TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally, to a system and/or method for linking network content, and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a system and/or method for linking World Wide Web (hereinafter simply referred to as "WWW") content. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and/or method that enables web-users to discover, recommend and/or view WWW content related to other WWW content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a system and/or method for linking WWW content, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only. The system and/or method of the present invention may also enable other forms of network content to be linked together without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter described. A suitable form of other network content may include, but is not limited to, company information and/or documents accessible to company staff via an intranet. Accordingly, throughout the ensuing description the expressions "content", "network content", "web content", "Internet content", or "WWW content" are intended to refer to any suitable form of information, documents and/or files that is/are accessible to users via any suitable communications network.

Similarly, throughout the ensuing description where the expressions "link", "linked" and/or "linking" are used, it should be understood that same are simply intended to refer to any suitable way in which various forms of network content may be connected to, or associated with, one another in order to enable users to discover, recommend and/or view network content related to other network content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating a communications network. For example, in the context of the WWW, a suitable "link" may be a 'hyper-link' which is a reference or navigation element from some point within one website to some point within another website, or another place (i.e. web-page) within the same website. Accordingly, although the present invention will hereinafter be described primarily with reference 'hyper-links', it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to that use only.

BACKGROUND ART Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure herein. The development of the Internet has made a huge amount of content available to web-users. Never before has so much raw data, information, documents and/or files been available to so many. This sheer volume of network content has created its own problems as well as its own opportunities - one of which has been the tremendous popularity of the search engine. As effective as search engine's are at finding raw information, web-users still have little way of knowing if the information contained within a particular website is reputable and accurate, or misleading and deceptive.

A system and/or method for at least partially alleviating this problem is disclosed in International Patent Application No.: PCT/AU2008/000505, filed on 9 April 2008, in the name of the present applicant, Web Evaluation Pty Ltd, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto. This system enables web-users to evaluate the relevance and/or reputability of WWW content by providing an independent forum facility that can be displayed side-by-side with WWW content being viewed. In this way, web-users can utilise the forum facilities provided to help them make informed decisions regarding the WWW content they are viewing.

However, with so much WWW content available and that content continuing to grow at an exponential rate, its becoming harder for web-users to efficiently sift through the volume of information to find the exact information they require or information that they are likely to be interested in. Existing search engines find raw information based on key-words entered by web-users. These search engines use various techniques to return results that are deemed to be of relevance based on the key-words submitted. The order of display of results within a search engine graphical user interface (hereinafter simply referred to as "GUI") is often determined based on proprietary popularity algorithms that take into consideration various aspects, as for example, the amount of times a website has been visited and/or the amount of instances of a key-word within the raw results located.

A problem with key-word based searching, and known search engines in general, is that it is often difficult to determine what key-words to use to find results of high relevance. For example, in the case of novice web-users, often the key-words that are selected are broad, or non-descriptive, which obviously leads to an enormous amount of irrelevant search results being returned when a search is performed. The problems associated with key-word based searching are exacerbated by the different meanings given to the same words used throughout the world.

A further problem with existing search engines is that because they use centralised databases to index the WWW, it is impossible for them to maintain an up-to-date index of dynamically generated websites. For this reason, relevant content of such websites may not be returned when a search is performed.

A need therefore exists for an improved system and/or method to enable web-users to discover relevant WWW content whilst navigating the web.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and/or method for linking network content.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for linking network content, said method including the steps of: providing at least one network server which generates, stores and/or maintains a plurality of linked-content facilities, each of said linked-content facilities being independently associated with a network location that contains network content; providing at least one user operable terminal with controlled access to said at least one network server and said linked-content facilities stored thereon; receiving and processing at said at least one network server a request sent from said at least one user operable terminal, via a communications network, to view - A - and/or acquire a linked-content facility for a selected network location; and, displaying and/or providing said linked-content facility on and/or to said at least one user operable terminal for the selected network location.

Preferably said linked-content facilities stored and/or maintained on said at least one network server include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one user of said at least one user operable terminal, regarding network content related to the respective network locations.

Preferably said method for linking network content further includes the steps of: receiving user generated link content from at least one of said user operable terminals, via at least one of said linked-content facilities, regarding related network content available at other network locations; storing said user generated link content on said at least one network server; selectively updating said at least one of said linked-content facilities with said user generated link content relevant thereto; and, making said updated linked-content facilities available to all of said user operable terminals; wherein said user generated link content, and/or said system generated link content, enables said users of said at least one user operable terminals to discover, recommend and/or view network content related to other network content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating said communications network.

Preferably said method for linking network content further includes the step of: acquiring/generating system generated link content for display within a linked-content facility utilising any one or more of the following methods: (i) evaluating the network content available at the respective network location; crawling and/or perusing said communications network in order to locate other network locations containing similar/related network content; and, adding links to said linked-content facility representing the other network locations that were discovered; (ii) acquiring tag information associated with the network content available at the respective network location; utilising the acquired tag information to locate other network locations having the same and/or similar tags information associated therewith; and, adding links to said linked-content facility representing the other network locations that were discovered; (iii) evaluating the network content available at the respective network location; utilising a network search facility (e.g. a search engine facility, including a third party search engine API, etc) to locate other network locations containing similar/related network content; and, adding links to said linked-content facility representing the other network locations that were discovered; and/or, (iv) evaluating existing user generated link content deemed to be related to the respective network located; utilising the existing user generated link content to locate other network locations having similar/related network content; and, adding links to said linked-content facility representing the other network locations that were discovered. It is preferred that said users are provided with a means of rating said system and/or user generated link content such that said network server may utilise the user ratings received in order to determine the order of display of said system and/or user generated link content within said linked-content facilities. Preferably said rating system is any suitable rating system, including, but not limited to: a star rating system, as for example a 5 star rating system; a points rating system within a predetermined range, e.g. 1 to 10; or, a simple thumbs- up/thumbs-down (i.e. like/dislike) rating system.

In a practical preferred embodiment said at least one network server is at least one computing device which preferably includes at least one processor which is operable to execute software that maintains and controls access to said linked-content facilities for said user operable terminals. Preferably said linked- content facilities are stored on at least one memory or storage unit associated with said at least one computing device.

In a further practical preferred embodiment said at least one computing device is a web-server accessible to said at least one user operable terminal via said communications network, preferably the Internet, wherein said users can access said, web-server via at least one software application installed on said at least one user operable terminal which may be permanently, or selectively, connected to said Internet. In this practical preferred embodiment said network content is WWW content and each of said linked-content facilities are independently associated with a network location, preferably a URL, containing said WWW content. Preferably said at least one user operable terminal is selected from the group consisting of: a PDA; a mobile or cellular telephone; a personal, tablet or notebook computer; or any other suitable computing or communications device. It is preferred that said linked-content facilities of said method for linking network content of the present invention provide an online link recommendation and/or display system that is accessible to said users in real time, i.e. "live". The provision of said linked-content facilities enables web-users to discover new WWW content that is highly likely to be related to the WWW content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the Internet.

Preferably said method for linking network content further includes the steps of: querying said Internet at predetermined intervals to locate available URLs containing WWW content, and/or, receiving URLs from web-users wishing to view linked-content facilities for selected URLs; acquiring and storing at least selected ones of said URLs in at least one repository associated with said webserver; and, generating a linked-content facility for each of said URLs stored in said at least one repository. In a preferred embodiment, said web-server is a search engine and said at least one software application installed on said at least one user operable terminal is a GUI, preferably a web-browser GUI. In this practical preferred embodiment said request sent from said at least one user operable terminal to said search engine, via said Internet, to view and/or acquire a linked-content facility for a selected URL is accomplished by said users clicking on, or hovering over, hyper-links or buttons displayed within said web-browser GUI that are associated with respective ones of a list of URLs, and/or other details pertaining thereto, containing WWW content that are displayed after a search has been performed. In a first form of this practical embodiment, it is preferred that said method further includes the step of: displaying at least one of said linked-content facilities beside a respective one of said URLs contained within said list of URLs that are displayed after a search has been performed (i.e. at least one linked- content facility can be selectively displayed within the search results screen - beside its respective search result details). In a second, or alternative, form of this practical embodiment, it is preferred that said method further includes the step of: for a selected one of said URLs contained within said list of URLs, simultaneously displaying said WWW content available at said URL, and its independently associated linked-content facility: utilising a single screen of said web-browser GUI; or, utilising multiple screens, pop-up windows or tabs of said web-browser GUI.

In yet a further search engine (web-server) embodiment, said request sent from said at least one user operable terminal to said search engine, via said Internet, to view and/or acquire a linked-content facility for a selected URL may be accomplished by said users entering said selected URL directly into a search field provided by said search engine within said web-browser GUI (including a search field provided by way of a browser plug-in, toolbar, etc). In this further embodiment, it is preferred that said method further includes the step of: simultaneously displaying said WWW content available at said selected URL, and its independently associated linked-content facility: utilising a single screen of said web-browser GUI; or, utilising multiple screens, pop-up windows or tabs of said web-browser GUI.

In an alternative practical preferred embodiment said web-server is a dedicated network content linking server which may be used by said users to display said WWW content and said independently associated linked-content facilities. In this embodiment it is also preferred that said at least one software application installed on said at least one user operable terminal is a GUI, preferably a web-browser GUI. In various forms of this practical preferred embodiment said request sent from said at least one user operable terminal to said dedicated network content linking server, via said Internet, is accomplished by said users: entering a selected URL directly into a URL or search field built into said web-browser GUI; entering a selected URL into a search or retrieve URL field provided on a website displayed within said web-browser GUI; and/or, selecting a selected URL from a list of favourites or bookmarks accessible to said web-browser GUI (including browser and/or WWW-based bookmarks/favourites). Preferably after sending said request to said dedicated network content linking server, said web-browser GUI simultaneously displays said WWW content and its independently associated linked-content facilities: utilising a single screen of said web-browser GUI; or, utilising multiple screens, pop-up windows or tabs of said web-browser GUI.

In any one of the preceding practical embodiments, it is preferred that the display of said linked-content facilities within said web-browser GUIs may be selectively collapsed, moved, resized and/or removed depending on a users preference.

In an alternative form of any one of the practical preferred embodiments described in the preceding paragraphs, said linked-content facilities may be selectively displayed within a web-browser GUI utilising a browser plug-in, such as, for example, a toolbar or web-browser add-on. In accordance with this toolbar embodiment, it is further preferred that said toolbar includes at least two buttons, or the likes, for activating a link recommendation system which may also be provided by said web-server. A first of said at least two buttons being a 'bookmark' button to enable users to flag WWW content they like whilst navigating the Internet (which is then acquired by said web-server), and a second of said at least two buttons being a 'recommendation' button to enable users to retrieve and display random (recommended) WWW content available at a URL determined by said web-server that is similar to WWW content previously flagged by said user utilising said 'bookmark' button. Preferably the 'link recommendation system', and/or any other features offered by the browser toolbar, and/or any other suitable GUI add-on, may be operated by utilising keyboard 'hot-key' commands, and/or, by selecting menu items or buttons accessible to a user when a GUI pointing device (e.g. a mouse) is activated in a predetermined manner (e.g. right click, etc).

In yet a further practical preferred embodiment said web-server is a search engine or a dedicated network content linking server and said user operable terminals include two software applications installed thereon. A first of said two software applications being a GUI, preferably a web-browser GUI, for displaying said WWW content, and a second of said two software applications being a dedicated linked-content GUI for displaying said independently associated linked-content facilities. In this further practical preferred embodiment said users may selectively use both of said software applications to display said WWW content and said independently associated linked-content facilities.

In any one of the embodiments described hereinabove, it is preferred that when a user chooses to view and/or acquire WWW content available at a link provided within a particular linked-content facility, and/or a link to other WWW content provided within the WWW content itself, that WWW content is then displayed within at least one GUI along with the linked-content facility independently associated thereto. In other words, when a WWW user clicks on a link provided within a linked-content facility, and/or within the WWW content initially displayed, the WWW content available at that link is displayed, and at (around) the same time the linked-content facility dynamically updates to display the linked-content facility for the WWW content then being displayed. It is also preferred that a return link to the previously displayed WWW content is automatically added (by said web-server) to the linked-content facility presently being displayed beside the new WWW content so that the WWW user can return to the previous WWW content if desired, and/or rate the relevance of that previous WWW content to the new WWW content then being viewed (i.e. by rating the newly added return link then displayed within the present linked- content facility). In any one of the preceding embodiments, aside from displaying physical links to respective URLs (e.g. hyper-links, etc), said link-content facilities may also include/display, but are not limited to: images and/or thumbnails representing the WWW content available at respective URLs; tag and/or note information related to the WWW content available at respective URLs, as for example, tag information provided by other WWW users, or system retrieved tag information obtained via third party APIs, etc.

In a practical preferred embodiment, said linked-content facilities may provide a visual map representing the relationship between their independently associated WWW content and the system and/or user generated link content related thereto. In this way said system and/or user generated link content may be displayed within said linked-content facilities in such a way that the popularity of the links is visually represented in sequential order from, for example, the most popular to least popular links. In a preferred embodiment, a visual map of links could be provided within said linked-content facilities that displays the most popular links closest to the independently associated WWW content, with the less popular links further away.

Preferably each of said linked-content facilities includes at least one advertising space which can be used to display advertisements and/or sponsored links to said users. In a practical preferred embodiment, said advertisements and/or sponsored links displayed within said at least one advertising space provided on said linked-content facilities may change based on: the changing content of said system and/or user generated link content displayed within said linked-content facilities; the WWW content available at the system and/or user generated links; predetermined user preferences regarding WWW content and/or topics of interest to them; and/or, the WWW content associated with said linked-content facilities.

In accordance with yet a further practical preferred embodiment, the placement of user generated link content within said linked-content facilities could be charged on a link-by-link basis, or charged based on any other suitable criteria. Fees for the placement of user generated links may vary based on the popularity of the WWW content and/or URL concerned. This fee could be preset by a system administrator, or could be determined based on a market system whereby users could bid against one another to, for example, link their WWW content (e.g. their website) to the WWW content and/or URL concerned - in this way, the highest bidder would win the right to attach their link to the URL concerned. Similarly, highly trafficked or popular URLs could be more expensive than less popular URLs, etc. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a machine readable medium storing a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to execute a method for linking network content, said method including the steps of: providing a central repository for storing and/or maintaining a plurality of linked-content facilities, each of said linked- content facilities being independently associated with a network location that contains network content; providing at least one user operable terminal with controlled access to said linked-content facilities stored in said central repository; receiving and processing a request sent from said at least one user operable terminal, via a communications network, to view and/or acquire a linked-content facility for a selected network location; and, displaying and/or providing said linked-content facility on and/or to said at least one user operable terminal for the selected network location. Preferably said linked-content facilities stored and/or maintained in said central repository include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one user of said at least one user operable terminal, regarding network content related to the respective network locations. According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program including computer program code adapted to perform some or all of the steps of the method as described with reference to any one of the preceding paragraphs, when said computer program is run on a computer. According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program according to the preceding paragraph embodied on a computer readable medium.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for linking network content, said system being operable over a communications network, said system including: at least one memory or storage unit operable to store and/or maintain a plurality of linked-content facilities, each of said linked-content facilities being independently associated with a network location that contains network content; at least one processor operable to execute software that generates, maintains and/or controls access to said linked-content facilities for a plurality of users; and, at least one input/output device operable to provide an interface for said plurality of users to operate said software in order to retrieve and/or view said linked-content facilities for selected network locations from said at least one memory or storage unit, via said communications network; wherein said linked-content facilities stored and/or maintained on said at least one memory or storage unit include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one of said plurality of users, regarding network content related to the respective network locations.

In a practical preferred embodiment said system includes at least one computing device having said at least one processor and said at least one memory or storage unit associated therewith. Preferably said at least one computing device is a network server connected to said communications network. It is also preferred that said network server is a web-server accessible to said plurality of users via said communications network, preferably the Internet. In this practical preferred embodiment said at least one input/output device is associated with at least one user operable terminal, wherein each of said plurality of users can access said linked-content facilities stored and/or maintained on said web-server via at least one software application installed on said at least one user operable terminal which may be permanently, or selectively, connected to said Internet. Preferably said at least one user operable terminal is selected from the group consisting of: a PDA; a mobile or cellular telephone; a personal, tablet or notebook computer; or any other suitable computing or communications device.

Preferably said network content is WWW content and each of said linked- content facilities are independently associated with a network location, preferably a URL, containing said WWW content.

In accordance with a first practical preferred embodiment, said linked- content facilities can be selectively displayed beside a list of URLs, and/or other details pertaining thereto, provided within a search engine GUI after an Internet search has been performed. In accordance with a second, alternative, or additional practical preferred embodiment, for any selected URL, said WWW content and its independently associated linked-content facility can be selectively and preferably simultaneously displayed within at least one GUI.

In either practical preferred embodiment, it is preferred that when a user chooses to view and/or acquire WWW content available at a link provided within a. particular linked-content facility, and/or a link to other WWW content provided within the WWW content itself, that WWW content is then displayed within at least one GUI along with the linked-content facility independently associated thereto. In other words, when a user clicks on a link provided within a linked- content facility, and/or within the WWW content initially displayed, the WWW content available at that link is displayed, and at (around) the same time the linked-content facility dynamically updates to display the linked-content facility for the WWW content then being viewed.

