WO2001052111A2

WO2001052111A2 - System and method for internet broadcast searching

Info

Publication number: WO2001052111A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/001096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Valenti
Original assignee: Interlink Network Resources, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-01-13
Filing date: 2001-01-12
Publication date: 2001-07-19
Also published as: AU2001229424A1; US7000007B1; WO2001052111A3; CA2389619A1; EP1397758A2

Abstract

An Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm (IBSP) is disclosed, which causes a search for information on the world wide web to be distributed to all webside computers on a network. The IBSP three basic embodiments: a direct broadcast server, a broadcast server, and a firewall server embodiment. However, other combinations are also possible. The IBSP direct broadcast involves a client (end user) computer (22, 24, 26, 28), a website computer (10, 12, 14, 16), and an IBSP server computer (18). Each individual user conducts any desired search. In addition, website computers are present and are those computers which typically host and serve a website to the public. In general, there will be a single IBSP server computer (18), although this is not meant as a limitation. In order to speed up the system and to accomplish load balancing, multiple IBSP server computers may be present in the system, although they are not necessarily required.

Description

Title: System and Method for Internet Broadcast Searching

Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to searching on the World Wide Web. In this usage the World Wide Web is meant to include all Internets and all Intranets, i.e. all computer networks, interconnected or not. More particularly, the present invention comprises a search paradigm implemented in hardware and software which distributes the search for information on the world wide web to all website computers which then search their own databases for elements of the requested search. In this usage websites or website computers are meant to include all network computers which provide or are servers of information, regardless of protocol.

Background of the Invention Internet searching is now the subject of much activity as well as research. Search engines for both general and specific purposes abound. For example, search engines from such websites as Yahoo.com, Excite.com, Lycos.com, Northernlight.com, all attempt to build an index of the world wide web by accumulating website information in a centralized database on a centralized computer system. Thus, any of these systems involves literally indexing tens of millions of pages of information in order to allow a search against that information be accomplished. Thus, when a user desires to find specific information, the selected search engine must search its centralized index database. Further, the centralized database must continue to update its database of web pages or other computerized information in order to be current and accurate in the searching that is performed. Obviously this inefficiency results in a difficult and computationally expensive task. Because of the structure of the centralized indexed database, search engines are relatively static and do not receive instantaneous updates of information on individual websites as those websites change. In addition, as new websites become active on the Internet or as websites become inactive, search engines do not necessarily pick up this fact leading to the reporting of results for websites that may no longer be present on the web and missing the results from new websites. Search engines also will never be able to contain all information from all websites. This necessarily leads to searches which are not complete and result in missed websites and information. Finally, certain search engines can be manipulated to deliver preferred websites. Thus, an individual user searching the web may not receive the best websites results but will receive results from websites which the particular search engine prefers. Enhancement of the web surfing process has been the subject of invention. For example, Patent #5,761 ,663 to Lagarde et al was issued for a "Method for Distributed Task Fulfillment of Web Browser requests." This invention causes requests from a browser to be made to web servers on a network which receive and fulfill requests as an agent of the browser client. Thus, either individuals searching by agents must take place or, databases again exist which must be searched and which would potentially suffer from the same problems as described above. Patent #5,974,409 to Sanu et al was issued for a "System and Method for Locating Information in an Online Network." This particular system operates as an extension of a computer's operating system and not as a separate browser. Again, multiple servers search different services in order to obtain information on what is stored in the various services. Patent #5,974,441 to Rogers et al was issued for a "WWW Client Server Interactive System Method with Java." This patent makes requests to web servers on a network which receive and fulfill requests as an agent of the browser client. It organizes distributed sub agents in a series of servers which then conduct searching. Thus, a distributed network of servers conduct additional searches returning the results to the client. Other systems such as Patent #6,055,526 to Ambroziak ("A Data Indexing Technique"), Patent #5,995,959 to Friedman et al ("Method and System for Network Information Access"), Patent #5,920,856 to Syeda-Mahmood ("System for Selecting Multi-Media Databases Over Networks"), and Patent #4,914,571 to Baratz et al ("Locating Resources in Computer Networks"), all rely upon obtaining information or META-information about data that is stored in a network and searching that information. All of these techniques also suffer from the issue of currency. That is, is all the information that is being searched all of the information that is available to be searched? In all cases the answer is no. What would be truly useiul is a system and method for searching the entire content of the ever changing World Wide Web in its current state (i.e. the state at the time and date of the searching) in the shortest time possible. Such a system would be able to search not an index of pages, but the pages themselves returning results based upon what actually exists and not based upon a summary of what actually exists.

