JP2003519427A - System and method for displaying data in a broadcasting window - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract A method and system for displaying data in a broadcasting window are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pointer to content information is activated (1005). Content information is retrieved based on the relevant data (1010) and displayed in a broadcasting window (1015). In an alternative embodiment, the content information is animated within the broadcasting window.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

This application is filed on Dec. 30, 1999, application Ser. No. 09 / 475,71.
This is a partial continuation application of No. 1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of data representation, and specifically to displaying information items within a broadcasting window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As networks and computers were able to deliver information more quickly, users began to expect instantaneous information and information available from anywhere in the world. . The vast amount of available information has created an information overload for users.

The so-called “information age” is characterized by presenting an ever-increasing amount of information to users of information. The presentation format of such information should ideally allow users of the information to quickly assess the association of a large number of information items and then efficiently access the information items that are considered relevant and of interest. Should be possible. The wider acceptance of the Internet, especially the World Wide Web, as an information source has dramatically increased the amount of information available to users of information. Retrieving information from this vast source often
Simplified through a search engine, which can present a large amount of information items to the user. Moreover, after a user visits a particular web site, the navigation of various web pages and other information resources that make up that web page can be confusing and unoriented. In particular, the structure of websites is usually hierarchical, and users can lose direction or “get lost” within the website.

In order to serve the needs of users, the features and options of products and services,
And, the rules governing effective choices for offering products and services in electronic commerce often need to change in a dynamic web environment. However, building web pages that reflect product choices is a tedious, error-prone, and time-consuming process. Moreover, updated information is not easily maintained.

The nature of wide area networks, such as the Internet, for example, introduces unpredictable network delays in the communication between the browser on the client and the web server. This latency significantly impairs the effectiveness of any e-commerce web application, as the user is forced to wait for server confirmation as each selection is made. If a network timeout occurs, user interest may be lost and potential sales may be lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method and system for displaying data in a broadcasting window is described. In one embodiment, pointers to content information are activated. Content information is retrieved based on the relevant data and displayed within the broadcasting window. In an alternative embodiment, the content information is animated within the broadcasting window.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A method and system for displaying data in a broadcasting window is described. In one embodiment, pointers to content information are activated. Content information is retrieved based on the relevant data and displayed within the broadcasting window. In an alternative embodiment, the content information is animated in the broadcasting window.

A method and system for displaying structured data in a broadcasting window is described. In one embodiment, a pointer to the data content is activated. Information based on the relevant data is retrieved and the information is displayed in the broadcasting window. The information content is animated in the broadcasting window.

Although the following description assumes that the results of the query are displayed within the display of the broadcast animated window, embodiments are not so limited. The query results can be used in any suitable form according to the needs and requirements of the user. For example, a server can be used to transfer data from a relational database to the extended markup language (XML) format, where the server does not connect the server's output to a graphical representation, but an application programming interface (API). Used through.

In addition to creating a connection by matching fields from meta-objects, a connection containing one or more configurable queries can also be created. Configurable queries are programmed in studio 205. If a configurable query exists for a meta object, then when the meta object query is run, the configurable query is run for that connection. If there is no configurable query for that connection, the server executes the code for the query result based on the original connection.

Meta objects and relationships are created independently and apart from their graphical representation. A developer can expand a meta object map and create multiple client applications for that meta object map. Multiple graphical user interfaces can be created from the same meta object or meta objects. The meta-object query results can be in various formats, such as HTML, XML, or other suitable format.

In one embodiment, a developer can create meta objects, define relationships, and save meta objects and relationships. Another developer can identify the data sources and store these identities. Shortly after, another developer can load the identified data source and the stored meta object and make a connection between this data source and the meta object.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like elements, and the figures show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the practice of the invention without these specific details is
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order not to obscure the invention. These embodiments have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, that other embodiments can be used, logical modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
It should be appreciated that mechanical changes, electrical changes, and other changes can be made.