It is preferred that other aspects and/or features of said system are the same as, or similar to, those described above with reference to the methods for linking network content. According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for linking network content, preferably WWW content, said system being operable over a communications network, preferably the Internet, said system including: at least one network server connected to said communications network, said at least one network server, preferably a webserver, acting as a central repository for storing and/or maintaining a plurality of linked-content facilities, each of said linked-content facilities being independently associated with a network location, preferably a URL, that contains network content; and, at least one user operable terminal which can be selectively connected to said communications network for retrieving and/or displaying said linked-content facilities from said at least one network server for selected ones of said network locations; wherein said linked-content facilities stored and/or maintained on said at least one network server include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one user of said at least one user operable terminal, regarding network content related to the respective network locations.

In accordance with a first practical preferred embodiment, said linked- content facilities can be selectively displayed beside a list of network locations, and/or other details pertaining thereto, provided within a search engine GUI after an Internet search has been performed. In accordance with a second, alternative, or additional practical preferred embodiment, for any selected network location, said network content and its independently associated linked- content facility can be selectively and preferably simultaneously displayed within at least one GUI. In either practical preferred embodiment, it is preferred that when a user chooses to view and/or acquire network content available at a link provided within a particular linked-content facility, and/or a link to other WWW content provided within the WWW content itself, that network content is then displayed within at least one GUI along with the linked-content facility independently associated thereto. In other words, when a user clicks on a link provided within a linked-content facility, and/or within the WWW content initially displayed, the network content available at that link is displayed, and at (around) the same time the linked-content facility dynamically updates to display the linked-content facility for the network content then being viewed.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for linking WWW content via the Internet, said method including the steps of: acquiring details pertaining to network locations containing WWW content; generating an independently associated linked- content facility for each of said network locations for which details were acquired; and, selectively making said linked-content facilities available to WWW users upon request to enable them to discover, recommend and/or view WWW content related to other WWW content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the Internet.

Preferably said network locations are URLs that specify the addresses of said WWW content, e.g. websites or web-pages. It is further preferred that said step of acquiring details pertaining to URLs containing WWW content includes the step(s) of: querying said Internet at predetermined intervals to locate details of at least selected ones of available URLs; and/or, acquiring URLs details from said WWW users upon receiving requests to view linked-content facilities for selected URLs.

Preferably said linked-content facilities include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one of said WWW users, regarding WWW content related to the respective URLs.

In accordance with a first practical embodiment, it is preferred that said method further includes the step of: displaying (preferably upon request) at least one of said linked-content facilities beside a list of URLs, and/or other details pertaining thereto, provided within a search engine GUI after an Internet search has been performed.

In accordance with a second, alternative, or additional practical embodiment it is preferred that said method further includes the step of: for any selected URL, simultaneously displaying (preferably upon request) said WWW content and its independently associated linked-content facility within at least one GUI.

In either practical embodiment, it is preferred that when a WWW user chooses to view and/or acquire WWW content available at a link provided within a particular linked-content facility, and/or a link to other WWW content provided within the WWW content itself, that WWW content is then displayed within at least one GUI along with the linked-content facility independently associated thereto. In other words, when a WWW user clicks on a link provided within a linked-content facility, and/or within the WWW content initially displayed, the WWW content available at that link is displayed, and at (around) the same time the linked-content facility dynamically updates to display the linked-content facility for the WWW content then being viewed.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system, method and/or computer program for linking network content, preferably WWW content, to enable web-users to discover, recommend and/or view WWW content related to other WWW content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web.

In one preferred aspect, the present invention provides linked-content facilities that can be selectively displayed beside a list of network locations, etc, provided within a search engine GUI after an Internet search has been performed. In a further, alternative, or additional preferred aspect, the present invention provides linked-content facilities that, for any selected network location, can be simultaneously displayed beside their independently associated network content within at least one GUI.

In either preferred aspect, the linked-content facilities preferably include system generated link content, and/or user generated link content received from at least one user, regarding network content related to a respective network location.

In other words, the present invention preferably provides a convenient WWW link recommendation and/or display system that enables web-users to discover WWW content that is highly likely to be related to other WWW content they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that now follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred constructions of a system and/or method for linking network content in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system for linking network content, made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exemplary GUI illustrating a preferred way of displaying a website and its independently associated linked-content facility within at least one GUI in accordance with the system for linking network content of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for linking network content, which is suitable for use with the system for linking network content of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3a is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for generating and/or updating linked-content facilities in accordance with the method for linking network content shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 4a to 4c are exemplary GUI's illustrating preferred examples of the use of the system for linking network content of Fig. 1 , wherein it is shown that a web-user is able to view a website and its independently associated linked- content facility by: entering a selected URL directly into a URL or search field built into a web-browser (Fig. 4a); entering a selected URL into a search or retrieve URL field provided on a website displayed within a web-browser (Fig. 4b); and/or, selecting a predefined URL from a list of favourites or bookmarks accessible via a web-browser (Fig. 4c); each utilising, for example, the method for linking network content of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5a & 5b are exemplary GUI's illustrating further preferred examples of the use of the system for linking network content of Fig. 1 , wherein it is shown that a web-user is able to view a website, or details pertaining thereto, and its independently associated linked-content facility within at least one GUI by clicking on, or hovering over, a hyper-link or button provided within a results 01108

- 17 - screen of a search engine website, utilising for example, the method for linking network content of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an exemplary GUI illustrating yet a further preferred example of the use of the system for linking network content of Fig. 1 , wherein it is shown that a web-user is able to view a website and its independently associated linked-content facility within one or more GUI's by the use of a web-browser plug-in, or toolbar, etc, utilising for example, the method for linking network content of Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a further preferred example of the way in which a website and its independently associated linked-content facility may be visually displayed within one or more GUI's.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Fig. 1 there is shown a system 10 for linking network content 12 _n , for example, WWW content 12 _n as shown. System 10 is suitable for use over a communications network 14 _n , for example, the Internet 14 _n as shown. It should be understood however, that system 10 of the present invention is not limited to that use only.

System 10 includes at least one network server 16 _n which hosts and/or maintains a plurality of tools or applications 18 _n , and databases 2O _n that together provide a means of linking WWW content 12 _n .

Network server 16 _n is designed to receive/transmit data from/to at least one input terminal 22 _n . The term "Input terminal 22 _n " refers to any suitable type of computing device capable of transmitting/receiving and displaying data as described herein, including, but not limited to, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) as for example a Palm Pilot ^® , a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) capable communications device, as for example, a mobile or cellular phone, and/or any other suitable computing device, as for example a personal/desktop, tablet, or notebook computer. Network server 16 _n is configured to communicate with input terminals 22 _n via any suitable communications connection or network 14 _n (hereinafter referred to simply as a "network(s) 14 _n "). Input terminals 22 _n are configured to display and/or retrieve network content 12 _n from network 14 _n . Each input terminal 22 _n may communicate with network server 16 _n and/or network content 12 _n via the same or a different network 14 _n . Suitable networks 14 _n include, but are not limited to: a Local Area Network (LAN); a Personal Area Network (PAN), as for example an Intranet; a Wide Area Network (WAN), as for example the Internet; a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network; a Bluetooth network; and/or any suitable WiFi network (wireless network). Network server 16 _n may include various types of hardware and/or software necessary for communicating with input terminals 22 _n and/or additional computers/hardware (not shown) as for example routers, switches, access points and/or Internet gateways, each of which would be deemed appropriate by persons skilled in the relevant art.

Input terminals 22 _n are each configured to be operated by at least one user 24 _n of system 10. The term "user 24 _n " refers to any person in possession of, or stationed at, at least one input terminal 22 _n whom is able to operate input terminal 22 _n and transmit/receive data and/or display/retrieve network content 12 _n , as for example, a web-user, a staff member accessing an Intranet, and/or any other form of network user utilising any suitable software protocol, such as, for example, the so-called FTP and/or BitTorrent or similar peer-to-peer protocols. Input terminals 22 _n may include various types of software and/or hardware required for capturing and/or displaying network content 12 _n including, but not limited to: web-browser or other GUI application(s) 26 _n (which could simply be an operating system installed on an input terminal 22 _n that is capable of actively displaying network content 12 _n on a screen without the need of a web-browser GUI, etc); monitors) 28 _n ; GUI pointing devices (not shown); and/or, any other suitable data acquisition or display device(s) (not shown). Similarly, input terminals 22 _n may also include various types of software and/or hardware suitable for transmitting/receiving data to/from network server 16 _n via network(s) 14 _n .

Although the use of system 10 is specifically described with reference to users 24 _n utilising input terminals 22 _n to connect to, and interact with, network server 16 _n , via network 14 _n , it should be appreciated that system 10 of the present invention is not limited to that use only. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) users 24 _n may simply interact directly with network server 16 _n which may be their own personal computing device or a public computing device, as for example an Internet kiosk, library or Internet Cafe computing device(s). In this alternative embodiment, system 10 could be provided entirely by a single network server 16 _n as a software and/or hardware application(s) and as such input terminals 22 _n would not be essential to the operation of system 10. The present invention is therefore not limited to the specific arrangement shown in the drawings.

As is shown in Fig. 1 , and explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 7, it is preferred that network server 16 _n is at least one web-server, or is connected via network(s) 14 _n to at least one additional network server 16 _n (not shown) acting as a web-server, such that system 10 is an online service accessible to users 24 _n in possession of, or stationed at, input terminals 22 _n connected to the Internet (network(s) 14 _n ).

System 10 may be available to users 24 _n for free, or may be offered to users 24 _n on an "on demand" Application Service Provider (hereinafter simply referred to as "ASP") basis, with use thereof being charged accordingly. ASP usage may only apply to a select group of users 24 _n , such as, for example, professional and/or corporate users 24 _n , who may be heavy users of system 10.

It is preferred that network server 16 _n utilises security to validate access from input terminals 22 _n . It is also preferred that network server 16 _n performs validation functions to ensure the integrity of data transmitted between network server 16 _n and input terminals 22 _n . A person skilled in the relevant art will appreciate such technologies and the many options available to achieve a desired level of security and/or data validation, and as such a detailed discussion of same will not be provided. Accordingly, the present invention should be construed as including within its scope any suitable security and/or data validation technologies as would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the relevant art.

Communication and/or data transfer between input terminals 22 _n and network server 16 _n , via network(s) 14 _n , and/or the display of network content 12 _n retrieved from network 14 _n on input terminals 22 _n , may be achieved utilising any suitable communication and/or data transfer protocol, such as, for example, FTP, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (hereinafter simply referred to as "HTTP"), Electronic Mail (hereinafter simply referred to as "e-mail"), Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (hereinafter simply referred to as "TCP/IP"), Short Message Service (hereinafter simply referred to as "SMS"), Multimedia Message Service (hereinafter simply referred to as "MMS"), any suitable Internet based message service, any combination of the preceding protocols and/or technologies, and/or any other suitable protocol or communication technology that allows delivery of network content 12 _n and/or communication/data transfer between input terminals 22 _n and network server 16 _n .

Access to network server 16 _n , and the transfer of network content 12 _n between input terminals 22 _n and network server 16 _n , may be intermittently provided (for example, upon request), but is preferably provided "live", i.e. in real-time.

System 10 is designed to enable users 24 _n to discover, recommend and/or view network content 12 _n related to other network content 12 _n they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating a network 14 _n . To do this, system 10 provides interactive linked-content facilities that can be selectively displayed beside network content 12 _n as same is viewed within at least one GUI 26 _n (or beside a list of network content 12 _n locations, and/or further details pertaining thereto, in the case of network server 16 _n being a search engine - as will be described in detail later in this description). Network server 16 _n , of system 10, includes a plurality of applications 18 _n

(such as software and/or hardware modules or engines) and databases 2O _n that enable multiple aspects of system 10 to be provided over network 14 _n . These applications 18 _n and databases 2O _n include, but are not limited to: a network address database 20-ι; a linked-content facility database 2O ₂ ; a user database 2O ₃ ; a module or application for generating, maintaining and/or displaying linked- content facilities 18-] (hereinafter simply referred to as "linked-content facility display engine 18i"); a user registration and/or sign-in/sign-out engine 18 ₂ (hereinafter simply referred to as "user administration engine I8 ₂ "); a user generated link content capture and/or administration engine 18 ₃ (hereinafter simply referred to as "UGC administration engine 18 ₃ "); and/or, an advertisement and/or sponsored link placement engine 18 ₄ (hereinafter simply referred to as "advertising engine I84").

Databases 20i,20 ₂ ,20 ₃ ... 2O _n are preferably managed by a Database Management System(s) (hereinafter simply referred to as "DBMS(s)") installed on network server 16 _n that enables data to be stored, modified, searched and/or extracted from respective databases 2Oi,2O ₂ ,2θ ₃ ... 2O _n . DBMS(s) (not shown) work with modules 18i,18 ₂ ,18 ₃ ,18 ₄ ... 18 _n of system 10 to enable the storage, searching, display and/or extraction of system and/or user input data.

A detailed description of each of these databases 2O _n and applications 18 _n of system 10 will now be provided. Network Address Database:

Network address database 20i stores and/or maintains data pertaining to available network 14 _n locations that contain network content 12 _n . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these network 14 _n locations are URLs which identify Internet 14 _n addresses or locations of WWW content 12 _n (e.g. website or web-page locations, including hidden and/or dynamically generated web-pages, files, documents, etc). Network address database 20i stores URL data captured or acquired by system 10 and/or a third party provider (not shown), such as, for example, an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, and/or an existing search engine API interface. URL data stored in network address database 20i is used by linked-content facility display engine 18i of system 10 to generate linked-content facilities 3O _n that are subsequently stored and/or maintained in linked-content facility database 2O ₂ .

As will be described in further detail below with reference to the flow diagrams of Figs. 3 & 3a, system 10: may systematically acquire URL data at predetermined intervals in order to automatically generate linked-content facilities 3O _n as new network locations (URLs) are discovered; and/or, may acquire URL data upon receiving a request from an input terminal 22 _n to view a linked-content facility 3O _n for a selected network location (URL), and hence, may generate linked-content facilities 3O _n on the fly each time a request to view same is received from a user 24 _n of system 10. In Fig. 1 , network server 16 _n is shown in two distinct sections, each separated by a different style of phantom lines, to illustrate that network address database 20i of system 10 may be provided and/or maintained by a third party network server 16 _n . Hence, networks 14 _n are shown interconnecting databases

2O _n to represent that they can be provided by a different network server(s) 16 _n . Although illustrated as possibly being provided by a different or third party network server 16 _n , it should be appreciated that network address database 20i may simply be embodied as part of a single network server 16 _n of system 10.

Hence, networks 14 _n may simply be data buses 14 _n interconnecting the various components, databases 2O _n and/or applications 18 _n of network server 16 _n .

It should therefore be appreciated that the actual location and/or provider of network address database 20-t, and/or the URL data stored therein, and/or when the URL data is acquired/received (i.e. automatically and/or upon request), is/are not essential to the operation of system 10 of the present invention.

Linked-Content Facility Database:

Linked-content facility database 2O ₂ stores and/or maintains data pertaining to linked-content facilities 3O _n generated and maintained by linked- content facility display engine 18i of system 10, as well as system and/or user generated link content 32 _n (e.g. hyper-links 32 _n , and other details pertaining thereto - generally referred to as 32A _n - e.g. images, thumbnails, tag information, meta-tag data, etc) generated/captured and subsequently displayed within linked-content facilities 3O _n . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these linked-content facilities 3O _n are linked-sites GUI's or pages 3O _n , each of which are independently associated with a particular URL stored in network address database 20-|.

Linked-sites pages 3O _n provide users 24 _n with a means of discovering, recommending and/or viewing WWW content 12 _n related to other WWW content

12 _n they may be interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web 14 _n .

By selectively reviewing and/or clicking through to system generated links 32 _n , and/or user generated links 32 _n , displayed/provided within linked-sites pages

3O _n , a user 24 _n can discover WWW content 12 _n that may be related to other WWW content 12 _n they are presently viewing within at least one GUI 26 _n installed/running on their input terminal 22 _n .

An exemplary GUI 26 _n (e.g. a web-browser GUI 26 _n , an operating system, or active desktop of an operating system, etc) illustrating a preferred construction of a linked-sites page 3O _n displayed (in this example) simultaneously with its associated WWW content 12 _n (e.g. a website or web- page 12 _n - referred to as 'primarywebsite.com' in a number of the drawings) is shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that a linked-sites page 3O _n may include a plurality of icons and/or buttons 34 _n that allow a user 24 _n of system 10 to perform a number of linked-sites page 3O _n functions. For example, these buttons 34 _n may include, but are not limited to: an 'add new link' button 34i which may be used by users 24 _n to submit user generated link content 32 _n ; and/or, a 'report link' 34 ₂ button which may enable users 24 _n to request removal of a system and/or user generated link 32 _n should they believe, for example, that a particular link 32 _n is un-related to the associated WWW content 12 _n (e.g. the link 32 _n could be spam, etc), or that a particular link 32 _n is offensive, etc.

Although not shown in the drawings, linked-sites pages 3O _n may also include, but are not limited to: an open/close linked-sites button; a linked-sites slider or size adjustment button; and/or, an icon or display section to show users 24 _n whether they are signed-in or signed-out, and/or to allow them to sign-in and sign-out as necessary (if registration and sign-in is required by system 10). An open/close button may enables users 24 _n to selectively choose whether they wish to view a linked-sites page 3O _n associated with WWW content 12 _n they are viewing. A suitable slider button may be utilised by users 24 _n to selectively adjust the size of the display of linked-sites page 3O _n within a GUI 2Q _n .

In Fig. 2 it can be seen that linked-sites pages 3O _n also preferably include at least one advertising space 36 _n that provides a convenient location for the placement of advertisements and/or sponsored links, etc, utilising, for example, advertising engine 18 ₄ of system 10 of the present invention.

