Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data modifying
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-19
2001-10-09
Rinehart, Mark H. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data modifying
C709S217000, C709S219000, C707S793000, C345S960000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301621
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a web server providing direct mail capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are well known. Web browsers are software residing on a client (e.g., a personal computer). Via the browser, the client can communicate with a web server to enable access to and viewing of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents. A web server typically includes a server (e.g., a UNIX- or Windows NT-based computer) connected to a network (e.g, the Internet, an intranet or other network), web server software configured with the host name of the server and the location of HTML files on the servers and the HTML files stored by that server.
In general operation, to access a web page, a user enters a request by specifying a uniform resource locator (URL) via the browser and hitting “Submit” (or another function key) and the URL is sent to the web server using HTTP. The web server responds by locating the requested HTML document and returning it to the browser. The browser receives the HTML document, interprets the HTML codes, translates them into a web page, and displays the web page. In this way, web browsers enable access to the vast number of HTML documents via the World Wide Web, the Internet or intranets. HTML generally is well known. A primary purpose of HTML, is to describe how to format the text (and other content) of a web page. HTML uses tags to indicate how text of a web page should be displayed and to specify the URL of objects to which a page is linked. HTML, files are commonly stored on a web server as standard text files with a HTM or HTML, extension. Linking is a powerful feature of HTML. One drawback with HTML links is that links are created by coding a page with HTML tags to link it to other objects (e.g., another document or a specific location within a document). Therefore creating web pages and links requires a working knowledge of HTML, and the time required to write HTML code a create a page and any desired links. Editing an HTML page or a link typically requires using HTML to edit the original web page or link. One significant problem with HTML links is that if a web page (or other object is linked to it) is moved or deleted any links to that page or object needs to be manually changed or a “file not found” message will appear when a user clicks on the link.
One limitation of web browsers and web servers is that they were designed primarily to access HTML documents. Browsers typically cannot cause a web server to retrieve and return non-HTML documents. This inhibits a user from accessing non-HTML documents, objects or databases from a web browser. Non-HTML objects, for example, may include non-HTML documents, stored views for documents in a database, identification files stored in a user directory and many other types of objects. Views provide a convenient way to index a plurality of documents. Identification files may comprise information about a system user (e.g., electronic mail address, role, profile, etc.).
One example of a non-HTML database is Lotus Notes. Lotus Notes is a popular software system, rich with a number of well-known functions. These functions, however, are typically accessed via a client terminal (loaded with Lotus Notes client software) communicating with a server (loaded with Lotus Notes server software). Because Notes is not an HTML-based application, it has not been practical to access objects in a Notes database via a standard web browser.
Standard web servers may provide access to electronic mail. One limitation of existing browser/web server systems is that to access electronic mail, a mail application must be opened. Browsers/web server systems typically do not have an integrated mail application. Therefore, browsers/web servers must resort to other applications to provide electronic mail support (e.g., cc:Mail). In prior systems, a web browser opens another “window” running a separate mail application. A network user must compose, read, edit, etc. electronic mail using the separate mail application. This is a drawback.
Other drawbacks exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks in existing systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a web server that can respond to requests from a web browser for either HTML or non-HTML documents and return the requested documents to the web browser.
Another object of the invention is to enable a web server to provide direct mail capabilities from a web browser.
Another object of the invention is to enable a web server to provide direct mail capabilities from a web browser without having to open another mail application or viewer window.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a novel web server for a client/server network, where the client side is equipped with a standard browser. The server comprises standard web server functionality (e.g., HTTP server), an HTML translator, a server side software (e.g., Lotus Notes server software) and a database (e.g., a Lotus Notes database). Significantly, the database does not need HTML files. Preferably, the server receives a URL-based request from a browser via HTTP, the HTTP server and HTML translator determine the object (e.g., documents or databases) specified by the URL, retrieves that object, translates that object to HTML format and sends the HTML downloaded object to the client side browser for display.
According to another aspect of the invention, the server comprises an integrated mail application which provides a web browser with direct mail capabilities. The system enables the server to provide electronic mail capabilities directly within a browser window without having to open another mail application or display window.
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Estrada Julio
Estrada Miguel
Haverstock Paul
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kang Paul
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Rinehart Mark H.
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