Method and apparatus for providing desktop application functionality in a client/server architecture

• US 20050050547A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seitz, Edward F., Whittle, Derrick W., Sollicito, Vincent L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,890,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/252 between a Database Management System and a front-end application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for synchronizing a client-side information store with a server-side database in a client/server architecture are disclosed. The method includes receiving data and receiving a script. The script defines a function of a control, and the function allows the control to perform an operation using the data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data; and

receiving a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing said control to perform said operation using said data.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

controlling said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

creating client-based preferences by storing said at least a portion of said data in a local data cache.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting another portion of said data.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting said data.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field,

said data comprises a plurality of selections, and

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein

said data and said script are received from a server.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving said control.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing said data in a local data cache.

14. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

computer readable medium coupled to said processor; and

computer code, encoded in said computer readable medium, configured to cause said processor to;

receive data; and

receive a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said control to perform said operation using said data.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

create client-based preferences by storing said at least a portion of said data in a local data cache.

19. The computer system of claim 16, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting another portion of said data.

20. The computer system of claim 15, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting said data.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

22. The computer system of claim 21, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field,

said data comprises a plurality of selections, and

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

23. The computer system of claim 15, wherein

said data and said script are received from a server.

24. The computer system of claim 23, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive said control.

25. The computer system of claim 24, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

receive content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

26. The computer system of claim 25, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

store said data in a local data cache.

27. A computer program product comprising:

a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to receive data;

a second set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data; and

computer readable media, wherein said computer program product is encoded in said computer readable media.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said control to perform said operation using said data.

29. The computer program product of claim 28, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

31. The computer program product of claim 30, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to create client-based preferences by storing said at least a portion of said data in a local data cache.

32. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting another portion of said data.

33. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting said data.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field,

said data comprises a plurality of selections, and

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

36. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein

said data and said script are received from a server.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive said control.

38. The computer program product of claim 37 further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

39. The computer program product of claim 38 further comprising:

a sixth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to store said data in a local data cache.

40. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving data; and

means for receiving a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

means for causing said control to perform said operation using said data.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

means for controlling said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

means for creating client-based preferences by storing said at least a portion of said data in a local data cache.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting another portion of said data.

46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said operation comprises:

presenting said data.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

means for receiving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field,

said data comprises a plurality of selections, and

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

49. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein

said data and said script are received from a server.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising:

means for receiving said control.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

means for receiving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising:

means for storing said data in a local data cache.

53. A method comprising:

sending data; and

sending a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

causing said control to perform said operation using said data.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

controlling said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

presenting another portion of said data.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

58. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

serving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

causing a portion of said data to be presented, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

61. The method of claim 54, wherein

said data and said script are sent by a server.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

sending said control.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

sending content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

64. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

computer readable medium coupled to said processor; and

computer code, encoded in said computer readable medium, configured to cause said processor to;

send data; and

send a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

65. The computer system of claim 64, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause said control to perform said operation using said data.

66. The computer system of claim 65, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

67. The computer system of claim 66, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause another portion of said data to be presented.

68. The computer system of claim 66, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

69. The computer system of claim 65, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

serve content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

70. The computer system of claim 69, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

71. The computer system of claim 70, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

cause a portion of said data to be presented, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

72. The computer system of claim 65, wherein

said data and said script are sent by a server.

73. The computer system of claim 72, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

send said control.

74. The computer system of claim 73, wherein said computer code is further configured to cause said processor to:

send content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

75. A computer program product comprising:

a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to send data;

a second set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data; and

computer readable media, wherein said computer program product is encoded in said computer readable media.

76. The computer program product of claim 75, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause said control to perform said operation using said data.

77. The computer program product of claim 76, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

78. The computer program product of claim 77, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause another portion of said data to be presented.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

80. The computer program product of claim 76, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to serve content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

81. The computer program product of claim 80, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to cause a portion of said data to be presented, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

83. The computer program product of claim 76, wherein

said data and said script are sent by a server.

84. The computer program product of claim 83, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to

send said control.

85. The computer program product of claim 83, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to send content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

86. An apparatus comprising:

means for sending data; and

means for sending a script, wherein

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, further comprising:

means for causing said control to perform said operation using said data.

88. The apparatus of claim 87, further comprising:

means for controlling said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising:

means for causing another portion of said data to be presented.

90. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

91. The apparatus of claim 87, further comprising:

means for serving content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, further comprising:

means for causing a portion of said data to be presented, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

94. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein

said means for sending said data and said means for sending said script are a server.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, further comprising:

means for sending said control.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, further comprising:

means for sending content, wherein

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

97. A system comprising:

a server, wherein

said server comprises a script server configured to serve a script,

said server is configured to serve data and said script,

said script defines a function of a control, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein

said server is further configured to control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

100. The system of claim 98, wherein

said server is further configured to cause another portion of said data to be presented.

101. The system of claim 97, wherein

said server is further configured to serve content,

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

103. The system of claim 102, further comprising:

said server is further configured to cause a portion of said data to be presented, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein

said server is further configured to send said control.

105. The system of claim 97, further comprising:

a client, wherein

said client is configured to receive said data and said script, and to provide said data and said script to an application resident on said client, and

said control is within said application.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein

said control is configured to control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein

said control is configured to causing another portion of said data to be presented.

108. A system comprising:

a client, wherein

said client is configured to receive data and a script, and to provide said data and said script to an application resident on said client,

said script defines a function of a control within said application, and

said function allows said control to perform an operation using said data.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein

said control is configured to control said performance of said operation using at least a portion of said data.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein

said at least a portion of said data comprises server-based preferences.

111. The system of claim 109, wherein

said control is configured to cause another portion of said data to be presented.

112. The system of claim 108, wherein

said client is further configured to receive content,

said content comprises said script, and

said script comprises said data.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein

said content is an HTML document,

said HTML document comprises a field, and

said data comprises a plurality of selections.

114. The system of claim 113, further comprising:

said client is further configured to present a portion of said data, wherein

said presenting presents said selections as alternative entries for said field.

115. The system of claim 114, further comprising:

said client is further configured to receive said control.

116. The system of claim 108, further comprising:

a server, wherein

said server comprises a script server configured to serve said script, and

said server is configured to serve said script to said client.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein

said server is further configured to serve said data to said client.

118. The system of claim 117, further comprising:

said server is further configured to serve content.