pages and embedded objects corresponding to said at least one URL; and at least one thumbnail generator operative to render the web pages, shrink said rendered images of the web pages and supply said rendered images to said image server database.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 33 and wherein said multiplicity of downloaders are operative to delete executable content from the web pages.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and at least partially concurrently providing a thumbnail visual image of another web page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image, said providing a thumbnail visual image comprising employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server, separated from said image server, including visualization functionality, said visualization functionality being operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and at least partially concurrently providing a thumbnail visual image of another web page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image, said providing a thumbnail visual image comprising employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server, separated from said image server, including visualization functionality, said visualization functionality being operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed alongside the visual image of said web page.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 36 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed within the visual image of said web page.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 38 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein a plurality of thumbnail visual images represented by at least one hyperlink are displayed simultaneously along with said visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said web page comprises an HTML page.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said annotated web page includes the web page having within it thumbnail visual images of homepages of web sites referenced by hyperlinks contained in the web page.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: generation of a list of hyperlinks from a web page; elimination of links which refer back to a web server sending said web page; determination of whether redirection links are present and if so, providing thumbnail visual images of ultimate destinations thereof; and providing thumbnail visual images of remaining hyperlinks.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: receiving a list of hyperlinks; splitting a URL of each hyperlink into URL components including at least a path component and a host component; trimming a path component based on the consideration of finding the most representative image of a given web page; and constructing a new URL including a trimmed path component.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 35 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: first functionality providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and second functionality operative at least partially concurrently with said first functionality for providing a thumbnail visual image of another web page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image, said second functionality comprising third functionality employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server, separated from said image server, including visualization functionality, said visualization functionality being operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for presenting Internet information to a user comprising: first functionality providing to a user a visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink; and second functionality operative at least partially concurrently with said first functionality for providing a thumbnail visual image of another web page of at least one web site which is represented by said at least one hyperlink via the Internet by employing an image server that stores and provides said thumbnail visual image, said second functionality comprising third functionality employing a web browser which interfaces via the Internet with a web server, separated from said image server, including visualization functionality, said visualization functionality being operative to embed commands to the web browser to download, via said image server, thumbnail visual images of web pages which represent hyperlinks contained in the web page and to provide to a user, via the web browser, an annotated web page.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed alongside the visual image of said web page.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 47 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said thumbnail visual image is displayed within the visual image of said web page.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 49 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein a plurality of thumbnail visual images represented by at least one hyperlink are displayed simultaneously along with said visual image of a web page containing at least one hyperlink.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said web page comprises an HTML page.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said annotated web page includes the web page having within it thumbnail visual images of homepages of web sites referenced by hyperlinks contained in the web page.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: generation of a list of hyperlinks from a web page; elimination of links which refer back to a web server sending said web page; determination of whether redirection links are present and if so, providing thumbnail visual images of ultimate destinations thereof; and providing thumbnail visual images of remaining hyperlinks.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said visualization functionality comprises: receiving a list of hyperlinks; splitting a URL of each hyperlink into URL components including at least a path component and a host component; trimming a path component based on the consideration of finding the most representative image of a given web page; and constructing a new URL including a trimmed path component.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 46 and wherein said thumbnail visual image appears hovering over said hyperlink.
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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) | 2008-03-07 | 2008-09-06 | 2009-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-07 | 2012-09-06 | 2013-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-07 | 2016-09-06 | 2017-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |