U.S. patent application number 12/021536 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for methods and systems for providng technology-assisted content development.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multiworks, Inc.. Invention is credited to David WOLPE.
Application Number | 20080141106 12/021536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23101005 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080141106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WOLPE; David |
June 12, 2008 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDNG TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED CONTENT
DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
A computerized system and method for personalizing a document.
In one embodiment, a user at a computer retrieves a first message
comprising at least one change point from memory. A change point is
a word or phrase which may be substituted for other words/phrases
by a user to slightly alter a message or enhance its meaning. Once
the message is retrieved, the user substitutes an alternate phrase
for the change point to personalize the message. The present
invention also includes a method for populating a database with
personalized words and phrases. In operation, the system monitors a
user's deletion and subsequent addition of text into a document.
The system compares the deleted text with a change point stored in
a database, and then associates the added text (if any) with a
change point in the database if there is a change point entry in
the database corresponding to the deleted text.
Inventors: |
WOLPE; David; (Dublin,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David Wolpe
20 Frothingham Rd.
Dublin
NH
03444
US
|
Assignee: |
Multiworks, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23101005 |
Appl. No.: |
12/021536 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10134786 |
Apr 30, 2002 |
7350145 |
|
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12021536 |
|
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60286991 |
Apr 30, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/237 20200101;
G06F 40/166 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/200 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/21 20060101
G06F017/21 |
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A computerized method for creating a document, comprising:
presenting at least one question to a user, wherein said at least
one question elicits a subject matter for a personalized message;
receiving at least one answer from the user, wherein the at least
one answer identifies a desired subject matter for the message; and
selecting at least one of a plurality of text messages in response
to the user's answer, wherein the at least one text message is a
personalized message in the desired subject matter.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of
displaying the at least one selected text message.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the presenting step further
comprises presenting a plurality of questions to a user, wherein
each question elicits more specific subject matter information.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the selecting step ensures each
of said plurality of text messages creates a coherent personalized
message.
26. The method of claim 22, further comprising: deleting the
previously selected at least one of a plurality of text messages;
and selecting a new text message in response to a user request to
rewrite a message, wherein said new text message is a second
personalized message in the desired subject matter.
27-34. (canceled)
35. A method for advertising an item to a recipient, comprising:
sending a message, by a user, to a recipient, wherein: the message
includes an item specially selected for the recipient by the user;
the item is a hyperlink in the message; and the content of the
message expressly relates to the item; and selecting the hyperlink,
by the recipient, wherein the hyperlink reveals a depiction of the
item.
36-38. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from the following U.S.
Provisional Application, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/286,991 to David Wolpe, entitled,
"Technology-Assisted Content Development," filed Apr. 30, 2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to methods and apparatus for
organizing and displaying information, and more particularly, to
computer-based methods and apparatus for associative organization,
processing and display of interrelated pieces of information.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The general-purpose digital computer is one of the most
powerful and remarkable information processing tools ever invented.
Indeed, the advent of the digital computer, and the proliferation
of a global digital information network known as the Internet, has
thrust the world headlong into what is now recognized by many
analysts as an "information era" and an "information economy," in
which the ability to access and process information in an effective
manner is one of the most important forms of economic power.
[0004] The potential impact of the digital computer and the
Internet on information distribution and processing is undeniably
revolutionary. Yet, conventional software environments are
generally organized around metaphors and principles from earlier
eras. Text-based operating systems like Microsoft.TM. DOS
essentially treat the computer as a giant filing cabinet containing
documents and applications. A strictly hierarchical file directory
provides a rigid, tree-like structure for this digital file
cabinet. Individual documents are the "leaves" of this tree
hierarchy. The directory structure generally does not include or
express relationships between leaves, and users generally access
documents and applications individually, using the directory
structure. Even the now ubiquitous graphical "desktop" computing
environment, popularized for personal computers by the Apple
Macintosh.TM. and Microsoft Windows.TM. operating systems simulates
a traditional office environment. Individual documents and
applications, represented by graphical icons, are displayed on the
user's screen, to be accessed one-at-a-time. Once again, a strictly
hierarchical, tree-like directory structure is imposed to organize
the contents of the desktop.
[0005] Although the desktop and file cabinet metaphors have been
commercially successful, the limitations and drawbacks of these
traditional metaphors become clear when one considers the
strikingly different way in which the world's other powerful
information processing machine--the human brain--organizes
information. Instead of being confined and limited to strictly
hierarchical file directory structures, the human brain is thought
to interconnect numerous pieces of information through flexible,
non-hierarchical, associative networks. As those of skill and
experience in the art are aware, it is often clumsy for users of
traditional, prior art operating system interfaces to process
multiple pieces of information if these pieces are contextually
related in some way, but are stored in separate files and/or are
associated with different application programs. Too often, the
prior art method of organizing information leads users to create
documents that may contain one or more phrases or thoughts that
will be useful in later documents. The user then stores the
documents in the prior art hierarchical categories only to forget
the location and content of the key phrases soon after storing the
document in memory. Intended to assist users, traditional
hierarchical structures and "desktop" metaphors compel users to
organize their thought processes around their computer software,
instead of the reverse. The inadequacy of "real-world,"
hierarchical metaphors for information management was recognized
prior to the advent of the computer, but until now has not been
successfully remedied.
[0006] Take the case in which a bankruptcy attorney who repeatedly
creates and re-creates the same types of documents over and over
again. When he wants to re-use one or more portions from one or
more previous documents, he must remember the name of the old
document and the location of the portion of interest. Under the
current paradigm, the bankruptcy attorney retrieves the old
documents, cuts relevant portions from the old documents and then
pastes them in the new document. As the number of historical
documents grows, so too does the likelihood that the attorney will
forget his favorite passages, their locations, or both.
[0007] The recent deluge of digital information bombarding everyday
computer users from the Internet only heightens the need for a
unified, simple information management method which works in
concert with natural thought processes. Additionally, users' ready
enthusiasm for the World Wide Web graphical "hypertext" component
of the Internet demonstrates the appeal of associative, nonlinear
data structures, in contrast to the limiting structure of
computerized desktop metaphors. And yet, prior art web browsers and
operating systems awkwardly compel users to navigate the
associative, non-dimensional structure of the World Wide Web using
linear, or at best hierarchical user interfaces.
[0008] What is desired is an effective methodology for organizing,
processing and displaying pieces of interrelated information using
a digital computer. The methodology should support flexible,
associative networks of digital thoughts, and not be limited to
strict, tree hierarchies as are conventional, prior art
technologies. A related goal is to create an intuitive and
accessible scheme for graphically representing similar ideas,
providing users with access to diverse types of information in a
manner that maximizes retrieval speed of the information and
minimizes user interaction necessary for retrieval. The methodology
should additionally be optimized to enable users to seamlessly
manage, navigate, and share the information both locally on digital
information devices, as well as remotely via digital
telecommunications networks such as local area networks, wide area
networks, and public networks such as the Internet.
SUMMARY
[0009] Systems and methods consistent with the present invention
satisfy the above-described need by providing a computerized system
and method for personalizing a document. In one embodiment, a user
at a computer retrieves a first message comprising at least one
change point from memory. A change point is a point in the message
at which a change may occur: a word or phrase may be substituted
for other words/phrases by a user to alter a message or enhance its
meaning. Once the message is retrieved, the user either selects an
alternate phrase for the change point, or creates a new addition to
the array of possibilities for that change point, to personalize
the message. The present invention also includes a method for
populating a database with personalized words and phrases. In
operation, the system monitors a user's deletion and subsequent
addition of text into a document. The system compares the deleted
text with a change point stored in a database, and then associates
the added text (if any) with a change point in the database if
there is a change point entry in the database corresponding to the
deleted text.
[0010] Additional benefits of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The benefits of the invention will be realized and
attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention and together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In
the drawings,
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative system
in which the present invention may be practiced;
[0014] FIG. 2 is block diagram depicting components of a
user/client computer consistent with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting the operation and
interfaces of an application program operating on a server
consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for adding change
points to a text document consistent with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for editing a document
that contains change points;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the operation of the present
invention consistent with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a database interface for implementing
context restrictions consistent with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a dialog box for creating
personalized messages consistent with one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagram of FIG. 8 including a partially
completed message.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a
specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This
embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention. The following detailed description is,
therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense.
