Methods for manipulating web pages

Abstract

A method of filtering a web page or other computer file is provided. A web page is analyzed and segmented into regions or segments. At least one of the regions is selected for display. Selected regions are manipulated to enhance the visibility of preferred regions of the web page. In one embodiment, the manipulation comprises presenting the image of the page in accordance with a selected mathematical transform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of modifying a presentation of a web page, the method comprising:
 receiving a web page;   analyzing an image of the web page to segment and identify a plurality of coherent regions from the image of the web page; and   automatically selecting, by a processor, a coherent region of the plurality of coherent regions to be redrawn for presentation on a display screen, wherein the processor is configured to learn characteristics and locations of regions typically rejected by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising enhancing at least one of the plurality of regions in redrawing the web page. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising filtering out a different coherent region entirely. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising mapping each of the plurality of coherent regions to corresponding markup language code portions for the web page. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4  further comprising presenting a redrawn web page using a browser to render the markup language code for a plurality of identified regions. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein at least one of the plurality of regions is enhanced when redrawn. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the enhancement comprises presenting a first portion of the data corresponding to the region sequentially in time in relation to a second portion of the data corresponding to the region. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the presenting comprises scrolling the data associated with the region in a window of the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 7  further comprising providing a user controlled parameter for controlling the speed of the scrolling. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the scrolling direction is horizontal and wherein the window of the display screen wherein the selected region is displayed is horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the enhancement is a transformation comprises presenting a central portion of the region in a normal size and proportion and wherein a periphery of the region is compressed. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the enhancement is a transformation comprising presenting a central section of the region in a magnification corresponding to a spherical obloid shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the enhancement is a transformation comprising continuously scrolling of the information presented in the region. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the enhancement is a transformation comprising presenting a focus portion of the region in a minimally distorted manner and providing a context area outside of the focus area, said context area generated by applying a non-linear warp to the region. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14  wherein the focus portion is at a periphery of the redrawn region. 
     
     
         16 . A system for modifying a presentation of a web page, the system comprising:
 a processor;   memory; and   one or more programs stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
 receiving a web page; 
 analyzing an image of the web page to segment and identify a plurality of coherent regions from the image of the web page; and 
 automatically selecting, by a processor, a coherent region of the plurality of coherent regions to be redrawn for presentation on a display screen, wherein the processor is configured to learn characteristics and locations of regions typically rejected by the user. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more programs further comprises instructions for enhancing at least one of the plurality of regions in redrawing the web page. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more programs further comprises instructions for mapping each of the plurality of coherent regions to corresponding markup language code portions for the web page. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more programs further comprises instructions for presenting a redrawn web page using a browser to render the markup language code for a plurality of identified regions. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
 receiving a web page;   analyzing an image of the web page to segment and identify a plurality of coherent regions from the image of the web page; and   automatically selecting, by a processor, a coherent region of the plurality of coherent regions to be redrawn for presentation on a display screen, wherein the processor is configured to learn characteristics and locations of regions typically rejected by the user.