Abstract:
Exemplary systems and methods for content monitoring are provided. An exemplary content monitor comprises a plug-in application configured to initiate the monitoring of a network for one or more parameters over an extended time period. A mechanism is provided for notifying users about content monitoring results immediately after the one or more parameters are found on the network. Exemplary methods of the content monitor include a method for content monitoring comprising the entering of one or more parameters and monitoring the network for the one or more parameters over an extended time period.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/258,419 filed Oct. 24, 2005 and entitled “Content Monitor;” and claims the benefit and priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/696,997, filed Jul. 5, 2005 and entitled “System and Method for Optimized E-Commerce Trading,” both application being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to searches, and more particularly to content monitors for online searching.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     The Internet has developed into a dominant force in the global business market. Businesses may now sell products, deal with vendors, and promote items via the Internet. On the consumer-side, a prospective buyer may visit multiple websites in order to determine the best price for a particular product—a very time consuming process. Alternatively, the buyer may depend on a shopping comparison site to search out the best price. These shopping comparison sites, however, typically only provide dated information obtained from, or “pushed” by, seller websites. Thus, if a seller does not have a website, has not updated their website recently, or has not “pushed” a recent copy of their inventory to a comparison site central database, the information obtained by the consumer may not be the best information available.  
         [0006]     In addition to the challenges associated with the content that is already on the Internet, finding content uploaded to the Internet subsequent to a search can also be challenging. The process of locating new content is an active process with a user&#39;s chances of finding the desired content linked to the time spent searching the Internet. Short of performing another time-consuming manual search, users have no way of knowing whether newer and more relevant content has been subsequently uploaded to the Internet. Likewise, should Internet content providers learn of the content Internet users seek and subsequently provide such content, Internet content providers have no way of knowing that the same users will learn about the new content. Accordingly, there is a need for content monitoring.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The present invention provides exemplary systems and methods for content monitoring. An exemplary content monitor comprises a plug-in application configured to initiate the monitoring of a network for one or more parameters. A mechanism is provided for notifying users about content monitoring results after the one or more parameters are found on the network. Other embodiments of the system include a server and/or an e-community module configured with the plug-in application.  
         [0008]     Exemplary methods of content monitoring include receiving one or more parameters, copying the one or more parameters and/or circulating or recirculating the one or more parameters through a network. Exemplary methods also include notifying a user about monitoring results after the one or more parameters are found on the network.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary e-community architecture for providing a content monitor;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary e-community server according to one embodiment;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary scenario of a direct search by an e-community member;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary scenario of an indirect search by an e-community member; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of content monitoring, according to some embodiments.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a content monitor configured to monitor information located at a plurality of computing devices in a real-time networked environment. In contrast to prior art methods of polling relevant sources of information on a regular basis to determine information changes, embodiments of the present invention notifies the relevant sources that a particular piece of information is desired via search parameters. The relevant sources then notify a user when the search parameters are met. This eliminates the need for constant or timed polling.  
         [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary e-community architecture  100  for utilizing a content monitor is shown. The architecture  100  comprises various e-community components, including an e-community server  102 , an e-community administrator  104 , and one or more e-community members  106 . The e-community member  106  may be a user on a computer, a mobile phone (i.e., a thin client device), or any other wired or wireless computing device that allows for searching on a network.  
         [0016]     According to some exemplary embodiments, the computing devices used by e-community members  106  comprise an e-community module  108  operating over a network. In exemplary embodiments, the e-community module  108  is downloaded from the e-community server  102 . The exemplary e-community module  108  may further comprise a content monitor  112  in the form of a plug-in application. In alternative embodiments, the content monitor  112  may be downloaded as part of the e-community module  108 . An optional information consolidator server  114  may also comprise the exemplary e-community architecture  100 .  
         [0017]     E-community module  108  and content monitor  112  integrate into the computing devices of e-community members  106 . The exemplary e-community module  108  may comprise a specialized browser technology optimized for e-community communication using the Internet  110  without depending on existing HTML/XML browser technology. In further embodiments, the e-community module  108  allows e-community members  106  to set-up favorite groups of e-communities that the member  106  can interact with (e.g., perform searches).  
         [0018]     The e-community module  108  also allows an e-community member  106  to customize search options and perform customization features. For example, customization by the e-community member  106  may include using the e-community module  108  to program or configure the content monitor  112  to become activated upon receiving one or more unfulfilled search parameters in connection with a search request or to be activated at all times. An unfulfilled search request may be a search or query wherein one or more search parameters are not found on a network. In an e-commerce example, price, quantity, and product description represent three parameters for which the e-community member  106  may elect to activate the content monitor  112 . Parameters can also include product codes (whole, part, or sectional), product descriptions, part numbers, keywords, or any other flexible search criteria.  
         [0019]     According to exemplary embodiments, if a searching e-community member  106  fails to locate one or more parameters associated with a particular search or query, the content monitor  112  is activated. As default parameters, the content monitor  112  will use the parameters used during the search that are returned unfulfilled after the search. Alternatively, the e-community member  106  can enter or program other parameters to be used by the content monitor  112 . In further embodiments, the content monitor  112  can be programmed or configured to prioritize the relative value assigned to the parameters to be monitored. For example, an e-community member  106  can assign a higher priority to monitoring for a particular product than to monitoring for the particular product at a particular price or range of prices. In yet further embodiments, an e-community member  106  can select from a historical listing or menu of parameters previously monitored by the content monitor  112 .  
         [0020]     In other embodiments, the e-community member  106  may activate the content monitor  112  at any time. That is the content monitor  112  may receive search parameters prior to any failed attempt at a search.  
         [0021]     The content monitor  112  can be used to monitor a network for any situation. In exemplary embodiments, the content monitor  112  can be programmed or configured to monitor for parameters pertaining to events, news, information, or other network occurrences. For example, the content monitor  112  can be programmed to monitor a network for information concerning the Dow Jones Industrial Average exceeding 15,000. In yet further embodiments, parameters monitored by the content monitor  112  are published within an e-community.  
         [0022]     The content monitor  112  can be programmed or configured with notification preferences specifying how the e-community member  106  should be contacted when certain parameters are found on a network by the content monitor  112 . Based on the notification preferences entered by the e-community member  106 , should one or more of the corresponding parameters be found by the content monitor  112 , a message in the form of an email, instant message or similar form can be generated and transmitted to the e-community member  106 .  
         [0023]     It should be noted that architecture  100  in  FIG. 1  is exemplary. Alternative embodiments may comprise more or fewer components. For example, more than one information consolidator server  114  or e-community server  102  may be provided. Furthermore, any number of e-community members  106  may be present on the system. Furthermore, while  FIG. 1  shows the components communicating over the Internet  110 , any type of network may be utilized, such as a wide area network, a peer-to-peer network, a peer-to-anything network (e.g., person to a website), etc.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary e-community server  102  ( FIG. 1 ) is shown in more detail. In exemplary embodiments, the e-community server  102  comprises an authentication module  202 , a routing management module  204 , at least one database  205 , a monitor module  206 , and a communication interface  208 . In further embodiments, the database  205  comprises a plurality of databases, each storing designated data. For example, the database  205  may comprise an e-community database  207  and a monitor database  209 . In yet a further embodiment, the e-community server  102  is coupled to at least one database  205  which is located outside of the e-community server  102 .  
         [0025]     The e-community database  207  stores various e-community and e-commerce modules and plug-in applications that can be accessed and downloaded onto the computerized devices of e-community members  106  ( FIG. 1 ). These modules and plug-in applications include the e-community module  108  ( FIG. 1 ) and the content monitor  112  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0026]     In exemplary embodiments, copies of the entered or programmed parameters contained in the content monitor  112  are made by the e-community module  108  at the e-community member  106 . The copies are then sent to the e-community server  102 , and stored, for example, in the monitor database  209 . Then, at a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of copies are stored, the copies are retrieved by the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0027]     The content monitor  112  functions in an integrated and coordinated fashion with most network search mechanisms. Accordingly, the functioning of the content monitor  112  can be further described in connection with the descriptions of two exemplary network search scenarios shown in  FIGS. 3-4 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary scenario of a direct search by an e-community member  106  ( FIG. 1 ) is shown. In the particular search shown in  FIG. 3 , the e-community member  106  represents the example of a wine collector in search of a vintage bottle of merlot. In further embodiments, the search may be conduct on any item, information, or event.  
