Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing – Using interconnected networks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-07-17
Rinehart, Mark H. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Using interconnected networks
C709S227000, C709S246000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263365
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for browsing computer networks such as the World Wide Web (“Web”), and more particularly to systems and methods for enabling a first computer to present a display of a Web page on one or more second computers.
BACKGROUND
Use of and applications for Internet-related networks, and in particular the so-called “World Wide Web” (“Web”), increases daily. The Web is a network of computer information storage sites, and each site can include one or more information displays, colloquially referred to as “pages”. Essentially, a Web site presents advertising or other information regarding a particular organization. A person with a computer and a software system referred to as a “browser” can connect the computer to the Internet (and, hence, to the Web), usually via a telephone line, and with the aid of the browser, access the various Web pages.
It happens that among the many applications of the Web, for various reasons one computer user might desire to discuss a particular Web page or pages with another computer user who is remote from the first user. Accordingly, the users establish communication with each other, and then both log their computers onto the Web. Then, both must access the Web page they desire to discuss by retrieving (colloquially referred to as “downloading”) all of the information on the desired Web page to their respective computers.
To download a Web page, a user must either input the page's address, referred to in the art as the uniform resource locator or simply URL, or the user must select the page via a hyperlink from another Web page. Stated differently, a Web page may list many other Web pages that happen to be related to it, with the listings referred to as “hyperlinks”, and a user can position a mouse-controlled cursor over a hyperlink and click the mouse to cause the user's browser to access the Web page associated with the selected hyperlink.
Unfortunately, it can be confusing and frustrating for two computer users who are communicating with each other via telephone (or some other means) to coordinate the desired Web page rendezvous. This is in part because, to download a Web page, a large amount of data must ordinarily be transferred at rates that can vary, computer to computer, potentially resulting in idle periods for one user as the other user completes a download. Furthermore, a user's verbal identification of a particular hyperlink on which the user desires another user to “click” can be unclear and ambiguous. As recognized by the present invention, however, it is possible to provide a system and method for allowing a first computer user, referred to herein as a “pilot”, to cause the browsers of other computer users, referred to herein as “passengers”, to display Web pages as desired by the pilot, without requiring interaction from the passengers and without requiring any modifications to the passengers' software.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for allowing a first computer user to cause the network browser of a second computer user to present Web pages as desired by the first user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for causing, from a local computer, one or more Web pages to be displayed on remote computers, without requiring remote user interaction. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use, cost-effective system and method for remotely causing a passenger computer Web browser to display Web pages selected by a pilot computer, without requiring software changes to the passenger computer, other than the temporary loading of an applet. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for causing, from a local computer, one or more Web pages to be displayed on remote computers, while presenting a status of the remote computer displays to the user of the local computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A computer program device includes a computer program storage device that is readable by a digital processing system and a program means on the program storage device. As intended by the present invention, the program device is realized in a critical machine component that causes the digital processing system to perform method steps to enable a pilot computer to direct the browser of a passenger computer. Stated differently, a machine component establishes a computer program product for performing method steps for enabling a first computer to cause a second computer to display a preselected page from a computer network by transmitting, from the first computer to a control site in the computer network, a request for the predetermined page.
As disclosed in detail below, the present method steps include retrieving the predetermined page at the control site, and then, if the predetermined page includes pointers to other pages in the network, encoding the pointers to thereby render a first page wherein the pointers, when selected by a computer user viewing the page, direct the user's computer to the control site. Also, the pointers are disabled to thereby render a second page. Per the present invention, the first page is transmitted to the first computer, and the second page is transmitted to the second computer.
In a preferred embodiment, if the first computer has accessed a secondary page, the second computer is caused to display the secondary page. In a particular embodiment, in response to the second computer transmitting a valid code to the control site, an active control, such as an applet, is downloaded from the control site to the second computer. The active control is used in executing the transmitting and displaying steps set forth above.
As intended by the preferred embodiment, if the first computer selects, on the first page, a pointer associated with a hyperlink site, the hyperlink site is defined to be the predetermined page. The above encoding and transmitting steps are then repeated. Desirably, the status of the second computer is reported to the first computer. Also, in response to the entry of data by the first computer in connection with the first page, the data can be electronically combined with the first page for simultaneous display thereof by the first computer.
The computer program product is also disclosed in combination with the digital processing apparatus, and in further combination with the computer network.
In another aspect, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for allowing a pilot computer to cause a passenger computer, which includes a passenger Web browser, to display a predetermined Web page. The method includes transmitting, at the pilot computer, the uniform resource, locator (URL) of the predetermined page to a control site. The control site is a member of the Web, such that the control site can retrieve the predetermined page. Then, at the passenger computer, a code is transmitted to the control site and, if the code is valid, an active control is received from the control site. Next, the active control cooperates with the passenger Web browser to download the predetermined Web page from the control site.
In still another aspect, a system is disclosed for allowing a pilot computer to cause a passenger computer including a passenger Web browser to display a predetermined Web page. The system includes, at the pilot computer, logic means for transmitting the uniform resource locator (URL) of the predetermined page to a control site, wherein the control site is a member of the Web. At the control site, logic means are provided for retrieving the predetermined page, and at the passenger computer logic means are provided for transmitting a code to the control site. Moreover, at the control site logic means determine whether the code is valid, and if so, logic means transmit in response thereto an active control to the passenger computer. Additionally, logic means cause the active control to cooperate with the passenger Web browser to download the predetermined Web pag
Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison LLP
Cardone Jason D.
Raindance Communications, Inc.
Rinehart Mark H.
LandOfFree
Browser controller does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Browser controller, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Browser controller will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2442921