Internet access system and method with active link status indicators
First Claim
1. A system for accessing data from a distributive information network, comprising:
- a processor that receives data from the distributive information network;
a memory that stores the data received from the distributive information network; and
a display that displays the data, at least one link corresponding to other data accessible from the distributive information network, and at least one link status indicator associated with but distinct from each at least one link, visual characteristics of each link status indicator conveying information regarding the other data corresponding to its associated link, the processor responding to a selection of at least one link status indicator by retrieving, when the other data is not already stored in the memory, the other data associated with its associated link from the distributive information network and storing the other data in the memory without displaying the other data on the display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet access system and method includes active link status indicators that give a user control over when a document is loaded into a cache. The system and method notifies a user of the presence or absence of a document in the cache by changing the visual characteristics of an associated link status indicator. If a user selects a link status indicator with a mouse or other input device, the system and method will fetch the document corresponding to the associated Internet link and place the document in the cache without displaying the document to the user. The system and method of this invention allow a user to fetch a document and store it in the cache while the user is viewing another document. The link status indicators include icons that are displayed adjacent to the associated Internet link.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for accessing data from a distributive information network, comprising:
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a processor that receives data from the distributive information network; a memory that stores the data received from the distributive information network; and a display that displays the data, at least one link corresponding to other data accessible from the distributive information network, and at least one link status indicator associated with but distinct from each at least one link, visual characteristics of each link status indicator conveying information regarding the other data corresponding to its associated link, the processor responding to a selection of at least one link status indicator by retrieving, when the other data is not already stored in the memory, the other data associated with its associated link from the distributive information network and storing the other data in the memory without displaying the other data on the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of accessing and displaying data from a distributive information network, comprising:
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receiving data from the distributive information network; displaying the retrieved data; displaying at least one link corresponding to other data accessible from the distributive information network; displaying, for each link, at least one link status indicator associated with but distinct from that link; and conveying, for each link, information about the corresponding other data through visual characteristics of the at least one associated link status indicator; wherein, when one of the at least one link status indicators associated with one of the at least one links is selected, the method further comprising; retrieving the other data corresponding to the selected link status indicator; and storing the retrieved other data in a memory without displaying the retrieved other data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification