초록 ▼

A system of network site searching and listing employs a server which maintains a listings database containing site listings, provided by subscribers, each of which includes a title or description of the content of the respective site, a network address at which the site can be accessed, and a denom

A system of network site searching and listing employs a server which maintains a listings database containing site listings, provided by subscribers, each of which includes a title or description of the content of the respective site, a network address at which the site can be accessed, and a denominated value to be paid by the subscriber as a subscription fee for the site listing. In response to search queries, the server provides a search report of listings ranked according to the subscription fees paid by the subscribers. The higher the amount paid for a given subscription period in relation to other listers, the higher the site's ranking on the service's search reports. Through an account monitoring interface, subscribers can monitor the ranking of their listings and modify their account information and subscription fees automatically at any time. The denominated-values approach to rankings may be used in conjunction with the index search method or the category search method. The denominated-values database may also be linked to other search services, and the denominated-values rankings of the listings can be converted into the relevancy measures used by the other search services. The service provides immediate placement control for subscribers, without high transaction costs or delays, based on a ranking system determined by monetary value rather than arbitrary relevancy factors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system of network site searching and listing comprising:a listing server connected to a network accessible by a plurality of users, having a site listings database containing a plurality of site listings, each of which is provided by a site listing subscriber and includ

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system of network site searching and listing comprising:a listing server connected to a network accessible by a plurality of users, having a site listings database containing a plurality of site listings, each of which is provided by a site listing subscriber and includes a title or description of the content of the respective site, a network address at which the site can be accessed on the network, and a denominated value bid by the subscriber for the site listing while it is maintained on the listing server,server search program means for searching the site listings database for site listings having titles or descriptions of content that match a given search inquiry from a user and for ordering the site listings found in the search in order of their denominated values, wherein said listing server provides a search report of the denominated-value-ordered site listings relevant to the search inquiry to the user in order according to the denominated values bid by the subscribers for the found site listings, andbid management program means including a subscriber account interface for allowing a subscriber to connect online with the listing server and to automatically enter a new denominated value bid for said subscriber's site listing into the site listings database,wherein said server search program means of said listing server thereupon conducts searches of the site listings database for site listings in response to search inquiries from users by automatically taking into account the new denominated value bid entered by the subscriber for the subscriber's site listing.