Customized interaction with computer network resources
OwnerToby Moores, Mark Hiltoninventors
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Abstract
A user describes himself or his interests by selecting at least one of a predetermined set of profiles, which reflect human characteristics. The selected profile(s) can be used when interacting over a communication network (e.g. the Internet) (7) to facilitate being directed to appropriate remote information or to appropriate other users. Information about the activities of many users, such as information about Internet usage, can be gathered by a central server (19) and collated to compile statistical information in relation to their respective selected profile(s).
Claims20
A method of a user accessing remote computing resources and of updating a profile relating to the resources, the method including:
- selecting and receiving at least one profile from a plurality of predetermined anonymous profiles stored in a central database remote from the user, each profile being associated with at least one of a predefined set of remote computing resources and comprising means for enhanced interaction with the predefined and other resources, the predefined set of resources including at least one resource which has been determined by a control server;
- selecting one of the predefined resources associated with at least one of the selected profiles;
- and
- establishing communication with the selected resource for interaction with the same;
- wherein the method further comprises:
- modifying the interaction of the user with the predefined resource or any other resource using the enhanced interaction means;
- receiving at the control server data relating to the user's use of the selected profile;
- and
- updating the corresponding profile in the central database using the received data in combination with profile use data received from previous users of the same profile.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the selecting and receiving step comprises presenting, for each of said predetermined profiles, a respective icon, suggestive of at least one characteristic of the profile.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises storing a record of at least one property of the selected resource and of the at least one selected profile and collating, at the control server, an accumulated plurality of said records to obtain profile characterisation information characterising at least one correlation between said selected profiles and said properties of the accessed resources.
A method of managing a plurality of predefined profiles, the method comprising:
- storing in a first database, for each of the profiles, respective sets of data associated with the profiles, the respective sets of data defining one or more resources associated with the profiles;
- receiving over a communication network and storing in a second database information characterising actions performed by a plurality of users at times when those users have selected one or more of the profiles;
- collating the information in the second database to determine the statistical behaviour of the plurality of users who selected each profile;
- and
- updating the data associated with each profile, based on the results of the collating step, thereby modifying the set of resources associated with the profiles.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein each said profile is associated with at least one human characteristic.
A computer program product storing program instructions readable by a computer device to cause the computing apparatus to be operable to perform a method according to any preceding claim.
A control apparatus for connection to a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
- a first database storing for each of a plurality of profiles a respective set of data associated with the profiles, each set of data defining a set of one or more resources associated with the profiles;
- a second database for storing information received from the communication network, characterising actions performed by a plurality of users at times when a respective plurality of those users have selected each of the profiles;
- and
- a processor for collating the information in the second database to determine the statistical behaviour of the plurality of users who selected each profile, and based on the results of the collation updating the data associated with each profile, whereby the processor modifies the set of resources associated with the profile.
A system for assisting a user in accessing remote computing resources and for updating a profile relating to the resources, the system comprising:
- a store comprising a predetermined set of remote computing resources;
- a control server for determining at least one of the resources of the predetermined set;
- a central database operable with the control server, the central database comprising a plurality of predetermined anonymous profiles, each profile being associated with at least one of the predetermined set of remote computing resources and comprising means for enhanced interaction with the predefined and other resources;
- a user computing device remote from the central database, the user computing device being arranged to select and receive at least one profile from the plurality of predetermined profiles and to select one of the predefined resources associated with the at least one selected profile;
- communication means for establishing communication between the user computing device and the selected resource;
- and
- processing means for modifying the interaction of the user with the predefined resource, or any other resource, using the enhanced interaction means;
- wherein the control server comprises:
- input means for receiving data relating to the user's use of the selected profile;
- and
- profile management means for updating the corresponding profile in the central database using the received data in combination with profile use data received from previous users of the same profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.