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Apparatus and accompanying methods for network distribution and interstitial rendering of information objects to client computers

  • US 20020120666A1
  • Filed: 09/13/2001
  • Published: 08/29/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1998
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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40. Apparatus for use in rendering an information object, through an executing web browser and in response to a first web page provided to the browser, the apparatus comprising:

  • (A) a processor;

    (B) a memory connected to the processor and storing both computer executable instructions and the first web page, the first web page having a plurality of computer readable instructions representing page content and code; and

    (C) an output device responsive to the processor;

    (D) wherein the processor, in response to the executable instructions and the code, executes, in conjunction with a web browser, an agent having an applet, wherein the applet;

    (D1) issues a request, via a network connection, to a specified network server to download a manifest file for the information object from the specified network server, wherein the manifest file comprises a manifest of names of a plurality of predefined informational files that collectively comprise part of the information object, a network address at which each of the informational files can be accessed and associated configuration information necessary to properly render the information object;

    (D2) accesses and downloads, to the memory, each informational file, specified in the manifest file, from its corresponding network address, to the extent said each informational file does not then reside within the memory; and

    (D3) in response to an occurrence of a user-initiated event which initiates a transition from the first web page to a second web page and which signifies a start of an interstitial interval;

    (D3a) ceases any further download of the manifest file or any informational file specified in the manifest file, to the extent any downloading of said manifest file or said any informational file is then occurring;

    (D3b) initiates processing, through the browser, of informational files for a previously downloaded information object so as to render the previously downloaded object during the interstitial interval to the user; and

    (D3c) deletes, from the memory, a manifest file and informational files for the previously for the previously downloaded information object once the previously downloaded information object has been rendered for a final time.

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