Linked-sites pages 3O _n may be used by users 24 _n of system 10 to add links 32 _n , e.g. hyper-links, to other WWW content 12 _n (e.g. other websites or web-pages 12 _n ) that they believe is/are related, or similar to, the WWW content associated with a particular linked-sites page 3O _n .

By allowing users 24 _n of system 10 to add links 32 _n to related websites 12 _n , etc, other users 24 _n of system 10 can use linked-sites pages 3O _n as a means of finding interesting and/or related websites 12 _n that they may not have otherwise located by way of a conventional web-search facility (e.g. a search engine). For example, a user 24 _n whilst viewing a mountain bike website 12 _n may choose to add a link 32 _n to a mountain bike club or a bike helmet supplier.

In this way, a future user 24 _n of system 10 would be presented with these links 32 _n (and other associated information 32A _n ) within linked-sites page 3O _n , and hence, may choose to review the WWW content 12 _n available at those links 32 _n .

In order to provide a means of filtering and/or controlling the display of system and/or user generated link content 32 _n within linked-sites pages 3O _n , system 10 may utilise a suitable rating system that could allow users 24 _n to rate and/or determine the quality/relevance of individual system and/or user generated link content 32 _n displayed within linked-sites pages 3O _n . A suitable rating system could be a star rating system (see item 38 _n ) that allocates a selected number of stars to system and/or user generated content 32 _n within a range of available stars, as for example, a five star rating system as shown. System 10 could aggregate ratings or votes received from users 24 _n of system 10 regarding system and/or user generated link content 32 _n , and could also possibly allocate an average star rating for each user 24 _n , and/or their individual user generated link content 32 _n . This rating could then be used by system 10 to, for example, determine the order of display of system and/or user generated links 32 _n , which may help users 24 _n to assess the value and/or relevance of the links 32 _n to the associated WWW content 12 _n . For example, in the case of a particular users 24 _n user generated link content 32 _n , a user 24 _n that consistently adds helpful or closely related links 32 _n , would have a higher average star rating than those that add useless or un-related links 32 _n . Again, in the context of rating a user 24 _n , as opposed to links 32 _n , in order to ensure that the rating allocated to a user 24 _n of system 10, or their user generated link content 32 _n , is an accurate reflection of other users 24 _n opinions, it may be necessary for system 10 to block users 24 _n from submitting ratings for their own user generated link content 32 _n . A suitable means of blocking a user(s) 24 _n from rating there own links 32 _n

(including system generated links 32 _n that represent the URL of a particular users 24 _n own website 12 _n , etc) could include recording users 24 _n IP address(es), or machine key(s), MAC address(es), etc, in order to prevent the same user(s) 24 _n (or group of users 24 _n in the case of a company IP Address, etc) from voting multiple times for the same link(s) 32 _n .

Similarly, system and/or user generated link content 32 _n that are consistently rated as poor by users 24 _n in connection with specific related websites 12 _n , etc, could be flagged for removal from a linked-sites page 3O _n , either automatically by a computer algorithm, or manually by an administrator of system 10. This would help to ensure that over time, all links 32 _n that are connected to respective WWW content 12 _n are highly likely to be relevant and helpful to users 24 _n . Although the use of a star rating system has been proposed, wherein one star would represent the lowest rating and five stars would represent the highest rating, it should be appreciated that system 10 of the present invention is not limited to this specific example of a rating system. Many variations of suitable rating systems exist, such as, for example, a rating system that ranks users 24 _n , or system and/or user generated content 32 _n , out of 10, or even a simple two button like/dislike rating system (e.g. thumbs-up/thumbs-down), etc, and as such, these variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present application.

The actual positioning of system and/or user generated link content 32 _n (and additional link related information 32A _n ) within a linked-sites page 3O _n , determined by any suitable rating system is preferably sequential, i.e. ordered from most popular to least popular (as indicated by the descending stars 38 _n allocated to the links 32 _n shown in linked-sites page 3O _n of Fig. 2), but it is envisaged that other methods could be utilised to visually demonstrate the relationship between these links 32 _n and the primary website 12 _n (WWW content 12 _n ) being viewed. Such an alternative system (see, for example, Fig. 7) could include a visual map that displays the most popular links 32 _n that are considered to be the most closely related to the website 12 _n being closest thereto, with the less popular, or least related, links 32 _n being further away. Yet further embodiments (not shown), could provide the highest correlating links displayed larger, with least popular links displayed smaller (descending in order of relevance), or the most popular links displayed in the foreground with the least popular links displayed in the background, with each piece of content 12 _n layered according to its relative popularity, etc.

Although specific examples of the features, construction, use and/or functionality of linked-sites pages 3O _n of the present invention have been provided, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those examples only. A person skilled in the relevant art would appreciate the general operation and functionality of such an online link recommendation and display facility, and accordingly, would understand many alternative embodiments of such a facility. The present invention should therefore be construed as including within its scope any such alternative embodiments that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the relevant art. User Database:

User database 2O ₃ stores personal and public information of users 24 _n of system 10. During a sign-up or registration process (if required), or when updating their profile information (if applicable) utilising, for example, user administration engine 18 ₂ users 24 _n may select whether particular aspects (e.g. their name or nickname) of their profile are to be shared with other users 24 _n of system 10. Linked-Content Facility Display Engine: Linked-content facility display engine 18i is a structured application that enables users 24 _n of system 10 to recommend and/or discover WWW content 12 _n related to other WWW content 12 _n they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web 14 _n . To do this, linked-content display engine 18i generates and maintains the interactive linked-sites pages 3O _n (and system generated link content 32 _n displayed therein) of the present invention that can be selectively displayed (preferably) beside network content 12 _n as same is viewed within at least one GUI 26 _π (or beside a list of network content 12 _n locations, and/or further details pertaining thereto, in the case of network server 16 _n being a search engine). A flow diagram illustrating a preferred method 100 for linking WWW content 12 _n in accordance with linked-content facility display engine Ie ₁ is shown in Fig. 3. Method 100 of Fig. 3 is suitable for use with system 10 of Fig. 1. It should be understood that the embodiment provided in Fig. 3 only illustrates one way in which linked-sites pages 3O _n (and system generated links 32 _n ) may be generated, and selectively displayed beside the display of WWW content 12 _n in accordance with system 10. Many other methods (not shown) may be utilised to achieve the same or similar result and as such the present invention is not limited to the specific example provided.

Method 100 of Fig. 3 will be described in conjunction with Figs. 1 & 2. In Fig. 2, GUI 26 _n is a web-browser GUI. It should be appreciated that any suitable GUI 26 _n can be used (e.g. mobile/cell phone display, etc) depending on the application of system 10, and the way in which linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10 are accessible via the Internet 14 _n (network(s) 14 _n ) to users 24 _n stationed at, or in possession of, input terminals 22 _n . Similarly, the content of GUI 26 _n shown in Fig. 2 only represents an example of the type of information that can be displayed to users 24 _n of system 10. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to any of the specific examples provided. As can be seen in Fig. 3, method 100 for linking WWW content 12 _n in accordance with linked-content facility display engine 18i can start at either, or both, of blocks 101a or blocks 101b, depending on whether linked-sites pages 3O _n are: [START (A)] generated on the fly (i.e. upon request) when user users 24 _n wish to view/use linked-sites pages 3O _n for selected URLs (block 101a); and/or, [START (B)] automatically generated for all available URLs (block 101b).

If START (A) is utilised, at block 101a, it can be seen that a user 24 _n may initially be required to select an available URL (containing WWW content 12 _n they wish to view) by way of a GUI 26 _n installed on their input terminal 22 _n .

Then, at decision block 102, user 24 _n may be prompted (or may otherwise initiate the display of a linked-sites page 3O _n by way of, for example, buttons, commands, etc) as to whether they would like to view the linked-sites page 3O _n for the selected URL. In the case of the exemplary GUI 26 _n shown in Fig. 2, it can be seen that user 24 _n has entered a URL directly into the URL field 40 provided within their web-browser GUI 26 _n . Then, after pressing ENTER on a keyboard 42 connected to input terminal 22 _n , or clicking on the retrieve URL or GO button 44 provided within web-browser GUI 26 _n , a suitable request may be sent to network server 16 _n , via the Internet 14 _n , to initiate the display of the selected linked-sites page 3O _n . If, at decision block 102, user 24 _n declines to view the linked-sites page 3O _n for that URL, method 100 concludes at block 104, whereat only the selected WWW content 12 _n is displayed (or maintained) within their web-browser GUI 26 _n . If, however, at decision block 102, user 24 _n chooses to view the linked-sites page 3O _n for that URL, method 100 continues at decision block 106, whereat a check is made by network server 16 _n , of system 10, to determine whether a linked-sites page 3O _n for that selected URL already exists. If, at decision block 106, it is determined that a linked-sites page 3O _n does in fact exist, method 100 continues at block 108, whereat the selected WWW content 12 _n is displayed (or maintained) within GUI 26 _n> along with its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n - which can be simultaneously displayed within the same or a separate web-browser GUI 26 _n> as is shown in Fig. 2 - of which may be displayed along-side one or more of a list of URLs, etc, containing WWW content 12 _n displayed within a search engine GUI 26 _n after an Internet search has been performed, as is shown in Fig. 5a. If, at decision block 106, it is determined that a linked-sites page 3O _n does not exist, method 100 continues at block 110, whereat network server 16 _n , of system 10, generates the required linked-sites page 3O _n (and may also generate system generated link content 32 _n as will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 3a) for that selected URL and subsequently stores that linked-sites page 3O _n in linked- content facility database 2O ₂ , as hereinbefore defined. Thereafter, method 100 can continue at block 108 as indicated by arrow (A).

If START (B) is utilised, at block 101b, network server 16 _n of system 10 may systematically query the Internet 14 _n at predetermined intervals to locate available URLs. If available URLs are located, network server 16 _n acquires and stores details pertaining to those URLs in network address database 20-|. After locating and storing details of available URLs in network address database 20i, at block 110, network server 16 _n generates a linked-sites page 3O _n (and preferably system generated link content 32 _n - again, see below with reference to Fig. 3a) for each of the available URLs stored in network address database 20-ι. Data pertaining to these generated linked-sites pages 3O _n is then stored by network server 16 _n in linked-content facility database 2O ₂ as before. Arrow (B)i, illustrates that network server 16 _n of system 10 continues to query the Internet 14 _n at predetermined intervals to ensure that linked-sites pages 3O _n for all (or at least as many as possible) available URLs are generated (and/or also indicates that network server 16 _n continually uses the Internet 14 _n to generate system links 32 _n ) and made available to users 24 _n of system 10. Arrow (B) ₂ , simply illustrates that these linked-sites pages 3O _n are then available for use/viewing by/to users 24 _n of system 10 as hereinbefore described with reference to START (A).

Hence, it should now be appreciated that, in either or both START (A) and/or START (B) scenarios, method 100 arrives at block 108, whereat selected WWW content 12 _n may be displayed (or maintained) within at least one GUI 26 _n , along with its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . From this point onwards (as will now be described), users 24 _n are able to review, click through to, and/or rate, system and/or user generated link content 32 _n , and/or, add their own user generated link content 32 _n to a linked-sites page 3O _n , to help other users 24 _n to find interesting and/or related WWW content 12 _n for any given URL. At decision block 112, user 24 _n can decide, or may be prompted, as to whether they would like to add their own user generated link content 32 _n to a linked-sites page 3O _n .

If at decision block 112, a user 24 _n declines to add their own links 32 _n to a linked-sites page 3O _n , at decision block 114 a user 24 _n can decide, or may be prompted, as to whether they would like to click-through to a link 32 _n displayed within a linked-sites page 3O _n . If, at decision block 114, a user 24 _n declines to click through to a link 32 _n , method 100 continues at decision block 116, wherein a check may be made to see whether the user 24 _n is finished reviewing the selected WWW content 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . If at block 116, user 24 _n is not finished reviewing the WWW content 12 _n and linked-sites page 3O _n , method 100 returns to block 108, wherein the display of the WWW content 12 _n and the linked-sites page 3O _n is maintained. If, however, at decision block 116, user 24 _n is finished reviewing the WWW content 12 _n and linked-sites page 3O _n , method 100 concludes at block 118. If at decision block 114, a user 24 _n chooses to click through to related/recommended WWW content 12 _n available via a system and/or user generated link 32 _n displayed within linked-sites page 3O _n , and/or a link (not shown) to other WWW content 12 _n provided within the WWW content 12 _n itself, method 100 continues at, or returns to, block 108, whereat the new WWW content 12 _n is displayed within their (at least one) GUI 26 _n , whilst at (around) the same time, the linked-sites page 3O _n dynamically updates to display the system and/or user generated links 32 _n available for the new URL (i.e. the links 32 _n related to the WWW content 12 _n available at the new URL).

In accordance with a further preferred aspect of the present invention, at this point, i.e. when the new WWW content 12 _n and its associated linked-sites page 3O _n are displayed within at least one GUI 26 _n installed on an input terminal 22p, it is also preferred that a return link 32 _n to the previously displayed WWW content 12 _n is automatically added (by network server 16 _n ) to the linked-sites page 3O _n then being displayed beside the new WWW content 12 _n so that a user 24 _n may return to the previous WWW content 12 _n , if desired, and/or may rate the relevance of that previous WWW content 12 _n to the new WWW content 12 _n then being viewed (i.e. by rating the newly added return link 32 _n then displayed within the present linked-sites page 3O _n ). Although the addition of an automatically added return link 32 _n is proposed, it will be appreciated that same is not essential to the operation of the present invention.

If at decision block 112, a user 24 _n chooses to add their own user generated link content 32 _n (e.g. hyper-links 32 _n and related link information 32A _n , e.g. images, tag information, etc) to a linked-sites page 3O _n , method 100 may continue at decision block 120, or block 122, depending on whether linked- content facility display engine 18i of system 10 utilises a user administration engine 18 ₂ in order to police the usage of system 10.

If linked-content facility display engine I8 ₁ of system 10 does not utilise a user administration engine 18 ₂ , method 100 continues at block 122, whereat a user 24 _n can input user generated link content 32 _n (and associated information 32A _n ) to be added to a linked-sites page 3O _n . At this point, users 24 _n may also rate the quality/relevance of existing system and/or user generated links 32 _n , if desired. After inputting a link 32 _n , etc, or rating existing links 32 _n , at block 122, method 100 returns to block 110, whereat network server 16 _n of system 10 (possibly selectively) stores that user generated link content 32 _n (or uses rating information - if applicable) in linked-content facility database 2O ₂ , and subsequently adds that user generated link content 32 _n to the applicable linked- U2009/001108

- 31 - sites page 3O _n . Method 100 then continues as before until such a time that a user 24 _n wishes to stop viewing selected WWW content 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites pages 3O _n (i.e. ends at block 104 or 118).

If linked-content facility display engine 18i of system 10 does utilise a user administration engine I82, method 100 continues at decision block 120, whereat a check is made as to whether user 24 _n is a registered user 24 _n of system 10, and/or is signed-in to use system 10, in order to add/rate links 32 _n , etc, to/or linked-sites pages 3O _n . If user 24 _n is a registered user 24 _n , and/or is signed-in to use system 10, method 100 continues at block 122, whereat, like before, user 24 _n can input user generated link content 32 _n (or rate existing links 32 _n ) to be add to linked-sites pages 3O _n . However, if at block 120 it is determined that user 24 _n is not a registered user 24 _n of system 10, and/or is not signed-in to use system 10, method 100 continues at decision block 124, whereat user 24 _n is prompted as to whether they would like to register and/or sign-in to add/rate links 32 _n , etc, on linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10.

If at decision block 124, a user 24 _n declines to register and/or sign-in to use system 10, method 100 continues at block 114, whereat, like before, the use of system 10 either ends at block 118 (via decision block 116), or returns to block 108 (via decision block 114 or 116), at which point the display of WWW content 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites pages 3O _n is maintained (or dynamically updated in the case of a click through at decision block 114).

If at decision block 124, a user 24 _n chooses to register and/or sign-in to use system 10, method 100 continues at block 126, whereat user 24 _n may register to use system 10, and/or sign-in to system 10, in order to add links 32 _n , etc, on linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10. After registering and/or signing-in at block 126, method 100 continues at block 122, whereat, like before, a user 24 _n can input user generated link content 32 _n , etc, or rate existing links 32 _n to be added to linked-sites pages 3O _n . Although not specifically shown in Fig. 3, method 100 may also include an additional block or step (not shown) of checking user generated link content 32 _n (or associated link information 32A _n ) for suitability and/or appropriateness utilising, for example, UGC administration engine 18 ₃ of system 10. As already briefly described above, linked-content facility display engine 18i may also be used by system 10 for generating, updating and displaying system generated link content 32 _n within linked-sites pages 3O _n .

A flow diagram illustrating a preferred method 200 for generating, updating and/or displaying system generated link content 32 _n within linked-sites pages 3O _n in accordance with linked-content facility display engine ^8^ is shown in Fig. 3a. Method 200, of Fig. 3a, is suitable for use within/as block 110 of method 100 for linking WWW content shown in Fig. 3, and hence, is also suitable for use with system 10 of Fig. 1. It should be understood that the embodiment provided in Fig. 3a only illustrates one way in which system generated link content 32 _n may be generated and displayed within linked-sites pages 3O _n in accordance with system 10. Many other methods (not shown) may be utilised to achieve the same or similar result and as such the present invention is not limited to the specific example provided. As can be seen in Fig. 3a, system generated link content 32 _n may be acquired and/or generated for display within linked-sites pages 3O _n in any of a variety of ways (which may overlap, or be used in combination, etc) in accordance with preferred method 200 of the present invention. More particularly, preferred method 200 of Fig. 3a preferably provides at least four unique methods, i.e. avenues (i) to (iv) as shown, for providing/acquiring system generated link content 32 _n for display within linked-sites pages 3O _n , which can be summarised as follows: (i) system 10 may evaluate the WWW content 12 _n available at a selected URL using a suitable (system 10) web-crawling tool or facility (block 202); system 10 may then crawl the web 14 _n utilising the same or a similar web-crawling tool in order to locate other URLs containing similar or related WWW content 12 _n (block 204); and, system 10 may then add links 32 _n to the applicable linked-sites page 3O _n representing the other URLs that were discovered (block 206); (ii) system 10 may acquire tag information (here the term 'tag' is used to denote words that web-users 24 _n associate with particular websites 12 _n , usually via online book-marking services, such as, for example, the popular 'www.delicious.com' social book-marking service) associated with the WWW content 12 _n available at a selected URL from a local (system 10) and/or third party database (block 208); system 10 may then utilise the acquired tag information in order to generate a list of other URLs having the same or similar tag's associated therewith (block 210); and, system 10 may then add links 32 _n to the applicable linked-sites page 3O _n representing one or more of the URLs contained within the list of URLs that was generated (block 206); (iii) system 10 may evaluate the WWW content 12 _n available at a selected URL utilising a third party web search facility such as, for example, a search engine API facility (block 202); system 10 may then search the web 14 _n utilising the same or a similar third party web search facility in order to locate other URLs containing similar or related WWW content 12 _n (block 204); and, system 10 may then add links 32 _n to the applicable linked-sites page 3O _n representing the other URLs that were discovered by the third party web search facility (block 206); and/or, (iv) system 10 may evaluate existing user generated link content 32 _n , and/or related user generated link information 32A _n (including user 24 _n rating information) contained within linked-content facility database 2O ₂ related to a selected URL (block 212); system 10 may then utilise details pertaining to the existing user generated link content 32 _n ,32A _n to generate a list of other URLs having similar or related WWW content 12n associated therewith (block 214); and, system 10 may then add links 32 _n to the applicable linked-sites page 3O _n representing one or more of the URLs contained within the list of URLs that was generated (block 206).

Although specific examples of preferred methods of obtaining and providing system generated link content 32 _n , and associated link information 32A _n , within linked-sites pages 3O _n , have been provided, and described with reference to preferred method 200, a person skilled in the relevant art will appreciate many other ways in which system link content 32 _n ,32A _n can be generated. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific examples provided.

Although not shown in the drawings, in accordance with yet a further preferred aspect of the present invention, system 10 may incorporate a payment system for generating revenue associated with the placement of user generated link content 32 _n within linked-sites pages 3O _n . Such a payment system could include charging users 24 _n on a link-by-link basis, or charging based on any other suitable criteria. Fees for the placement of user generated links 32 _n may 01108

- 34 - vary based on the popularity of the WWW content 12 _n and/or URL concerned. This fee could be pre-set by a system administrator, or could be determined based on a market system whereby users 24 _n could bid against one another to, for example, link 32 _n their WWW content 12 _n (e.g. their website) to the WWW content 12 _n and/or URL concerned - in this way, the highest bidder would win the right to attach their link 32 _n to the URL concerned. Similarly, highly trafficked or popular URLs could be more expensive than less popular URLs, etc. It will be appreciated that the use of a link payment system is not essential to the operation of the present invention. User Administration Engine:

As already briefly described above with reference to linked-content facility display engine 18<ι, user administration engine 18 ₂ is a structured application that may be utilised by network server 16 _n to police the use of system 10. User administration engine 18 ₂ may be used at blocks 120 to 126 of preferred method 100 of Fig. 3, to control access to the adding of user generated link content 32 _n , or user 24 _n rating of existing links 32 _n , to/on linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during the registration and/or sign-in process of system 10 (block 126 of Fig. 3), users 24 _n must agree to predetermined acceptable Terms of Use before they can add/rate links 32 _n , etc, to/on linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10. The predetermined Terms of Use may simply be an extension of related Terms of Use for other website usage, such as, for example, a search engine.

The registration and/or sign-in process of system 10 may also require: a valid e-mail address; IP logging within each session; and/or, the use of suitable security certificates which must be installed locally on input terminals 22 _n before users 24 _n are able to add/rate link content 32 _n to/on linked-sites pages 3O _n . Cookies could be used to automatically sign-in a user 24 _n to system 10 after the registration process has been successfully completed. UGC Administration Engine: As already briefly described above with reference to linked-content facility display engine I8 ₁ , UGC administration engine 18 ₃ is a structured application that may be utilised by network server 16 _n to administer the content of user generated link content 32 _n , added to linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10. UGC administration engine 18 ₃ may be used by system 10 to block the addition of certain types of user generated link content 32 _n (or associated link information 32A _n - e.g. offensive or pornographic images or thumbnails, etc) on linked-sites pages 3O _n , and/or may be used to remove particular user generated link content 32 _n from linked-sites pages 3O _n should objections regarding the links 32 _n be received from other users 24 _n (by, for example, the use of the 'report link' buttons 34 ₂ provided within linked-sites pages 32 _n ) or other individuals having reason to question that content. Advertising Engine: Advertising engine 18 ₄ is a structured application that can be used to automatically place and maintain advertisements, and/or sponsored links, etc, within the advertising spaces 36 _n provided within linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10. A person skilled in the relevant art would appreciate many ways in which advertisements, etc, can be placed within advertising spaces 36 _n provided within GUI's 26 _n , and as such, a detailed discussion of same will not be provided herein. The present invention should be construed as including within its scope any suitable means of placing advertisements, etc, within advertising spaces 36 _n of linked-sites pages 3O _n , within a GUI 26 _n .

The placement of advertisements within advertising spaces 36 _n of linked- sites pages 3O _n can be used to create competition when viewing WWW content 12 _n , e.g. a competitor can purchase that advertising space 36 _n . Thus system 10 provides a unique opportunity for advertisers to reach their competitors customers directly, i.e. by purchasing the/an advertising space 36 _n available on a linked-sites page 3O _n independently associated with their competitor's website 12 _n , etc. This type of target marketing/advertising is believed to have not before been provided on the Internet 12 _n .

As the content of linked-sites pages 3O _n continually changes with the addition of each and every system and/or user generated link 32 _n , etc, advertising engine 18 ₄ of system 10 may also update the advertisements and/or sponsored links displayed within an advertising space 36 _n provided on a linked- sites page 3O _n , or within a search engine results screen (see for example Figs. 5a & 5b) incorporating the invention, based on, for example: the changing content of the system and/or user generated link content 32 _n (and/or related link information 32A _n ) displayed within the linked-sites pages 3O _n ; the WWW content 12 _n available at the respective links 32 _n (URLs) provided within linked-sites pages 3O _n ; and/or, the WWW content 12 _n associated with the linked-sites pages 3O _n . Further still, and in accordance with a further preferred aspect of the present invention, system 10 may also enable users 24 _n to enter user preferences regarding WWW content 12 _n and/or topics of interest to them (such could be obtained as part of a sign-up or registration process, etc) which could then be combined (by system 10) with user 24 _n web viewing patterns, etc, to further assist system 10 in refining the delivery of advertisements tailored to the individual user 24 _n to improve the response rate or click-through rate on system advertisements displayed within advertising spaces 36 _n .

As the use of system 10 grows, the user generated link content 32 _n added to linked-sites pages 3O _n and stored in linked-content facility database 2O ₂ will grow enormously. This will enable advanced data mining techniques to be used to improve target advertisements. Both the linked-sites pages 3O _n , and/or their corresponding WWW content 12 _n , could be mined to continually update the advertisements and/or sponsored links that are displayed within advertising spaces 36 _n of linked-sites pages 3O _n . This type of data mining would provide a level and type of targeting advertising delivery not before been achievable.

Aside from using advertising spaces 36 _n in accordance with conventional advertising techniques, advertising spaces 36 _n of linked-sites pages 3O _n of the present invention may also provide a convenient location to include, and hence run, promotional offers, e.g. sales promotional offers, within linked-sites pages 3O _n . For example, coupon or rebate type sales promotions could be offered to users 24 _n within linked-sites pages 3O _n of system 10.

