Web browser method and system for backgrounding a link access during slow link access time periods

• US 5,978,848 A
• Filed: 03/14/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han, Maddalozzo, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asta, Frank J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vaughn, Jr., William C.
• Application Number:
  US08/818,481
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/227, 709/228, 709/232, 707/10, 707/100, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/825.08
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9574 of access to content, e.g. by caching

Abstract

A browser background extension method and system for a Web browser such that a link access can be backgrounded during slow link access time periods in a computer network having a client connectable to one or more servers, the client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with a hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server. Initially, an access parameter is associated with the hypertext link. Next, the hypertext link to the second hypertext document is selected, in response to user input. Thereafter, an access time period is invoked in an active mode of a Web browser such that the hypertext link accesses the second hypertext document in response to the selection. Next, if the access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access, the link access is terminated in the active mode of the Web browser and continues thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input.

Claims

1. A browser background extension method for a Web browser wherein a link access can be backgrounded during slow link access time periods in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising the steps of:

associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link by displaying a dialog box including access parameters which may be modified by a user and prompting a user to enter access parameters which include at least one time parameter which specifies time limits on an attempt to obtain said second hypertext document;

selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;

invoking an access time period in an active mode of a Web browser wherein said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection; and

terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access, further comprises the step of:

terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background window displayed within a graphical user interface within said client in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

prompting a user to enter within said dialog box, access parameters wherein said access parameters include;

at least one remarks parameter indicating user remarks about said second hypertext document; and

at least one user action parameter indicating action to take when said second hypertext document if fully loaded to said client from said at least one server following a completion of said access time period.

4. A browser background extension system for a Web browser wherein a link access can be backgrounded during slow link access time periods in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising:

association means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link by displaying a dialog box including access parameters which may be modified by a user and prompting a user to enter access parameters which include at least one time parameter which specifies time limits on an attempt to obtain said second hypertext document;

selection means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;

access time period means for invoking an access time period in an active mode of a Web browser wherein said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection; and

background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access, further comprises:

background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background window displayed within a graphical user interface within said client in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

prompting means for prompting a user to enter within said dialog box, access parameters wherein said access parameters include;

at least one remarks parameter indicating user remarks about said second hypertext document; and

at least one user action parameter indicating action to take when said second hypertext document if fully loaded to said client from said at least one server following a completion of said access time period.

7. A computer program product residing in computer memory in a data-processing system for permitting a Web browser background extension for a Web browser for a link access during slow link access time periods in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising:

association means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link by displaying a dialog box including access parameters which may be modified by a user and prompting a user to enter access parameters which include at least one time parameter which specifies time limits on an attempt to obtain said second hypertext document;

selection means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;

access time period means for invoking an access time period in an active mode of said Web browser wherein said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;

background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access; and

first signal-bearing means bearing said association means, said selection means, said access time period means, and said background means.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein said background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access, further comprises:

background means for terminating said link access in said active mode and continuing said link access thereafter in a background window displayed within a graphical user interface within said client in a background mode on a scheduled or opportunistic basis, in response to a subsequent user input, if said access time period proceeds at a rate of access slower than a desired rate of access.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 further comprising:

prompting means for prompting a user to enter within said dialog box, access parameters wherein said access parameters include;

at least one remarks parameter indicating user remarks about said second hypertext document;

at least one user action parameter indicating action to take when said second hypertext document if fully loaded to said client from said at least one server following a completion of said access time period; and

second signal-bearing means bearing said dialog box display means and said prompting means.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein:

said first signal-bearing means further comprises recordable media; and

said second signal-bearing means further comprises recordable media.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein:

said first signal-bearing means further comprises transmission media; and

said second signal-bearing means further comprises transmission media.