[0023] Turning first to the nomenclature of the specification, the
detailed description which follows is represented largely in terms
of processes and symbolic representations of operations performed
by conventional computer components, including a central processing
unit (CPU), memory storage devices for the CPU, and connected
pixel-oriented display devices. These operations include the
manipulation of data bits by the CPU and the maintenance of these
bits within data structures residing in one or more of the memory
storage devices. Such data structures impose a physical
organization upon the collection of data bits stored within
computer memory and represent specific electrical or magnetic
elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by
those skilled in the art of computer programming and computer
construction to most effectively convey teachings and discoveries
to others skilled in the art.
[0024] For the purposes of this discussion, a process is generally
conceived to be a sequence of computer-executed steps leading to a
desired result. These steps generally require logical manipulations
of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these
quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical
signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared,
or otherwise manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in
the art to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,
symbols, characters, terms, objects, numbers, records, files or the
like. It should be kept in mind, however, that these and similar
terms should be associated with appropriate physical quantities for
computer operations, and that these terms are merely conventional
labels applied to physical quantities that exist within and during
operation of the computer.
[0025] It should also be understood that manipulations within the
computer are often referred to in terms such as adding, comparing,
moving, etc. which are often associated with manual operations
performed by a human operator. It must be understood that no such
involvement of a human operator is necessary or even desirable in
the present invention. The operations described herein are machine
operations performed in conjunction with a human operator or user
who interacts with the computer. The machines used for performing
the operation of the present invention include general purpose
digital computers or other similar computing devices.
[0026] In addition, it should be understood that the programs,
processes, methods, etc. described herein are not related or
limited to any particular computer or apparatus. Rather, various
types of general purpose machines may be used with programs
constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein.
Similarly, it may prove advantageous to construct specialized
apparatus to perform the method steps described herein by way of
dedicated computer systems with hard-wired logic or programs stored
in nonvolatile memory, such as read only memory.
[0027] The operating environment in which the present invention is
used encompasses general distributed computing systems wherein
general purpose computers, workstations, or personal computers are
connected via communication links of various types. In a client
server arrangement, programs and data, many in the form of objects,
are made available by various members of the system.
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals
represent like elements throughout the several figures, the present
invention will be described.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a data processing network 100 in which
the present invention may be practiced. The data processing network
100 includes a plurality of individual networks, including LANs 42
and 44, each of which includes a plurality of individual
workstations 10. Alternatively, as those skilled in the art will
appreciate, a LAN may comprise a plurality of intelligent
workstations coupled to a host processor. LAN 44 may be directly
coupled to another LAN (not shown), a mainframe 54 or a gateway
server 58. Gateway server 58 is preferably an individual computer
or intelligent workstation that serves to indirectly link LAN 42 to
LAN 44. Data processing network 100 may also include multiple
servers, such as a servers 46 and 54. Mainframe computers 46 and 54
may be preferably coupled to the LAN 44 and LAN 42 by
communications links 48, 52 and 56. Mainframe computers 46 and 54
may also be coupled to storage devices 50 and 60, respectively,
which may serve as remote storage for LANs 44 and 42, respectively.
In one embodiment, storage device 50 may store records associated
various on-line greeting card formats and storage device 60 may
store records associated with popular text phrases that may be
integrated into on-line greeting cards.
[0030] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the server 46
may be located a great geographic distance from the LAN 44.
Similarly, the LAN 44 may be located a substantial distance from
the LAN 42.
