Content curation and product linking system and method

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of operating a user-searchable database system of curated, themed digital content data, which method includes operating a Connects function to process and store heterogeneous digital content comprising topic data as curated topic data and identified connections between each topic and other topics, and operating a user interface to enable users to search the curated topics and present a search results page in a way that invites further investigation of topics searched, including a list or compilation of topics matching terms defining the search. The method also includes displaying topic elements corresponding to the list or compilation of matching topics in prioritized order based on each topic's relatedness to the search.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of operating a user-searchable database system of curated, themed digital content data, comprising steps of:
 receiving a search topic entered on a user interface;   comparing the search topic with a collection of curated topics to find curated topics matching the search topic; and   rendering a search results page having first and second areas, wherein
 the first area includes the matching curated topics in a prioritized order of presentation based on degree of relatedness scores, wherein each of the curated topics is displayed with some part of the respective topic's stored content, and, an interactive link to the respective topic's connected topics; and 
 the second area includes stored theme subjects, which are ranked according to relevance to the search topic. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering the second area further includes presenting product data in a prioritized order of presentation based on a degree of relatedness of the product data to the search. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 2 , wherein the product data are presented as screen elements and wherein the product screen elements actively link to a process or function for purchasing the product associated with the product screen element. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering includes presenting a page displaying a themed subject in a way that communicates the themed subject's editorially curated relationships, using a graphical representation. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 4 , wherein the editorially curated relationships included in the graphical representation of a themed subject comprise links to texts describing the editorially curated relationships between connected topic pairs comprising the themed subjects. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 1 , further comprising a step of presenting links to social networking sites or processes that enable users to upload curated topic data as well as themed subjects and graphical representations related thereto. 
     
     
         7 . A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for carrying out all steps of the method according to  claim 1  when the computer program product is run on a computer or processor-driven device. 
     
     
         8 . A database system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory; and   an interface enabling communication by and with the database system; wherein the memory includes a set of computer-readable instructions that upon execution by the process implements the method of operating the database system according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method of operating a user-searchable database system of curated, themed digital content data, comprising steps of:
 operating a user interface to enable a user to search curated topics and present a search results page including topics matching terms defining the search; and   operating a Shop function to:
 display matching topics in one of first and second areas in a prioritized order based on each of the matching topic's degree of relatedness score, to the search, and 
 display, in the other of the one of the first and second areas, stored theme subjects, which are ranked according to relevance to the search topic. 
   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the Shops function generates one Shop for each curated topic, and wherein each Shop comprises a list or compilation of product data associated with a topic and its connected topics. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method as defined by  claim 10 , wherein the Shops function generates product data screen elements for each product of a Shop, and wherein the user interface displays the product as a screen element. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the Shop function includes a Shop based on a relatedness of products to the search, a Shop based on relatedness to a disambiguated Connects topic and a Shop based on relatedness to the topics within a themed subject. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein Shops are displayed in the other one of the first and second areas as Shop screen elements that upon activation by a user cause a products purchase page to be presented that enables the user to purchase the product associated with the Shop screen element so selected by the user. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 9 , wherein the user interface provides for displaying a home page to receive the user search queries and to present a daily feature element within which links to topics, themed subjects, Shops and product data are presented as individual screen elements within the daily feature element. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 14 , further including a change element within the daily feature element that enables the user to navigate sequentially through thematically related sets of the individual screen elements. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method defined by  claim 9 , further including presenting links in rendered pages to social media websites and/or application program interfaces to enable users to share search results including themed subjects. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for carrying out all steps of the method according to  claim 9  when the computer program product is run on a computer or processor-driven device. 
     
     
         18 . A database system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory; and   an interface enabling communication by and with the database system; wherein the memory includes a set of computer-readable instructions that upon execution by the process implements the method of operating the database system according to  claim 9 .