Automated content scheduler and displayer

Abstract

A method for providing content via a communications network on a user's computer, obtained from a plurality of resources in an organized arrangement is provided. The method includes creating a show structure of nodes, each node identifying a resource from a plurality of accessible resources, at least some of which are network accessible resources. Without requiring user input, a plurality of the network accessible resources, identified by a corresponding node, are automatically accessed. Content corresponding to each of the accessed resources is automatically presented through the user's computer in accordance with the show structure. Advertisement content is presented to the user in connection with the automatic presentation of the content through the user's computer.

1 . A method for providing content via a communications network on a user's computer, obtained from a plurality of resources in an organized arrangement comprising the steps of:
 creating a show structure of nodes, each node identifying a resource from a plurality of accessible resources, at least some of which are network accessible resources;   without requiring user input, automatically accessing a plurality of said network accessible resources identified by a corresponding node; and   causing content from said network accessible resources corresponding to each of said accessed resources to be automatically presented through said user's computer in accordance with said show structure,   wherein said step of creating further comprises the step of providing interactively variable duration information, representing the duration that said content corresponding to said resource is presented so as to enable a user to vary said duration.   
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing interactively variable duration information further comprises the step of providing interactively variable duration information for each of said accessed resources, representing the duration within which a corresponding content to said resource is presented. 
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said nodes comprises a URL. 
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of said nodes of said show structure of nodes identifies a network accessible resource located on a remote computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said nodes identifies a resource accessible via the Internet.