Browser system having simplified URL address registering method
Claim Score by NHIP
Abstract
The present invention relates to a browser apparatus for browsing a variety of homepages supplied from servers over e.g. the Internet. In the browser apparatus, the address of a homepage is classified and registered through a user carrying out with a mouse a drag-and-drop action of its pointer to shift an item displayed in a region of the screen where the homepage is displayed to one of classifications determined by the user and displayed on the screen. This allows the registration of e.g. a homepage address to be much simplified.A browser apparatus includes a display unit having a screen including a first region for displaying data supplied from a server and a second region for displaying an icon image. The browser apparatus also includes a commander responsive to an action for controlling a pointer displayed on the screen. The browser apparatus further includes a controller responsive to a selected icon image displayed in the second region, selected by the commander for displaying a pull-down menu having a title list associated with URL addresses and responsive to a title selected from the pull-down menu by the commander for accessing a URL address associated with the selected title and displaying data supplied from the server corresponding to the accessed URL address in the first region. The icon image is displayed in the second region when the data supplied from the accessed URL address is displayed in the first region.
Term
Term ended
Expired 24 April 2018, 8.4 years ago.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Expired
- Today
23 claims: 7 independent, 16 dependent
- 1A browser apparatus for displaying data supplied from a server over a communication network, comprising:a display unit having a screen including a first region for displaying said data supplied from said server and a second region for displaying at least one icon image;a storage for storing a plurality of URL addresses associated with said icon image;a commander responsive to an action of a user for controlling a location of a pointer displayed on said screen of said display unit ;and a controller responsive to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from an item displayed in said first region of said screen to said second region of said screen to control said storage to store a URL address corresponding to said item in said storage, and responsive to a selected icon image displayed in said second region, selected by said commander for displaying a pull-down menu having a title list associated with said plurality of URL addresses in said display unit and responsive to a title selected from said pull-down menu by said commander for accessing a URL address associated with said selected title and displaying data supplied from said server corresponding to said accessed URL address in said first region, wherein said icon image is displayed in said second region when said data supplied from said accessed URL address is displayed in said first region.
- 5A browsing method comprising the steps of:displaying data supplied from a server in a first region of a screen of a display unit and displaying an icon image in a second region of said screen;storing a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first region of said screen in response to a drag-and-drop action of a pointer from said item to said second region of said screen;selecting said icon image displayed in said second region by a said pointer;displaying a pull down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses registered in said selected icon image;selecting a title from said pull down menu;accessing a URL address associated with said selected title;and displaying data supplied from said server corresponding to said accessed URL address in said first region, wherein said icon image is displayed in said second region when said data supplied from said accessed URL address is displayed in said first region.
- 7A non-transitory storage medium for storing a browser software program, the browser software program , when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method comprising the steps of:displaying data supplied from a server in a first region of a screen of a display unit and displaying an icon image in a second region of said screen;storing a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first region of said screen in response to a drag-and-drop action of a pointer from said item to said second region of said screen;displaying a pull-down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses registered in said icon image displayed in said second region selected by a said pointer;accessing a URL address associated with a title selected from said pull-down menu;and displaying data supplied from said server corresponding to said accessed URL address in said first region, wherein said icon image is displayed in said second region when said data supplied from said accessed URL address is displayed in said first region.
- 13A browser apparatus for displaying data supplied from a server over a communication network, comprising:a screen that displays a first area for displaying said data supplied from said server, a second area for displaying a URL address associated with said data displayed in said first area and a third area for displaying at least one icon image in a pull down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses;storing means for storing at least one URL address associated with said icon image;command means for controlling a location of a pointer on said screen according to a user input;and control means for controlling said storing means to store a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first area of said screen in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said item to said third area of said screen, and for controlling said storing means to store a URL address displayed in said second area in association with an icon image displayed in said third area in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said second area to said icon image displayed in said third area by said command means.
- 19Broadest claimClaim Score 56, average(NHIP)An address registering method, comprising:displaying, to a screen, a first area for displaying data supplied from a server, a second area for displaying a URL address associated with said data displayed in said first area and a third area for displaying at least one icon image in a pull down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses;storing a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first area in response to a drag-and-drop action of a pointer from said item to said third area;and storing a URL address displayed in said second area in association with an icon image displayed in said third area in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said second area to said icon image displayed in said third area.
