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Personal feedback browser for obtaining media files    

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United States Patent5890152   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/5890152.html
Inventor(s)Rapaport; Jeffrey Alan (Sunnyvale, CA); Rapaport; Seymour Alvin (Los Altos, CA)
AbstractA Personal Feedback browser and Personal Profile database is provided for obtaining media files from the internet. A Personal Feedback browser selects media files based on user-specified information stored in the Personal Profile database. The Personal Profile database includes Profile Objects which represent the interests, attitude/aptitude, reading comprehension and tastes of a user. Profile Objects are bundles of key words/key phrases having assigned weight values. Profile Objects can be positioned a specified distance from a Self Object. The distance from the Profile Object to the Self Object represents the effect the Profile Object has in filtering and/or selecting media files for that user. The Personal Feedback browser includes a media evaluation software program for evaluating media files based on a personal profile database. The Personal Profile database is also adjusted based upon user selection and absorption of media files. A sound-to-text software program is provided for translating a sound file to a text file.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 5890152
Personal feedback browser for obtaining media files - US Patent 5890152 Drawing
Personal feedback browser for obtaining media files
Inventor     Rapaport; Jeffrey Alan (Sunnyvale, CA); Rapaport; Seymour Alvin (Los Altos, CA)
Owner/Assignee     Rapaport; Seymour Alvin (Los Altos, CA) Rapaport; Jeffrey Alan (Sunnyvale, CA) Rapaport; Linda (Los Altos, CA)
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Publication Date     March 30, 1999
Application Number     08/709,762
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
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Filing Date     September 9, 1996
US Classification    
Int'l Classification    
Examiner     Breene; John E.
Assistant Examiner    
Attorney/Law Firm     Fliesler, Dubb, Meyer & Lovejoy
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Patent Tags     personal feedback browser obtaining media files
   
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5696965
Dedrick

Dec,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5696885
Hekmatpour

Dec,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5694594
Chang
707/6
Dec,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5694459
Backaus
379/127.01
Dec,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5657461
Harkins
715/733
Aug,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5600781
Root
715/745
Feb,1997

[0 after 0 votes]
5564043
Siefert
707/103R
Oct,1996

[0 after 0 votes]
5530852
Meske, Jr.
709/206
Jun,1996

[0 after 0 votes]
5428778
Brookes
707/5
Jun,1995

[0 after 0 votes]
5263167
Conner, Jr.
707/4
Nov,1993

[0 after 0 votes]
4595990
Garwin
708/141
Jun,1986

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5483278
Strubbe
725/61
Dec,1969

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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
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What is claimed is:

1. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

a profile builder software program for obtaining and storing personal profile data in the personal profile database; and,

wherein the profile builder software program uses of at least one question to adjust at least one parameter value in a profile object.

2. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

a media evaluation software program for evaluating the media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the media evaluation software program includes:

a sound file to text file software program for translating a sound file into a text file.

3. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

a media evaluation software program for evaluating the media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the media evaluation software program includes;

a sound file to text file software program for translating a sound file into a text file, wherein the sound file includes a sound utterance which is translated into a key word.

4. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer:

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database:

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

a media evaluation software program for evaluating the media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database: and,

(f) wherein the media evaluation software program includes;

a sound file to text file software program for translating a sound file into a text file;

(g) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file.

5. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file; and,

wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on a media progression rate value.

6. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file; and,

wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on a media progression rate value; and

(f) a biometric device, coupled to the processor, for adjusting the media progression rate value.

7. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

a profile builder software program for obtaining and storing personal profile data in the personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the profile builder software program includes:

a software program for providing a profile object and a self object, wherein a profile object's distance from a self object is adjustable by a user.

8. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the

means for presenting based on the personal profile database: and, wherein the personal profile database includes an identity/interest profile object which has at least one key word with an assigned weight value.

9. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user:

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input:

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database; and,

wherein the personal profile database includes a hero profile object which has at least one key word with an assigned weight value.

10. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database; and,

wherein the personal profile database includes a descriptor profile object which has at least one key word with an assigned weight value.

11. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database; and,

(e) wherein the personal profile database includes an attitude/aptitude profile object which has at least one key word with an assigned weight value.

12. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying inout data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

a profile builder software program for obtaining and storing personal profile data in the personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the profile builder further includes:

a software program for determining a text media comprehension parameter for a user.

13. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

a media evaluation software program for evaluating the media file obtained from the computer based upon the Personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the media evaluation software program includes:

a software program for extracting positive and negative assigned key words from 1) a user's personal profile database and 2) a media file in order to create a corresponding media file index value.

14. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database:

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

a media evaluation software program for evaluating the media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database;

(f) wherein the media evaluation software program includes:

a software program for obtaining a text comprehension parameter for the media file;

a software program for obtaining a text comprehension parameter for a user; and,

a software program for obtaining a comprehension index value based on the media file's text comprehension parameter and the user's text comprehension parameter.

15. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database; and,

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

a mark-up software program for differentiating sections of a media file in response to summing a plurality of key words assigned values in the media file.

16. An article of manufacture, including computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for obtaining a media file from a computer, comprising:

(a) computer-readable program code means for building a personal profile database responsive to a users input;

(b) computer-readable program code means for evaluating a media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database;

(c) computer-readable program code means for adjusting the personal profile database responsive to a user selection of the media file; and,

(d) computer-readable program code means for adjusting the personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable program code means for building a personal profile database includes:

(a) computer-readable program code means for providing a profile object and a self object; and,

(b) computer-readable program code means for adjusting a parameter in a profile object in response to a user's positioning of a profile object relative to the self object.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable program code means further includes:

(a) computer-readable program code means for determine a text media comprehension parameter for the user.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable program code means for evaluating a media file includes:

(a) computer-readable program code means for obtaining a key word having an associated weight value from the personal profile database;

(b) computer-readable program code means for identifying the key word in a media file;

(c) computer-readable program code means for multiplying an occurrence of the key word in the media file by the associated key word weight value in order to obtain a product; and,

(d) computer-readable program code means for summing the products in order to provide a media indication value.

20. A method for obtaining a media file from a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) building a personal profile database containing user-specific information;

(b) retrieving a plurality of media files from the computer;

(c) evaluating the plurality of media files obtained from the computer responsive to the personal profile database;

(d) adjusting the user's personal profile database in response to a selection of a media file from the plurality of media files obtained from the computer; and,

(e) adjusting the personal profile database based on a user's absorption of the media file obtained from the computer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of building a personal profile database includes the steps of:

(a) selecting a profile object; and,

(b) adjusting at least one parameter of the profile object.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the building personal profile database includes the step of:

(a) obtaining a user text media comprehension parameter.

23. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value, wherein the numeric value is a negative numbers; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database.

24. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file, wherein the user's absorption of the media file is determined by a rate of progression.

25. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising;

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file, wherein the user's absorption of the media file is determined by a rate of progression, wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on the rate of media progression in relation to a statistical function.

26. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising;

(a) means for presenting data to a user:

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file; wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on the rate of media progression in relation to a statistical function; wherein the statistical function is a statistical distribution function.

27. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file;

wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on the rate of media progression in relation to a statistical function; wherein the statistical function is a statistical distribution function; wherein the statistical distribution function includes a mean which is adjustable.

28. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database:

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file;

wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on the rate of media progression in relation to a statistical function: wherein the statistical function is a statistical distribution function; wherein the statistical distribution function has a region identifying a user's interest.

29. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database, wherein the personal profile database includes at least one key word having at least one numeric value; and,

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes an adaptive software for modifying a personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file;

wherein the user's absorption of the media file is based on the rate of media progression in relation to a statistical function; wherein the statistical function is a statistical distribution function; wherein the statistical distribution function has a region identifying a user's disinterest.

30. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for providing data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a biometric device for obtaining a user's response value to a media file;

(e) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means, the biometric device, and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(f) wherein the personal feedback browser includes;

an adaptive software for modifying the personal profile database in response to the user's response value wherein the user's response value is a media progression rate value.

31. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the user interaction with the media file includes a user's selection of the media file.

32. A data processing apparatus for obtaining information from a computer, comprising:

(a) means for presenting data to a user;

(b) input means for supplying input data in response to a user's input;

(c) memory, coupled to the means for presenting and input means, for storing a personal feedback browser and a personal profile database;

(d) a processor, coupled to the means for presenting, the input means and memory, for controlling the memory, input means, and the means for presenting, in response to the stored personal feedback browser and personal profile database and input data to retrieve information from the computer;

wherein the personal feedback browser provides a media file to the means for presenting based on the personal profile database;

(e) wherein the personal feedback browser includes:

a profile builder software program for obtaining and storing personal profile data in the personal profile database; and,

(f) wherein the profile builder software program includes:

a software program for providing a profile object and a self object, wherein the user is able to adjust the influence of the profile object.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer is in a network.

34. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the computer is in a network.

35. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the computer is in a network.

36. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the computer is in a network.

37. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the computer is in a network.

38. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the computer is in a network.

39. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the computer is in a network.

40. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the computer is in a network.

41. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the computer is in a network.

42. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the computer is in a network.

43. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the computer is in a network.

44. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the computer is in a network.

45. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the computer is in the internet.

46. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the computer is in the internet.

47. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computer is in a network.

48. An article of manufacture, including computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for obtaining a media file from a computer, comprising:

(a) computer-readable program code means for building a personal profile database responsive to user input;

(b) computer-readable program code means for evaluating a media file obtained from the computer based upon the personal profile database; and,

(c) computer-readable program code means for adjusting the personal profile database in response to a user's absorption of the media file.

49. A method for obtaining a media file from a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) building a personal profile database containing user-specific information;

(b) retrieving a media file from the computer; and,

(c) adjusting the personal profile database based on a user's absorption of the media file obtained from the computer.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to obtaining information and, in particular, searching, retrieving and evaluating information on a computer network such as the internet.

2. Background

The challenge of making the internet more useful for users is quickly and efficiently obtaining information suitable for a particular user. This is challenging due to the large amount of information on the internet and the diverse type of users. Current search engines and web crawlers such as Yahoo!, Alta-Vista, and Excite are used to assist users in locating information or media files based on subject matter. For example, a user enters specific subject key words using selected subject matter categories or data bases in order to hopefully retrieve information or user resource locator ("URL") addresses which have information of interest to the user. The search engines do not take into account other information, other than subject matter, which may be used in retrieving information.

Current search engines do not take into account characteristics of the user that could better customize retrieval and evaluation of information for the user. These may include personal vocabulary, sentence characteristic preferences, descriptor preferences, depth of interest in given topics and user-related knowledge. If a user enters a subject key word or subject matter into a search engine, many retrieved URL addresses may be irrelevant to a particular user. For example, a particular user may be a nine-year-old child wanting to learn about butterflies who has distinguishing characteristics from another user such as a post-graduate entomology student. Both users are interested in the same subject, but each desires different levels of sophistication in information retrieved.

Users typically have a variation of personal characteristics which define who they are and what they enjoy. These personal characteristics include general interests and identity information, attitude and aptitude information, personal heroes and media comprehension. Characteristics regarding a specific user are not used by current search engines in retrieving prospective information.

Further, current search engines only examine text data and ignore other media types such as sound and video files that contain voice information. Current search engines do not convert the voice information into text and evaluate the converted sound file. This is a significant shortcoming since a much of the information on the internet is not text data. Users typically find sound and video presentations popular, easy and efficient ways of interacting and obtaining information and, in most cases, probably prefer this media over text.

The current search engines do not collect information generated by the user's selections of retrieved media files to evaluate retrieved media files in the current session as well as later sessions. Every time a user looks through a list of media files and/or a brief description of media files, what the user selects and doesn't select can be used to determine the user's interests. Every time a user interacts with a media file, by choosing to read it, print it, or skip it, the user is identifying a level of interest in the particular medi