Method of modifying a toolbar
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of modifying a toolbar, comprising the steps of:
- a user Internet device displaying a toolbar comprising one or more buttons, the toolbar defined by toolbar data stored in one or more toolbar-defining databases, the toolbar data comprising a plurality of attributes, each attribute associated with a button of the toolbar, wherein for each button of the toolbar, at least one of the plurality of attributes identifies at least one function to be performed when the button is actuated by the user Internet device, wherein at least one of the functions comprises exchanging data between a first computer program within the user Internet device and a second computer program within the user Internet device;
the user Internet device receiving toolbar update data from the Internet;
the user Internet device initiating without user interaction an operation to update the toolbar data in accordance with the toolbar update data received;
the user Internet device updating, by the operation, the toolbar data in accordance with the toolbar update data, thereby producing updated toolbar data, the updating comprising at least one of the following steps (a) and (b), each respectively comprising;
(a) writing at least one new attribute to the original toolbar data, wherein the writing at least one new attribute to the toolbar data comprises changing the one or more buttons of the toolbar by adding a button; and
(b) updating at least one attribute of the toolbar data; and
the user Internet device displaying the toolbar as defined by the updated toolbar data.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a method of and apparatus for simplifying the process of access to a network for a roaming computer user, divides the responsibility of servicing a given user wanting to access the network between multiple parties and minimizes the possibility of improper dissemination of email header data as well as improper use of network resources (including server systems) by non-clients.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of modifying a toolbar, comprising the steps of:
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a user Internet device displaying a toolbar comprising one or more buttons, the toolbar defined by toolbar data stored in one or more toolbar-defining databases, the toolbar data comprising a plurality of attributes, each attribute associated with a button of the toolbar, wherein for each button of the toolbar, at least one of the plurality of attributes identifies at least one function to be performed when the button is actuated by the user Internet device, wherein at least one of the functions comprises exchanging data between a first computer program within the user Internet device and a second computer program within the user Internet device; the user Internet device receiving toolbar update data from the Internet; the user Internet device initiating without user interaction an operation to update the toolbar data in accordance with the toolbar update data received; the user Internet device updating, by the operation, the toolbar data in accordance with the toolbar update data, thereby producing updated toolbar data, the updating comprising at least one of the following steps (a) and (b), each respectively comprising; (a) writing at least one new attribute to the original toolbar data, wherein the writing at least one new attribute to the toolbar data comprises changing the one or more buttons of the toolbar by adding a button; and (b) updating at least one attribute of the toolbar data; and the user Internet device displaying the toolbar as defined by the updated toolbar data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of modifying a toolbar, comprising the steps of:
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a user computer installing a toolbar program on the user computer, the toolbar program comprising a predetermined Internet Protocol address and an encrypted toolbar specifications database, the encrypted toolbar specifications database comprising a revision level and specifications for building a toolbar, the specifications for building a toolbar comprising; a plurality of name-value attribute pairs, the plurality of name-value attribute pairs comprising, for each of a plurality of buttons of the toolbar; a button caption; an enablement attribute specifying whether the button is enabled or disabled; an execution type; a description of the button functionality; and a location attribute specifying at least one of a location of a file for the button function or a network location for the button function; specifications for a plurality of tabs containing the plurality of buttons; and specifications for a ticker tape moving display; wherein the toolbar comprises a first button comprising; a location attribute comprising a first network location; and an execution type of causing a web browser to open the location attribute; the toolbar program building and displaying the toolbar in accordance with the encrypted toolbar specifications database; the toolbar program causing the user computer to automatically contact a server at the predetermined Internet Protocol address, the contact comprising the user computer transmitting the revision level of the encrypted toolbar specifications database to the server; the server determining, from the revision level, the user computer should receive toolbar update data for the toolbar program, the toolbar update data comprising a second network location; and the user computer receiving the toolbar update data. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification