Patent ID: 8250069

Claim:
A method for determining a score for each of a plurality of web pages, wherein the score of a web page relates to a predefined characteristic of the web page, comprising the steps of (a) creating a directed graph that defines regions for at least a portion of a network, based on properties associated with the regions, wherein the web pages included in each region have the same score; (b) determining the scores of the web pages in the regions of the directed graph using the Helmholtz equation; and (c) physically carrying out at least one function selected from the group of functions consisting of: (i) storing the scores of the web pages in a non-volatile storage; (ii) displaying the scores of the web pages; (iii) displaying a sequence of web pages in an order that is based upon the scores of the web pages included in the sequence; (iv) displaying web pages in groups that are based upon the scores of the web pages in each group; and (v) presenting to potential customers a rank ordering of web pages related to online services or products in response to a search by the potential customer.