- 22A non-transitory storage medium for storing a browser software program, the browser software program, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method comprising:displaying, to a screen, a first area for displaying data supplied from a server, a second area for displaying a URL address associated with said data displayed in said first area and a third area for displaying at least one icon image in a pull down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses;storing a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first area in response to a drag-and-drop action of a pointer from said item to said third area;and storing a URL address displayed in said second area in association with an icon image displayed in said third area in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said second area to said icon image displayed in said third area.
- 23A browser apparatus for displaying data supplied from a server over a communication network, comprising:a display device configured to display, with a screen, a first area for displaying said data supplied from said server, a second area for displaying a URL address associated with said data displayed in said first area and a third area for displaying at least one icon image in a pull down menu having a title list associated with a plurality of URL addresses;a storage device configured to store at least one URL address associated with said icon image;a commander device configured to control a location of a pointer on said display device according to a user input;and a controller configured to control said storage device to store a URL address corresponding to an item displayed in said first area of said display device in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said item to said third area of said display device and to control said storage device to store a URL address displayed in said second area in association with an icon image displayed in said third area in response to a drag-and-drop action of said pointer from said second area to said icon image displayed in said third area by said commander device.
Independent claims7
75 paragraphs in 4 sections, as filed
0001This is a divisional of prior application Ser. No. 09/065,433 filed Apr. 24, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,525.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
00021. Field of the Invention
0003The present invention relates to a browser apparatus connected to a server for providing information.
00042. Description of Related Art
0005A browser apparatus such as a personal computer equipped with a software for browsing homepages offered by multiple servers on a network, e.g. the Internet, is provided having a so-called footmark function for saving the URL (uniform resource locator) address of each homepage of the server on the Internet.
0006When the address of a desired homepage to be accessed frequently has been registered by a user to his or her browser apparatus, the homepage can readily be viewed without manually entering the address e.g. through a keyboard. The name and address of the homepage once registered in advance can be selected and called for by the user easily operating e.g. a mouse.
0007Also, a list of classifications including various categories of sports, news, entertainments, and others is determined by a user for case of the browsing of homepages and used for assigning a desired classification to the address of each homepage for registration.
0008A procedure of registering the address of a homepage to one of the classifications is now explained referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 to 4</figref>.
0009As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the procedure starts with Step S<b>20</b> where a user accesses through a browser apparatus <b>12</b> to a desired homepage of a server. Then, the homepage of the server appears in a homepage display area <b>31</b> of a window <b>30</b> displayed on a display unit of the browser apparatus as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Simultaneously, the address of the homepage is displayed in an address display area <b>32</b>.
0010This is followed by Step S<b>21</b> where a homepage menu <b>34</b> on a menu bar <b>33</b> is selected by the user operating an input device which is a pointing device such as a mouse or a touchpanel pen. Then, a pulldown menu <b>35</b> appears at Step S<b>22</b>.
0011When an extra menu <b>36</b> in the pulldown menu <b>35</b> is selected at Step S<b>23</b>, a dialogue box <b>37</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is displayed over the window <b>30</b> at Step S<b>24</b>.
0012When a classification button <b>38</b> in the dialogue box <b>37</b> is enabled by the user at Step S<b>25</b>, a list of classifications <b>39</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> appears at Step S<b>26</b>. The list of classifications <b>39</b> includes a number of the classifications <b>40</b> predetermined and registered as well as names or addresses of the homepages which have been unclassified and unregistered.
0013When a desired one of the classifications <b>40</b> in the list of classifications <b>39</b> is selected and an OK button <b>41</b> is clicked by at Step S<b>27</b>, the address of the homepage being accessed and displayed in the address display area <b>32</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, is registered to the classification at Step S<b>28</b>.
0014As understood, the above procedure of classifying and registering an address corresponding to each data supplied from a server requires a redundancy of steps.
0015The list of classifications <b>39</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is displayed in the form of a tree of classification levels and may extend downwardly in the window <b>30</b> as the items of classification are increased thus overlapping the other areas of the window <b>30</b> and impairing the appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
0016An object of the present invention is to provide a browser apparatus, an address registering method, and a browser system in which the classification and registration of an address corresponding to a data supplied from a server can be carried out by a user operating a simpler procedure without troublesome rules.
