Extended browser data storage

• US 20080270527A1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Krabach, Todd, Isaacs, Scott M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

A technique for a server application to store data in excess of a standard-size cookie on a client system. The technique employs a client-side abstraction layer that stores the data in a plurality of cookies associated with sub-domains associated with the server application. The technique further provides for the retrieval and aggregation of data stored in the plurality of cookies associated with sub-domains. The technique can be transparent to the server and a client-side browser. Through the technique, server applications can store data such as personal information and/or preferences in excess of a standard-size cookie.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented client data storage system, comprising:

a browser for browsing an application on a server; and

,

an abstraction layer for storing user data associated with the application in a plurality of cookies, where the data is received from the browser.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the abstraction layer further retrieves user data stored in the plurality of cookies and provides the user data to the browser.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the user data comprises personal information utilized by the application to personalize a web page.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cookies is associated with a sub-domain of a domain associated with the application.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the abstraction layer dynamically manages a sub-domain naming convention for the sub-domain.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the cookies stores up to four kilobytes of data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the abstraction layer aggregates the data and serializes the aggregated data.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the aggregated data is a string.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the abstraction layer is a component of an asynchronous java script and XML library associated with the browser.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the abstraction layer employs a hidden inline floating frame of the browser.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the abstraction layer employs a plurality of inline floating frames of the browser, each inline floating frame exposing a least one of a function for getting, a function for setting, or a function for deleting a value of one of the plurality of cookies.

12. A computer-implemented method of storing data in cookies, comprising:

receiving a request to store data from an application;

providing the data to be stored to an abstraction layer;

creating cookies associated with sub-domains of a domain associated with the application; and

,

storing the data in the cookies associated with the sub-domains.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a quantity of cookies created is based on a size of the data.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein storing data in the cookies is performed sequentially.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein storing data in the cookies is performed substantially in parallel.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the abstraction layer employs a hidden inline floating frame of a browser to create the cookies associated with the sub-domains and to store the data in the cookies.

17. A computer-implemented method of retrieving data stored in cookies, comprising:

receiving a request for data from an application, the application having an associated domain;

requesting data associated with the domain from an abstraction layer;

obtaining data from a plurality of cookies associated with sub-domains of the domain; and

,

organizing the data obtained from the plurality of cookies.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein organizing the data further comprises aggregating data obtained from each of the plurality of cookies.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining data from the plurality of cookies is performed sequentially.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining data from the plurality of cookies performed substantially in parallel.