Prior art — US Patent 11106744

Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US patent 11106744, based on the provided patent text and focusing on citations marked by the examiner. The critical date for prior art evaluation is the priority date of US11106744B2, which is March 14, 2011. All cited references listed below predate this priority date.

The core inventive concepts of US11106744B2, as broadly captured by its independent claims (Claims 1, 10, and 19), include:

User-driven identification and indexing of web content: A user explicitly identifies web content displayed in their browser, and this identification is transmitted to a server for indexing via a user interface separate from the main browser window. This contrasts with automated web crawling.
Human-powered ranking of search results: Search results include the identified web content in a position relative to other content, influenced by input received from multiple users (e.g., ratings, comments).
Inclusion of user-created content in search results: The search results not only identify the web content but also include the associated user-created content.

Below are the most relevant prior art citations, along with their details and potential anticipation of US11106744B2's claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US11106744

1. US20020046203A1 (Sony Corporation)

Full Citation: US20020046203A1, "Method and apparatus for providing ratings of web sites over the internet".
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: April 18, 2002; Filing date: June 22, 2000.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a system enabling users to rate websites. Users interact with a browser plug-in or application to submit ratings for a displayed website. These ratings are collected by a server and can be used to filter or sort lists of websites, allowing other users to view aggregated ratings.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1 (Method): This reference potentially anticipates a server receiving an identification of web content from a user (the website being rated). The rating submission through a plug-in suggests a "user interface separate from the main browser window." The server storing these ratings acts as an "indexing" of the web content. The ability to filter or sort lists based on ratings suggests transmitting search results where content is in a "position relative to identifications of other web content received from other users."
- Claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 (Method-dependent on ratings): These claims, which specify receiving ratings (score, like/dislike/neutral) and ranking content based on these ratings from multiple users, are directly anticipated by US20020046203A1.
- Claim 10 (Computing Device): The computing device configured to perform the method of Claim 1, including the rating aspects, would be anticipated as the system described by Sony requires such a device.
- Claims 11, 12, 13, 14, 18 (Computing Device-dependent on ratings): These dependent claims mirroring the rating and ranking aspects of the method claims are anticipated.
- Claim 19 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium): The receipt and storage of ratings (a form of user content) in association with web content, and their use to influence display (e.g., search results), partially anticipates this claim, particularly if "user content" is interpreted to include ratings.
- Claim 20 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium-dependent on separate UI for user content): If the rating submission via a plug-in is considered the composition of user content (rating) and identification in a separate UI, this claim could be anticipated.

2. US20040019611A1 (Aaron Pearse)

Full Citation: US20040019611A1, "Web snippets capture, storage and retrieval system and method".
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: January 29, 2004; Filing date: December 12, 2001.
Brief Description: This patent application discloses a system for capturing and storing "snippets" (selected portions) of web pages, along with user-provided keywords or annotations. Users can select and save these snippets, which are then indexed and made searchable.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1 (Method): The selection of a snippet acts as "identification of first web content" by a first user. The saving process, likely involving a separate input mechanism, can be considered transmission via a "user interface separate from the main browser window." The system explicitly "indexes" these snippets. If multiple users contribute snippets to a shared, searchable system, it could lead to "search results comprising the first web content identified by the first user in a position relative to identifications of other web content received from other users."
- Claims 6 & 15 (Method/Device-dependent on keywords): The teaching of receiving keywords for web content (snippets) directly anticipates these claims.
- Claims 7 & 16 (Method/Device-dependent on comments): If "annotations" are interpreted to include comments, these claims could be anticipated.
- Claim 19 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium): This reference strongly anticipates the receipt of "user content" (the snippet, keywords, annotations) along with web content identification, indexing based on this user content, storing it, and transmitting search results that include the identification of the content and the associated user content.
- Claim 20 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium-dependent on separate UI for user content): The process of selecting a snippet and adding annotations would typically involve a user interface distinct from the main browser window.

3. US20050216457A1 (Yahoo! Inc.)

Full Citation: US20050216457A1, "Systems and methods for collecting user annotations".
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: September 29, 2005; Filing date: March 15, 2004.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a system for collecting user-generated annotations (e.g., comments, tags, highlights) related to web content. These annotations are stored, associated with the original web content, and can be viewed by other users. They can also be used to organize or discover content.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1 (Method): Users creating annotations for web content can be seen as "identifying" that content. The annotation process would likely occur through a "user interface separate from the main browser window." The server stores and associates these annotations, effectively "indexing" the web content with user input. If annotations aid in content discovery or organization for other users, it implies content being presented in a "position relative to identifications of other web content received from other users."
- Claims 6, 7, 15, 16 (Method/Device-dependent on keywords/comments): This reference directly teaches collecting user-provided tags (keywords) and comments (annotations) for web content.
- Claim 19 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium): This reference strongly anticipates receiving "user content" (annotations like comments and tags) with web content identification, indexing and storing this user content, and providing search results that include the identification of the web content and its associated user content.
- Claim 20 (Non-transitory computer readable storage medium-dependent on separate UI for user content): The collection of annotations, including comments and tags, would logically be performed through a user interface separate from the main browser window.

4. US20070192313A1 (William Derek Finley)

Full Citation: US20070192313A1, "Data search method with statistical analysis performed on user provided ratings of the initial search results".
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: August 16, 2007; Filing date: January 27, 2006.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a search system where users provide ratings or feedback on initial search results. This user-provided feedback is then analyzed and used to re-rank or refine subsequent search results.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1 (Method): This reference clearly teaches "receiving a search query" and "transmitting search results." The core inventive step here is that the "position relative to identifications of other web content received from other users" is determined by "user provided ratings." While the initial indexing of the content itself might differ, the human-powered ranking aspect of search results is directly anticipated.
- Claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 (Method-dependent on ratings): These claims, which specifically detail receiving user ratings (like, dislike, neutral, scores) and ranking web content based on these ratings from multiple users, are directly anticipated by this reference.
- Claim 10 (Computing Device): The computing device configured to perform the method of Claim 1, specifically with respect to the rating and ranking aspects, would be anticipated.
- Claims 11, 12, 13, 14, 18 (Computing Device-dependent on ratings): These dependent claims, mirroring the rating and ranking aspects of the method claims, are anticipated.