Skyword Inc.

Be Free, Inc.

John L Mihalik

Thomas A Gerace

Richard A Meyer

David A Sandborg

Helen R Feder

Kurt Wescoe

Russell G Barbour

James E Bostick

Timothy R Tresch

William Evans

Jennifer R Hann

Michael Shaheen

Gregory Garay

Teresa Shine

Carl Laneave

Aaron Reinard

Keith Kost

Sam Gerace

Lauren Sozio

Stephen Evans

Patricia Travaline

Scott Jangro

Craig Palli

Raj Melville

Adam Oliveri

Ellen Brezniak

Ralph Jenkins

Padmanabhan Krishnamoorthy

David McKenna

A database search method and system utilize user community defined facets and facet values for refining searches. The system provides access to a database having a plurality of records in respective categories of information. Each record has one or more facets to the respective category of information, usable in connection with a search as suggested additional parameters for further refining search terms or guiding user navigation of the database. The facets and facet values are defined by a computer network community of users over time and through use of the network community portal. Another embodiment is an advertising engine that displays targeted advertisements to the user based on refined search. Another embodiment is a method that utilizes refined search to help the user with navigation of a site (e.g., website or other computer network site) as a component of a GUI.

Methods and systems for using community defined facets or facet values in computer networks

A computer method and system for ranking computer network portal users is provided. The system and method comprise a ranking module which determines rank of an individual in a community of global computer network users. The ranking module determines rank of an individual as a function of user demand. The function of user demand includes any one or combination of number of requests to be connected to the individual user, readership following of the individual user and keywords common between profiles or authored works by the individual user and those of other users. An output member is coupled to receive the determined rank from the ranking module and generates an ordered list of user names ordered by determined rank of individuals. The rank of individuals may be provided to external entities such as fraud detection systems or advertising targeting engines.

Computer method and system for target advertising based on user rank in a computer network

Computer method and system for recommending content in a computer network

Computer method and system for detecting and monitoring negative behavior in a computer network

Computer method and system for determining expert-users in a computer network

Computer method and system for ranking users in a network community of users

A database search method and system utilize user community defined facets and facet values for refining searches. The system provides access to a database having a plurality of records in respective categories of information. Each record has one or more facets to the respective category of information. The system enables user input of a search term formed of a first parameter indicative of at least one category of information of the database. In response to the user input, the invention system displays (a) a set of search results, including records from the database of the at least one category of information, and (b) a listing of facets and/or facet values of the records in the search results. The listing of facets and/or facet values serve as suggested additional parameters for further refining the search terms or guiding user navigation of the database. In response to user selection of a facet value from the listing, the system refines the search term resulting in a refined search term formed of the first parameter plus the user selected facet and/or facet value. A search of the database is rerun using the refined search term. The facets and facet values are defined by a computer network community of users over time and through use of the network community portal. Another embodiment is an advertising engine that displays targeted advertisements to the user based on refined search. Another embodiment is a method that utilizes refined search to help the user with navigation of a site (e.g., website or other computer network site) as a component of a GUI.

An application program interface (API), enables web development tools to interact directly with a hyperlink database subsystem. Tool developers use this API to design functionality that enables affiliates to log on to the hyperlink database system and generate merchant links. In response to requests from vendors' tools, the invention API uses the XML format to deliver requested hyperlink generation information. The requests are encrypted for users' privacy. The returned hyperlink generation information includes lists of merchants, lists of hyperlinks to the merchants web sites, the HTML code supporting the hyperlinks, and graphics for the links. Users implement hyperlinks by selecting among the choices returned in the response to the request and graphically placing (i.e., by drag and drop interaction) the resulting hyperlinks on subject web pages in a simple, error-free manner.

Method and apparatus for generating website links

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

John L Mihalik