초록 ▼

An interactive Web book ("ibook") system is provided that allows material to be contributed to the World Wide Web. An ibook is a self-extending, self-sustaining information-redistributing Web robot, which is resident on a data network such as the Internet or an intranet. Users may enroll with an ibo

An interactive Web book ("ibook") system is provided that allows material to be contributed to the World Wide Web. An ibook is a self-extending, self-sustaining information-redistributing Web robot, which is resident on a data network such as the Internet or an intranet. Users may enroll with an ibook as viewers or contributors. Viewers may view ibook material, such as text or multimedia content. Contributors may contribute original material to the ibook or may create derivations of existing ibook material. Attribution information that identifies the source of material in a derivation is automatically generated. Information concerning the derivation of each work and its characteristics can be used to help the user navigate through ibook material. The ibook system keeps track of how often users access each work within an ibook. Contributors may be automatically rewarded (e.g., by a monetary distribution) based on the extent to which their contributed material is viewed by the users.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the m

1. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:means for allowing contributors to contribute material in different languages wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors; means for generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors; means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material in one language with the contributed material in another language; a navigation tool comprising: means for allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material; means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in a language other than the language of the contributed material being viewed; means for allowing the users to select one of the languages; and means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected language; and means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.