Click-to-add, jot-it-down, and add banner

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided that allows a user to automatically add content, such as an event, to a container, such as, a calendar without directly accessing the container. Second and third preferred embodiments are also provided.

1 . A method for a first party to capture information from an information source and to store said information in a container, comprising the steps of:
 providing a tool for a second party to generate an insert for said first party, said insert associated with said capturable information and said information source;   said first party interacting with said insert, when said first party desires said capturable information to be stored in said container;   said insert actuating adding said capturable information to said container, upon said insert interaction;   providing a success indicator to said first party, thereby indicating success in adding said capturable information to said container; and   providing options associated with said success indicator to said first party, said options comprising, but are not limited to, said first party interacting with said container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first party is an end-user;   said capturable information is embedded in a Uniform Resource Locator (URL);   said information source is a World Wide Web (Web) page;   said second party is a webmaster, or the like;   said insert is in HTML format and resides on said Web page, said insert HTML incorporating said URL; and   said end-user interacts with said insert by selecting said insert by, but not limited to, clicking a mouse pointer on said insert.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said success indicator is a GUI window, said GUI window indicating that said capturable information is added successfully to said container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said provided options associated with said success indicator comprise, but are not limited to, a first option directing said end-user to said container, and a default option, wherein said end-user remains at said Web page. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said container is any of, but is not limited to:
 an online address book;   an online calendar;   an online appointment book; and   an online container for discount coupons.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said capturable information comprises, but is not limited to:
 text;   images; and   hyperlinks.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said capturable information comprises a link to said Web page. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a correlation exists between said capturable information and said container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising means for said first party to add personal information to said capturable information. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for a first party to capture information from an information source and to store said information in a container, comprising:
 a tool for a second party to generate an insert for said first party, said insert associated with said capturable information and said information source;   means for a first party interacting with said insert, when said first party desires said capturable information to be stored in said container;   means for said insert actuating adding said capturable information to said container, upon said insert interaction;   a success indicator for displaying to said first party, thereby indicating success in adding said capturable information to said container; and   options associated with said success indicator to said first party, said options comprising, but are not limited to, said first party interacting with said container.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said first party is an end-user;   said capturable information is embedded in a Uniform Resource Locator (URL);   said information source is a World Wide Web (Web) page;   said second party is a webmaster, or the like;   said insert is in HTML format and resides on said Web page, said insert HTML incorporating said URL; and   said end-user interacts with said insert by selecting said insert by, but not limited to, clicking a mouse pointer on said insert.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said success indicator is a GUI window, said GUI window indicating that said capturable information is added successfully to said container. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said options associated with said success indicator comprise, but are not limited to, a first option directing said end-user to said container, and a default option, wherein said end-user remains at said Web page. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said container is any of, but is not limited to:
 an online address book;   an online calendar;   an online appointment book; and   an online container for discount coupons.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said capturable information comprises, but is not limited to:
 text;   images; and   hyperlinks.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said capturable information comprises a link to said Web page. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a correlation exists between said capturable information and said container. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising means for said first party to add personal information to said capturable information. 
     
     
         19 . A method for incorporating an adding actuating insert into a Web page, wherein said adding actuating insert facilitates gathering information on said Web page and adding said information to an associated container, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an account identifier from an account manager, such that any subsequent use of said insert is tracked;   accessing an online tool on the World Wide Web;   filling in predetermined fields of said tool;   creating a resulting Uniform Resource Locator (URL), wherein said URL is associated with said insert on said Web page; and   incorporating said URL into said Web page.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said identifier is a business partner identifier used to identify and track effectiveness of a business promotion, said promotion associated with said information.