0017For achievement of the above object of the present invention, a browser apparatus for displaying a data supplied from a server over a communication means is provided having a classification unit for assigning at least one of classifications to the data supplied from the server, a memory for storing an address corresponding to the data as well as the classification determined by the classification unit, a display unit for displaying the data supplied from the server in a first region of the screen and the classification of the data in a second region of the same, a command unit responsive to the action of a user for controlling the location of a pointer displayed on the screen of the display unit, and a control means responsive to shift of the pointer from the first region to the second region of the screen by the command unit for storing an address corresponding to the data displayed in the first region into the memory in association with its classification displayed in the second region.
0018For achievement of the above object of the present invention, an address registering method is provided comprising the steps of displaying a data supplied from a server in a first region of the screen of a display unit and classifications for the data in a second region of the same, and carrying out a drag-and-drop action to shift from any desired point in the first region to one of the classifications displayed in the second region so that an address corresponding to the data displayed in the first region is stored into a memory in association with its classification.
0019For achievement of the above object of the present invention, a browser system is provided having a server for supplying a data, a classification unit for assigning at least one of classifications to the data supplied from the server, a memory for storing an address corresponding to the data as well as the classification determined by the classification unit, a display unit for displaying the data supplied from the server in a first region of the screen and the classification of the data in a second region of the same, a command unit responsive to the action of a user for controlling the location of a pointer displayed on the screen of the display unit, and a control unit responsive to shift of the pointer from the first region to the second region of the screen by the command unit for storing an address corresponding to the data displayed in the first region into the memory in association with its classification displayed in the second region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart showing a conventional procedure of address registration;
0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a view showing a window displayed on a display of a conventional browser apparatus;
0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a view of the conventional window showing an address registration dialogue box;
0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a view of the conventional window showing a list of classifications;
0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is diagram showing an arrangement of a browser apparatus according to the present invention;
0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a view showing a window for displaying a set of folder icons of classification;
0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart showing a procedure of registering an address to the folder icon of classification;
0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram of the window when an address is selected from the folder icons of classification;
0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart showing a procedure of selecting the address from the folder icons of classification;
0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a view showing a window for displaying a set of button icons of classification;
0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flowchart showing a procedure of registering an address to the button icon of classification;
0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a diagram of the window when an address is selected from the button icons of classification;
0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a flowchart showing a procedure of selecting the address from the button icons of classification; and
0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a view showing a modification of the window.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
0034A browser apparatus, an address registering method, and a browser system according to the present invention will be described in more detail referring to the accompanying drawings.
0035The browser apparatus according to the present invention comprises such a personal computer as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> including a hard disk <b>1</b> for storing a program of operating the browser apparatus, a display <b>2</b> responsive to the program for displaying graphical user interface (abbreviated to GUI hereinafter), a mouse <b>3</b> manipulated by a user for controlling the browser apparatus through the GUI, a modem <b>4</b> for communication with a server which provides accessible image data over the Internet, and an address storage <b>5</b> for storing the address of each homepage which is composed of image data and/or text data.
0036The above components of the browser apparatus are controlled via a bus by a central processing unit <b>7</b> (abbreviated to CPU hereinafter).
0037Upon receiving a command for starting the browser apparatus is entered through the mouse <b>3</b> or an unshown input device such as a keyboard, a touchpanel, the CPU <b>7</b> reads a corresponding one of the file programs stored in the hard disk <b>1</b> and transfers it to a random access memory <b>8</b> (abbreviated to RAM hereinafter) for execution of the program. The program may be saved on any appropriate recording medium such as a floppy disk or an optomagnetic disk. According to the program, the CPU <b>7</b> displays via the bus <b>6</b> on the display <b>2</b> a GUI data which will be explained later.
0038The browser apparatus is connected at its modem <b>4</b> via e.g. a telephone line and a provider to servers at the other end of the line on the Internet or a type of network. In this embodiment, the connection to the provider on the Internet is automatically enabled when the browser apparatus is energized. It is however possible that the connection to the provider is enabled by the user viewing the GUI screen on the display <b>2</b> and operating a given action.
