Abstract:
An information system for selectively providing information in response to a request from a user comprises memory, for storing several databases of information; a search unit, for analyzing the user request and retrieving information related to said request from the memory to generate a first output information signal and for analyzing the first output information signal and retrieving information related to the first output information signal from the memory to generate a second output information signal. The system also includes a webpage unit for receiving the first and second output information signals and selectively displaying said signals on a webpage. The system notifies the user via an output unit, which generates an e-mail to the user which includes the address of said webpage.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an internet portal URL link through an e-mail prompt. More specifically this invention allows for the delivery of solicited and unsolicited information based on an original solicitation of information.  
           [0002]    Access to the internet has provided individuals with the ability to send information to others without the use of traditional mail, faxes or telephones. This information can be provided using a number of different methods. One method is through the use of individual websites, where the user is able to place any information they desire for others to see. Another method is through the use of e-mail. With e-mail, users have the ability to send information to many known users on the internet. The information that is sent through e-mail may not have been solicited by the receiver, but it permits the sender to provide information to a large audience.  
           [0003]    A third method in which information is accessed using the internet is with a URL address. In this method, the user sends a URL address to the receiver. The URL address is a pointer to a webpage which contains the information that the user would like to provide to the receiver. The receiver then clicks on the URL and is sent to the webpage where the information is located and displayed.  
           [0004]    This third method has allowed more users to provide specific services to other individuals. The services include the ability of users to provide specific information to those that request it. An individual is able to go to a user&#39;s website and click on a URL that has the specific requested information.  
           [0005]    The ability to provide an individual with the information that they have solicited is an important aspect of business advertising. But equally important to providing solicited information, is the ability to provide unsolicited information which is related to the solicited information. This allows the user to provide a value added service to an individual. As it relates to businesses, this ability provides the company with another avenue for advertising products that may be related to product information that was solicited by the customer. It also allows a business to offer other businesses an opportunity to advertise their services or products to a customer who has solicited specific information.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a system which provides for the delivery of solicited and unsolicited information based on an original information request.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    The present invention is an information system which provides solicited and unsolicited information to consumers. The system comprises a host interface, which provides services for each member of the system, and a plurality of private information databases, where the solicited information is stored, an enhanced information database, which stores unsolicited information, and an output unit, for generating a display for the consumer. The system searches the solicited information databases and outputs the results of the first search to the output unit and the enhanced database, where a second search is conducted for related information. The result of the second search is also output to the output unit which creates a webpage comprising the found solicited information and additional unsolicited information for display to the consumer. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1A is a block diagram of the information system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1B is a flow diagram of the information system of FIG. 1A.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2B is a flow diagram of the information system in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow diagrams of the information system in accordance with the second alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the host site interface in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is an illustration of the member site in accordance with the third alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.  
         [0017]    The information distribution system  5  is incorporated as part of a limited access website. This website provides individual members with private databases in which information can be stored. The purpose and type of information that is stored by each individual member is solely their discretion. For example, Member A may store their home recipes in order to allow specific individuals to request a recipe and view it on their computer. Another member, Member B, may store their reviews of all movies that they have seen and cd&#39;s that they have heard in order to provide individuals with their opinion.  
         [0018]    Access to the members&#39; information maybe limited solely to the member. Any updating or editing of the information may be conducted by the member. A member may also permit individuals to access limited portions of their information. Since access to a member&#39;s information can be controlled by the member, consumers must correspond directly with a member independent of the information distribution system  5 . The member then must request that the solicited information be sent to the consumer.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIG. 1A, the information distribution system  5  comprises a host site  6  which is used by a plurality of members  16  and a plurality of consumers  10 . The plurality of consumers  10  request information from the plurality of members  16 . Although the information distribution system  5  of the present invention may be utilized with a plurality of consumers  10  and a plurality of members  16 , for simplicity of explanation the system  5  will be described with reference to a single consumer  10  and a single member  16 . Upon receipt of a request from a consumer  10 , the member  16  interacts with the host site  6 . The host site  6  is the means by which a member  16  manipulates their information and distributes private information to a consumer  10 . The host site  6  comprises a host site interface  11 , a plurality of databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n , an enhanced database  14  and a webpage creator unit  15 .  
         [0020]    The host site interface  11  provides for communicating between a member  16  and the host site  6 . The host site interface  11  is coupled to a member  16  through an electronic link  9 , such as the internet. Alternatively, the electronic link  9  may be a CATV network, phone network or wireless network which provides a point-to-point, or point-to-multipoint communication interface. This host site interface  11  provides a member  16  with the ability to execute remote commands with the host site  6  including, but not limited to, updating their information, inputting search and distribution requests for solicited and unsolicited information, and changing access codes to maintain database integrity.  
         [0021]    When a member  16  receives a request from a consumer  10  regarding certain information that is contained in one or more of the databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n , the member  16  uses the host site interface  11  to conduct a search and distribute the information to the intended consumer  10 . The member  16  enters the host site interface  11  using a password which is known only to the member  16 . This password gives the member  16  unlimited access to their private information stored in one or more of the databases D 1 , D 2 , . . . D n . The password also allows the member  16  to request that the host site  6  conduct a search of the databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  and distribute the solicited and unsolicited information to the consumer  10 , (hereinafter referred to as a “search and distribute” operation).  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 5, the member  16  requests the host site  6  to conduct the search and distribute operation of the databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  by entering a keyword in the keyword field  53  provided on the host site interface  11 , and an e-mail address in the e-mail address field  55  of the consumer  10  for whom the information is to be viewed. For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, use of a keyword search is disclosed. However, as should be known to those skilled in the art, numerous methods other than keyword searching exist for conducting a search of a database in order to generate specific output. For example, the member  16  may be able to view all of the information in their database and select the pertinent information to be output to the consumer  10 .  
         [0023]    The keyword, known only to the member  16 , relates to specific information within the member&#39;s  16  stored data. As an example, Member A has stored a number of recipes and Consumer D e-mails a request to Member A to view their recipe for spaghetti sauce. Knowing that their recipe for spaghetti sauce is called sauce 2 , Member A enters sauce 2  into the keyword field  53  provided on the host site interface  11 , and the e-mail address for Consumer D in the e-mail address field  55 . As those skilled in the art should know, the keyword entered by the member  16  does not have to be equivalent to the title given to the information stored in the member&#39;s  16  private database. The keyword could be any word found within the solicited information; the member  16  knowing that the less specific the keyword is, the more information that may be distributed to and accessed by the consumer  10 .  
         [0024]    Returning to FIG. 1A, upon the member  16  entering the request for the host site  6  to conduct a search and distribute operation, the input key word is forwarded to the plurality of databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n . The plurality of databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n , store the private information of the members  16 . Each database D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  includes an associated search unit SU. The search unit SU receives the keyword from the host site interface  11  and conducts a keyword search within its associated database. For example, database D 1  may contain numerous recipes, substitute ingredients, measurements, etc. The search unit SU for database D 1  utilizes the keywords by matching the keyword with information stored in the database D 1 , and retrieving the information associated with the keyword. The retrieved solicited information is then sent to the webpage creator unit  15  to be displayed for the user  10 , as well as to the enhanced database  14  to obtain related unsolicited information. Although the system has been described herein as including an SU for each of databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n , a single SU may be used for the plurality of databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  or a single SU may be used with a single large database including the information of all members.  
         [0025]    The enhanced database  14  includes unsolicited information and an associated enhanced search unit ESU. Although the enhanced database  14  is similar in function to that of the other databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  disclosed above, the enhanced database  14  contains additional stored information relating to the information stored in the plurality of solicited information databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n . The enhanced search unit ESU receives the retrieved information from the database(s) D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  and conducts a search for any information that is related to, or can be associated with, this retrieved information, (i.e. matching information). The resulting unsolicited information from the enhanced database  14  is then output to the webpage creator unit  15  to be included with the solicited information to be provided to the consumer  10 .  
         [0026]    The information that is contained in the enhanced database  14  may come from the member  16 , an authorized advertiser, another member, or a database of information provided by the host site  6  which contains advertisers that have signed up with the host site  6  (not shown). All information output by the enhanced database  14  relates to the consumer&#39;s  10  request.  
         [0027]    An example which illustrates the function of the enhanced database  14  assumes that the requested information is a recipe for spaghetti sauce. The enhanced search unit ESU receives this information and searches the enhanced database  14  for items relating to the spaghetti sauce recipe, (i.e., advertisers for tomato sauce, wines that compliment Italian dishes, desserts, substitute ingredients, etc. . . . ). Information from the databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  and the enhanced database  14  is sent to the webpage creator unit  15  to be displayed for the consumer  10 .  
