Method And System For Providing Links To Resources Related To A Specified Resource

Abstract

The present invention is related to a computer-implemented method and system for providing links to one or more resources related to a specified resource. The method according to the present invention includes allowing a user to configure a relation comprising a matching criteria for the resource, associating the relation with the specified resource, and processing the relation to create a relation set comprising the links to the one or more related resources satisfying the matching criteria.

1 . A computer-implemented method for providing at least one link to at least one resource related to a specified resource comprising:
 receiving a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable media object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store;   receiving a matching criteria for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource;   defining the relation based on the received matching criteria;   associating the relation with the selected media resource;   processing the relation to create a relation set including at least one link to at least one related resource satisfying the matching criteria; and   providing for presenting a visual representation of the media resource and a selectable visual representation of the relation for accessing the at least one link included in the relation set.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  wherein the matching criteria includes a keyword. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  comprising providing a user interface configured to receive at least one of the matching criteria and the selection of the media resource. 
     
     
         4 . A computer readable medium containing program instructions for providing at least one link to at least one resource related to a specified resource comprising instructions for:
 receiving a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable media object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store;   receiving a matching criteria for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource;   defining the relation based on the received matching criteria;   associating the relation with the selected media resource;   processing the relation to create a relation set including at least one link to at least one related resource satisfying the matching criteria; and   providing for presenting a visual representation of the media resource and a selectable visual representation of the relation for accessing the at least one link included in the relation set.   
     
     
         5 . A system for providing at least one link to at least one resource related to a specified resource comprising:
 a resource management system configured to:
 receive a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable media object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store; 
 receive a matching criteria for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource; 
 define the relation based on the received matching criteria; 
 associate the relation with the selected media resource; 
   a search engine configured to process the relation to create a relation set including at least one link to at least one related resource satisfying the matching criteria; and   a user interface configured to provide for presenting a visual representation of the media resource and a selectable visual representation of the relation for accessing the at least one link included in the relation set.   
     
     
         6 . A computer-implemented method for determining at least one link between a specified resource and at least one related resource comprising:
 receiving a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store;   receiving a keyword for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource;   displaying a selectable visual representation of the keyword;   receiving a selection of the selectable visual representation of the keyword;   retrieving, in response to the received selection, a relation set including at least one link associated with at least one related resource based on the relation; and   displaying the relation set to allow access to the at least one related resource by following the retrieved at least one link.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 6  comprising providing a user interface configured to receive at least one of the keyword and the selection of the media resource. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 receiving a narrowing constraint associated with the relation;   retrieving an updated relation set including at least one link associated with the at least one related resource based on the relation and the narrowing constraint; and   displaying the updated relation set to allow navigation from the specified media resource to the at least one resource by following the retrieved at least one link.   
     
     
         9 . A computer readable medium containing program instructions for determining a link between a specified resource and at least one related resource comprising instructions for:
 receiving a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store;   receiving a keyword for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource;   displaying a selectable visual representation of the keyword;   receiving a selection of the selectable visual representation of the keyword;   retrieving, in response to the received selection, a relation set including at least one link associated with at least one related resource based on the relation; and   displaying the relation set to allow access to the at least one related resource by following the retrieved at least one link.   
     
     
         10 . A system for determining links between a specified resource and one or more related resources comprising:
 a resource management system configured to:
 receive a selection of a media resource, wherein the media resource is a distinct, categorizable object associated with a resource type and stored in a data store; 
 receive a keyword for defining a relation for association with the selected media resource; 
   a user interface component configured to display a selectable visual representation of the relation and to receive a selection of the selectable visual representation of the keyword;   a search engine configured to retrieve, in response to the received selection, a relation set including at least one link associated with the at least one related resource based on the relation; and   the user interface component configured to display the relation set to allow access to the at least one related resource by following the retrieved at least one link.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein:
 the resource management system is configured to receive a narrowing constraint associated with the relation;   the search engine is configured to retrieve an updated relation set including at least one link associated with the at least one related resource based on the relation and the narrowing constraint; and   the user interface component is configured to display the updated relation set to allow navigation from the specified media resource to the at least one resource by following the retrieved at least one link.