Method and apparatus for utilizing prescribed aspect(s) of feedback object select operation to indicate user feedback of hypermedia content unit

A computer implemented method for gathering user feedback of one or more units of hypermedia content. Notice is made available to a user explaining a preestablished mapping between (1) at least one prescribed aspect of an operation of performing a predefined SELECT function to feedback objects and (2) user-indicated opinion of content units. Feedback objects comprise predetermined types of display objects provided to depart content units for different content units. Responsive to a user positioning a cursor upon a feedback object of a current content unit and performing the SELECT function, user-indicated opinion of the current content unit is ascertained by applying the preestablished mapping to the prescribed aspect of how the SELECT function was performed. Storage is initiated for a machine-readable record of the ascertained user-indicated opinion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to computer interfaces by which people read and navigate hypermedia documents. More particularly, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for using prescribed aspect(s) of a user's feedback object select operation to indicate the user's feedback of a hypermedia content unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Besides the keyboard, the mouse is the tool of choice for people that work with computers. The basic functions of a computer mouse are to position a cursor on a display monitor and to select objects using one or more buttons. Through the years, hardware engineers have improved on the basic mouse by adding balls, wheels, optical mechanisms, more buttons, and variety of other gadgets. In this time, software engineers have also done their part, developing a variety of mouse functions designed to improve the man-machine interface further.

Computer mice have become important tools for users to access Internet Web pages, chiefly because most Web content includes graphics that are most conveniently accessed by mouse rather than keyboard. Technically speaking, computer mice have become integral tools for using browsers, which are software programs that allow users to view and navigate hypertext and hypermedia documents.

In the computing realm, hypertext is a user interface paradigm for displaying documents which branch or perform on request. The most frequently discussed form of hypertext document contains automated cross-references to other documents called hyperlinks. Selecting a hyperlink causes the computer to display the linked document within a very short period of time. Hypermedia is an extension of the term hypertext, in which audio, video, plain text, and non-linear hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information. The World Wide Web is a classic example of hypermedia. For purposes of the present application, hypermedia is taken to include hypertext.

Browsers operate upon hypermedia content as follows. Typically, a user instructs the browser program to present a particular content page by operating the mouse to position a cursor upon a hyperlink that represents that page, and clicking the mouse. The user can also navigate inward to content pages by clicking a “forward” button, or outward using a “back” button.

Although the foregoing well known systems enjoy widespread commercial success today, the inventors have sought to further improve the performance and utility of browsers and related systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the invention concerns a computer implemented method for gathering user feedback of one or more units of hypermedia content. Notice is made available to a user explaining a preestablished mapping between (1) at least one prescribed aspect of an operation of performing a predefined SELECT function to feedback objects and (2) user-indicated opinion of content units. Feedback objects comprise predetermined types of display objects provided to depart content units for different content units. Responsive to a user positioning a cursor upon a feedback object of a current content unit and performing the SELECT function, user-indicated opinion of the current content unit is ascertained by applying the preestablished mapping to the prescribed aspect of how the SELECT function was performed. Storage is initiated for a machine-readable record of the ascertained user-indicated opinion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hardware Components & Interconnections

Computing System

One aspect of the invention concerns a computing system, which may be embodied by various hardware components and interconnections, with one example being described by the system100ofFIG. 1. The system100includes a computer108of various subcomponents, each of which may be implemented by one or more hardware devices, software devices, a portion of one or more hardware or software devices, or a combination of the foregoing. The makeup of individual subcomponents is described in greater detail below, with reference to an exemplary digital data processing apparatus, logic circuit, and signal bearing medium.

More particularly, the computer108includes a processing engine102(including or coupled to a browser102a), feedback gathering tool104, pointing device software114, and various other modules112. The browser102acomprises a software module configured to display various hypermedia content in human readable form. Such content includes pages, frames, documents, or other units of hypermedia content. As an example, the hypermedia content may be encoded in markup language such as HTML or another one of many existing markup languages. Without any intended limitation, “pages” of content may also be used to describe any of the foregoing units or sub-units of content as well as others familiar to ordinarily skilled artisans. To cite a few specific examples, the browser may comprise MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER, MOZILLA FIREFOX, NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR, or another browser compatible with WINDOWS, MAC, LINUX, UNIX, or another operating system. (The foregoing terms in capital letters are trademarks of their respective owners)

The feedback gathering tool104comprises a software module configured to gather user feedback as to content presented by the browser102a, as explained in greater detail below. The tool104may be integrated into the engine102, or it may be a plug-in or other add-on component that operates in cooperation with the browser102a.

The pointing device software114includes drivers or other programming needed to convey a two dimensional cursor position from the pointing device106to the engine102, tool104, and/or other modules112. The pointing device software114also includes drivers or other programming needed to convey one or more different SELECT functions from the pointing device106(or another device, not shown) to the engine102, tool104, and/or other modules112. Optionally, the pointing device software114may also include programming to provide enhanced pointing device features. Although mouse software is used to provide a tangible example, there is no intended limitation, and such software114as disclosed shall include software corresponding to a variety of other user input devices as listed below.

The pointing device106comprises a hardware device operable by a user to convey a two dimensional cursor position and at least one SELECT function to the computer108. Although a mouse is used to provide a tangible example, a variety of other user input devices may be used to perform the same function, such as keyboard, trackball, eye gaze input system, foot pedals, joystick, voice operated cursor, etc. Furthermore, cursor motion and SELECT may be effected by one device, or separately by different devices. One specific example of a SELECT function is clicking a mouse button.

The display110provides a visual output of signals from the computer108, including output images generated by the browser, for viewing by the user. Among other things, content of the display includes the browser's depiction of hypermedia content pages, and a cursor whose position is controlled by the pointing device106. The display110may be embodied by a cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma screen, liquid crystal display (LCD), television screen, or any other suitable video presentation device.

The remote computer116is an optional component comprising a digital data processing device coupled to the computer108by a link118. As explained in greater detail below, the system100may employ the computer116to store certain data instead of (or in addition to) using the computer108to store such data. The link118may use technology such as telephone, Internet, Intranet, wireless, satellite link, fiber optic, or any other apparatus for conveying digital data conveyance.

Exemplary Digital Data Processing Apparatus

As mentioned above, data processing entities such as the computer108, computer116, engine102, and tool104may be implemented in various forms. One example is a digital data processing apparatus, as exemplified by the hardware components and interconnections of the digital data processing apparatus200ofFIG. 2.

The apparatus200includes a processor202, such as a microprocessor, personal computer, workstation, controller, microcontroller, state machine, or other processing machine, coupled to storage204. In the present example, the storage204includes a fast-access storage206, as well as nonvolatile storage208. The fast-access storage206may comprise random access memory (“RAM”), and may be used to store the programming instructions executed by the processor202. The nonvolatile storage208may comprise, for example, battery backup RAM, EEPROM, flash PROM, one or more magnetic data storage disks such as a hard drive, a tape drive, or any other suitable storage device. The apparatus200also includes an input/output210, such as a line, bus, cable, electromagnetic link, or other means for the processor202to exchange data with other hardware external to the apparatus200.

Despite the specific foregoing description, ordinarily skilled artisans (having the benefit of this disclosure) will recognize that the apparatus discussed above may be implemented in a machine of different construction, without departing from the scope of the invention. As a specific example, one of the components206,208may be eliminated; furthermore, the storage204,206, and/or208may be provided on-board the processor202, or even provided externally to the apparatus200.

Logic Circuitry

In contrast to the digital data processing apparatus discussed above, a different embodiment of the invention uses logic circuitry instead of computer-executed instructions to implement processing entities of the system100. Depending upon the particular requirements of the application in the areas of speed, expense, tooling costs, and the like, this logic may be implemented by constructing an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having thousands of tiny integrated transistors. Such an ASIC may be implemented with CMOS, TTL, VLSI, or another suitable construction. Other alternatives include a digital signal processing chip (DSP), discrete circuitry (such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, and transistors), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic array (PLA), programmable logic device (PLD), and the like.FIG. 3Bdepicts an exemplary form350of logic circuitry.

Operation

Having described various structural features, some operational aspects will now be described. As mentioned above, the operational aspect of the disclosure basically involves computer-implemented operations of gathering user feedback as to one or more of hypermedia content units.

One Specific Example

As an introduction to the operating sequence described below, and without any intended limitation whatsoever, an illustration is now given to concisely explain a very specific operational embodiment. The scope of the invention is not limited in any way to this particular description.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 6, this example begins when the user is viewing a World Wide Web page upon the browser window506. Among other content of the current web page, there is an item of hyperlinked text508. The hyperlink508qualifies as a feedback object, according to the definition104b. Whenever the user selects the hyperlink508by positioning the cursor602thereover and “clicking,” the browser102aleaves the current web page and transitions to the hyperlinked web page. At the moment of “clicking,” the feedback tool104consults the preestablished mapping104ain order to translate the cursor position relative to the hyperlink508into the user's supposed opinion of the current web site. In the example ofFIG. 6, if the user selects the hyperlink in a right zone512, the mapping indicates that the user was pleased with the current web site. Conversely, if the user selects the hyperlink in a left zone510, the tool104concludes that the user was displeased with the current web site. The tool104stores a record of the user's opinion, either locally at the computer108or remotely at the computer116.

Thus, the disclosed example permits the user to signify his opinion of the current Web page, without requiring any more mouse clicks than normal, and without requiring a cumbersome graphical user interface (GUI).

Wherever the functionality of any operational components of the disclosure is implemented using one or more machine-executed program sequences, these sequences may be embodied in various forms of signal-bearing media. In the context ofFIG. 2, such a signal-bearing media may comprise, for example, the storage204or another signal-bearing media, such as a magnetic data storage diskette300(FIG. 3A), directly or indirectly accessible by a processor202. Whether contained in the storage206, diskette300, or elsewhere, the instructions may be stored on a variety of machine-readable data storage media. Some examples include direct access storage, e.g. a conventional hard drive, redundant array of inexpensive disks (“RAID”), or another direct access storage device (“DASD”), serial-access storage such as magnetic or optical tape, electronic non-volatile memory, e.g. ROM, EPROM, flash PROM, or EEPROM, battery backup RAM, optical storage e.g. CD-ROM, WORM, DVD, digital optical tape, paper punch cards, or other suitable signal-bearing media including analog or digital transmission media and analog and communication links and wireless communications. In one embodiment, the machine-readable instructions may comprise software object code, compiled from a language such as assembly language, C, etc.

Logic Circuitry

In contrast to the signal-bearing medium discussed above, some or all functional components may be implemented using logic circuitry, instead of using a processor to execute instructions. Such logic circuitry is therefore configured to perform operations to carry out the method of the disclosure. The logic circuitry may be implemented using many different types of circuitry, as discussed above and exemplified by the logic circuitry350ofFIG. 3B.

Operating Sequence

Introduction

FIG. 4shows a sequence400to illustrate one example of the method aspect of this disclosure. Broadly, this sequence performs machine-implemented operations of receiving user feedback as to one or more hypermedia content units. For ease of explanation, but without any intended limitation, the example ofFIG. 4is described in the context of the system100illustrated above.FIG. 4is explained with aid ofFIGS. 5-6, which display exemplary browser windows500,600(respectively).

By way of introduction, this disclosure discusses different examples of feedback objects and feedback mapping. Basically, the feedback objects are different items presented by the browser102aby which the user can depart the currently displayed content page for a different page. In the example ofFIG. 5, all hyperlinks (such as508) constitute feedback objects. By selecting the hyperlink508, for example, the user not only leaves the current page but also simultaneously indicates his/her opinion of the current page. In the present example, the user selects the hyperlink by positioning the cursor602over the hyperlink508and performing a SELECT function such as clicking one or more mouse buttons, tapping the “enter” or another keyboard key, etc.

In one embodiment, the user indicates his opinion by the location on the feedback object (hyperlink508) at which the user executes the SELECT function. The predetermined relationship between different SELECT positions and their corresponding meaning (user opinion) is the feedback mapping. In the present example, the user SELECTS a left region510of the hyperlink508to signify that the user did not like the current page. Conversely, the user SELECTS a right region512to indicate a positive opinion. The left and right regions510,512can but need not be marked anywhere. Under other embodiments, the user's opinion is indicated by other aspects of the SELECT operation than cursor position.

Defining Feedback Objects, Feedback Mapping

Broadly, step402defines types of feedback objects (104b) and establishes a feedback mapping104a. In one example, these features are built-in to the feedback gathering tool104, so they are defined when the tool104is installed designed, updated, installed, re-booted, or otherwise configured. In a different embodiment, the types of feedback objects104band feedback mapping104aare established in whole or part by user input.

In the example given above, hyperlinks (such as508) constitute one type of feedback object. In another example, the browser's back button502and forward button504also constitute feedback objects. As another example, hyperlinked regions, images, graphics, or other imagery may be defined as feedback objects. Feedback objects may also be defined to include radio buttons, check boxes, and the like. Furthermore, feedback objects may include menu items (such as pull-down menus), with two examples including a web browser's “Back” and “Forward” pull-down menu entries. Feedback objects may include virtually any subset of the display or browser window.

In one example, the tool104interprets SELECTION of different regions of the button502or504as different user opinions. In the example given above, the feedback mapping104aspecifies that each feedback object's left region (such as510) indicates the user's negative opinion, and the right region (such as512) indicates a positive opinion. Similarly, when the user SELECTS a left (or right) region of the button502or504, the tool104interprets this as a negative (or positive) opinion. In a different example, the feedback mapping104aaccommodates more than two opinions (such as four), and each feedback object has a corresponding number of regions (in this example four). In still another example, the tool104senses user opinion on a continuum, such as rating the current content page on a scale of zero to ten, or zero to one hundred, or zero to a greater number as fine-grained as possible considering the limitations of the display screen resolution and mouse performance. In this case, the feedback mapping104aspecifies that user SELECTION of a feedback object at its rightmost point indicates one hundred, and SELECTING the object at its left most point indicates zero or minus one hundred. Furthermore, instead of using right/left, the feedback mapping104amay specify a top/bottom distinction, where SELECTIONS toward the top of feedback objects indicate positive opinions, and SELECTIONS toward the bottom of feedback objects indicate negative opinions.

In still another example, different feedback mappings may be used for different types of feedback objects. For example, hyperlinks may use a left/right continuum, whereas the back and forward buttons502,504use two distinct regions of “up” and “down.”

In a different embodiment, instead of mapping different cursor positions to different user opinions, feedback mapping may consider a different aspect of the SELECT operation entirely. For example, the feedback mapping may specify different durations of SELECT mapped to different user opinions. For example, a longer SELECT, e.g. mouse click, may indicate greater satisfaction with the current URL or greater curiosity about the linked URL. This variation may be advantageous for limited mobility computer users who experience difficulty controlling the click location with precision, but can more easily control click duration.

In still another embodiment, feedback mapping may consider still another different aspect of the SELECT operation. Namely, user opinion may be indicated by the particular mouse button used to perform the SELECT operation. For example, a left click may indicate a positive user feedback, while a right click indicates negative user feedback.

Providing Notice

Step404provides notice available to the user explaining the feedback mapping104aand the types of feedback objects104b. Step404may be carried out in various ways. For example, computer108may provide an on-demand help screen, offline help file, read-me.txt file, or other notice that makes a suitable explanation. In this example, the computer108makes notice available to the user, but does not necessarily provide notice to the user (because the user might not ask for it). As another example, the computer108may present a splash or other advisory screen whenever the browser102ais started. As another example, the computer108may display an explanatory mouse-over box that selectively appears whenever the user positions the cursor602over anything recognized as a feedback object. In contrast to performing step404as disclosed, notice may be provided by the optional step405as discussed below.

Commencing Browsing

In step404a, the browser102abegins to operate, presenting human-readable output pages of content from a hypermedia source, responsive to user direction through user entry of uniform resource locators (URLs) or other addresses, selecting back/forward buttons502/504, or making other customary browser inputs. The encoded source may comprise an Internet web page, Intranet web page, locally stored document, or other hypermedia source. Optionally, the hypermedia source may employ a markup language such as HTML, SGML, XML, or another markup language. The operation404arepeats continually as long as the browser102ais active.

Cursor Over; Displaying Tentative Opinion

In step405, the browser determines that the cursor has moved over a feedback object, as defined by104b. At this point, step405may also provide an optional enhancement to the presentation of the content by the browser102a. This embodiment is implemented in the case where cursor position is the aspect of the SELECT function used to indicate user opinion. This enhancement is not used, for example, where SELECT duration is used to indicate user opinion.

In the optional enhancement to step405, the browser102aand tool104cooperatively display a tentative user opinion whenever the cursor602is positioned over a feedback object (such as hyperlink508) prior to user activation of the SELECT function. In one embodiment, the foregoing feature may additionally constitute the notice specified by step404, i.e., they are one in the same; alternatively, notice may be given separately of this feature.

More particularly, whenever components102a/104determine when the cursor602is positioned over a feedback object, the tool104responds by utilizing the feedback mapping104ato translate cursor position into the corresponding user opinion. The tool104then instructs the browser102ato provide a continually updated display604of user-indicated opinion corresponding to the current cursor position. This aids the user by indicating what his/her opinion would be, were s/he to perform a SELECT action at that cursor position.

In the present example, the displayed tentative user opinion604(FIG. 6) indicates that, should the user perform a SELECT, then s/he would enter a negative opinion of the current content page.

Receiving User's SELECT

With the cursor lying over a feedback object (step405), the tool104in step406determines whether the user has performed a SELECT function upon any feedback object of the current page. In one example, step406involves the browser102ausing information supplied by the pointing device software114to recognize when the user has positioned the cursor602over a feedback object (such as the hyperlink508) and performed a SELECT function such as clicking one or more mouse buttons, tapping the “enter” or another keyboard key, etc. The browser102aalso uses information supplied by the pointing device software114to recognize the cursor position upon the feedback object at the moment of the SELECT action. The browser102aprovides the tool104with a representative signal advising the tool104that the user has SELECTED a feedback object. The browser102aalso provides the tool104with a representative signal advising the tool104of the prescribed aspects of the user's SELECT action, such as (1) the position upon the object508where SELECTION was made, (2) the duration of the SELECT action, (2) the mouse button used to SELECT, or another indication of user opinion not necessarily related to position within the feedback object.

Discontinuing Tentative Opinion

As a counterpart to step405, step406adetermines whether the cursor has left the current feedback object. If the cursor is still over the feedback object, step406continues to examine whether a SELECT has occurred. On the other hand, if the cursor has left the current feedback object, then step407discontinues the tentative opinion display (such as604) that began in step405. At this point, the display604is removed because it is no longer relevant; the user has moved the cursor elsewhere.

Similarly, when step406finds that a SELECT has occurred (in the optional embodiment employing the tentative opinion feature), then step407discontinues the tentative opinion display responsive to the SELECT. At this point, the display604is removed because the opinion is no longer tentative, since the browser is transitioning to the newly selected content page.

Step407is omitted for implementations of the routine400where user opinion is indicated by a non-positional aspect of the SELECT action, such as mouse click duration, mouse button choice, etc.

Determine User's Opinion

Responsive notice from step406that the user positioned the cursor upon a feedback object and activated a SELECT function, the tool104then proceeds to determine the user-indicated opinion signified by the SELECT action (step408). Namely, the tool104applies the feedback mapping104ato the designated aspect of the SELECT function, e.g. cursor position within the feedback object at the moment of SELECT, mouse click duration, mouse button choice, etc. In other words, the feedback mapping104ais used to map the designated characteristic of the SELECT function into a representative user opinion.

The routine400correlates the user's opinion with a particular content unit of the hypermedia source. The type of content unit depends upon the manner in which the routine400is implemented, which may occur in different embodiments. For example, when determining the user's opinion (step408), the tool104may be programmed to associate that opinion with one of the following content units: (1) the current page, namely, the page of hypermedia content containing the feedback object SELECTED by the user, (2) the entire hypermedia document, or a logical or functional subset of pages including the current page that contains the feedback object SELECTED by the user, (3) the entire Internet or Intranet web site containing the source page with the user-selected feedback object, (4) a subset of the Internet or Intranet web site containing the user-selected feedback object, such as a subset of the web site relating to a particular subject matter, or (5) another unit.

Thus, the user's SELECT operation may convey the user's sentiment about the current hypermedia page as the user leaves that page, or a more generalized sentiment concerning some or all of the hypermedia source document regardless of whether the user is leaving or entering a particular hypermedia page. In the illustrated embodiment, without any limitation, the significance of the user's SELECT operation is preset, e.g. fixedly associated with one particular class of content unit, depending upon how the routine400is written and installed.

Storing a Record

Step410initiates storage of the user opinion obtained from step408. For instance, the engine102may transmit an instruction to write the user opinion to storage, or the engine102may perform the storage itself.

Storage may occur locally at the computer108, remotely at another computer116, or at another site. Step410is performed by the tool104, the engine102, browser102a, another module112, or a combination of the foregoing. Storage may be conducted in the form of any machine readable record such as ASCII file, binary file, memory address, sector, XML file, document, memory register, page, linked list, relational database, or any other desired data structure or physical storage construct.

Other Embodiments

While the foregoing disclosure shows a number of illustrative embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, ordinarily skilled artisans will recognize that operational sequences must be set forth in some specific order for the purpose of explanation and claiming, but the present invention contemplates various changes beyond such specific order.

In addition, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that information and signals may be represented using a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, any data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referenced herein may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, other items, or a combination of the foregoing.

Moreover, ordinarily skilled artisans will appreciate that any illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and process steps described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.