Link delivery for subsequent retrieval of networked information

Abstract

A system and method for providing links to a browser program running on a computer connected to a network include receiving a request from the browser program to transfer a file representing a home page for display in the browser program, and determining a storage location on the computer for links used by the browser program. The system and method may include requesting permission to modify links used by the browser program prior to transferring a list of links to the storage location on the computer for subsequent use by the browser in retrieving information from the network. The list of links may be statically or dynamically generated with one or more links provided by a link server on the network. In one embodiment, accounting information relative to the number and type of links transferred to the user's computer is collected and may be forwarded to an associated billing computer located on the network.

1 . A method of delivering links for subsequent viewing by a user via an application program running on the user's computer, each link being associated with a location of information on a computer or a computer network, the method comprising:
 assembling a plurality of links for transfer to an application-specific location, wherein at least one of the links is not pre-selected by the user; and   storing the plurality of links in the application-specific location to automatically integrate the plurality of links into at least one menu of the application program wherein the links are delivered to the application program rather than being presented to a user.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the application program is a browser. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the menu is accessed using a toolbar. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the toolbar is a browser toolbar. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the toolbar is an operating system toolbar. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of assembling the plurality of links comprises:
 determining a profile of the user based on previously collected user information.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising assembling the plurality of links based on the profile. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein determining a profile comprises determining the profile based on information stored on the user's computer. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein determining a profile comprises determining a profile based on cookies stored on the user's computer. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of assembling a plurality of links comprises retrieving links from at least one link server accessible via a computer network. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of assembling a plurality of links comprises assembling at least one picture or graphic associated with at least one link. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of storing comprises appending the plurality of links to an existing file on the user's computer. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of storing comprises:
 storing a directory structure on the user's computer, the directory structure including at least one directory and a plurality of files with each file corresponding to one of the plurality of links.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein all of the links are related to a single domain. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising recording billing information related to storing the plurality of links on the user's computer. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of storing is performed during an installation procedure of a requested application program. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of assembling is performed during an installation procedure of a requested application program. 
   
   
       18 . A method for delivering links associated with locations of information on a computer network from a server on the computer network to a browser running on a user's computer system, the method comprising:
 receiving a request from the browser to transfer information from the server for display by the browser; and   transferring a plurality of links from the server to a browser-specific location on the user's computer system to integrate the plurality of links into at least one menu or toolbar of the browser, wherein the links are delivered to the application program rather than being presented to a user location and at least one of the links is not pre-selected by the user.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising storing accounting information on the server related to number and type of links transferred to the user's computer system. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising transferring the accounting information to a second server on the computer network.