         [0028]    The webpage creator unit  15  is coupled to the enhanced database  14 , the solicited information databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n , and the host site interface  11 . This webpage creator unit  15  produces a personal webpage including the consumer&#39;s  10  solicited information and any unsolicited information found by the enhanced database  14 . As those skilled in the art should know, there are numerous methods which can be used to create a webpage from a given set of inputs and a discussion of such methods is outside the scope of the present invention.  
         [0029]    Once the webpage is created, the webpage creator unit  15  signals the host site interface  11  to send an e-mail message to the consumer  10  to inform them that their solicited information may be found on a webpage designed especially for them. Included in this e-mail message is a URL address which the consumer  10  is able to select, and an access code that allows the consumer  10  to access the webpage. This access code provides the member with additional security from an uninvited consumer  10  attempting to access their private information. Upon selection of this URL and inputting of the access code, the webpage is displayed for the consumer  10 .  
         [0030]    The process that the information distribution system  5  uses to provide tailored information to consumers  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1B. The consumer  10  contacts the member  16  and requests information regarding a specific topic (step  100 ). The member  16  types in the requested information keyword on the host site interface  11  (step  101 ), where it is passed to the databases D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  to perform a search on the keyword (step  102 ). Each database D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  receives the keyword, conducts a search on the stored information (step  103 ) and outputs any information found to the webpage creator unit  15  (step  104 ) and the enhanced database  14  (step  103   a ). Upon receipt of the retrieved information, the enhanced database  14  conducts a search of its information database (step  104   b ) for any related information. Any unsolicited information that is found is then sent to the webpage creator unit  15  (step  104 ). The webpage creator unit  15  then creates a webpage containing the solicited information as well as the unsolicited information from the database(s) D 1 , D 2  . . . D n  and the enhanced database  14  (step  105 ). An e-mail message is sent to the consumer  10  containing a URL (step  106 ) that allows the consumer  10  to select and view the information provided (step  107 ).  
         [0031]    As an alternative embodiment, the host site  6  provides a member  16  with the ability to link their stored information to the host site interface  11  through a host/member link unit  19 . The host/member link unit  19 , shown in FIG. 2A, provides the host site interface  11  with the ability to extract private information from the member&#39;s  16  local database LD 1  that is located remotely from the host site  6 . This host/member link unit  19  is coupled to the host site interface  11  and the local database LD 1 . Upon the member  16  receiving a request for information from a consumer  10 , the member  16  may request that the host site  6  obtain the solicited information from the member&#39;s local database LD 1 . Since the member  16  maintains the local database LD 1  independent of the host site  6 , it is the responsibility of the member  16  to update the local database LD 1 . The member  16  must search their stored information and transfer the requested information to the local database LD 1 , if it is not already located in the local database LD 1 .  
         [0032]    The task of requesting the host site  6  to obtain the solicited information from the member&#39;s  16  local database LD 1  and distribute the information to the consumer  10  is accomplished similar to the aforementioned method of the member  16  requesting the host site  6  to conduct a search and distribute operation in the preferred embodiment. The difference, though, is the member  16  only requests the host site  6  to perform a retrieve and distribute operation of the information contained in the member&#39;s local database LD 1 . A retrieve and distribute operation simply requests the host site  6  to retrieve the solicited information from the local database LD, and distribute the information to the consumer  10 . These tasks are shown in the flow diagram in FIG. 2B.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIG. 2B, the member  16  receives a request from a consumer  10  (step  200 ). The member  16  then places the requested information in their local database LD 1  (step  201 ) and requests the host site  6  to retrieve the information from the local database LD 1  (step  202 ). The host site  6  then retrieves the information from the local database LD 1  through the host/member link unit  19  (step  203 ) and delivers it to the webpage creator unit  15  (step  205 ) and the enhanced database  14  (step  204 A). The remaining tasks are the same as those disclosed in the preferred embodiment above. Those having skill in the art should realize that there are numerous ways in which this link service can be provided to members, such as with a standard telephone connection or over a CATV communication system. A discussion of the type of link is outside the scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]    A second alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes a peer-to-peer connection between the consumer  10  and any member  16 . A consumer  10  would simply be able to go to the host site  6  and choose a member&#39;s  16  database where the information they are requesting is located. Once the consumer  10  selects the desired database, the consumer  10  is able to view and select information that they would like to extract. Upon the selection of the information by the consumer  10 , the host site  6  would compile the information along with any unsolicited information found by the host site  6  and display it for the consumer  10  as disclosed in the preferred embodiment.  