0039The modem <b>4</b> converts a digital signal of data such as the address of a homepage into an analog signal suited for transmission along a normal telephone line and delivers the analog signal to a provider on the Internet over the telephone line. The modem <b>4</b> also demodulates an analog signal e.g. of image data received from the Internet provider to a digital signal processable in the browser apparatus. Although the transmission is made over the telephone line in the form of an analog signal in this embodiment, digital signals may directly be transmitted and received with the use of a terminal adaptor over an applicable integrated service digital network (ISDN) or the like.
0040The browser apparatus connected to the Internet provider allows the user to download and browse various homepages offered by a number of servers on the Internet. To do so, the user first enters a keyword to access the Internet provider and types the address of a desired homepage to be viewed through the input device such as a keyboard not shown. The address of the homepage to be viewed repeatedly may be saved in the address storage <b>5</b> which comprises e.g. a RAM. The registration of the address of the homepage will be explained later.
0041When the address of a homepage is saved in the address storage <b>5</b>, it can freely be named by the user. This allows the browser to save and control a plurality of the addresses by their names which can easily be identified by the user.
0042The GUI screen displayed on the display <b>2</b> of the browser apparatus is implemented in the form of a browser window <b>9</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, which includes a homepage display area <b>10</b> or a first viewport in the screen for displaying a homepage supplied from the server in access, an address display area <b>11</b> for displaying the addresses of homepages, and a menu bar <b>12</b> used by the user for selecting a variety of functions.
0043A pointer <b>13</b> operated by the mouse <b>3</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is also displayed over the browser window <b>9</b>. The user can operate the mouse <b>3</b> to move the pointer <b>13</b> to a desired location on the GUI screen for selectively carrying out the various functions.
0044A procedure of storing the address of a homepage in the address storage <b>5</b> by the user is now explained in conjunction with a flowchart of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. The explanation will also refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref> as necessary.
0045The procedure starts with Step S<b>1</b> where in response to the access of the user to a desired homepage from a server, data of the homepage is displayed on the homepage display area <b>10</b>. Simultaneously, the address of the homepage in access appears on the address display area <b>11</b>.
0046At Step S<b>2</b>, a homepage menu <b>14</b> is selected by the user operating the mouse <b>3</b>. Then, the CPU <b>7</b> displays a pulldown menu <b>15</b> of a second viewport at Step S<b>3</b> where a group of classifications predetermined by the user appear e.g. as folder icons <b>16</b>.
0047At Step S<b>4</b>, the pointer <b>13</b> is operated by the user for drag-and-drop action from any item in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b> to a desired one of the icons <b>16</b>. More particularly, the user presses down a buttonswitch of the mouse <b>3</b> with the pointer <b>13</b> moved and located at the item in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b>, while the buttonswitch remaining pressed down, drives the pointer <b>13</b> to the icon <b>16</b>, and releases the buttonswitch of the mouse <b>3</b> at the icon <b>16</b>.
0048It is noted that although a standard pulldown menu disappear when any other location is selected, the pulldown menu <b>15</b> in the browser apparatus of the embodiment remains displayed when the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b> is selected. The pulldown menu <b>15</b> may be adapted for appearing when the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b> is selected.
0049At Step S<b>5</b>, the CPU <b>7</b> upon receiving an input signal from the mouse <b>3</b> operated by the user saves the address of the homepage in display in the address storage <b>5</b> in association with a corresponding one of the classifications predetermined by the user. When the pointer <b>13</b> controlled by the user operating the mouse <b>3</b> is driven by drag-and-drop with no relation of the classification in the pulldown menu <b>15</b>, the address of the homepage is not classified but stored in the address storage <b>5</b>. At the time, data of the homepages such as a list of homepage names stored is displayed beside the classification icons in the pulldown menu <b>15</b>.
0050Accordingly, the browser apparatus of the present invention allows the address of a homepage being accessed to be saved in the address storage in association with its classification through a simple operation.
0051A procedure of reviewing the homepage from a server of which address has been registered by the prescribed procedure is explained referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref>. A browser window <b>9</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is identical to that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and like items are denoted by like numerals and will be explained in no more detail.
0052At Step S<b>6</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the homepage menu <b>14</b> is selected by the user controlling the menu bar <b>12</b>. This is followed by Step S<b>7</b> where the pulldown menu <b>15</b> is displayed by the CPU <b>7</b> and the icons <b>16</b> appear on the screen.
0053At Step S<b>8</b>, one of the icon <b>16</b> corresponding to the address of a desired homepage which has been registered and saved is selected by the user. Then, Step S<b>9</b> follows where the CPU <b>7</b> displays a list of the homepages <b>17</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. The list of the homepages <b>17</b> includes addresses or names of the homepages registered by the classifications determined by the user and denoted with the coins <b>16</b>.
0054At Step S<b>10</b>, the address of the desired homepage is selected by the user by identifying the address or name in the list of the homepages. Step S<b>11</b> then follows where the CPU <b>7</b> retrieves the address of the desired homepage identified by the address or name from the address storage <b>5</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and displays the desired homepage defined by the address in the homepage display area <b>10</b>.
0055This allows the user to view a desired homepage by carrying out the simple procedure with the mouse <b>3</b> of selecting the homepage menu <b>14</b>, clicking the icon <b>16</b>, and identifying the address of the desired homepage.
0056The classification may further be classified into lower subjects for convenience of the user. For example, it may be arranged that when any of the icons <b>16</b> is selected, another list of icons for lower classification is displayed.
0057<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a modification of the GUI screen to be displayed on the display <b>2</b> of the browser apparatus of the present invention. In a browser window <b>18</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, like items are denoted by like numerals as those of the browser window <b>9</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and will be explained in no more detail. While the browser window <b>9</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> exhibits the folder icons <b>16</b> in the pulldown menu <b>15</b>, the browser window <b>18</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> provides an array of button icons <b>19</b> indicative of classifications of the address.
0058Although the button icons <b>19</b> are shown in two lines and two rows, they may be aligned in a vertical or horizontal single row and may be of a desired shape and size. The button icons <b>19</b> may be moved and placed to any location in the browser window <b>18</b> at the user's option. Also, it is possible to display the button icons <b>19</b> over another application or an OS system.
0059A procedure of storing the address of a homepage in the address storage <b>5</b> by the user using the browser window <b>18</b> is now explained referring to a flowchart of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. The explanation also refers to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 10</figref> as necessary.
0060At Step S<b>12</b>, a desired homepage is displayed in the homepage display area <b>10</b> by the user. Simultaneously, the address of the homepage displayed in the homepage display area <b>10</b> also appears in the address display area <b>11</b>.
0061This is followed by Step S<b>13</b> where any desired item in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b> is moved to a corresponding one of the icons <b>19</b> by a drag-and-drop action of the user. At Step S<b>14</b>, the CPU <b>7</b> saves the address of the homepage being displayed into the address storage <b>5</b> in association with its classification determined by the user. When the pointer <b>13</b> is shifted by the drag-and-drop action to any location in the browser window but not of the classification, the address of the homepage in display is unclassified and saved in the address storage <b>5</b> and also, a list of the homepages of which addresses have been saved, such as a list of their names in the form of button icons, is displayed in a part of the browser window, e.g. on the right side of the address display area <b>11</b>.
0062Since the icons <b>19</b> for the classifications are being displayed constantly, the callback of the pulldown menu is eliminated and the procedure of registering the address of a homepage will hence be simplified.
0063A procedure of reviewing a desired homepage of which address has been registered by the prescribed procedure on the GUI screen <b>18</b> is explained referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 and 13</figref>. A browser window <b>18</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is identical to that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> and like items are denoted by like numerals and will be explained in no more detail. In the browser window <b>18</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, icons <b>19</b> are aligned in a horizontal row.
0064At Step S<b>15</b>, a desired one of the icons <b>19</b> is selected by the user. Then, Step S<b>16</b> follows where the CPU <b>7</b> displays a list of homepages <b>20</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, which consists of the address or name of each homepage registered in the classifications denoted by the icons <b>19</b>.
0065At Step S<b>17</b>, the address or name of a desired homepage is selected by the user from the list of the homepages <b>20</b> displayed. This is followed by Step S<b>18</b> where the CPU <b>7</b> retrieves the address of the selected homepage or the address corresponding to the name of the homepage from the address storage <b>5</b> and displays the homepage in the homepage display area <b>10</b>.