Summary of the Invention It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a more efficient method of searching information on the World Wide Web. It is yet another objective of the present invention to return results of a world wide web search to a user which are current and not the result of stored information about the information on the web. It is yet another objective of the present invention to search for information on the web that is accurate as of the moment of the search. It is yet another objective of the present invention to conduct searching without the need to update any centralized database of information. It is a further objective of the present invention to conduct simultaneous searching of all information from all websites on the World Wide Web. It is yet another objective of the present invention to treat all search requests equally, that is without regard to delivering preferred websites. It is a further objective of the present invention to allow each search request to instantaneously account for changes in information at each website. It is a further objective of the present invention to allow searches to account for the activation and deactivation of websites. It is still another objective of the present invention to allow multiple website computers to search information on their own websites. It is another objective of the present invention to perform World Wide Web searches in the minimum theoretical time possible. It is still a further objective of the present invention to allow a search to generate subsequent searches by website computers, each website computer being responsible for the most current information on its own website. These and other objectives of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the specification that follows. The present invention comprises an Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm (IBSP) which causes a search for information on the world wide web to be distributed to all website computers The IBSP generally comprises three different embodiments: a direct broadcast, a broadcast server, and a firewall server embodiment. However, other combinations, as described later, are also possible. The IBSP direct broadcast process involves a client (and user) computer, a website computer, and an IBSP server computer. Obviously there are many client computers which utilize the system. Each of these computers would be, for example and without limitation, a PC owned by an individual. Each individual would conduct any desired search. In addition, website computers are present and are those computers which typically host and serve a website to the public. In general, there will be a single IBSP server computer although this is not meant as a limitation. In order to speed up the system and to accomplish load balancing, multiple IBSP server computers may be present in the system, although they are not necessarily required. Each of the three computer types contains a different IBSP computer program which interacts with the other programs of the system. For example: website computers contain an IBSP website computer program which permits multi-level categorization of the website's content by the web master. An example of such categorization is the language used at the website, general website contents such as health, government, entertainment, sports, etc. FurtherOther categorization of the website content can also be performedcreated by the IBSP website computer program. Thus, for example, the category of "education" may have multiple sublevels for elementary school, college, language, and other categories. Regardless, the set of all possible categorizations which may be assigned to a website is the finite set available through the IBSP website computer program. The IBSP website computer program transmits the categorization information and the website's internet address, i.e. its fully qualified domain name and/or its IP address from the website to the IBSP server computer at the initialization of the website computer and at various times thereafter. Further, the IBSP website computer program receives and processes requests for information, such as search queries, from the client computers. If the website has the requested information, it sends that information to the client computer. The IBSP server computer contains an IBSP server computer program which receives and stores in a data file the IP address and the website categorization information received from all of the website computers. In this usage, IP address, means either a computer's IP address, and/or its fully qualified domain name, or some other unique computer network address identifier. Further, the IBSP server computer program transmits the data file containing the IP address and the website categorization characterization of all website computers to client computers upon request. Client computers contain an IBSP client computer program which acquires the data file containing the IP address and website categorization information of all website computers from the IBSP computer . This occurs upon installation, periodically thereafter and when requested by the client. The client computer accepts queries (search requests) from the user of the client computer for distribution over the World Wide Web. The client computer software permits users to categorize each query with the multi level website categorization information. The query can then be transmitted by the client to all websites that have the same multi level categorization as the query. Finally, the client IBSP software receives and displays responses from websites that contain the requested information relating to the query. When the IBSP website computer program is installed on each and every website, all websites will respond to search requests from the IBSP client software, thereby conducting simultaneously searches on virtually every website computer on the World Wide Web. Any such IBSP search examines the information on every website as it exists at the moment of the search. Thus, all information is current. The system accounts for not only the existing information on websites, but also accounts for the fact that certain websites have become active or inactive. In the case of inactive websites , information is not returned. Conversely, the IBSP search process can instantaneously account for the activation of new websites because website information is transmitted to the IBSP server computer at website startup and this information can be acquired by clients on demand. Since each website performs a search of its own database in response to the client query, information that is returned to a client is both current and complete. It is important to note that the website query categorization actions are not required in order to perform an IBSP search. Such categorization is used to minimize the bandwidth required to perform a search in that categorization maximizes the search efficiency. If website categorization is not utilized however, queries are transmitted to all websites instead of to an appropriate subset of websites that are most likely to have the desired information. As such, categorization reduces the query process and the burden on all of the individual websites of the World Wide Web as well as the transmission burden of sending the message to all websites simultaneously. In the broadcast server embodiment of the present invention, the burden of the client transmitting queries to many websites is removed by transferring that responsibility to a broadcast server. In the IBSP broadcast server embodiment, four types of inter- networked computers are present: a client or end user computer, web site computers, the IBSP server computer, and broadcast server computers. Naturally there are many client, website, and potentially numerous broadcast server computers. Only one IBSP server computer is required again, although this is not meant as a limitation. Each of these computer types requires a different IBSP computer program. All IBSP programs interact with the other programs to achieve the desired search. Website computers in the IBSP broadcast server process contain the same IBSP website computer program noted above. Thus, the website can choose create its own categorization from available possibilities, transmit its IP address and categorization information characterization to the IBSP server, receive and process client queries, in this case, via the broadcast server computer, and send information to the client computer. The IBSP server computer contains the same IBSP server computer program first noted above. Thus, the same program actions are conducted such as, receiving and storing the IP address as well as the website categorization from all website computers, transmitting the data file containing the IP address and website categorization, in this case, to IBSP broadcast server computers upon request. Client computers contain an IBSP client computer program which performs the following functions: the program accepts queries from the user of the client computer for searching on the World Wide Web, permits the user of the client computer to categorize each query with multi level cate orization of information from the various websites, transmit the client IP address, t e query, and the categorization information to a IBSP broadcast server, and receive and display responses from websites that contain requested information. The IBSP broadcast server computer contains an IBSP broadcast server computer program which performs the following functions: it acquires the data file containing the IP address and website categorization information of all website computers by making requests to the IBSP server computer upon software installation, periodically thereafter, and on demand. In addition, the broadcast server receives queries, categorization information, and the client's IP address from the clients , in order to execute the search desired by the clients. Finally, the broadcast server transmits each query and the requesting client's IP address to all websites that have the same multi level characterization as the query, or in the alternative, simply broadcast the search to all websites where categorization information is not available. This broadcast server process embodiment of the present invention is more efficient since the bandwidth required to transmit the data file containing the IP address and the website categorization information of all website computers is reduced by simply transmitting that information to fewer broadcast server computers. Thus, the need to transmit such information to each potential client is eliminated. Further, the broadcast server process transfers the burden of transmitting queries to many websites from the client to the broadcast server. Thus, many clients are no longer broadcasting search requests, but a smaller subset of broadcast server computers are performing this task. In some instances, client computers will be connected to the World Wide Web via a firewall computer. In this usage a firewall computer is meant to include any computer that acts as an interface between networks, e.g. between the client's network and another internet containing websites. This is particularly the case in organizations where many computers are present but only limited one-access to the Internet is permitted. Thus individual client computers may not have unique Internet IP addresses. In general, a unique IP address is necessary in order to transmit responses from a website independently directly to a particular client. However, in general, most individual clients within an organization have a unique address, at least within the organization. Thus by placing the broadcast server program on a firewall computer, thereby creating a firewall server and by directing website responses to client queries first to the firewall server, the firewall server will then forward any response to the correct client. In the IBSP firewall server process, four types of Internet work computers are present: client or end user computers, website computers, the IBSP server computer, and firewall server computers. Again, there are many client, website, and firewall server computers but there need only be one IBSP server computer, although this is not meant as a limitation. Each computer type contains a different IBSP computer program and each program interacts with the other programs as described below. Website computers of the IBSP firewall server process contain the same IBSP website computer program noted above. The functions of the website computer are again to permit categorization of the websites content, to transmit the unique IP address of the website and the categorization information to the IBSP server computer, receiving and processing client requests for information which, in this case, are forwarded by firewall computers and, if the requested information is present, sending that information and the Client's IP address back to the firewall server computer for forwarding to the client. The IBSP server computer in the firewall server process also contains the same IBSP server computer program first noted above. The IBSP server computer in the firewall server process receives and stores in a data file the IP address and the website categorization from all website computers. Further, the IBSP server transmits the data file containing the IP address and website categorization information of all website computers to the firewall server computers upon request. Client computers contain an IBSP client computer program similar to that described above. The IBSP client computer program and the firewall server process accepts queries from the user of the client computer, permits the user of the client computer to categorize each query within a multi level categorization scheme, transmits the client IP address, the query, and the categorization information, in this case, to a firewall server, and receives and displays website responses transmitted from websites and which are forwarded by the firewall server computer. The firewall server computer contains an IBSP firewall server computer program which performs the following functions: it acquires the data file that contains the IP address and website categorization information of all website computers by requesting such information from the IBSP server computer. This request occurs at software installation and periodically thereafter. The firewall server computer also receives the client's IP address, queries and categorization information from a client computer. The firewall server computer also forwards each client query, the-and client IP address, and the firewall server computer's IP address to all websites that have the same level categorization as noted by the client. In the event that the client does not possess such categorization information, the firewall server computer submits the query to all websites. The firewall server computer also receives responses to a client query and the requesting client IP address from website computers and forwards those website responses to the client within the organization. Thus the firewall server process permits clients isolated from a computer network by a firewall server, who do not possess unique IP address, to perform an IBSP Internet wide search. In each of the alternative embodiments noted above, the same general function is performed, that is a simultaneous search of all websites on the World Wide Web. The system and method of the present invention will be more fully understood by a review of the detailed description of the invention that follows.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 illustrates the architecture and communications flow of the IBSP direct broadcast process. Figure 2 illustrates the architecture and communications flow of the IBSP broadcast server process. Figure 3 illustrates the architecture and communications flow of the IBSP firewall server process.