         [0035]    A third alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. This information distribution system  100  has included therewith, along with the other components described in the previous embodiments, a keyword generator unit  22 . The host site interface  21  provides an interface for both the member  26  and the consumer  20 . As with the prior embodiments, the member  26  interfaces with the host site  6  through the host site interface  21  to manipulate and update their information as well as to request the host site  6  to conduct a search and distribute operation. However, this embodiment allows the consumer  20  to interface with the host site  6  as well. The consumer  20  is able to request data directly from a member&#39;s site  27 . Those consumers  20  who know that an individual is a member of the host site  6  and know the member&#39;s  26  registered name can request specific information from the member  26  through the host site interface  21 . A member site  27  is provided for each registered member of the host site  6 . This site contains the member&#39;s contact information  65  and a request form that allows the consumer  20  to solicit information online, (see FIG. 6).  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 6, the host site  6  provides two methods for a consumer  20  to request information directly through the member site  27 . One method is through the use of a word or phrase  64  located on the member site  27  that, when selected by the consumer  20 , uploads the word or phrase directly to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n .  
         [0037]    A second method for a consumer to request information directly is for the consumer  20  to enter the information that they request from the member site  27 . The consumer  20  is prompted to enter their name  61 , e-mail address  62  and a request  63 , question, keyword or sentence that relates to the solicited information they desire. The request  63  from the consumer  20  in the space provided on the member site  27  is uploaded to the keyword generating unit  22 .  
         [0038]    Returning to FIG. 3, the keyword generating unit  22  analyzes the information that is uploaded from the host site interface  21  and develops specific keywords to be utilized by the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n . The keyword generating unit  22 , coupled to the host site interface  21  and the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n , receives the output of the member site  27  and determines the specific keywords to be output to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n . When the output of the member site  27  is generated by the consumer  20  selecting a specific word or phrase, the selection is passed on to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n , as disclosed in the previous embodiment. If the output is not generated in this way, the keyword generator unit  22  analyzes the output and associates a keyword(s) with the request. The keyword generator unit  22  passes the output from the member site  27  to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n . If the output from the member site  27  is a sentence, or question from the consumer  20 , it is analyzed in order to generate at least one keyword from the sentence or question. As those skilled in the art should know, there are multiple methods of generating a keyword from a phrase, such as the parsing of a phrase that is performed by current search engines. These methods may produce many keywords, very broad requests or one keyword from a very specific request. If a keyword cannot be generated from the input by the consumer  20 , a signal is output to the host site  6  which will output a message through the host site interface  21  setting forth this error.  
         [0039]    Once a keyword(s) is generated from the sentence request, the keyword generator unit  22  outputs them to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n . The remaining components of this embodiment are equivalent to those disclosed in the preferred embodiment.  
         [0040]    The tasks of the information system in this second alternative embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The consumer  20  requests information regarding a specific topic (step  400 ). If the consumer  20  chooses to select a predefined word or phrase on the member request page, the requested information is sent to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n  (step  404 ). If the consumer  20  chooses to type in a request, the requested information is sent to the keyword generator unit  22  (step  401 ). The keyword generator unit  22  analyzes the input from the consumer  20  (step  402 ). If the input from the consumer  20  is a simple keyword, it is passed directly to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n , (step  404 ). Otherwise, the input is analyzed and associated with a keyword stored in the keyword generator unit  22  (step  403 ) and output to the databases D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n  (step  404 ). If a keyword cannot be associated with the requested information, an error message is sent to the consumer  20  setting forth the above error (step  403   a ). Each database D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n  receives the keyword and conducts a search on the information stored in their respective information databases (step  405 ), and outputs the found information to the webpage creator unit  25  (step  407 ) and the enhanced database  24  (step  406   a ). Upon receipt of the retrieved information, the enhanced database  24  conducts a search of its database (step  406   b ) for any related information. The found unsolicited information is also sent to the webpage creator unit  25  (step  407 ). The webpage creator unit  25  then creates a webpage containing the solicited information as well as the unsolicited information from the database(s) D 2   1 , D 2   2 . . . D 2   n  and the enhanced database  24  (step  408 ). An e-mail message is then sent to the consumer  20  containing a URL (step  409 ), that allows the consumer  20  to click thereon and view the information provided (step  410 ).  
         [0041]    Although the invention has been described in part by making detailed reference to the preferred embodiment, such details intended to be instructive rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the structure and mode of operation without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the teachings herein.