Prior art — US Patent 10180952

I will now identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 10180952. As instructed, I will examine the patent citations listed for US10180952B2 and provide a full citation, publication/filing date, brief description, and which claim(s) of US10180952B2 each potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

US10180952B2 describes a search engine that indexes web content based on user submissions via a separate user interface, ranking results using user-provided ratings and comments, and dynamically generating snippets of the content. The key inventive features include:

A server providing a user interface (e.g., a plug-in) separate from the main browser window.
This user interface automatically selecting and displaying a portion of third-party content based on user settings.
The server receiving user submissions (e.g., ratings, keywords, comments) associated with the third-party content via this separate user interface.
Indexing the third-party content based on these user submissions.
Ranking the content based on user-provided ratings.
Transmitting search results that include the user-identified and ranked content.

Given the extensive list of 79 citations, an exhaustive analysis of each is impractical within this format. Therefore, I will focus on a selection of the most relevant prior art, specifically those that appear to disclose elements crucial to the independent claims (claims 1, 7, and 14) of US10180952B2, particularly regarding user-generated content for indexing and ranking, and the use of a distinct user interface for this purpose.

Here is an analysis of potentially relevant prior art patents cited against US10180952B2:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10180952B2

1. US6199081B1

Full Citation: US Patent No. 6,199,081 B1 to Ball et al., titled "Automatic tagging of documents and exclusion by content".
Publication Date: March 6, 2001 (Filed: June 30, 1998)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for automatically tagging documents (including web documents) and excluding content based on those tags. It allows for indexing and filtering of content using metadata. While it discusses automatic tagging, it does not explicitly detail user-generated ratings for ranking or a separate user interface for submitting such content in the manner of US10180952B2.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Indexing the 3rd party content based on submissions (keywords/tags): This patent discloses methods for automatically tagging documents, which could be considered a form of indexing based on content-derived tags. If "submission from the first user" is broadly interpreted to include implicit user interaction leading to content identification and tagging, it might anticipate aspects of indexing in claims 1, 7, and 14 (e.g., "indexing the 3rd party content based on the submission from the first user"). However, it lacks the explicit user submission of keywords via a separate UI as taught by US10180952B2.

2. US20040019611A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0019611 A1 to Pearse, titled "Web snippets capture, storage and retrieval system and method".
Publication Date: January 29, 2004 (Filed: December 12, 2001)
Brief Description: This application details a system for capturing, storing, and retrieving "web snippets," which are portions of web content. It involves a client-side application that captures selected portions of web pages and allows users to annotate them for later retrieval and sharing. This patent explicitly teaches the concept of capturing and annotating portions of web pages.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Separate user interface (plugin-like functionality) and displaying a portion of content: This patent describes a "snipping tool" or client-side application (analogous to a plugin) for capturing and annotating portions of web pages, which operates somewhat separately from the main browser display. This could potentially anticipate the "first user interface... separate from a main window of a web browser, and wherein the first user interface automatically selects a portion of the 3rd party content and displays the portion of the 3rd party content within the first user interface" of claims 1, 7, and 14, especially if "automatically selects" can be interpreted to include user selection via a tool.
- Receiving submission (comments/annotations) and indexing: The system allows users to annotate captured snippets, which is a form of user submission that could be used for indexing and retrieval. This directly addresses aspects of "receiving, by the server computer, a submission associated with the 3rd party content from the first user via the first user interface" and "indexing, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on the submission from the first user" in claims 1, 7, and 14.
- Ranking: While it focuses on capture and retrieval, the system could potentially be extended to include user ratings influencing the display order, although this is not explicitly detailed for search results ranking in the abstract.

3. US7174346B1

Full Citation: US Patent No. 7,174,346 B1 to Dean et al., titled "System and method for searching an extended database".
Publication Date: February 6, 2007 (Filed: July 31, 2003)
Brief Description: This patent describes a search engine that augments search results with supplemental information derived from an "extended database" which can include data from human operators or other sources. It aims to improve search result relevance using human-provided information.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Ranking based on human input: This patent's emphasis on using human-provided data to enhance search results directly relates to the concept of ranking content based on human input, even if not explicitly "ratings" in the same structured way as US10180952B2. This could anticipate "ranking, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on a rating of the 3rd party content submitted from the first user" in claims 1, 7, and 14, and specifically claim 3 ("ranking the 3rd party content is further based on ratings of the content from other users").
- Indexing with human-identified keywords: The use of human-provided data for an "extended database" could involve human-identified keywords for indexing, which would anticipate aspects of claim 5 ("indexing the content based on keywords associated with the content in the submission from the first user").