Detailed Description of the Invention As noted above, the present invention is a system and method for searching instantaneously for information on the World Wide Web. Using the architecture as noted below, a client can simultaneously search every website on the World Wide Web, hereby allowing for complete research to be accomplished. Referring to Figure 1, the architecture and communications flow of the IBSP direct broadcast process is illustrated. Websites 10, 12, 14, and 16 all comprise servers of the type known in the art for managing websites. IBSP software on the websites categorize the information that is stored on the website and transmits their individual IP addresses and categorization information to the IBSP server 18. This results in a data file 20 on the IBSP server 18 which comprises the IP address and category information for the various websites 10, 12, 14, and 16. It should be noted that, while four websites are shown, in this figure and in remaining figures, this is not meant as a limitation in this embodiment or the remaining embodiments. It is intended that eventually all websites will have the IBSP software resonant on the website, therefore thousands of websites would be represented. Similarly, the IBSP server 18 is a conventional type server using Windows NT or the like, and having storage for storage of the data file 20. The IP addresses and category information in the data file 20 are made available to clients 22, 24, 26, and 28 each of which clients have IBSP client software on them. It should be noted that, while four clients are shown, in this figure and in remaining figures, this is not meant as a limitation in this embodiment or the remaining embodiments. Queries are categorized by the client and sent with the client IP address to websites with the same categorization as the query. If the category information is not available, the query and client IP address are simply broadcast to all the web servers 10, 12, 14, and 16. When a web server receives such a request, its searches itself and determines if any information responsive to the search request is available. In this illustration, web server 10 and 12 have information that is responsive to a search query posed by client 24. In that instance, information is returned to the client. Referring to Figure 2, the IBSP broadcast server process architecture and communications flow is illustrated. Again, servers 10, 12, 14, and 16 each contain IBSP website software which categorizes the information on each website and transmits it along with the individual website IP addresses to the IBSP server 18. From this information the IBSP server 18 creates a data file 20 which comprises the individual IP addresses and categorization information for the websites 10, 12, 14 and 16. IP address and categorization information in data file 20 is transmitted in this case to IBSP broadcast server 30 where that information is stored. It should be noted that, while one IBSP broadcast server is shown this is not meant as a limitation. -Clients 22, 24, 26, and 28 can create queries to go over the World Wide Web. These queries are categorized and, in this instance, proceed with the client IP address to the IBSP broadcast server 30. IBSP broadcast server 30 uses any query category information available to transmit the query and Client IP address to websites with the same categorization or if no category information is available transmits the request to all websites on the World Wide Web 10, 12, 14, and 16. In the event that any particular website has information responsive to the query, such information is reported back to the client that has made the query. In this illustration, website 10 and 12 each have information that is responsive to the query. That information is returned to client 24, which is the client that created the query first sent to the IBSP broadcast server 30. Referring to Figure 3, the architecture and communications flow of the firewall server process is illustrated. Once again, software that is resident on individual website computers 10, 12, 14, and 16 categorize the information in the website and transmit that categorization along with the website's individual IP addresses to IBSP server 18. IBSP server 18 creates the data file 20 comprising the IP address and category information of the websites 10, 12, 14, and 16. That IP address and category information is provided, in this case, to an IBSP firewall server 32. Firewall server 32 receives queries and client IP addresses from clients 22, 24, 26, and 28 along with any category information. IBSP firewall server 32 then provides that categorized query, the client IP address, and the and firewall server IP address to websites with the same categorization or if no category information is available transmits the request to all websites on the World Wide Web 10, 12, 14, and 16. Any websites that have information that is responsive to the queries provide that information and the requesting client IP address back to the IBSP firewall server 32. In this instance, web server 10, and 12 have information responsive to the query from the client. The IBSP firewall server 32 then transmits that information to the appropriate client 24 that posed the initial query. Note that, during all Internet Protocol communication, the computer initiating a transmission always transmits its own IP address, along with any other information, to the computer receiving the transmission. Additionally note that computers with information other than web sites can utilize and participate in the Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm (IBSP). Any computer with any information available to other computers can utilize the IBSP. These computers can reside either on an internal Intranet, a private Internet, or the global Internet. Using the system of the present invention, any IBSP broadcast search instantaneously accounts for any changes in information at any website. Further, an IBSP search instantaneously accounts for any activation or deactivation of websites on the World Wide Web, returning information only from those web sites that are still active. Using the system and method of rf-the present invention, all websites are searched simultaneously and, as the number of websites increase, the searching increases along with the increase in the number of websites. Furthermore, the search occurs in the minimum theoretical time. Additional embodiments within the scope of the invention are also possible. Less efficient hybrid processes exist that performs the same overall function as the Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm (IBSP). A first hybrid process is a combination of the direct broadcast process and the broadcast server process. This direct broadcast/broadcast server hybrid process is the same as the broadcast server process except that the data file with IP address and site category information is transmitted from the IBSP server to all the client computers instead of to the IBSP broadcast server. The client then transmits the IP addresses of sites that will be queried along with its own IP address and the query to the IBSP broadcast server. A second hybrid process is a combination of the direct broadcast process and the firewall server process. This direct broadcast/firewall server hybrid process is the same as the firewall server process except that the data file with IP address and site category information is transmitted from the IBSP server through the firewall server to all the client computers instead of only to the IBSP firewall server. The client then transmits the IP addresses of sites that will be queried along with its own IP address and the query to the IBSP firewall server. Although disclosed as separate computers with separate functions, it is also contemplated that any single computer could perform one or more of the functions described herein and that the function(s) of any computer described herein could also be separated into subfunctions and these subfunctions could be performed individually or in groups by multiple computers. A system and method for an Internet Broadcast Search Paradigm has now been illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed.