Some portions of the detailed description that follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits in computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, considered to be a self-consistent sequence of actions leading to a desired result. These acts are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, but not always, these quantities are in the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. Sometimes,
It has been found convenient, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

However, it should be noted that all of these and similar terms must be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Throughout this description, terms such as “process” or “computing” or “calculation” or “decision” or “display” or the like are used unless otherwise stated or apparent from the following description. Using computer
Data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the system's registers and memory are also referred to as physical quantities in computer system memory or registers or other such information storage devices, information transmission devices, or information display devices. It should be appreciated that it refers to the treatment and processing of computer systems or similar electronic computing devices that manipulate and transform other data that are represented.

The present invention also relates to systems or devices for performing operations therein. This system may be specially constructed for the required purposes, and it also comprises a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Can be included. Such computer programs include, for example, all types of disks, including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM.
, EEPROM, magnetic or optical cards, or computer-readable storage media, such as all types of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus. it can.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. A variety of general purpose systems can be used with the programs according to the teachings herein, and it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized device to carry out the necessary methods. For example, in any of the methods according to the invention, a hardwired circuit,
It may be implemented by programming a general purpose processor or by a combination of hardware and software. Those skilled in the art
Uses computer system configurations other than those described below, including devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Will immediately appreciate that the invention can be practiced. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below.

The method of the present invention will be described in terms of computer software. A sequence of instructions designed to implement a method, when written in a programming language that conforms to an accepted standard, is executed on various hardware platforms and interfaced to various operating systems. It can be compiled against. Moreover, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It should be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software in one form or another (eg, a program, procedure, application, etc.) as an action or an outcome. Such expressions are merely a shorthand notation that the execution of software by a computer causes a computer processor to perform an action or produce a result.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” includes any particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment in at least one embodiment of the invention. Means to be The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a network broadcast window system 100. Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 includes a client 106 connected to a server 102 via a wide area network (WAN) 112.
And 108. The server 102 is connected to the mass storage device 104.
The mass storage device 104 is suitable, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magneto-optical disk, or any other type of medium suitable for storing electronic data. Storage medium. In an alternative embodiment, wide area network (WAN) 112 may be a local area network (LAN).

FIG. 2 a is a block diagram of one embodiment of electronic casting system 120. Referring to FIG. 2a, the hub (or server) 122 can connect to a number of clients 124, 126, 128, 130. In one embodiment, system 120 represents members of a community designed by users of an organization or company. The community 120 includes a hub 122 and clients 12.
A closed-loop system of select partners is created to simultaneously run the individual electronic casting channels that allow the exchange of information with 4-130. In an alternative embodiment, clients 124-130 can connect to multiple hubs 122 or can connect directly to each other. Connections within a community can be by local area network, wide area network, or any similar networking system. Clients 124-130 can be leaf clients (eg, client computers) or can be hubs for additional clients.

In one embodiment, the client 124 may configure its own electronic casting channel that continuously seeks and returns information that meets its needs. The electronic casting channel polls the hub 122 for the appropriate information to be returned to the client 124. The returned information may be dynamically rendered and further observed and acted upon. In an alternative embodiment, hub 122 pushes information to clients 124-130 based on existing criteria. The information polled by the client 124 can include, for example, price information, inventory control information, distribution information, or product and other information. Information is automatically updated in real time. That is, after the channel has been established by the client 124,
The user does not need to take further action to automatically update the information on the client 124.

In one embodiment, the advertising information may be sent to the client 124 for display on the client's screen. In this embodiment, the interactive banner ad offering featuring advertising content driven by the content of the advertiser's own website is continuously updated and displayed on the client's display. Advertisers control the delivery of content to the broadcasting window display and provide time sensitive offers, regional offers, content sensitive offers, and other specialized offers to clients. Allows display within the casting window. After the advertiser has downloaded the information to hub 122, the advertiser does not need to actively access or update the information on hub 122. In one embodiment, the information is automatically downloaded from the advertiser's website to the hub 122 after the channel is set up between the hub 122 and the advertiser's server. In an alternative embodiment, the hub 122 may act as the advertiser's server.

The display of advertising information supports end user activity. This allows the user to navigate through the set of advertiser offers to find the most relevant information that fits their needs. The user can browse the large number of items displayed in the broadcasting window depending on the advertiser's promotional specifications and the interests of potential buyers. In one embodiment, the display of advertising material is animated in a merry-go-round like manner. Advertising information is automatically updated in real time.

