Accessing page bundles on a portable client having intermittent network connectivity

• US 20020083132A1
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christina Lau, David L. Kaminsky, Ian Michael Holland, Sandeep K. Singhal
• Original Assignee: Christina Lau, David L. Kaminsky, Ian Michael Holland, Sandeep K. Singhal
• Inventors: Lau, Christina, Singhal, Sandeep K., Kaminsky, David L., Holland, Ian Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,505,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

A method, system, and computer-readable code for a technique by which multiple Web pages can be dynamically bundled (i.e. packaged) and downloaded for accessing on a user'"'"'s workstation, enabling the user to perform a meaningful interaction even in the absence of an ongoing network connection. The proposed technique uses an on-demand bundling approach, ensuring that a requesting user will receive the most recent versions of any bundled files. The proposed technique often serves to reduce the number and duration of network connections required, enabling a user to work productively while offline. Further, the bundle may optionally contain executable code such as one or more servlets, which will execute on the user'"'"'s workstation to enable dynamic content generation. Messages may be created and queued during processing of the downloaded bundle, for sending to a server when the user subsequently establishes a network connection. Optionally, data mining software may be used advantageously with this technique, to increase the likelihood of constructing a bundle that will meet the user'"'"'s needs throughout the offline interaction. Additionally, transcoding may optionally be performed on a bundle destined for a particular user, that will tailor the bundled software to the user'"'"'s current working environment.

Claims

1. In a computing environment capable of having a connection to a network, computer readable code readable by a computer system in said environment for enabling offline Web page processing, comprising:

a subprocess for intercepting a user request for a page, said subprocess operating on a client in said network;

a subprocess for determining if said page is stored locally;

a subprocess for retrieving said requested page from a local storage when said subprocess for determining has a positive outcome;

a subprocess for sending a page bundle request to a server in said network when said subprocess for determining has a negative outcome;

a subprocess for receiving said requested page bundle;

a subprocess for storing said received page bundle; and

a subprocess for delivering said requested page to said user.

2. Computer readable code for enabling offline Web page processing according to claim 7, wherein said subprocess for delivering said requested page further comprises a subprocess for locating and executing at least one servlet capable of creating dynamic content.

3. A system for enabling offline Web page processing in a computing environment capable of having a connection to a network, comprising:

means for intercepting a user request for a page, said means operating on a client in said network;

means for determining if said page is stored locally;

means for retrieving said requested page from a local storage when said means for determining has a positive outcome;

means for sending a page bundle request to a server in said network when said means for determining has a negative outcome;

means for receiving said requested page bundle;

means for storing said received page bundle; and

means for delivering said requested page to said user.

4. The system for enabling offline Web page processing according to claim 15, wherein said means for delivering said requested page further comprises means for locating and executing at least one servlet capable of creating dynamic content.

5. A method for enabling offline Web page processing in a computing environment capable of having a connection to a network, comprising the steps of:

intercepting a user request for a page, said intercepting step operating on a client in said network;

determining if said page is stored locally;

retrieving said requested page from a local storage when said determining step has a positive outcome;

sending a page bundle request to a server in said network when said determining step has a negative outcome;

receiving said requested page bundle;

storing said received page bundle; and

delivering said requested page to said user.

6. The system for enabling offline Web page processing according to claim 23, wherein said delivering said requested page step further comprises the step of locating and executing at least one servlet capable of creating dynamic content.