[0031] A system in accordance with the present invention, comprises
a plurality of workstations 10 and associated servers and
mainframes. The servers may be generally similar to the
workstations 10 including a central processing unit, display
device, memory and operator input device. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that workstation 10 may also perform operations
described herein as being performed by a server, and similarly a
server may also perform operations described herein as being
performed by workstation 10. The distributed system may comprise
any one of a number of types of networks over which workstations
and servers communicate, including LANs, wide area networks (WANs),
the Internet and any other networks that distribute processing and
share data among a plurality of nodes. All of these configurations,
as well as the appropriate communications hardware and software,
are known in the art.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed representation of a single
user computer workstation 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Workstation 10
includes a microprocessor 12 and a bus 14 employed to connect and
enable communication between the microprocessor 12 and the
components of the workstation 10 in accordance with known
techniques. The workstation 10 typically includes a user interface
adapter 16, which connects the microprocessor 12 via bus 14 to one
or more interface devices, such as a keyboard 18, mouse 20, and/or
other interface devices 22, which can be any user interface device,
such as a touch sensitive screen, digitized entry pad, etc. Bus 14
also connects a display device 24, such as an LCD screen or
monitor, to the microprocessor 12 via a display adapter 26. The bus
14 additionally connects the microprocessor 12 to memory 28 and
long-term storage 30 which can include a hard drive, diskette
drive, tape drive, etc.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown one embodiment of
the present invention in the context of a word processor 300, such
as Microsoft.TM. Corporation's Word.TM.. As shown, word processor
300 comprises various word processing services 310 that a user may
access to create and modify a text document 320. Word processing
services 310 are accessible to the user through a graphical user
interface (GUI) 330 which provides controls such as a
conventionally known tool bar or menu structure by which the
services 310 are activated. Word processing services 310 also are
available through a macro language, or other automation facilities
which permit word processing services 310 to be controlled by a
separate application program or from a macro with or without user
interaction. Word processing services 310 include services that
implement many conventionally known word processing functions,
including filing, printing, formatting, spell-checking, etc. Word
processing services 310 also include edit services 340, some of
which are conventionally known functions such as cut, paste, and
copy functions. In addition, the edit services 340 include a find
and replace editing tool 350.
[0034] Text document 320 may comprise a plurality of textual and
non-textual components, also called change points 360. Change
points 360, as shown in FIG. 3, are depicted as underlined words in
a sentence, but they may be identified via any of a number of
techniques (e.g., color, bold, italics, etc.) without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention. In one embodiment,
change points 360 are ideas or themes that may be substituted for
existing themes in a text document to alter the message created in
the document. In one embodiment, change points may be words,
phrases or scenes (or story elements) which may be substituted for
other words/phrases/scenes by a user to alter the message conveyed
by the sentence or story to enhance its meaning. In a second
embodiment, change points may be embedded into other change points.
For example, a word in a change point phrase may itself be a change
point. In the case of text, this means that a given phrase in a
text document may be exchanged for other phrases. Change points 360
for a word or phrase may, for example, be synonymous with, a
humorous version of, a personalized version of, or a more formal
version of an existing word or phrase. In one embodiment, candidate
replacement phrases appear in a pop-up window adjacent to the
change point 360 when a user passes a cursor or other symbol over
or near the change point text.
[0035] Word processor 300, as further shown in FIG. 3, also
interfaces with a change point software 370 to identify phrases
that may be substituted at various change points 360 in text
document 320. When a user enters text into text document 320,
change point software 370 implements functions to compare text
entered into text document 320 with words and phrases stored in a
change point phrase database 380. When a match is found, change
point software 370 alters the appearance of the newly-inputted text
to indicate that the text is a change point.
[0036] When a user operating the present invention retrieves a text
document 320 from memory 28, change point software 370 implements
functions to retrieve a list of words and phrases associated with a
change point 360 and to display the list of words when the user
passes the cursor over the change point text. In response to a user
request, change point software 370 is also adapted to substitute
words and phrases stored in change point phrase database 380 for
words and phrases found in text document 320.
[0037] Change point phrase database 380 contains a plurality of
change points 360 with associated words and phrases related to the
change points. Entries in change point phrase database 380 may also
include a plurality of weights with associated themes. For example,
a phrase in change point database (e.g., "a bouquet of flowers")
may have one weight associated with a first theme (e.g., romance)
and a second weight associated a second theme (e.g., mystery). The
weights may affect where (or even if) a change point appears in a
list presented to a user. In one embodiment, change point phrase
database 380 may be populated with a plurality of change points and
associated words/phrases from dictionaries, thesauruses, and other
publications. Change point phrase database 380 may also be
populated by "experts" (e.g., doctors, lawyers, engineers,
photographers, fishermen, etc.) that supply the change points and
associations that may later be used by laypersons. As explained
below, change point phrase database 380 may also be supplemented
with words and phrases derived from user edits of text documents.
In effect, change point phrase database 380 is an organized
collection of the thoughts and expressions conveyed in a plurality
of documents. Users wishing to retrieve similar or related thoughts
and expressions no longer are forced to recall a document's name
that contains the thoughts, and need only recall a related thought
or idea.
[0038] The present invention may be implemented as a computer
software program. This program will be used where software
application(s) running on a Web server respond to a user's
manipulation of mouse 20 or other user interface device, perform
processing that results in alternate content being identified and
substituted in an existing document. According to the present
invention, the user's behavior when accessing the application(s) is
monitored and recorded. The implementation of the logic for
performing the monitoring and recording function may be integrated
with the code of the server application, as one or more modules
(also referred to as code subroutines, or "objects" in
object-oriented programming) which are invoked during execution of
the server application. Alternatively, the logic may be implemented
as a separate utility program, which provides services that are
accessed by the server application. The implementation will
typically execute on a computer functioning as a Web server, where
that Web server provides services in response to requests from a
client using a Web browser connected to the Internet.
Alternatively, the connection may be to a corporate intranet or
extranet (that is, a network owned or managed by the user's company
or another company, respectively) of which the user's computer is a
component, where this corporate intranet or extranet provides
services in a similar manner to the Internet. Use of the term
"Internet" herein, when discussing processing associated with the
user's request, includes processing that occurs in an intranet or
extranet, unless otherwise stated. Client requests will typically
be sent to the host server using the HTTP protocol. However,
because the present invention operates independently of the
mechanism used to fetch the data, other protocols such as FTP (File
Transfer Protocol), Gopher, etc., may also be used without
deviating from the inventive concepts defined herein.
[0039] In one embodiment, software programming code which embodies
the present invention is accessed by microprocessor 12 (FIG. 2) of
workstation 10 from long-term storage media 30, 50 or 60, such as a
CD-ROM drive or hard drive. In a client-server environment, such
software programming code may be located in a storage location
associated with a server. The software programming code may be
embodied on any of a variety of known media for use with a data
processing system, such as a diskette, hard drive, or CD-ROM. The
code may be distributed on such media, or may be distributed to
users from the memory or storage of one computer system over a
network of some type to other computer systems for use by users of
such other systems. The programming code may alternatively be
embodied in memory 28, and accessed by microprocessor 12 using bus
14. The techniques and methods for embodying software programming
code in memory, on physical media, and/or distributing software
code via networks are well known and will not be further discussed
herein.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart performed by
the present invention in response to a user inputting text into a
document. As shown in step 410, the process begins when a user at a
client computer 10 creates a document using word processing
services 310. As the user enters text via word processor 310,
change point software 370 compares each inputted word and phrase to
words and phrases stored in change point phrase database 380 (step
420). When a match is found, change point software 370 alters the
appearance of the text to indicate that it is a change point (step
430). If a match is not found, change point software 370 adds the
word or phrase to change point phrase database 380 (step 440). If
there are more inputs (step 450), processing flows to step 420.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a flowchart
depicting the steps performed by the present invention in response
to a user modifying text in a previously saved document. As shown,
processing begins when a user retrieves a stored document from
memory (step 510). Change point database engine 370 monitors the
user's placement of the cursor to determine when the cursor is
positioned adjacent to a change point 360 (step 520). If the cursor
is near a change point 360, change point software 370 retrieves the
words and phrases that correspond to the change point from change
point phrase database 380 and then displays the words and phrases
in a pop-up window next to the cursor (step 530). In a second
embodiment, the present invention may instead display the words and
phrases corresponding to a change point 360 in response to a user's
activation of one or more buttons on mouse 20. Once the associated
words and phrases have been identified, the user may then replace
the change point 360 with one of the words and phrases displayed in
the pop-up window (step 540). If the cursor is adjacent to a word
that is not a change point, change point software 370 monitors the
user's action to determine whether the user would like to convert
the word to a change point (step 550). In an exemplary embodiment,
the user may indicate this interest by pressing one or more buttons
on mouse 20. If the user indicates an interest in converting the
word into a change point, processing flows to step 560 and the text
is highlighted. Change point software 370 then converts the
highlighted text into a change point (step 570) and then in step
580, stores the new change point in change point database 380. If
the user has more editing to perform, processing flows to step 520,
otherwise processing terminates.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an example of the
operation of the present invention as described in FIGS. 4 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 6a, a user starts with the phrase "This man called
me up this morning." The words "man" and "morning" are indicated as
change points. Referring to FIG. 6b, it is shown that when the user
places the cursor over or near the word "man", he sees a series of
alternative words and phrases. The list of words and phrases may be
ordered according to the weights associated with each change point.
For example, if the theme or genre of the message (as selected by
the user) is business-related, then "incredibly rude, prying,
telemarketing hired gun" may appear very high on the list of
possible change points. On the other hand, if the theme of the
message is romantic, then "incredibly rude, prying, telemarketing
hired gun" may appear much lower on the list because it is less
likely to be relevant and therefore selected. In some cases, the
phrase may not appear on the list at all. If the theme of the
message is humorous, then "incredibly rude, prying, telemarketing
hired gun" may appear somewhere between its location for
business-related messages and romantic messages. The point here is
that change points are ideas that become more or less appropriate
based on the theme of the underlying message. Stated another way,
it is the surrounding elements that create context and give meaning
to an isolated phrase. In this example, the user selects
"incredibly rude, prying, telemarketing hired gun". In FIG. 6c, it
is shown that the phrase now reads "This incredibly rude, prying,
telemarketing hired gun called me up this morning." The user could
also (or alternatively) select an alternate phrase for "morning" to
further alter the message. One embodiment of the present invention
may maintain a counter associated with each word and phrase stored
in change point phrase database 380 and then increment the counter
whenever a user selects a particular word or phrase. In this way,
system administrators and users can identify the popular and
unpopular words/phrases. Change point software may also provide
users with a list of the popular change point phrases so that the
user may make a selection based on popularity in combination with
their personal preferences.
[0043] Instead of entering change points 360 from a menu, a user
may input change points via keyboard 18. Using an advanced
variation on the auto-expand technology, the present invention will
allow users to start typing words and phrases and automatically
suggest the rest of the word. For example, suppose a person would
like to send a message to his girlfriend. The message begins: "You
make me feel so [change point]." When the cursor is located
adjacent to the change point, the user decides to type the word
"fine". He types "f" and the present invention suggests
"fantastic". He then types an "i" and the program suggests "filled
with the white flame of your eternal love." While this is not the
phrase the user had in mind, he likes it more than his choice, so
he uses it. This same auto-expand feature may be used to implement
a personalized database for each user. For example, when a first
user types "Ro" then the program might suggest the word "Rosemary,"
the first user's wife's name. A second user may similarly type "Ro"
and have the word "Robert" suggested (the second user's husband's
name). In addition to these auto-expand applications, the user may
be able to designate subject areas which will also have
sub-databases of suggestions. For example, if a user is working on
contracts and he types "con," the program might suggest "contract."
On the other hand, if the user is working on an email to a friend,
the program might suggest "concert" when faced with the same two
letters.
[0044] In a second embodiment, the present invention may be used to
quickly create and personalize text messages. For example, a user
wishing to create a message in an online greeting card no longer
needs to create the message from scratch. With the present
invention, the user may answer one or two simple questions (more if
they desire) that would then be used to create a personalized
message. The personalized message will consist of a plurality of
change points that were automatically selected by change point
software 370 such that the user's personalization is maintained and
a coherent theme conveyed. The present invention maintains
coherency through a process of restriction. In other words, early
user selections constrain or restrict subsequent selections. The
relationships between restrictions may be inputted by
writers/editors or users, or they may be automatically
determined.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a sample interface
700 for implementing restrictions in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. As shown, interface 700 is comprised of a
short message 710 and a plurality of stacks 720a-e, each comprised
of a plurality of entries. Each stack 720 corresponds to a change
point in message 710. Entries may initially be placed in each stack
by experts and then augmented by the users as they create new
personalized messages. As shown in FIG. 7, some of the entries in
stacks 720 are shaded and others are not. The shaded entries are
context-specific such that if a shaded entry is selected by a user,
then only other shaded entries from other stacks will appear and
therefore be selectable by the user. All entries remain valid in
those stacks in which no entries are shaded. Also, more than one
shaded entry may exist in each stack. Once the message is created,
the user may then personalize the message by substituting change
points 360 wherever desired.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a dialog box 800 that
may be presented to a user to enable the user to create
personalized messages in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Dialog box 800 may contain selections 810:
Occasion, Genre, Hobby/Interest and Profession; a plurality of
input fields 820-830, and a plurality of buttons 840-870. In one
embodiment, dialog box 800 contains input fields for Name 820 and
Recipient 830, and buttons for Rewrite 840, Gift Insert 850, Send
860 and Spice it Up! 870. After a user selects one of the following
selections 810 using mouse 20, the following sub-menus may appear:
Occasion (Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation, Christmas, Easter,
Consolation, Congratulations, etc.), Genre (Western, romantic
comedy, Drama, Detective, Romance, Sci-Fi, Adventure, War,
Children, Family, Historical, etc.), Hobby/Interest (Antiques, Art,
Ceramics, Cooking, Exercise, Fashion, Fishing, Gardening, Music,
Photography, Needlework, Pottery, Reading, Sewing, Sports, etc.),
and Profession (Computer Programmer, Publisher, Attorney, Building
Inspector, Roofer, Electrician, Painter, Doctor, Actor, Dancer,
Musician, etc.). After the user has selected one or more sub-menus,
he then requests the creation of a new personalized message. In
response, the present system determines a message with change
points to present to the user that incorporates the concepts
represented by the one or more submenus. Name 820 and recipient 830
input fields are adapted to receive text characters indicative of a
user name and an intended recipient's name. Rewrite button 840
allows the user to request a new message with or without also
making new selections 710.
[0047] The short message displayed may be a message generated by a
retailer that creates a story around an item the retailer sells.
The story may alternatively be a humorous or fanciful story that
revolves around the user's selections. A user then enters his/her
name in Name 820 button and the name of the person to whom the
message is addressed in Destination 830. In one embodiment, when
the user begins typing his/her name each letter is immediately
displayed in the text of the message so that the user can
immediately see the dynamic relationship between his entries and
evolving story. From the inputted names, the present system will
also automatically recognize the sex of the sender/recipient and
adjust all personal and possessive pronouns accordingly. Also, if
the early part of the message refers to a golf game, for example,
then the writer/editor is given the opportunity to restrict later
portions of the message to golf, as well. In other words, if the
user selects "You're a birdie," or other golf-related phrase early
in the message, then certain later choices (such as those having to
do with baseball, fly-fishing, or ballet) may be eliminated from
consideration. This ensures that the message will make sense and be
coherent.
[0048] The present invention also has the capability of inserting a
hyperlink to a gift into the message. For example, if the user
would like to send a gift to the recipient of an online greeting
card, he/she may do so by pressing the gift insert button 850. The
user may then be routed to a retailer's online site to select and
view a gift item. A link to the gift will then be placed in the
message. When the recipient receives the online greeting card,
he/she can click on the hyperlink and then be routed to the
retailer's site to view the gift that was purchased (possibly with
the price removed). In this way, the present invention routes at
least two users to a retailer's site. The retailer sites selected
may be random, user-selected, or dependent on pre-existing
financial relationships with online retailers. Gift items may also
be categorized in a database. For example, if the story provides
that "I opened up the plastic Easter egg and found this ring
inside," a user may be able to select a gift change point and be
presented with "these earrings," or "this brooch" as similarly
sized/priced gift alternatives. A scarf would not be a suitable
alternative nor would a necklace or ankle bracelet. Valid gift
items might be grouped by physical size, characteristics, price
etc. If the story calls for the gift item to be tossed into a room,
the present invention may only select gift items that were not
breakable. A user selecting a gift for a recipient may do so based
on knowledge the user has of the recipient's preferences for
certain gifts, or their wants and needs. The user, in essence, may
be analogized to an advertiser with specialized knowledge of a
recipient's gift preferences. If the gift is simply shown to the
recipient by the user (i.e., not sold to the user), it may be
offered to the recipient by an online merchant who stocks the
item.