0066This permits the user to review a desired homepage by carrying out with the mouse the simple procedure of selecting the icon <b>19</b> and clicking the address of the homepage. More specifically, the icons <b>19</b> representing the classifications of the homepages are constantly displayed, the procedure of calling and reviewing a desired homepage will be more simplified than that explained with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref>.
0067It may be arranged that the icons <b>19</b> disappear in a common mode and is called and displayed automatically when any point in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area is clicked. This allows the registration of the address of a homepage to be executed by a manner similar to the simple procedure shown in the flowchart of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. As the icons <b>19</b> are not displayed in the common mode, they never overlap nor disturb any portion of the homepage display area <b>10</b>. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the pulldown menu <b>15</b> may be adapted for appearing automatically upon the user clicking any point in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b>.
0068<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> illustrates another modification of the GUI screen displayed on the display <b>2</b> of the browser apparatus of the present invention. In a browser window <b>21</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, like items are denoted by like numerals as those of the browser window <b>9</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and will be explained in no more detail. The browser window <b>21</b> includes a homepage display area <b>10</b>, an address display area <b>11</b>, and a file display area <b>22</b>. The file display area <b>22</b> is provided for displaying a tree of files and directories assigned to the hard disk <b>1</b>, the address storage <b>5</b>, and other auxiliary storage devices in the browser apparatus.
0069The classifications are displayed as subdirectories of each homepage directory in the file display area <b>22</b>. The directories may be expressed by corresponding folder icons.
0070For registering the address of a homepage being displayed in the homepage display area <b>10</b> by the user using the window <b>21</b>, any item in the homepage display area <b>10</b> or the address display area <b>11</b> is selected and moved by operating the mouse <b>3</b> to a corresponding one of the folder icons in the file display area <b>22</b> which represents the target directory. Accordingly, the browser apparatus saves the address of the homepage displayed in the address display area <b>11</b> into the address storage <b>5</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> in association with its classification.
0071Although the browser apparatus explained has the hard disk <b>1</b> and the address storage <b>5</b> mounted separately, the hard disk <b>1</b> may be installed in the address storage <b>5</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.
0072The present invention is not limited to the browser apparatus implemented by a combination of the personal computer and the browser program but may be applied to a combination of an input terminal and a host computer connected to a local area network, an Internet television, or a word processor with communications function having a proper input/output device.
0073Also, the present invention described in the form of a browser apparatus, an address registering method, and a browser system may be applied to a recording medium which carries a browser software enabling the address registering method.
0074Although the input device is a mouse in the embodiments, it may be of a pen type.
0075Although the present invention is explained in the form of a browser apparatus for browsing the homepages of a server on the Internet, it may be applied for browsing various data of servers over a network independent from the Internet.
Contents4
Every citation, both waysCites: the store holds 23 of 24
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| US8826183B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US8893045B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US2011016418A1 | Cited by | United States of America | Pre-grant |
| US8972881B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US2011029929A1 | Cited by | United States of America | Pre-grant |
| US2013031513A1 | Cited by | United States of America | Pre-grant |
| EP0717342A1 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Applicant |
| US5630042A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5742768A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5768578A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5784058A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5801702A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5808613A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5848424A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5893915A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5914714A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5917491A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US5918237A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5923885A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US5937163A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US5983245A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6021435A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6049812A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6068188A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6091409A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6119135A | Cites | United States of America | Applicant |
