Method and apparatus for displaying messages in computer systems

Abstract

In one embodiment, a client computer receives messages from a server computer over a computer network. The messages are displayed in the client computer based on preference settings that may be configured by end-users. This advantageously gives end-users some control over messages provided to them. In one embodiment, end-users configure the preference settings to specify the number of messages they can be shown within a period time, when to display messages relative to the loading of a web page, and/or where to display messages. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications including in the delivery of advertisements over the Internet.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A method of displaying messages in a computer, the method comprising: 
 delivering a first message content to a computer over a computer network, the message content being delivered to the computer based on web sites visited by an end-user;    displaying the first message content in a first presentation vehicle in the computer, the first presentation vehicle being configured to allow invocation of a configuration panel for allowing the end-user to control how message contents are presented in the computer by entering a preference setting; and    using the preference setting to determine how to display a second message content received in the computer.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the preference setting allows the end-user to specify a certain limit on a maximum number of message contents that can be displayed in the computer within a period of time.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the first message content is displayed in a first location on a screen of the computer and the preference setting specifies a second location on the screen where the second message content is displayed.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the preference setting specifies a particular time setting on when to display the second message content in a second presentation vehicle after loading of a web page.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the first presentation vehicle comprises a pop-up displayed on top of a web browser in response to the end-user viewing a particular web page.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the first presentation vehicle is a slider, the slider comprising a sliding panel that displays the first message content and automatically retracts when the end-user is no longer on a domain that triggered the displaying of the first message content.  
     
     
         38 . A method of displaying messages in a computer, the method comprising: 
 delivering a first message content to a computer over a computer network, the message content being delivered to the computer based on web sites visited by an end-user;    displaying the message content in a first presentation vehicle in the computer;    providing a configuration panel to allow the end-user to enter a preference setting that controls how message contents are presented in the computer;    providing a second message content to the computer, the second message content being provided based on the preference setting and on web sites visited by the end-user; and    displaying the second message content in a second presentation vehicle.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the preference setting allows the end-user to specify a certain limit on a maximum number of message contents that can be displayed in the computer within a period of time.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the preference setting specifies a particular time setting on when to display the second message content after loading of a web page.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the first presentation vehicle comprises a pop-up displayed on top of a web browser in response to the end-user viewing a particular web page.