Claims

I Claim: 1. A method of searching a network of interconnected computers and servers comprising: categorizing information stored on a plurality of information servers connected to a network to form categorization information; collecting and storing the categorization information and network addresses of the information servers on a plurality of IBSP servers; transmitting the categorization information and network addresses of the plurality of information servers from an IBSP server to user nodes, broadcast server nodes, or firewall server nodes over the network; accepting a query on a user node connected to the network; transmitting the query from the user node directly to a plurality of information servers or to a broadcast server or a firewall server over the network; the broadcast server or firewall server receiving and transmitting the user node query to the plurality of information servers; the information servers searching themselves for information responsive to the user node query; and each of the plurality of information servers transmitting information responsive to the user node query to the user node or the firewall server for forwarding to the user node when responsive information if found.

2. The method of searching a network of interconnected computers and servers of claim 1 further comprising: the user node categorizing each user node query according to the categorization information prior to transmitting the user node query.

3. The method of searching a network of interconnected computers and servers of claim 1, wherein the categorized information and network addresses comprise information selected from the group consisting of website language, general contents, domain name, and IP address.

4. The method of searchin; ; a network of interconnected computers and servers of claim 1 , wherein the user node ; s connected to the network via a firewall node connected to the network.

5. A system for searching a network of interconnected computers and servers comprising: a plurality of information servers connected over a network, each comprising instructions for categorizing information resident on the information servers to form categorization information and for transmitting their network address and categorization information to an IBSP server; the IBSP server connected to the network and comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and categorization information from the information servers and for transmitting same to a plurality of user nodes connected to the IBSP server over the network; the plurality of user nodes each comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and categorization information of the information servers from the IBSP server and for accepting and categorizing user queries based upon information server categorization information; the plurality of user nodes further comprising instructions for transmitting the user nodes' network address and the categorized queries to the plurality of information servers with the same categorization as the query; and the information servers further comprising instructions for searching themselves for information responsive to the categorized queries from the user nodes and retuning information responsive to the categorized queries to the user nodes transmitting the categorized queries.

6. A system for searching a network of interconnected computers and servers comprising: a plurality of information servers connected over a network, each comprising instructions for categorizing information resident on the information servers to form categorization information and for transmitting their network address and categorization information to an IBSP server; the IBSP server connected to the network and comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and categorization information from the information servers and for transmitting same to a plurality of broadcast server nodes; a plurality of user nodes each comprising instructions for accepting and categorizing user queries based upon the information server categorization information; the plurality of user nodes further comprising instructions for transmitting the user node's network address and the categorized queries to a broadcast server over the network; a plurality of broadcast servers each comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and the categorization information of the information servers from the IBSP server; the broadcast server further comprising instructions for receiving the user nodes' network addresses and the categorized queries from the plurality of user nodes and for transmitting same to the plurality of information servers; and the information servers further comprising instructions for searching themselves for information responsive to the categorized queries from the user nodes and retuning information responsive to the categorized queries to the user nodes transmitting the categorized queries.

7. A system for searching a network of interconnected computers and servers comprising: a plurality of information servers connected over a network, each comprising instructions for categorizing information resident on the information servers to form categorization information and for transmitting their network address and categorization information to an IBSP server; the IBSP server, connected to the network, comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and categorization information from the information servers and for transmitting same to a plurality of firewall server nodes; a plurality of user nodes comprising instructions for accepting and categorizing user queries based upon the information server categorization; the plurality of user nodes further comprising instructions for transmitting the user node's network address and the categorized queries to a firewall server over the network; a plurality of firewall servers each comprising instructions for receiving the network addresses and the categorization information of the information servers from the IBSP server; the firewall servers further comprising instructions for receiving the user node's network addresses and categorized the queries from a plurality of user nodes; the firewall servers further comprising instructions for transmitting the firewall node's network address, the user node addresses, and the categorized queries to the plurality of information servers; and the information servers further comprising instructions for searching themselves for information responsive to the categorized queries from the user nodes and retuning information responsive to the categorized queries to the firewall server for forwarding to the user nodes transmitting the categorized queries.

8. The method of searching a network of interconnected computers and servers of claim 1 , wherein any single computer performs more than one function.

9. The method of searching a network of interconnected computers and servers of claim 1 , wherein a function of any of said computers is separated into subfunctions and these subfunctions are performed individually or in groups by multiple computers.

10. The system for searching a network of interconnected computers and servers as in any one of claims 5-7, wherein said system is configured so any single computer can perform more than one function.

11. The system for searching a network of interconnected computers and servers as in any one of claims 5-7, wherein said system is configured so a function of any of said computers is separated into subfunctions and these subfunctions are performed individually or in groups by multiple computers.