| US6483525B1 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US6707468B2 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US7043526B1 | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| Kengo Inoue, "Internet that is not late even if now" [No. 7], Nikkei Personal Computing, Japan Nikkei BP, Jan. 13, 1997, vol. 280, pp. 240-243. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Shiro Tachimoto, "Comfortable Internet life by leaning navigator", Nikkei Personal Computing, Japanese Nikkei BP, Feb. 26, 1996, vol. 259, pp. 214-222. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Robert Lauriston, "Netscape Communicator", Nikkei Personal Computing, Japan, Nikkei BP, No. 282, Feb. 10, 1997, pp. 223-228. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Pete Lonshin, "Internet communicator Par Exellence", BYTE.com, Mar. 1997, pp. 1-3. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Nathan Moinvaziri, "Netscape 4.0 Tricks", Newsgroups: comp.lang.javascript, Dec. 30, 1996, pp. 1-2. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Search Report issued Mar. 23, 2011, in European Patent Application No. 10010577.4-2201 / 2278503. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| "Netscape Navigator Help File (C:/ProgramFiles/Netscape/Communicator/Program/NetHelp/Webhome.htm)", Internet Citation, Netscape Communicator Version 4.0 Preview Release 2 for Win95/NT., XP002626314, Feb. 22, 1997, 47 pages, sillydog.org/pub/ns4/w32/c32e40b2.exe. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Guide to What's New: Netscape Communicator, Internet Citation, XP007917372, Dec. 30, 1996, 21 pages, web.archive.org/web/19961230204630/ netscape.com/com prod/products/communicator/guide.html. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| European Office Action (Decision to Refuse) issued Nov. 11, 2011, in Patent Application No. 98303174.1. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| Elizabeth M. Choinski, et al., "High Marks for SmartMarks (A New Bookmarks Organizer from Netscape): A Review Article", Internet Reference Services Quarterly, vol. 1, No. 3, XP000865762, 1996, pp. 117-123. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| R. Colin Johnson, "Bookmark Organizer Ready", Electronic Enigneering Times, No. 859, XP002917493, Jul. 31, 1995, p. 140, 2 sheets. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| "Netscape SmartMarks, Smart Bookmarks", Netscape Communications Corp., PC Magazine, May 14, 1996, 3 sheets. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| "Organizing Bookmarks at the Time of Creation", Research Disclosure, XP002132686, Apr. 1, 1998, p. 495. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
| M. R. Brown, "Special Edition: Using Netscape(TM) 2", A Special Edition using Netscape, XX, XX, Jan. 1, 1995, XP002244732, pp. 148-175, 220-228, 231-253, 678 and 679. | Non-patent | – | Applicant |
14 members in 4 offices
Priority claims15
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11313297 | Japan | A | |
| 11313297 | Japan | A | |
| P09113132 | Japan | – | |
| 6543398 | United States of America | A | |
| 6543398 | United States of America | A | |
| 13280202 | United States of America | A | |
| 13280202 | United States of America | A | |
| 10988105 | United States of America | A | |
| 09065433 | – | – | – |
| 10132802 | – | – | – |
| JP19970113132 | – | – | – |
| P09113132 | – | – | – |
| US19980065433 | – | – | – |
| US20020132802 | – | – | – |
| US20050109881 | – | – | – |
Members14
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP0875845A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| JPH1173432A | Japan | A | |
| TW386194B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| EP0875845A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| US2002120775A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US6483525B1 | United States of America | B1 | |
| EP1304631A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| US6707468B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP1304631A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP2259200A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2278503A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| JP4659931B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EP2278503A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| USRE43751EThis record | United States of America | E |
96 transactions on the USPTO file
Allowed after 3 non-final rejections.
- Non-final rejections
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- Final rejections
- 0
- RCEs
- 0
- Appeals
- 0
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| Issue Notification MailedAllowedWPIR | WPIR | |
| Dispatch to FDCD1935 | D1935 | |
| Dispatch to FDCD1935 | D1935 | |
| Application Is Considered Ready for IssuePILS | PILS | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Mail Miscellaneous Communication to ApplicantMM327 | MM327 | |
| Issue Fee Payment VerifiedN084 | N084 | |
| Issue Fee Payment ReceivedIFEE | IFEE | |
| Miscellaneous Communication to Applicant - No Action CountM327 | M327 | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Printer Rush- No mailingTCPB | TCPB | |
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2 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
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Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee paymentFPAY | FPAY | |
| Fee payment procedurePAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITYFEPP | FEPP |
Numbers
- Publication
- RE043751
- Publication, DOCDB
- RE43751
- Publication, EPODOC
- USRE43751E
- Application
- 11109881
- Application, DOCDB
- 10988105
- Application, EPODOC
- US20050109881
Titles
- English
- Browser system having simplified URL address registering method
Classification
- CPC, 2
- G06F16/9562
- G06F16/955
- IPC, 3
- G06F17 30
- G06F15 16
- G09G5 00
- USPC, 4
- 709217000
- 709203000
- 715738000
- 715739000