Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the World Wide Web

Abstract

A computer network and a database are used to provide a hardware-independent, dynamic information system with information content user-controlled. Requests are received from individual users of the computer network to electronically publish information, and input is accepted from the individual users. Entries from the users containing the information to be electronically published are automatically collected, classified and stored in the database in searchable and retrievable form. Entries are made freely accessible on the computer network. In response to user requests, the database is searched and entries are retrieved. Entries are served to users in a hardware-independent page description language. The entries are password protected, allowing users to retrieve and update entries by supplying a correct password. Preferably, the process is entirely automated with any necessary billing being performed by secure, on-line credit card processing. The user making a database entry has complete control of that entry both at the time the entry is made and in the future after the entry has been made. The entry, when served to a client, is transformed on-the-fly to the page description language. Where the page description language is HTML and the computer network is the World Wide Web, the entry may function as a “mini” homepage for the user that made the entry. Provision is made for graphics and other kinds of content besides text, taking advantage of the content-rich nature of the Web.

1 . A method for assigning a user ID on a web server, the method comprising: 
 establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;    obtaining user identity information from the user;    receiving a communication from the web server, the communication indicating validity of the user identification information and assigning a user ID to the user; and    enabling the user to utilize the web server if the user identity information is valid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling comprises: 
 obtaining credit card information from the user;    obtaining additional user identity information from the user;    assigning the user ID to a user's account; storing the credit card information and additional user identity information in a central database; and    generating a unique personal identification number, the unique personal identification number required to activate the user's account.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 determining whether the user is permitted to incur a charge on a credit card associated with the credit card information using the server;    disabling a charge option for the server if the user is not permitted to charge on the credit card;    enabling the charge option if the user is permitted to charge on the credit card; and    storing in the database an indication, the indication related to charge option status.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 entering the personal identification number into the server;    determining whether the personal identification number is valid; and    downloading a selected file from the server to the user via a personal computing device connected to the network if the personal identification number is valid.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 determining whether user-selected preferences are stored in a central database; and    downloading the stored user-selected preferences from the central database to the personal computing device via the network.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising updating the user-selected preferences by manipulating the central database via a remote computer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein updating comprises: 
 determining whether the user has a valid password;    updating the user-selected preferences if the password is valid; and    storing the updated user-selected preferences in the central database.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 placing a product order with the server using the personal computing device; and    delivering an ordered product to a selected location.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein placing a product order comprises: 
 determining whether the personal computing device is authorized to make charges to an associated credit card;    determining the type of product to be ordered;    obtaining a delivery address for the user;    confirming the order and charge to the associated credit card;    transmitting the order to a vendor; and    charging the credit card.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the selected location comprises a user's home.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining whether the user wants to complete a survey using the personal computing device;    displaying survey questions on a display of the personal computing device;    completing the survey using the personal computing device; and    uploading survey results from the personal computing device to the server via the network.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 verifying receipt of survey results from the personal computing device at the server;    applying a credit to a credit card associated with the personal computing device upon verification of receipt of the survey results; and    prompting the user to resend the survey results if the survey results are not received by the server within a predetermined time period.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selling advertisements to be displayed on the personal computing device.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the advertisements are stored on at least one server hosting the personal computing device and displayed on a screen of the personal computing device.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the personal computing device includes an initial display screen and a plurality of subsequent display screens, the method further comprising selling advertisements on the initial display screen and on at least one of the plurality of subsequent display screens.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: delivering information from a public address system to the personal computing device via the network.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the public address information comprises an audio signal.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the public address information comprises a captioned transcript of a public address broadcast.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the public address information originates at a location remote hosting facility.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loading step occurs before the utilizing step.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the loading step occurs after the utilizing step.  
     
     
         22 . A method for enabling a user to customize an interface on a web server, the method comprising: 
 establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;    querying the user to determine whether a user ID is valid;    receiving a communication from the web server, the communication indicating validity of the user ID; and    enabling the user to customize an interface on the web server.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein querying comprises: 
 obtaining an valid user's ID from a user after completion of the event;    issuing a receipt for charges incurred by a user customizing their interface on a server during the event; and    incurring a financial charge against a credit card associated with the user for charges incurred by the user during the event.    
     
     
         24 . A method for storing user preferences, the method comprising: 
 establishing communication over a public computer network between a user and a web server;    querying the web server to determine whether a user's ID is valid;    receiving a response from the web server, the response indicating validity of the user's ID; and    storing user preferences on the web server if the user ID is valid.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising: permitting a user to update a plurality of user preferences related to the data to be received from the server; and storing the user-selected preferences in a central database.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the storing includes a characterization of user defined preferences of a corresponding personal computing device.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein storing the separate characterization comprises control information for data maintained on a corresponding to the personal computing device.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the separate characterization includes a description of the personal computing device setting in the corresponding personal computing device.