To provide a better understanding of the operation of system 10, a number of examples of possible uses of system 10 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4a to 7. It should be appreciated that the examples that follow only represent a portion of the possible uses of system 10 and as such the present invention should not be construed as limited to those examples provided. Entering a URL Directly into a GUI or a Website, or Selecting a Bookmark:

In Figs. 4a to 4c there are shown exemplary GUI's 26 _n , which illustrate preferred examples of the use of system 10 of Fig. 1 , wherein it can be seen that a user 24 _n is able to view a website 12 _n and its independently associated linked- sites page 3O _n by: entering a selected URL directly into a URL field 40 or search field built into a web-browser GUI 26 _n (Fig. 4a); entering a selected URL into a search or retrieve URL field 46 provided on a website 12 _n displayed within a web-browser GUI 26 _n (Fig. 4b); and/or, selecting a predefined URL from a list of favourites or bookmarks 48 _n accessible via a web-browser GUI 26 _n - including browser-based and online bookmarks, etc - (Fig. 4c).

In the example shown in Fig. 4a, web-browser GUI 26 _n may require a suitable (purpose-built) plug-in, or add-on, in order to enable the web-browser 26 _n to determine that for all selected URLs that are entered directly into URL field 40, or search field (not shown), it is to display the selected WWW content 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), instead of utilising a browser plug-in, users 24 _n of system 10 may be required to enter the selected URL into the URL or search field 40 of the web-browser GUI 26 _n in a specific format which may include the URL address of network server 16 _n (not shown). In this way, the selected URL could be conveniently passed to network server 16 _n as part of the text that is entered into the URL field 40, etc, of web-browser GUI 26 _n by a user 24 _n .

In one embodiment of the examples shown in Figs. 4a to 4c, network server 16 _n (not shown) of system 10 may be a dedicated network content linking server 16 _n which may be used by users 24 _n to simultaneously display WWW content 12 _n available at the URL: entered directly into the URL or search fields 40 of web-browser GUI 26 _n (Fig. 4a); entered into the search or retrieve URL field 46 of website 12 _n displayed within web-browser GUI 26 _n (Fig. 4b); and/or, selected from one of the available bookmarks 48 _n accessible to web-browser GUI 26 _n (Fig. 4c); and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . In an alternative embodiment of the example shown in Fig. 4b, network server 16 _n (not shown) of system 10 may be a search engine, and hence, the website 12 _n displayed within web-browser GUI 26 _n in this figure may simply be the search or home page 12 _n of that search engine (i.e. network server 16 _n ). In this way, and in accordance with a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the search field 46 of website 12 _n shown displayed within web- browser GUI 26 _n of Fig. 4b, may be used as conventional, i.e. in order to perform 'keyword-based' web-searches (see Figs. 5a & 5b), or may be used in a novel way in accordance with the invention to automatically and (preferably) simultaneously display WWW content 12 _n available at a selected URL entered into the website search field 46, of website 12 _n , and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n .

In the example shown in Fig. 4c, any suitable predetermined favourite or book-marked URL accessible to GUI 26 _n could be used to trigger the simultaneous display of favourite/book-marked WWW content 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . Suitable examples include, but are not limited to: book-marks saved directly into a web-browser GUI's 26 _n favourite menu; and/or, online book-marked saved by a user 24 _n utilising, for example, a social book-marking facility (e.g. www.delicious.com, etc).

Although not shown in any one of Figs. 4a to 4c, linked-sites pages 3O _n may be collapsed, resized, opened/closed, etc, as desired by way of suitable buttons 34 _n , or menu commands accessible to users 24 _n of system 10. Clicking on a Hyper-link or Button within a Search Engine Results Screen: In Figs. 5a & 5b there are shown exemplary GUI's 26 _n , which illustrate further preferred examples of the use of system 10 of Fig. 1. In these examples, network server 16 _n is a search engine, and it can be seen that a user 24 _n is able to view a website 12 _n (Fig. 5b), or details pertaining thereto (Fig. 5a), and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n within at least one GUI 26 _n by clicking on, or hovering over, a hyper-link 5O _n , or button 52 _n , provided within a results screen 12 _n of search engine 16 _n after a keyword-based web-search has been performed.

In the first search engine 16 _n embodiment shown in Fig. 5a, it can be seen that at least one linked-sites page 3O _n can selectively displayed (by clicking on button 52 _n , etc) beside a respective URL (and or associated information) contained within a list of URLs (e.g. hyper-links 5O _n , etc) that are displayed after a search has been performed. In other words, at least one linked-sites page 3O _n can be selectively displayed within the search results screen 12 _n - beside its respective search result details 5O _n , etc.

In the second, or alternative, search engine 16 _n embodiment shown in Fig. 5b, it can be seen that for any selected URL contained within a list of URLs (e.g. hyper-links 5O _n , etc) that are displayed after a search had been performed, a user 24 _n can initiate the (preferably simultaneously) display of the WWW content 12 _n available at the selected URL and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n . Again, the initiation of the display of linked-sites pages 3O _n can be performed by, for example, clicking on hyper-links 5O _n , or buttons 52 _n , and the WWW content 12 _n and linked-sites page 3O _n can be provided within a single screen of a web-browser GUI 26 _n - as shown; or, utilising multiple screens, pop-up windows or tabs of a web-browser GUI (not shown).

In yet a further search engine embodiment (not shown), the display of WWW content 12 _n and linked-sites pages 3O _n could be initiated by users 24 _n entering selected URLs directly into a search field 46 provided by the search engine 16 _n within a web-browser GUI 26 _n (including a search field provided by way of a browser plug-in, toolbar, etc - not shown). Using a Web-Browser GUI Plug-In or Toolbar:

In Fig. 6 there is shown an exemplary GUI 26 _n , which illustrates a further preferred example of the use of system 10 of Fig. 1. In this example, network server 16 _n may be a search engine 16 _n , or a dedicated network content linking server 16 _n , and it can be seen that a user 24 _n is able to (preferably simultaneously) view a website 12 _n and its independently associated linked-sites page 3O _n by clicking on a plug-in button 54 _n provided on a web-browser GUI 26 _n plug-in or tool bar 56 when a selected website 12 _n is displayed within web- browser GUI 26 _n . In this way linked-sites pages 3O _n can be selectively displayed at any time upon a user 24 _n choosing to click on plug-in button 54 _n . The use of toolbar 56 may minimise the steps required to view a linked-sites page 3O _n .

By utilising a toolbar 56, or the likes, to perform the invention, further preferred aspects of the present invention become possible. For example, toolbar 56 of system 10 of the present invention may include two buttons, or the likes, for activating a 'link recommendation system' which may also be provided by network server 16 _n . A first of these two buttons could be a 'I like this site' button 58 to enable users 24 _n to flag WWW content 12 _n they like whilst navigating the Internet 14 _n (which could then be acquired by network server 16 _n ), and a second of these two buttons could be a 'recommend a site to me' button 60 to enable users 24 _n to retrieve and display random (recommended) WWW content 12 _n available at a URL determined by network server 16 _n -that is similar to WWW content 12 _n previously flagged by the user 24 _n utilising the 'I like this site' button 58 (e.g. a bookmark button).

Similarly, the 'link recommendation system', and/or any other features offered by the browser toolbar 56, and/or any other suitable GUI 26 _n add-on, of system 10, could then be operated by utilising keyboard 42 'hot-key' commands, and/or, by selecting menu items or buttons (not shown) that become accessible to a user 24 _n when a GUI pointing device (e.g. a mouse - not shown) is activated in a predetermined manner (e.g. by a right click command, etc).

Although not shown in Fig. 6, it will be appreciated that linked-sites pages 3O _n may be expanded and/or collapsed utilising any suitable buttons, or menu commands, etc, provided by way of toolbar 56, or within linked-sites pages 3O _n themselves, depending on a users 24 _n preference. Similarly, although not shown in Fig. 6, linked-sites pages 3O _n may be displayed on a separate tab, etc (not shown) provided within a web-browser GUI 26 _n . These examples therefore demonstrate that system 10 provides users

24 _n with a novel means of discovering, recommending and/or viewing WWW content 12 _n related to other WWW content 12 _n they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web 14 _n .

The present invention therefore provides a useful system 10 and/or method 100 for linking network content 12 _n , preferably WWW content 12 _n accessible via the Internet 14 _n . In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, WWW content 12 _n can be selectively and preferably simultaneously displayed side-by-side with independently associated linked- content facilities 3O _n . In accordance with a further, or alternative, preferred embodiment, the linked-content facilities 3O _n provided by system 10 of the present invention can be selectively displayed beside a list of search results (e.g. WWW content 12 _n locations or URLs, etc) within a search engine GUI 26 _n after a search has been performed. In either embodiment, the linked-content facilities 3O _n provide interactive link 32 _n recommendation and/or display systems that enable web-users 24 _n to discover WWW content 12 _n that is highly likely to be related to other WWW content 12 _n they are interested in and/or are viewing whilst navigating the web 14 _n (or performing a search via a search engine, etc). In this way, the efficiency with which web-users 24 _n can explore and/or search the web 14 _n is improved by, for example, removing the requirement to switch back and forth between a traditional search result page and/or a website 12 _n being viewed.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

Finally, as the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced.