Methods And Apparatus For Managing And Exchanging Information Using Information Objects

What is this patent about?

’371 is related to the field of information management and collaboration, specifically addressing the problem of effectively monitoring, analyzing, and exchanging information from diverse sources and formats. Traditional systems often present information in disparate ways, making it difficult for users to compare and collaborate efficiently. The invention aims to provide a unified approach to information representation and management.

The underlying idea behind ’371 is to encapsulate information from various sources into standardized information objects (IOs) , also referred to as 'cards', each containing a picture, a heading, and a link to the original data. These IOs provide a consistent visual representation, enabling users to quickly grasp the essence of the information and facilitate collaboration through integrated functions like commenting and voting. The key insight is that standardizing the *format* allows users to focus on the *content*.

The claims of ’371 focus on a computer-implemented method for interacting with data items from external sources. The method involves configuring each data item into a distinct information object (card) by extracting a picture and heading, and storing data corresponding to the information object, including a link to the original data item, in a database. The claims further cover displaying representations of these information objects in a uniform format, including a card with uniform locations for the picture, heading, indicators, and graphically accessible functions such as commenting, voting, copying, and linking.

In practice, a user selects a data item (e.g., a web page). The system automatically extracts a representative picture and heading from the data item. This information, along with a link back to the original source, is then stored as an IO in a database. The IO is displayed as a card with a consistent layout, including indicators for commenting activity. Users can then interact with the card, adding comments, voting on its relevance, or copying it to their own collections, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The invention differentiates itself from prior approaches by providing a standardized format for representing diverse information sources. Unlike conventional systems where information is scattered across different applications and formats (e.g., bookmarks in browsers, emails in mailboxes), ’371 consolidates information into uniform cards , enabling users to easily compare and analyze data. The integrated functions, such as commenting and voting, further enhance collaboration by allowing users to share insights and opinions directly within the context of the information object.