System for adjusting hypertext links with weighed user goals and activities

A method for operating a computer-implemented object-oriented hypertext system having a plurality of link profiles each associated with a specific set of one or more users and containing a plurality of link vectors each containing a plurality of numerical link-weights, each said link-weight representing an associated user activity relationship between one of a plurality of data objects and another one of said plurality of data objects, said plurality of data objects including text panel objects and user goal objects, said system also having display means for displaying images and text, keyboard means for accepting user commands, and at least one memory means for storing said data objects and link profiles, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a first link profile having a first link vector corresponding to a first data object, wherein said first data object is either a text panel object or a user goal object;
• (b) displaying at least part of said first data object on said display means responsive to said keyboard means;
• (c) comparing the link-weights within said first link vector to find a maximum link-weight value;
• and
• (d) displaying on said display means at least part of a second data object corresponding to said maximum-valued link-weight, wherein said second data object is a text panel object.

A method for operating a computer-implemented object-oriented hypertext system having a plurality of link profiles each associated with a specific set of one or more users and containing a plurality of link vectors each containing a plurality of numerical link-weights, each said link-weight representing an associated user activity relationship between one of a plurality of data objects and another one of said plurality of data objects, said plurality of data objects including text panel objects and user goal objects, said system also having display means for displaying images and text, keyboard means for accepting user commands, clock means for indicating elapsed time, and at least one memory means for storing said data objects and link profiles, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a first link profile having a first link vector corresponding to a first data object and a second link vector corresponding to a second data object, wherein said first data object is either a text panel object or a user goal object and said second data object is a text panel object;
• (b) displaying at least part of said first data object on said display means;
• (c) displaying at least part of said second data object on said display means responsive to user activity at said keyboard means;
• (d) recording a start time from said clock means to begin measurement of an elapsed time interval;
• (e) monitoring for a predetermined event signaling that said elapsed time interval should end;
• (f) recording a stop time from said clock means to complete said measurement of said elapsed time interval;
• (g) computing a view time for said second data object by subtracting said start time from said stop time;
• (h) calculating a new link-weight value representing said associated user activity relationship between said first data object and said second data object, said new link-weight value being at least partly proportional to said view time;
• and
• (i) storing said new link-weight value in said first link profile in said memory means.

A combination for use with a computer-implemented hypertext system, said combination including display means for displaying images and text and a program medium for storing program and data objects and structures comprising:

• a program object structure stored in said program medium, said program object structure including a plurality of program objects including:
• a program object for controlling said hypertext system including a plurality of link profiles each associated with a specific set of one or more users, each said link profile containing a plurality of link vectors each containing a plurality of numerical link-weights, each said link-weight representing an associated user activity relationship between one of a first plurality of said data objects and another one of said first plurality of data objects, said first plurality of data objects including text panel objects and user goal objects;
• a display program object for controlling the display of images and text on said display means;
• a program object for controlling a clock means for indicating elapsed time;
• a program object for controlling a selection of a first link profile having a first link vector corresponding to a first data object and a second link vector corresponding to a second data object, wherein said first data object is either a text panel object or a user goal object and said second data object is a text panel object;
• and
• a plurality of said program objects including an object for displaying at least part of said first data object on said display means, an object for displaying at least part of said second data object on said display means responsive to user activity at said keyboard means, an object for recording a start time from said clock means to begin measurement of an elapsed time interval, an object for monitoring for a predetermined event signaling that said elapsed time interval should end, an object for recording a stop time from said clock means to complete said measurement of said elapsed time interval, an object for computing a view time for said second data object by subtracting said start time from said stop time, an object for calculating a new link-weight value representing said associated user activity relationship between said first data object and said second data object, wherein said new link-weight value is at least partly proportional to said view time, and an object for controlling the storing of said new link-weight value in said first link profile data object.