FIG. 2 b is a block diagram of one embodiment of server 102. Referring to FIG. 2b, the server 102 is connected to the client 106 via the bus 202. In an alternative embodiment, server 102 may be connected to client 106 via WAN 112. The client 106 includes a studio module 205
And a client module 210. Server 102 includes server routine 220 and data source connectivity module 225. In addition, server 102 is connected to meta data 260, mass storage device 104, web server 235, file server 240, multimedia server 245, legacy system 250, and enterprise resource planner 255. In alternative embodiments, server 102 may be connected to any of a variety of additional servers and data sources. In an alternative embodiment, the meta data 260 may be stored within the mass storage device 104. In one embodiment, server 102 is connected to mass storage device 104 and other servers via bus 204. In an alternative embodiment, the server 102 is a LAN or WAN 112.
Can be used to connect to the mass storage device 104 and additional servers.
In one embodiment, mass storage device 104 includes databases and other data sources.

The software routines included in the studio module 205 are
Interacts with routines 220 to create the data structures maintained within meta data 260. Server routine 220 retrieves data from any of a variety of data sources, such as mass storage device 104, file server 240, multimedia server 245, legacy system 250, or enterprise resource planner 255. In an alternative embodiment, the data may be retrieved from any of multiple additional servers. Data Source Connectivity Module 225
Interacts with the connected server to provide data to the server routine 220. Software routines in studio module 205 interact with server routines 220 to create meta objects from the accessed data. The server routine 220 retrieves and parses the data to create a topographical or spatial representation of the data. Various types of data
It is extracted and parsed by the proprietary connectivity module 225. The data is processed to create a standard form of data that can be used by server routines 220. For example, portions of a web page can be extracted between sets of HTML tags or by extracting hyperlinks within the page. Server routine 220 calls connectivity module 225, which returns data from various sources. The connectivity module 225 knows to return the type of data from a given source.

In one embodiment, the topographical representation is in the form of a tree structure. Server routine 220
From a data source, such as web server 235, for example, HTML
Receives data such as pages. The server routine 220 parses the HTML page into a topographical representation in the form of a hierarchical data structure of data, such as a tree structure. Hierarchical data structures, such as HTML pages, represent topographical or spatial representations of links for portions of HTML pages. Studio module 205
Manipulate the parsed data to create relationships (or tags) between various nodes in a hierarchical data structure to create meta objects. A meta object represents a new hierarchical representation of tagged data. In one embodiment, the data is parsed individually (ie, each page of data is parsed separately). In an alternative embodiment, multiple sources of data are parsed together to form a single parsed hierarchical data structure. Meta objects are stored in meta data 260.

The client module 210 uses the server routine 22 during run time.
Interact with 0 to access the meta objects contained within meta data 260. Upon initiation by the client module 210, the server routine 220 retrieves the meta object from the meta data 260 and displays the meta object on the client 106. In one embodiment, meta objects are displayed by context and / or content. The routines in client module 210, during run time, are routines 22 of the server.
Interact with 0 to create an electronic client channel, automatically search for information related to client 210 and return it.

A meta-object can have a logical component or collection of logical components associated with it. A logical component is executable program code that executes on a meta object after a query has been executed. Logical components can perform calculations on and manipulate query results. For example, if a meta-object has a "price change" field (number), then a logical component can check that number of signs. The logical component may then add new fields to the result of the query, such as "color", which has the value "red" if the price change field is negative and the value "green" otherwise. it can.

Within the studio module 205, a developer can enter the logical component code in a suitable programming language. This entered code is
It becomes a logical component that can be executed at runtime after a meta-object query is executed.

The view structure section provides a high-level representation of the meta-object structure 280 created by the studio module 205. In the structure, the name of the meta-object structure 280 and the names of the meta-objects (represented by nodes 281-289) created from the hierarchical data structure are displayed. For example, a meta-object structure 280 representation of a data base can be represented by a list that displays the names of the data structures (root node 281) and meta-objects (eg nodes 282, 286, 2
87, 288, and 289). As the user navigates the meta-object structure 280 (either in the structure view or the context view), the displayed nodes change. For example, if a user accesses node 283, in the structure view, node 2
83, 286, 287, 288, and 289 are displayed.

In the context section of the view, meta-objects are displayed as relationships between items. For example, in the case of a meta-object structure 280 representing a web site, at the top level, in the context section, the name of the data structure is displayed in the center, and all meta-objects created from that data structure are Displayed in broad cast window representation. In one embodiment,
The 3D representation is a sphere. In alternative embodiments, the 3D representation can be any shape, such as a cube or other suitable shape. In the example of Figure 2c, the user
When accessing object node 286, meta object nodes 287, 288, and 289 are used to create the representation. The expression changes as the user operates between nodes 281 and 289.

The content section of the view displays detailed information about the content of nodes 281-289 in the meta-object structure 280. For example, in the case of a meta-object structure 280 representing a database, the content section may show what type of data is contained in that database and how a user retrieves information from that database. For example,
For a node 288, such as an entry in the catalog database, the content section includes the name of the node 288, its price, availability, sample usage,
Details about the node 288 may be displayed, such as and other information. In one embodiment, the content section may display a number of document types including hypertext markup language (HTML) and word processing documents, tabulated results of database queries, and advertising information. Content views can be generated by accessing either the structure or the context meta-object and will change depending on the node being accessed.

The meta-object structure 280 has a start node as its root 281 and
It can be seen as a graph with subsequent levels below the root node 281 as children 282, 283, 284, grandchildren 285, 286, great-grandchildren 287, 288, 289, etc. Tree node displayed by the client module 210 (28
1 to 289) can be collapsed or expanded for easier viewing.

Any node in the tree can be chosen to represent the “root” for looking at the context of the data. The context is created from the node and displayed by the server routine 220 on the client 106. The corresponding "child" of the root node can be, for example, an HTML page link.
The root node's children are the clients 1 in the context display area facets.
It can be mapped to a 3D representation on 06. A memory map is constructed for parent / child node families to a user-specified depth in the meta-object structure 280. In one embodiment, raw data is received and parsed into a hierarchical data structure. Nodes from the hierarchical data structure are selected and stored as meta objects. Meta objects are associated with each other by creating relationships between meta objects, and meta objects can be represented as meta object structure 280. The selected meta-object is displayed in the structure display and the relationships are used to map the data to the representation. The creation of meta-objects is described in patent application Ser. No. 09 / 475,711, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Each memory map can include “valid” memory locations to store data for a particular child node and empty “null” memory locations from the meta object. Each memory location in each memory map is
Potentially, only those facets that are associated with the facets of the representation, but that are associated with valid memory locations, will appear in the representations associated with (representing) the child node. The server routines 220 can run continuously in the background, or at the request of a mapping of meta-objects, some of which may be represented by the display at a given time. Thus, the server routines 220 can continuously examine both horizontally and vertically within the meta object to identify links between nodes (and thus hypertext links or other pointers). . In one embodiment, following links within this browser window area can be reflected by updates to the structure area and the context area, respectively.

The client module 210 displays the current parent / child node family or at least a portion thereof according to a 3D representation boundary from a memory map that represents the associated child node of the meta object. The server routine 220 retrieves the memory map generated offline as needed, and sends the memory map to the client module 210 as a query result, and the client module 210 instructs the navigation of the meta object. Display a portion of the meta-object according to autofill or user input.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the computer architecture of server 102. Referring to FIG. 3, the computer architecture 300 includes a CP
U302, read only memory (ROM) 304, random access memory (R
AM) 306, non-volatile memory 308, and input / output (I / O) 310. The components are connected via bus 315. Non-volatile memory 308
Includes a stored set of instructions (ie, software) that implements any or all of the methods described herein. The software may also reside entirely or at least partially in ROM 304 or RAM 306. In addition, software may be sent or received via the network interface device.

FIG. 4 a is a block diagram of one embodiment of server routine 220. Figure 4a
With reference to, server routines 220 may be maintained in RAM 306 or non-volatile memory 308 within server 102. The server routines 220 include a developer 410, a runtime query 420, and a runtime data conversion module 430. Developer 410 uses Studio Module 20
Interact with 5 to create a parsed hierarchical data structure and create meta-objects from the hierarchical data structure. Runtime query 420 includes software routines that retrieve raw and meta data 260 and send that data on client 106. Runtime data conversion module 430 converts various data components, such as HTML pages or word documents, into a form suitable for display at client 106.

Developer 410 identifies the nodes and structures of the hierarchical data structure and generates a memory-mapped representation (meta-object) of the hierarchical data structure, which is accessed and used by runtime query 420. In one embodiment, the developer 410 retrieves data from an external source, such as mass storage device 104. The developer 410 creates a tree (hierarchical data structure) and sets the root as a part of the tree. In addition, the developer 410
Create an object.

The runtime query 420 accesses the meta data 260 to retrieve information that represents a particular hierarchical data structure (and thus memory mapped data). In one embodiment, the runtime query 420 accesses the display to generate relevant display data. The runtime query 420 is made by the developer 41
Access the parsed and tagged meta-object expanded by 0 and display the current parent / child node family or at least a portion thereof according to the representation boundaries of the memory map representation of the child node concerned. The runtime query 420 optionally searches the memory map generated by the developer 410 to display a portion of the hierarchical data structure according to auto-entry or user input that directs navigation of the hierarchical data structure.

The runtime data conversion module 430 retrieves content data from a source, such as mass storage device 104, during the operation of the runtime query 420. Runtime data conversion module 430 converts the data from the source representation into a representation suitable for display on client 106.

FIG. 4b is a block diagram of one embodiment of the client routine. Figure 4b
Referring to FIG.
52 and client channel 454. Client applet 452
Can configure a client channel 454 and be embedded within a web browser. In alternative embodiments, the client applet 452 may be a micromedia flash or a downloadable plug-in routine. The client channel 454 is the client 210
In order to display real-time information on the display screen of, the relevant information is actively searched and retrieved. Client channel 454 polls hub 122 for relevant information and receives information from hub 122 again. Client applet 452 displays information on client 210.
In an alternative embodiment, client applet 452 receives the information pushed by hub 122.

In addition, the client applet 452 is used to configure a user profile for downloading and retrieving information. In an alternative embodiment, business rules and collaborative filtering capabilities can be used to determine the information to download.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of meta object 500. Referring to FIG. 5, meta object 500 includes meta object name 505, source 510, relationship 515, and content 520. Meta object name 505 is a unique name given to meta object 500 by the user of studio module 205 during creation of meta object 500. Source 510 indicates the source of the data used to create meta object 500. Source 510 may be, for example, from web server 235, file server 240, mass storage device 104, or other suitable data source. Relationships 515 include expanded relationships between meta objects 500. The meta object 500 may include a content pointer 520 that points to an optional content source for display regarding the content of the data identified by the meta object 500.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of query 600. Referring to FIG. 6, the query 600 includes a layout 605 and a plurality of query results 610. The layout 605 includes information regarding the display of the meta object 500 on the client 106. Query results 610 include information regarding the current state of the data displayed at client 106. The inquiry result 610 is the mass storage device 1.
Retrieved from a data source such as 04 and combined with the meta-project 440 data to display that data at the client 106.

At runtime query 420, meta data 260 is searched for meta project 440 after initialization by client module 210. At runtime query 420, meta project 440 to meta object 500
To query the source 510 and return the current data of the meta object 500 in the query result 610. The runtime query 420 retrieves the meta layout 445 from the returned meta project 440 and places the information in the layout 605. The query result 600 is then displayed by the client module 2 for display.
Passed to 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary window 700 that displays content within a broadcasting window 706. The user can access the broadcasting window 706, which moves the content of a particular data structure across the broadcasting window 706. The user can access the broadcasting window 706 by moving the pointing device (eg, mouse) on the window 706 and / or by clicking on the window 706. When a user accesses a particular element 708, the content associated with the context displayed in window 706 is displayed in content window 704. The description that follows is about displaying advertisements, but any information can be downloaded and displayed within the broadcast window 706.

In one embodiment, when a web page loads a banner ad into it,
It is possible to perform some tasks in the background. The viewer's browser is first enabled by an applet embedded in the web page. This applet allows the end user to see the banner ad in the intended rendering without any user intervention or download of software. The process continues with launching a content pointer to the site specified by the advertiser (which can be the advertiser's web page or the hosting site), and the advertiser's site server
The advertiser retrieves the information that he has specified to see on this web page. The information retrieved depends on the content or context of the web page with the banner advertisement, and / or the user's profile held by the advertiser or a third party. In an alternative embodiment, business rules and collaborative filtering capabilities are optional features. The content is determined by the ad server,
It is a real-time transaction. In this way, the content of the banner advertisement can be changed at the discretion of the advertiser and the administrative burden of contacting multiple agencies and the owner of the website of the target banner advertisement can be avoided.