4. US20080215589A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0215589 A1 to De Jong et al., titled "System, Method, and Computer-Readable Medium for Collection and Distribution of User-Supplied Comments Associated with Network and Local Content".
Publication Date: September 4, 2008 (Filed: November 10, 2006)
Brief Description: This application describes a system where users can supply comments (user-supplied content) associated with network content (e.g., web pages) and local content. These comments can be distributed and made available to other users, potentially via a client-side application.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Receiving user submissions (comments) via a user interface: The core of this patent is collecting "user-supplied comments" associated with content, which directly anticipates "receiving, by the server computer, a submission associated with the 3rd party content from the first user via the first user interface" and "the submission from the first user further comprises a user comment on the content" (claim 6 and 13).
- Indexing based on user submission (comments): The collected comments would inherently be associated with the content and could be used for indexing and searchability.
- Separate user interface: While not explicitly a "plugin" causing a "pop-up window" in the abstract, the idea of a client-side mechanism for submitting comments on viewed content, accessible to other users, has similarities to the plug-in concept of US10180952B2.

5. US20080281810A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0281810 A1 to Smyth, titled "Meta search engine".
Publication Date: November 13, 2008 (Filed: June 15, 2006)
Brief Description: This application describes a meta-search engine that improves search results by automatically adapting query results based on feedback provided by search engine users. It introduces the concept of "implicit feedback" (e.g., clicks) and "explicit feedback" (e.g., ratings) from users to re-rank results.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Ranking based on user ratings/feedback: This patent explicitly teaches using both implicit and explicit feedback (like ratings) from users to re-rank search results. This directly anticipates "ranking, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on a rating of the 3rd party content submitted from the first user" (claims 1, 7, 14) and "ranking the 3rd party content is further based on ratings of the content from other users" (claims 3, 10). It also mentions "positive rating" and "negative rating" type of feedback, which relates to claim 4 ("the rating associated with the content is selected from a group of rating types consisting of like, dislike, and neutral").
- Selecting and transmitting search results based on ranking: The core function of re-ranking results based on user feedback directly relates to "selecting, by the server computer and based on the indexing and the ranking of the 3rd party content, a set of search results" and "transmitting, by the server computer, the set of search results to the second client computer" in claims 1, 7, and 14.

Summary of Anticipation Analysis:

The prior art demonstrates several elements of US10180952B2's claims individually.

US20040019611A1 (Pearse) appears to be highly relevant regarding the separate user interface for interacting with displayed third-party content, the automatic selection and display of a portion of that content (albeit sometimes user-initiated selection), and the submission of user comments/annotations for indexing. This could potentially anticipate aspects of independent claims 1, 7, and 14, particularly the UI separation and snippet generation, and the collection of user submissions for indexing.
US7174346B1 (Dean et al.) and US20080281810A1 (Smyth) are very strong regarding the ranking of content based on human input/ratings. Smyth specifically details explicit feedback like ratings for re-ranking search results, directly touching upon claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, and 11 concerning ranking.
US20080215589A1 (De Jong et al.) is strong on the aspect of user-supplied comments associated with network content and their distribution, which directly relates to receiving user submissions and potentially indexing based on these comments (claims 1, 6, 7, 13, 14).

The combination of a separate user interface (e.g., plug-in) that automatically selects a portion of content based on user settings, allows for user-submitted ratings and keywords, and then uses these submissions for indexing and ranking search results in real-time, represents the novel combination claimed by US10180952B2. While individual elements may be found in prior art, the specific combination and explicit details of user settings for automatic snippet selection in a separate UI, coupled with robust human-powered indexing and ranking for search results, would be the points of distinction for US10180952B2. However, Pearse and Smyth, in particular, disclose many of these features independently or in close relation.The following analysis identifies potentially relevant prior art for US patent 10180952, focusing on the patent citations listed within the document. The analysis provides the full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description of the cited patent, and an assessment of which claims of US10180952B2 it may potentially anticipate under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

US10180952B2 discloses a search engine system where a server computer provides a user interface (e.g., a browser plug-in) that is separate from a main web browser window. This interface automatically selects and displays a portion of third-party web content based on user-defined settings. Users then submit information (such as ratings, comments, or keywords) about this third-party content via this separate interface. The server indexes the content based on these user submissions and ranks it according to user ratings. Finally, the server transmits search results that include this user-identified and ranked content.

Due to the large number of citations (79), this response will focus on a selection of the most relevant prior art examples that appear to address the core inventive concepts of US10180952B2's independent claims (Claims 1, 7, and 14).

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10180952B2

1. US6199081B1

Full Citation: US Patent No. 6,199,081 B1 to Ball et al., titled "Automatic tagging of documents and exclusion by content".
Publication/Filing Date: Published March 6, 2001; Filed June 30, 1998.
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for automatically tagging documents, including web documents, and using these tags for indexing and filtering content. The focus is on automated generation of metadata (tags) to categorize and manage information.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Indexing based on content analysis: While US6199081B1 focuses on automatic tagging, the concept of indexing content using associated tags is relevant to the "indexing, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on the submission from the first user" found in claims 1, 7, and 14 of US10180952B2. However, it lacks the specific element of user-provided "submission" of keywords/tags via a separate user interface.