         [0029]     In the exemplary scenario shown in  FIG. 3 , the vintage bottle of merlot sought by the e-community member  106  is owned by an e-community vendor member  300  of an e-community dedicated to wine collecting. The e-community vendor member  300  may be an individual e-community member  106 , a business, or any other entity having an affiliation with the wine collecting e-community. The e-community vendor member  300  has a corresponding e-community (vendor) module  304 . In this scenario, when the e-community vendor member  300  registered with the e-community server  102  ( FIG. 1 ), the e-community (vendor) module  304  was downloaded and installed from the e-community server  102  onto the corresponding computing device of e-community vendor member  300 . The e-community (vendor) module  304  in some embodiments may comprise a content monitor (not shown) and have the same e-community module functionalities as e-community module  108  ( FIG. 1 ). In the scenario shown in  FIG. 3 , the e-community vendor member  300  further comprises an inventory database  308  containing a listing of every bottle of wine available for sale or trading.  
         [0030]     According to exemplary embodiments, searches are forwarded from the e-community members  106  to available e-community vendor members  300 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the e-community member  106  performing the search has direct access to and communicates with the e-community vendor member  300 . Thus, the search is sent directly from the e-community module  108  of the e-community member  106  to the e-community (vendor) module  304  of the e-community vendor member  300 .  
         [0031]     Upon the e-community (vendor) module  304  receiving the search request, the search request is passed to the real-time database  308  of the e-community vendor member  300 . In one embodiment, the search request is passed via an open database connection (ODBC)  306 , although other mechanisms may be used. According to some embodiments, the inventory database  308  is accessible via the native programming of the inventory database  308  instead of or in addition to the open database connection (ODBC)  306 . The real-time database  308  may comprise an inventory database in some embodiments. The real-time database  308  is searched for the vintage bottle of merlot. After the real-time database  308  is searched, the resulting information is sent back via the e-community (vendor) module  304  to the e-community module  108  of the e-community member  106  performing the search. If the e-community member  106  decides to make an offer to the e-community vendor member  300  for the vintage bottle of merlot, a purchase/trade request communication is sent by the e-community member  106  performing the search to the e-community vendor member  300 .  
         [0032]     According to exemplary embodiments, if the e-community member  106  fails to locate one or more parameters associated with a particular search or query, the content monitor  112  ( FIG. 1 ) is activated. The content monitor  112  will use the same parameters that were used during the search that were returned unfulfilled after the search. Alternatively, the e-community member  106  can enter other parameters and/or modify the parameters used in connection with the search.  
         [0033]     The parameters entered or programmed into the content monitor  112  may be stored in the e-community server  102  or with the e-community administrator  104  ( FIG. 1 ) according to exemplary embodiments. In the case of the direct search described in connection with  FIG. 3 , according to some embodiments, the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  may periodically transmit a copy of the parameters to the e-community (vendor) module  304 . The e-community (vendor) module  304  can then compare the parameters to data in the real-time database  308  of the e-community vendor member  300 . This process may continue at intervals and for a duration programmed by the e-community member  106  or until one or more of the corresponding parameters are found by the content monitor  112 .  
         [0034]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the parameter may be embedded into a database (e.g., secure database  310  or real-time database  308 ) that is coupled to the e-community (vendor) module  304 . In some embodiments, the e-community (vendor) module  304  comprises, or is associated with, a vendor version of the content monitor  112 . The content monitor  112  at the vendor is configured to interact with the real-time database  308  to detect changes that incur in the real-time database  308 . If a change detected causes one or more of the parameters to match, then the component is triggered to respond to the e-community member  106 . Thus, the vendor version of the content monitor  112  is configured to query the coupled real-time inventory to search for matches to the parameters.  
         [0035]     Based on the notification preferences programmed by the e-community member  106 , should one or more of the corresponding parameters be found in the real-time database  308  of the e-community vendor member  300 , a message in the form of an email, instant message or similar form may be generated and transmitted to the e-community member  106 .  
         [0036]     While the example of  FIG. 3  shows one e-community member  106  directly searching the e-community vendor member  300 , embodiments of the present invention allow one or more e-community members  106  to directly search one or more e-community vendor members  300  at a substantially simultaneous time. Additionally, while a product search of an e-community vendor member  300  is described, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced with a non-product search between some or all members of the e-community.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary scenario of an indirect product search between the e-community member  106  ( FIG. 1 ) and the e-community vendor member  300  ( FIG. 3 ) is shown. In the indirect search scenario, queries and responses are directed through the information consolidator server  114  ( FIG. 1 ). According to some embodiments, the information consolidator server  114  further comprises an information consolidator engine  402  and a vendor database  404 .  
         [0038]     Upon receiving the product search, the information consolidator engine  402  checks the vendor database  404  coupled to the information consolidator engine  402  to determine qualified e-community vendor members  300  to which the information consolidator engine  402  can forward the query. Although only one e-community vendor member database  404  is shown, alternative embodiments may comprise any number of e-community vendor databases  404 .  
         [0039]     Once the one or more proper e-community vendor members  300  are identified, the product search is forwarded to each e-community vendor member  300 . In exemplary embodiments, the e-community vendor member  300  has downloaded and installed the e-community module  304  ( FIG. 3 ) to its network coupled computing device. A business profile of the e-community vendor member  300  including information such as the name and address of the e-community vendor member  300  may be stored in the e-community vendor member database  404  and used to determine search query access (i.e., where a product search query should be sent).  
         [0040]     The product search query is forwarded to the e-community module  304  at the e-community member vendor  300  site. The e-community module  304  checks a real-time database  308 , which is coupled to the e-community module  304 , to determine information based on the product search.  
         [0041]     The search result is then sent to the e-community member  106  via the information consolidator server  114 . Should the e-community member  106  decide to purchase the product, the e-community member  106 , in one embodiment, establishes a link with the e-community vendor member  300  and proceeds with purchase of the product(s) directly from the e-community vendor member  300 .  
         [0042]     As described in connection with  FIG. 3 , if the e-community member  106  performing the search fails to locate one or more parameters associated with a particular search or query, the content monitor  112  is activated. The parameters entered or programmed into the content monitor  112  are stored in the e-community server  102 , stored in the information consolidator server  114 , or stored by the e-community administrator  104  according to exemplary embodiments.  
         [0043]     In some embodiments, the information consolidator server  114  receives information from the e-community vendor members  300 . That is the e-community vendor members  300  may push data, such as news, events, product listings, and pricing, to the information consolidator. Alternatively, the information consolidator  114  pings the e-community vendor members  300  for updates periodically. In these embodiments, the information consolidator server  114  may be a massive data storage device. The data may then be stored at the information consolidator server. In the embodiment where the parameters are stored at the information consolidator server  114 , as soon as content that matches the parameters arrives at the information consolidator server  114 , the e-community member  106  is alerted.  
         [0044]     In the case of the exemplary indirect product search described in connection with  FIG. 4 , according to some embodiments, the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  may periodically transmit a copy of the parameters to the information consolidator engine  402 . The information consolidator engine  402  checks the e-community vendor member database  404  to determine the qualified e-community vendor members  300  to forward the parameters. Once the one or more proper e-community vendor members  300  are identified, the parameters are forwarded to each of the e-community vendor members  300 . The parameters are then forwarded to the e-community module  304 . The e-community module  304  checks a coupled inventory database  308 . This process can continue at the intervals and for a duration programmed by the e-community member  106  or until one or more of the corresponding parameters are found by the content monitor  112  on the network.  
         [0045]     Based on the notification preferences programmed by the searching e-community member  106 , should one or more of the corresponding parameters be found in the inventory database  308  of the e-community vendor member  300 , a message in the form of an email, instant message or similar form may be generated and transmitted to the e-community member  106 .  
         [0046]     While the example of  FIG. 4  shows the e-community member  106  directly searching the e-community vendor member  300 , embodiments of the present invention allow one or more e-community members  106  to directly search one or more e-community member vendors  300  at a substantially simultaneous time.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary method of content monitoring according to some embodiments is shown. At step  502 , an e-community member  106  ( FIG. 1 ) initiates a network search for one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the parameters may comprise a particular product, event, news, or any other information found on the network. During the network search, search parameters are compared to available parameters on the network, as described in connection with  FIGS. 3-4  herein.  
         [0048]     In step  504 , the network search returns an unfulfilled search request and content monitoring may be initiated. An unfulfilled search request may be a search or query wherein one or more search parameters are not found on a network. In some embodiments, the e-community module  108  ( FIG. 1 ) allows an e-community member  106  to program or configure the content monitor  112  ( FIG. 1 ) to become activated upon receiving one or more unfulfilled search parameters in connection with a search request. In further embodiments, the one or more unfulfilled search parameters are used as default parameters by the content monitor  112 . Parameters may comprise names, prices, products, news titles, event titles, or any other flexible search criteria or keyword. Alternatively, the e-community member  106  can enter or program other parameters to be used by the content monitor  112 .  
         [0049]     In alternative embodiments, the content monitor  112  maybe activated prior to an unfulfilled search request. For example, the e-community member  106  may activate the content monitor  112  and provide search parameters. The content monitor  112  then initiates the search.  
         [0050]     At step  506 , according to exemplary embodiments, copies of the entered or programmed parameters contained in the content monitor  112  are made by the e-community module  108 . The copies are then sent to the e-community server  102  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or the information consolidator server  114 . For example, copies may be stored in the monitor database  209  ( FIG. 2 ). Then, at a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of copies are stored, the copies are accessed by the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  ( FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, at predetermined times, the e-community server  102  or e-community administrator  104  can retrieve the information from the monitor database  209 .  
         [0051]     At step  508 , copies of the parameters are periodically circulated and/or recirculated and compared to the available parameters on the network. According to some embodiments, the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  may periodically transmit a copy of the parameters to the e-community (vendor) module  304  ( FIG. 3 ). The e-community (vendor) module  304  can then compare the parameters versus the real-time database  308  ( FIG. 3 ) of the e-community vendor member  300  ( FIG. 3 ). The comparison may be performed by a content monitor associated with the e-community (vendor) module  304 . This process may continue at intervals and for a duration programmed by the e-community member  106  or until one or more of the corresponding parameters are found by the content monitor  112 .  
         [0052]     According to yet other embodiments, the e-community server  102  and/or the e-community administrator  104  may periodically transmit a copy of the parameters to the information consolidator engine  402  ( FIG. 4 ) and/or the parameters may be stored at the information consolidator server  116 . In one embodiment, the information consolidator engine  402  checks the e-community vendor member database  404  ( FIG. 4 ) to determine the qualified e-community vendors  300  to forward the parameters. Once the one or more proper e-community vendor members  300  are identified, the parameters are forwarded to each of the e-community vendor members  300 . At each e-community vendor member  300 , the parameters are forwarded to the e-community module  304 . The e-community module  304  (e.g., a content monitor  112  of the e-community module  304 ) checks a coupled inventory database  308 . This process can continue at the intervals and for a duration programmed by the e-community member  106  or until one or more of the corresponding parameters are found by a content monitor  112  on the network.  
         [0053]     In an alternative embodiment, the information consolidator server  114  receives information from the e-community vendor members  300 . That is the e-community vendor members  300  may push data, such as news, events, product listings, and pricing, to the information consolidator. In these embodiments, the information consolidator server  114  may be a massive data storage device. The data may then be stored at the information consolidator server  114 . In the embodiment where the parameters are stored at the information consolidator server  114 , as soon as content that matches the parameters arrives at the information consolidator server  114 , the e-community member  106  is alerted.  
         [0054]     At step  510 , when corresponding parameters on the network are found, a message is sent to the e-community member  106 . The content monitor  112  can be programmed or configured with notification preferences specifying how the e-community member  106  should be contacted when certain parameters are found on the network. Based on the notification preferences entered by the e-community member  106 , should one or more of the corresponding parameters be found, a message in the form of an email, instant message or similar form can be generated and transmitted to the e-community member  106 .  
         [0055]     While the present description provides examples of content monitoring in terms of a product search, embodiments of the present invention may monitor and find any type of information. For example, the e-community vendor member may comprise any data source (e.g., news agency). Additionally, while embodiments refer to a real-time database  308 , any type of database may be accessed to find matches to the parameters. Further, while embodiments have been described with reference to an e-community, embodiments of the present invention may apply to any network of users and is not limited to e-communities.  
         [0056]     The present invention is described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments can be used without departing from the broader scope of the present invention. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention.