Automated annotation of a resource on a computer network using a network address of the resource
A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
hosting, by a server device, an annotation interface;
implementing, by the server device, the annotation interface on each of a plurality of client devices;
displaying, by the server device, an indication of a resource and a network address associated with the resource on each of the plurality of client devices;
receiving, by the server device via the annotation interface:
a notification comprising an indication of a new annotation or a modified annotation associated with the resource displayed on each of the plurality of client devices, an indication that the new or modified annotation is to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices, and
an indication of a user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates; and
initiating, by the server device, a display of the new annotation or modified annotation on each of the plurality of client devices via the annotation interface, wherein the new annotation or modified annotation is displayed over the resource.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, receiving, by the server device, a request to store the new or modified annotation and the network address associated with the resource.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, generating, by the server device, a history of the new annotation or modifications of the annotation associated with the resource and the user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, generating, by the server device, a list identifying at least one resource for which an annotation is stored in the database in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices, wherein the list identifies a plurality of resources and one or more annotations associated respectively with one of the plurality of resources.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, designating, by the server device via the annotation interface, the new or modified annotation as to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, displaying, by the server device on a display, a list via the annotation interface identifying at least one resource and associated annotation stored in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices.
7. A computer system configured to annotate resources located in a computer network, the computer system comprising:
a database configured to store an annotation associated with a resource; and
a server in communication with the database, wherein the server is configured to:
host an annotation interface;
implement the annotation interface on each of a plurality of client devices;
display, by the server, an indication of a resource and a network address associated with the resource on each of the plurality of client devices;
receive, via the annotation interface:
a notification comprising an indication of a new annotation or a modified annotation associated with the resource displayed on each of the plurality of clients devices,
an indication that the new or modified annotation is to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices, and
an indication of a user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates; and
initiate a display of the new annotation or modified annotation on each of the plurality of client devices via the annotation interface, wherein the new annotation or modified annotation is displayed over the resource.
8. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the new or modified annotation is stored on the server.
9. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the server is further configured to receive a request to store the new or modified annotation and the network address associated with the resource.
10. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the server is further configured to generate a history of the new annotation and modifications of the annotation associated with the resource and the user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates.
11. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the server is further configured to generate a list identifying at least one resource for which an annotation is stored in the database in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices, and wherein the list identifies a plurality of resources and one or more annotations associated respectively with one of the plurality of resources.
12. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the server is further configured to designate, via the annotation interface, the new or modified annotation to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices.
13. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the server is further configured to display, on a display, a list via the annotation interface identifying at least one resource and associated annotation stored in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a server to perform operations, comprising:
hosting an annotation interface;
implementing the annotation interface on each of a plurality of client devices;
displaying, by the server, an indication of a resource and a network address associated with the resource on each of the plurality of client devices;
receiving via the annotation interface:
a notification comprising an indication of a new annotation or a modified annotation associated with the resource,
an indication that the new or modified annotation is to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices, and
an indication of a user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates; and
initiating a display of the new or modified annotation on each of the plurality of client devices via the annotation interface, wherein the new annotation or modified annotation is displayed over the resource.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the new or modified annotation is stored on the server.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising, receiving a request to store the new or modified annotation and the network address associated with the resource.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising, generating a history of new annotation or modifications of the annotation associated with the resource and the user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising, generating a list identifying at least one resource for which an annotation is stored in the database in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices from which the new or modified annotation originates, wherein the list identifies a plurality of resources and one or more annotations associated respectively with one of the plurality of resources.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising, designating, via the annotation interface, the new or modified annotation is to be made available to each of the plurality of client devices.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , further comprising, displaying, on a display, a list via the annotation interface identifying at least one resource and associated annotation stored in association with the user or one of the plurality of client devices.