2. US20040019611A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0019611 A1 to Pearse, titled "Web snippets capture, storage and retrieval system and method".
Publication/Filing Date: Published January 29, 2004; Filed December 12, 2001.
Brief Description: This application describes a system for capturing, storing, and retrieving "web snippets," which are user-selected or automatically identified portions of web content. It involves a client-side application (e.g., a snipping tool) that enables users to select parts of a web page, annotate them, and then store and retrieve them.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Separate user interface displaying a portion of content: This patent describes a client-side application that operates somewhat independently of the main browser window to capture and display portions of web content. This is directly relevant to the "first user interface operating on the first client computer and displaying 3rd party content on the first client computer, wherein the first user interface is separate from a main window of a web browser, and wherein the first user interface automatically selects a portion of the 3rd party content and displays the portion of the 3rd party content within the first user interface" (Claims 1, 7, 14). Although the "automatic selection" might sometimes be user-initiated in Pearse, the concept of a tool-based display of a portion of content is present.
- Receiving user submission (annotations/comments): The ability for users to annotate captured snippets constitutes a form of "submission associated with the 3rd party content from the first user via the first user interface" (Claims 1, 7, 14), and can be considered a "user comment on the content" (Claims 6, 13).
- Indexing based on submission: These annotations/comments could be used for indexing the content, similar to "indexing, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on the submission from the first user" (Claims 1, 7, 14).

3. US7174346B1

Full Citation: US Patent No. 7,174,346 B1 to Dean et al., titled "System and method for searching an extended database".
Publication/Filing Date: Published February 6, 2007; Filed July 31, 2003.
Brief Description: This patent describes a search engine that enhances search results by integrating supplemental information, which can include data provided by human operators, into an "extended database." This human-provided information is used to improve the relevance and ranking of search results.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Ranking based on human input: The core idea of using human-provided data to influence search result ranking directly relates to "ranking, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on a rating of the 3rd party content submitted from the first user" (Claims 1, 7, 14) and "ranking the 3rd party content is further based on ratings of the content from other users" (Claims 3, 10).
- Indexing using human-provided data: The "extended database" concept implies that human-identified information, potentially including keywords or categorizations, is used for indexing. This could anticipate "indexing the content based on keywords associated with the content in the submission from the first user" (Claims 5, 12).

4. US20080215589A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0215589 A1 to De Jong et al., titled "System, Method, and Computer-Readable Medium for Collection and Distribution of User-Supplied Comments Associated with Network and Local Content".
Publication/Filing Date: Published September 4, 2008; Filed November 10, 2006.
Brief Description: This application details a system that enables users to create and submit comments associated with online (network) or local content. These user-supplied comments are then collected, stored, and made available to other users, potentially through a client-side application.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Receiving user submissions (comments) via a user interface: The system's primary function is to allow users to provide comments. This directly anticipates "receiving, by the server computer, a submission associated with the 3rd party content from the first user via the first user interface" (Claims 1, 7, 14) and specifically "the submission from the first user further comprises a user comment on the content" (Claims 6, 13).
- Indexing based on user submission: The collected comments are associated with the content, making them available for indexing and searching.

5. US20080281810A1

Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0281810 A1 to Smyth, titled "Meta search engine".
Publication/Filing Date: Published November 13, 2008; Filed June 15, 2006.
Brief Description: This application describes a meta-search engine that improves search results by leveraging user feedback. It explicitly discusses both implicit feedback (e.g., click-through rates) and explicit feedback (e.g., user ratings) to dynamically re-rank search results and enhance their relevance.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Ranking based on user ratings: This patent strongly anticipates the aspects of US10180952B2 related to "ranking, by the server computer, the 3rd party content based on a rating of the 3rd party content submitted from the first user" (Claims 1, 7, 14) and "ranking the 3rd party content is further based on ratings of the content from other users" (Claims 3, 10). The explicit mention of "positive rating" and "negative rating" types of feedback also relates to Claim 4 and 11 ("the rating associated with the content is selected from a group of rating types consisting of like, dislike, and neutral").
- Selecting and transmitting search results based on ranking: The entire system is designed to "select... a set of search results that include an identification of the 3rd party content" and "transmit... the set of search results to the second client computer" based on this user-influenced ranking (Claims 1, 7, 14).

Conclusion on Anticipation:

While individual elements of US10180952B2 are present in the identified prior art, the novelty of US10180952B2 likely resides in the specific combination and interoperation of these features. For instance, US20040019611A1 (Pearse) is highly relevant for the concept of a separate user interface for interacting with and extracting portions of web content and submitting user-generated comments. US20080281810A1 (Smyth) strongly anticipates the use of explicit user ratings for ranking search results. US7174346B1 (Dean et al.) also highlights human-augmented search.

The distinctiveness of US10180952B2 may be found in the combination of:

A separate user interface (e.g., plug-in) specifically designed to operate on any third-party content displayed in the main browser window.
The automatic selection of a portion of this content for display in the separate UI based on user settings.
The specific process of receiving user-submitted ratings and keywords via this separate UI.
And then using these explicit human inputs for both indexing and ranking of search results transmitted back to a user.

A detailed analysis during prosecution would examine if any single prior art reference (or combination of references for obviousness, which is outside the scope of this 102 analysis) discloses all elements of an independent claim. Pearse (US20040019611A1) appears to come closest to anticipating the distinct user interface and snippet interaction, while Smyth (US20080281810A1) is very strong on the human-powered ranking aspect.