Methods and systems for operating multiple web pages in a single window

• US 20060271858A1
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yolleck, Stephen Mark, Gorecki, Marek, Ho, Denise
• Granted Patent: US 7,523,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating multiple web pages in a single browser window. The methods and systems include providing tabbed browsing whereby a user may select a tab to open a web page associated to it. A set of tabs and buttons are located on a tab band within the browser window. The functionality of tabbed browsing is compatible with existing browser features and applications. The computer software for tabbed browsing is created as a plug-in to the browser.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for implementing tabbed browsing in an existing web browser, comprising:

at a computing device, providing one or more computer programs having tabbed browsing functionality when operating in conjunction with the existing browser;

registering the one or more computer programs as one or more plug-ins with the existing browser;

creating one or more browser instances for one or more web pages respectively identified by one or more tabs on a tab band while operating the one or more computer programs with the existing browser to provide tabbed browsing functionality; and

providing application compatibility between the one or more browsing instances and existing features associated with the existing browser.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein tabbed browsing functionality comprises operating the tab band with one or more tabs and at least one user-selectable button.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein creating one or more browser instances comprises opening one or more browser frames containing browser features for each frame and loading associated browser plug-ins and toolbars for each frame.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the existing browser is a closed-source browser.

5. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute the method as recited in claim 1.

6. One or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon for performing the method of claim 1.

7. A computer-implemented method for operating multiple web pages in a single window, comprising:

at a computing device, providing a set of computer applications to augment an existing browser;

executing the set of computer applications with the existing browser to provide tabbed browsing; and

operating tabbed browsing in conjunction with existing features functioning with the existing browser wherein tabbed browsing and the existing features are compatible and function together.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein providing the set of computer applications comprises providing add-on computer software to function as a plug-in to the existing browser.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein providing tabbed browsing comprises operating a tab band visible in the existing browser with one or more tabs and at least one user-selectable button.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the existing features include user-selectable items within the existing browser to perform one or more functions in the existing browser.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the add-on computer software uses a set of APIs.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the existing browser is a closed-source browser.

13. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute the method as recited in claim 7.

14. One or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon for performing the method of claim 7.

15. One or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon for facilitating tabbed browsing with an existing web browser, comprising:

one or more browser interface components operable to control respectively one or more browser instances, each browser instance associated with a tab in a tab bar;

one or more tab bar components operable to manage respectively one or more tab bars; and

a tab manager component operable to control the one or more browser interface components and the one or more tab bar components.

16. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the instructions are located in an add-on software.

17. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein the add-on software uses a set of APIs.

18. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein a set of browser interface components is associated with a browser window.

19. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 18, wherein each tab bar component is associated with each browser window.