After the content is delivered to the client 205 on the target web page,
The viewer can see the advertisement. Broadcast window 706
Content has a merry-go-round like behavior with respect to windows,
The content within window 706 rotates horizontally from left to right or right to left. In alternative embodiments, the content can move in any direction. As mentioned above, this content can be delivered to a web site by an advertiser or host server and consist of a large amount of information in a visual format. The information may be rendered in frames 708, each frame 708 representing various advertising items, such as products, which are not interacted with by the end user, and which are not displayed in the broadcasting window. Within 706, rotate across the viewer's web page. Each frame 708 displays the content of a meta object that contains advertising data.

The context / content displayed in window 706 is interactive,
When accessing frame 708 or the image within frame 708 (eg, by mouse click), a pop-up window 710 appears, giving more information about the particular item. In one embodiment, when the user clicks on a particular frame 708, a new frame of data 708 may be displayed within the broadcast window 706. The frame 70
When navigating through 8, the views in frame 708 will change as they access different locations of the associated meta-object. Thus, the user can "drill down" through the associated meta-object containing the advertising information by accessing the displayed frame 708. When a particular image is clicked, a new frame opens on the screen visible to the end user and the content describes the item clicked. Additional frames of information and pop-up boxes are driven from the ad server and the content originates at the advertiser's or host's site.
Again, this gives the advertiser the ability to modify the content and provide it to the banner in real time. The new frame that opens with the content about the clicked item is a live connection to the advertiser's site and, depending on the advertiser's intent, further clicks for configuration of the item, more information, or purchasing features. Fully enabled as described. In this way, the advertiser brings the end user to the content of the relevant site while the current page where the banner ad appears is still on the screen. The end user presents the advertising banner while never leaving the site that allowed the end user to visit and interact with the banner advertiser's site. The advertiser controls the delivery of content within the broadcast window 706, depending on the advertiser's promotional needs, time sensitive offers, regional offers, content sensitive offers, and others. Allows a specialized offering of to be displayed within window 706. In one embodiment, after being initially deployed, the advertiser may need to change ad traffic in order to change the presentation of the content displayed in window 706.
There is no need to interact with the agency or the owner of the actual web site that is serving the web page containing the advertisement.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one embodiment for electronic casting information. Initially at processing block 805, the client 205 configures an electronic casting channel 454. The channel contains the information needed by the hub 122 to retrieve information from various websites. The client applet 452 is
The channel 454 may be configured in several ways, such as, for example, user profiles, business rules, and collaborative filtering capabilities, or the particular content and context of the web page being displayed on the client 205. It is possible.

At processing block 810, the channel 454 polls the hub 122 for relevant content. In this embodiment, channel 454 actively polls for information from hub 122.

At processing block 815, the hub 122 retrieves the relevant content and context information and sends it to the client 205. The content is
It is determined by the information provider to be displayed in window 706 and is delivered and retrieved by hub 122 in a real-time transaction.
In one embodiment, the hub 122 retrieves the meta-object corresponding to the information to display.

At processing block 820, the client receives the information from the hub 122 and dynamically displays the content in the broadcasting window 706.
Processing blocks 810-820 are processed continuously so that the information displayed in the broadcasting window 706 is continuously and automatically updated and displayed in real time. In one embodiment, the information polled by client 205 from hub 122 is animated in broadcasting window 706.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of pushing electronic casting information to client 205. Initially at processing block 905, the client 205
Configures electronic casting channel 454, as described above with reference to processing block 805 of FIG. The information on channel 454 is transferred to hub 122.

At processing block 910, hub 122 determines the appropriate content information associated with the information on channel 454. At processing block 915, the hub 122 sends (or pushes) the returned relevant content to the client 205. The hub 122 continuously determines and sends information to the client by reprocessing blocks 910 and 915. The client 205 is
The content or contextual information pushed from the hub 122 is displayed in the broadcasting window 706. In one embodiment, the hub 12
The information pushed by 2 is the broadcasting window 706.
Animated in.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of one embodiment for displaying electronic advertising information. Initially at processing block 1005, the client 205 launches a content pointer to the site specified by the advertiser. In one embodiment, the pointer points to a site that may be the advertiser's website. In an alternative embodiment, the pointer may point to a site on a different host than the advertiser.

At processing block 1010, the server at the advertiser site or host site retrieves information from the appropriate source based on the relevant data. The relevant data is, for example, the content of the relevant web page, including the broadcasting window 706, the broadcasting window 7
It may be the context of the associated web page containing 06, a user profile, multiple business rules, or some collaborative filtering rules. The content downloaded is determined by the ad server in real time and is continuously and automatically updated by the ad server.

At processing block 1015, the client displays the content received from the ad server in the broadcasting window 706.

At processing block 1020, the client broadcasts
Animate the content within window 706. In one embodiment, the content of the broadcast window 706 may have a merry-go-round like motion with respect to the window, and the content of the broadcast window 706 may be left-to-right or right-to-left horizontally. Rotate to. In alternative embodiments, the content can move in any direction. Content is delivered by the server on the client 205 and can consist of a large amount of information in a visual format. In one embodiment, the information may be in the form of meta objects.

The specific configurations and methods herein merely illustrate the principles of the invention. Many modifications in form and detail can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a network broadcasting window system.

Figure 2a   1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic casting system.

Figure 2b   2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the server of FIG. 1. FIG.

[Fig. 2c]   FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a meta-object structure.

3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the computer architecture of the server of FIG. 2b.

Figure 4a   2B is a block diagram of one embodiment of the server routine of FIG. 2b. FIG.

Figure 4b   FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a client routine.

[Figure 5]   FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a meta object.

[Figure 6]   FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a query result.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary window of a display of meta objects from a banner ad.

[Figure 8]   6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of pulling electronic casting information.

[Figure 9]   6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of pushing electronic casting information.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of displaying electronic advertising information.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW ), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, C N, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE , ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, K P, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU , LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, S G, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ , UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Akin, Arhan             United States94404California             State · Foster City · Catamaran ·             837 ・ Number 2 (72) Inventor Aikin, Sihan             United States · 94065 · California             State Redwood City Spadora             Eve 631 (72) Inventor Akin, Hakan             United States94403California             State San Mateo Auferil 1951             Number 209 (72) Inventor Kutai, Ali             United States94301California             Provincial Palo Alto Hale Street             465 (72) Inventor Albeck, Eliahu             United States94110California             State San Francisco Bartlett             Street 153 F-term (reference) 5C064 BA01 BB10 BC16 BC23 BD01                       BD08 BD09

Claims (56)

