Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing – Using interconnected networks
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-01-30
Matar, Ahmad F. (Department: 2758)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Using interconnected networks
C709S219000, C709S224000, C709S225000, C709S226000, C370S234000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182125
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to computer networks. More specifically, it relates methods for improving perception of electronic information content over computer networks such as the Internet or an intranet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic content is obtained from a variety of computer networks including the Internet, intranets, and other computer networks. The Internet is a world-wide network of interconnected computers. The World-Wide-Web is an information system on the Internet designed for electronic content interchange. Electronic content on the World-Wide-Web is typically stored in files that include text, hypertext, references to graphics, animation, audio, video and other electronic data.
Network transfer latencies and electronic content types influence user perception of the quality of information provided by a computer network. Since response to the delivery of electronic content from computer networks like the Internet or an intranet is variable, user perception of the quality of information also varies. In one study, user perception of the quality of electronic content including text and graphics decreased as network response time increased. However, if the same electronic content is provided including only text and no graphics, user perception of the quality of the electronic content increased with respect to network response time. For more information see “The Effects of Internet Latency on User Perception of Information Content”, by M. S. Borella, A. Sears and J. A. Jacko, IEEE Global Internet '97, pp. 1932-1936, November, 1997.
It appears than when network latencies are large, users typically blame graphical information in the electronic content for delays in obtaining desired information. If requested electronic content has only text, users typically acknowledge that the content provider has done all that could be done to provide the electronic content in a timely manner. However, when network latencies are small, users typically expect the electronic content with text and graphics to contain a greater quality of information.
User perception of electronic content is important to many organizations, especially to those that use computer networks to provide information. For example, user perception of information may be important to a university to attract students, to a business to attract customers, to a charity to attract donations, etc. In many situations, the first and only impression that a potential client or customer receives is based on electronic content retrieved from an organization's computer network or site on the Internet.
The are several problems associated with providing electronic content to a wide range of users from a computer network. A user may connect to a computer network with a relatively slow dial-up connection via a modem (e.g., 56,000 bits-per-second), or over a higher-speed network connection (e.g., a 1.5 Mega-bit-per-second) in a university or corporation. The type of electronic content provided may be adjusted based on a connection speed. However, it is difficult to adjust the type of electronic content based on network latency. Network latency conditions change dynamically, and even a fast connection may have a large network latency at a given time. In addition, a provider of electronic content cannot predict with reasonable certainty what a network latency will be at a given time.
Providing static electronic content for all users with varying network latencies may lead to user dissatisfaction and poor user perception of the electronic content. Thus, it is desirable to provide electronic content from computer network in a manner to ensure improved user perception regardless of network latency.
SUMMARY OF THEE INVENTION
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated with user perception of electronic content provided by computer networks are overcome. Methods for the dynamic provision of electronic content are provided. One aspect of present invention includes a method for dynamically providing electronic content over a computer network. A request for original electronic content is received on a second network device from a first network device via a first network. A network latency on the first network is determined between the second network device and the first network device. An amount of original electronic content to send to the first network device is determined dynamically based on the determined network latency. The determined amount of original electronic content type is sent from the second network device to the first network device in response to the request for original electronic content. For example, the method allows the number of graphical images in original electronic content to be sent to be dynamically adjusted based on a determined network latency.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic content over a computer network with adaptive transport. A request for original electronic content is received on a second network device from a first network device via a first network. The original electronic content includes at least a first content type and a second content type. A network latency on the first network is determined between the second network device and the first network device. An amount of original electronic content of the second content type to send to the first network device is determined dynamically based on the determined network latency. The first content type of electronic content from the original electronic content is sent with a first protocol from the second network device to the first network device. The determined amount of the second content type of electronic content from the original electronic content is sent with a second protocol from the second network device to the first network device. For example, the method allows text to be sent with a first reliable connection-oriented protocol, and graphical images to be sent with a second faster connectionless less reliable protocol based on a determined network latency.
Aspects of the present invention may improve user perception of requested original electronic content by dynamically sending an amount of original electronic content based on a determined network latency and providing electronic content over a computer network with adaptive transport. Improved user perception of original electronic content may help attract and retain students, customers, contributors, etc. to an organization's electronic content site on a computer network (e.g., a home page on the Internet or an intranet).
The foregoing and other features and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings.
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Borella Michael S.
Grabiec Jacek A.
Schuster Guido M.
Sidhu Ikhlaq S.
3Com Corporation
Lesavich Stephen
Matar Ahmad F.
McDonnell & Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Nguyen Thu Ha T.
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