[0049] The user may alter the change points 360 in the message, or
he/she may request a new message altogether by pressing rewrite
button 840. Prior to transmitting the message to the intended
recipient, the user may wish to "spice up" the message by changing
the tone of the message. For example, the user may wish to change
the message from "I like you" to "I love you". Similarly the user
may wish to change the message from "I like you" to "I hate you".
Either of these operations could be performed with the Spice it Up!
button 870. In a second embodiment, Spice it Up! button 870 may be
a sliding bar which may be slid to the right and to the left to
increase and decrease the tone of a message. Once the user is
satisfied with the message, he/she can transmit it to the intended
recipient by pressing the Send button 860. With this embodiment of
the present invention, a user no longer needs to choose a gift and
then choose a card to go with the gift. Now the user has the
opportunity to create a story that he believes the recipient will
enjoy and integrate a gift into the story.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a sample message
that has been created. As shown, the user's name is "David" and the
message is addressed to "Henry". The addressee's name as shown, is
only partially completed. This partial completion is reflected in
the text of the message, allowing the user to immediately see the
dynamic relationship between his entries and the evolving story.
FIG. 9 also shows the process whereby a user may pass the cursor
over a change point 360 and then be presented with a pop-up window
that contains alternate choices to replace the existing text.
[0051] In one embodiment, the user may also be given the
opportunity to select a decorative cover for the online greeting
card. For example, the user may be presented with a plurality of
decorative covers. The covers may depict art scenes, historical
scenes, comedic depictions, digitized photos provided by the user,
etc. The present invention may compensate the artist or owner of
the art work whenever a user selects a scene created by the artist.
Once the user is satisfied with the message and the card, he/she
simply presses the Send button 860 and the message is transmitted
to the intended recipient. Instead of transmitting an online card
to an online user, the user may print the card out and send it to
the recipient using conventional mail or other methods of physical
delivery.
[0052] In another exemplary embodiment, change point software 370
may monitor user actions and edits to identify trends and possibly
modify the program's operation. For example, when change point
software 370 creates a personalized message, it does so by
retrieving a collection of randomly selected allowable combinations
of words or phrases. One embodiment may monitor user changes made
to the automatically created document (including changes to the
tone of the letter) to identify the number of times that the
randomly generated document is changed. If the randomly-generated
document is frequently changed, change point software 370 may
modify the method for selecting change points such that documents
generated in the future may require less user changes. Another
embodiment may monitor and record the user ID of the user person
making changes and the changes made such that a profile of the user
may be created and future documents may be created that require
less changes. The user ID and user profile may be used to create
targeted mailings. In other words, if a user changes the tone of an
automatically created personalized message from neutral to humorous
(or very angry), change point software 370 may generate an angry
(or humorous) alternative to the message and send it to the user as
a further example of the system capabilities.
[0053] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described, additional variations and modifications in that
embodiment may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of
the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the
appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred
embodiment and all such variations and modifications as fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0054] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that
the present invention provides an efficient system and method for
providing real-time merchandising information. The present
invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments
which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than
restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many
different combinations of hardware will be suitable for practicing
the present invention. Many commercially available substitutes,
each having somewhat different cost and performance
characteristics, exist for each of the components described
above.
[0055] Although aspects of the present invention are described as
being stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
these aspects can also be stored on or read from other types of
computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like
hard disks, floppy disks, or CD-ROMs; a carrier wave from the
Internet; or other forms of RAM or ROM. Similarly, the method of
the present invention may conveniently be implemented in program
modules that are based upon the flow charts in FIGS. 5-6. No
particular programming language has been indicated for carrying out
the various procedures described above because it is considered
that the operations, steps and procedures described above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings are sufficiently disclosed
to permit one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the instant
invention. Moreover, there are many computers and operating systems
which may be used in practicing the instant invention and therefore
no detailed computer program could be provided which would be
applicable to these many different systems. Each user of a
particular computer will be aware of the language and tools which
are most useful for that user's needs and purposes.
[0056] Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those
skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without
departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the
present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description.
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