[Claims] 1. A method of displaying data in a broadcasting window, activating a pointer to content information (1005), retrieving content information based on relevant data (1010), and broadcasting.・ Display content information in the window (101
5) A method comprising: 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising animating (1020) the content information within the broadcasting window. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising activating a pop-up window by accessing the animated content information. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pop-up window includes additional information regarding content information. 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising activating a new frame by accessing a frame of animated content. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the animating further comprises rotating the content information in a merry-go-round like motion. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the animation is automatic. 8. The related data includes the content of a related web page containing a broadcasting window, the context of the related web page containing a broadcasting window, a user profile, a plurality of business pages. The method of claim 1, which is a rule or a plurality of collaborative filtering rules. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the content information is displayed as multiple frames of data. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling at least one web page that includes an associated broadcasting window. 12. A method of displaying data in a broadcasting window, polling a hub for content information based on relevant data (
810) receiving relevant content information from the hub (815) and displaying the relevant content information in a broadcasting window (820). 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring a channel based on associated data. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising animating relevant content information within a broadcasting window. 15. The content of a related web page, wherein the related data includes a broadcasting window, the broadcasting
13. The method of claim 12, which is a context of an associated web page containing a window, a user profile, a plurality of business rules, or a plurality of collaborative filtering rules. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the content information is displayed as multiple frames of data. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising enabling at least one web page that includes an associated broadcasting window. 19. A method of displaying data in a broadcasting window, determining corresponding content information based on related data (910), and transmitting the corresponding content information to a client (915). A method comprising: 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying relevant content information in a broadcasting window on the client. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising animating relevant content information within a broadcasting window. 22. The relevant data is the content of a relevant web page, including a broadcasting window, the broadcasting.
20. The method of claim 19, which is the context of the associated web page containing the window, user profile, business rules, or collaborative filtering rules. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the content information is displayed as multiple frames of data. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 25. The method of claim 20, further comprising enabling at least one web page that includes an associated broadcasting window. 26. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, means for activating a pointer to content information (1005), means for retrieving content information based on related data (1010), and broadcasting. Display content information in the casting window (10
15) A system comprising: 27. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, means for polling (810) a hub for content information based on relevant data, and receiving the corresponding content information from the hub ( 815) means and (820) means for displaying relevant content information in the broadcasting window. 28. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, means for determining corresponding content information based on related data (910), and transmitting the corresponding content information to a client (915). ) A system comprising: 29. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for performing a method of displaying data in a broadcasting window when executed on a processor, activating a pointer to content information (1005), The content information is retrieved based on the data to be displayed (1010), and the content information is displayed in the broadcasting window (10).
15) A computer-readable medium comprising: 30. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a processor, implements a method of displaying data in a broadcasting window, polling a hub for content information based on the associated data. Do (
810), receiving the relevant content information from the hub (815), and displaying the relevant content information in the broadcasting window (820). 31. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for performing a method of displaying data in a broadcasting window when executed on a processor, wherein the corresponding content information is determined based on the associated data. A computer-readable medium comprising: (910) sending relevant content information to a client (915). 32. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, wherein an applet (452) for activating a pointer to the content information and retrieving the content information based on related data, and in the broadcasting window. And a client (106) for displaying content information. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the client is further configured to animate the content information within the broadcasting window. 34. The system of claim 33, further comprising means for launching a popup window by accessing the animated content. 35. The system of claim 34, further comprising means for activating a new frame by accessing the frame of animated content. 36. The system of claim 34, wherein the pop-up window contains additional information about the data item. 37. The system of claim 33, wherein the client further rotates the content information in a merry-go-round motion. 38. The system of claim 33, wherein the client automatically animates the content information. 39. The relevant data is the content of a relevant web page, including a broadcasting window, the broadcasting.
33. The system of claim 32, which is a context of an associated web page containing a window, a user profile, multiple business rules, or multiple collaborative filtering rules. 40. The information is displayed as multiple frames of data.
The system according to 2. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 42. The system of claim 32, further comprising a browser that enables at least one web page that includes an associated broadcasting window. 43. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, polling a hub for content information based on relevant data,
And a channel (454) configured to receive the relevant content information from the hub, and a client applet (452) configured to display the relevant content information in the broadcasting window. System to prepare. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the client applet is further configured to initialize the channel based on the associated data. 45. The client applet is a broadcasting
44. The system of claim 43, further configured to animate relevant content information within a window. 46. The content of a related web page, wherein the related data includes a broadcasting window, the broadcasting
44. The system of claim 43, which is the context of the associated web page containing the window, user profile, business rules, or collaborative filtering rules. 47. The system of claim 43, wherein the client applet is further configured to display content information as multiple frames of data. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 49. The system of claim 43, wherein the client applet is further configured to enable at least one web page containing an associated broadcasting window. 50. A system for displaying data in a broadcasting window, the hub being configured to determine relevant content information based on relevant data and send the relevant content information to a client. A system comprising. 51. The system of claim 50, further comprising a client applet that displays relevant content information within the broadcasting window. 52. The client applet is a broadcasting
52. The system of claim 51, further configured to animate relevant content information within a window. 53. The relevant data is the content of a relevant web page, including a broadcasting window, the broadcasting.
51. The system of claim 50, which is the context of an associated web page containing a window, user profile, business rules, or collaborative filtering rules. 54. The system of claim 51, wherein the client applet is further configured to display the content information as multiple frames of data. 55. The system of claim 54, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames represents a different data item. 56. The system of claim 51, wherein the client applet is further configured to enable at least one web page containing an associated broadcasting window.