Displaying Content From Multiple Users

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for integrating an on-line service community with a foreign service such as the Internet World Wide Web. To take advantage of the present invention, on-line service subscribers access a membership module to complete a membership process in which they join communities each of which represents a specific area of interest. The present invention operates as an extension to a user's preferred Web browser and is manifested as a toolbar comprised of control buttons and a viewer on a computer user's screen. By interacting with the control buttons of the toolbar and the menus of the viewer, on-line service content is delivered to the user in response to the URLs specified by the user as he or she browses the Web. In addition, control buttons on the toolbar present opportunities for interacting with other community members.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 408,166 filed Apr. 21, 2006 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 079,228 filed Feb. 20, 2002 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 455,652 filed Dec. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,795 issued Aug. 13, 2002, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 135,694 filed Aug. 18, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,884 issued Feb. 1, 2000, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 745,294 filed Nov. 8, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,393 issued Aug. 18, 1998. The contents of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to systems for human-computer interaction. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for enhancing a computer users Internet browsing experience by determin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a tool that enhances a user's online experience by integrating a community with their browser. This technology allows users to enjoy real-time interactive methods and static interaction methods while browsing the Internet. The main components of the technology are a Community Server and a Community Client, which work together to notify users of annotations or interactions while navigating the Web. The Community Client serves as an access mechanism to the community services and interactions. Voting is also enabled to understand the temperament of the community and real-time polling enables users to communicate with others of similar interest or backgrounds. Overall, the present invention provides a structure for a web experience and helps users avoid being overwhelmed or overloaded by the complexity of the Web.

Problems solved by technology

Few, if any opportunities for interacting with others are presented to Web users.

What is further confusing to many computer users is the fact that they must learn and use different user interface software for interacting with or navigating / browsing the information service (i.e., information service communication software) than they use for interacting with or navigating / browsing the Web.

Users' on-line experiences are compromised because they must switch between applications to access information service content and then Internet / Web content.

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