Method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a script on a second computer over a network

• US 7,051,119 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Slack Technologies, Inc. (Salesforce.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Staib, Christopher, Shafron, Thomas Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACOBS, LASHONDA T
• Application Number:
  US09/904,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 709203-206, 709/227, 709/229, 709/245, 709/248, 709/249
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a script on a second computer so as to provide access by the script to data typically inaccessible by a script. The method and system enable a first computer to control the Internet navigation of a second computer, and also enable instant messaging between a first computer and a member of a synchronization group. The computers may be connectable with each other over any type of network (e.g., LAN, WAN, intranet, Internet, cellular, etc.).

Claims

1. A method of enabling a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

downloading, to the first computer, computer code comprising a first script operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control loaded on the first computer for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with a server and to transmit the data input by the user to the server, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components;

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, the second computer having a second script and a second control loaded thereon and operable in connection therewith for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer;

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer; and

causing the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control.

2. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the computer code further comprises the first control.

3. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the first control comprises an ActiveX control.

4. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the first script can display data output to the user of the first computer.

5. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the first control.

6. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the first script can call the function of the first control.

7. A method as recited by claim 6, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the function of the first control.

8. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script.

9. A method as recited by claim 1, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to a synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of the member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer.

10. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein the function of the first control further comprises an instant message function to enable a user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

11. A method of enabling a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

downloading, to the first computer, first computer code comprising a first script operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control loaded on the first computer for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with a server and to transmit the data input by the user to the server, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components;

downloading, to the second computer, second computer code comprising a second script operable in connection with the second computer for accessing a function of a second control loaded on the second computer for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, the second script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the second computer, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer;

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer; and

causing the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control.

12. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the first computer code further comprises the first control.

13. A method as recited by claim 12, wherein the first control comprises an ActiveX control.

14. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the second computer code further comprises the second control.

15. A method as recited by claim 14, wherein the second control comprises an ActiveX control.

16. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the first script can display data output to the user of the first computer, and wherein the second script can display data output to the user of the second computer.

17. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the first control, and wherein the second script can send data to and receive data from the second control.

18. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the first script can call the function of the first control.

19. A method as recited by claim 18, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the function of the first control, and wherein the second script can send data to and receive data from the function of the second control.

20. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script, and wherein the second script is operable in connection with the second computer by opening a Web page containing the second script.

21. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to a synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of the member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer;

and wherein the function of the second control comprises;

a login function to enable the user of the second computer to login to the synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the second computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of the computer of a member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the second computer.

22. A method as recited by claim 21, wherein the function of the first control further comprises an instant message function to enable a user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group, and wherein the function of the second control further comprises an instant message function to enable a user of the second computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

23. A method of enabling a first computer to synchronize with a second computer so that the second computer is caused to navigate the Internet based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, wherein the first computer includes a first control for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, the first computer further including a first script, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components, and wherein the second computer includes a second control for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, the second computer further including a second script, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer; and

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer.

24. A method as recited by claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the user of the first computer to send an instant message to the user of the second computer.

25. A method as recited by claim 24, wherein said step of enabling the user of the first computer to send an instant message comprises:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from the script, the ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

26. A method as recited by claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the user of the first computer to login, said step comprising:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a login function that generates a login identification and that receives the data input to the script from the user of the first computer, the ActiveX control transmitting the data input and login identification to the server, the ActiveX control receiving login confirmation or rejection data from the server and passing the login confirmation or rejection data to the script.

27. A method as recited by claim 23, wherein said step of enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize comprises:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from the script, the ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

28. A method as recited by claim 27, wherein Internet navigation is carried out by the user of the first computer in connection with an Internet browser, and wherein said step of controlling the navigation comprises:

providing a browser helper object (BHO) control for receiving a navigation message from the Internet browser when the user of the first computer navigates from a first Internet Web page to a second Internet Web page;

providing a script for receiving the navigation message from the BHO control and for creating an XML feed of the navigation message; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from the script, the ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server to control the Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer.

29. A method as recited by claim 28, wherein the navigation message comprises a uri for the second Internet Web page.

30. A method as recited by claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the user of the second computer to login to a synchronization group.

31. A method as recited by claim 30, wherein said step of enabling the user of the second computer to login comprises:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a login function that generates a second login identification and that receives the data input to the script from the user of the second computer, the ActiveX control transmitting the data input and second login identification to the server, the ActiveX control receiving login confirmation or rejection data from the server and passing the login confirmation or rejection data to the script.

32. A method as recited by claim 23, wherein said step of enabling the user of the second computer to synchronize comprises:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from the script, the ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

33. A method as recited by claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the user of the second computer to send an instant message to the user of the first computer.

34. A method recited by claim 33, wherein said step of enabling the user of the second computer to send an instant message comprises:

providing a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

providing an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from the script, the ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

35. A system for enabling a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, the second computer having a second script and a second control loaded thereon and operable in connection therewith for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components, said system comprising a processor provided on the server and operable in connection with software loaded on the server, said processor downloading, from the server to the first computer, first computer code comprising a first script operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control loaded on the first computer for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with the server and to communicate the data input by the user to the server, said processor being further operable in connection with the software to cause the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control, said processor being further operable in connection with the software enable the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, enable the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer, enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer, and control Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer.

36. A system as recited by claim 35, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to the synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with a ember of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of a member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer.

37. A system as recited by claim 36, wherein the function of the first control further comprises and instant message function to enable the user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

38. A system as recited by claim 35, wherein the first computer code further comprises the first control.

39. A system as recited by claim 38, wherein the second control is an ActiveX control.

40. A system as recited by claim 35, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script.

41. A system as recited by claim 35, said processor being further operable in connection with the software for downloading, from the server to the second computer, second computer code comprising a second script operable in connection with the second computer for accessing a function of a second control loaded on the second computer, the second script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the second computer.

42. A system as recited by claim 41, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the second control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the second computer to login to the synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the second computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of a member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the second computer.

43. A system as recited by claim 42, wherein the function of the second control further comprises an instant message function to enable the user of the second computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

44. A system as recited by claim 41, wherein the second computer code further comprises the second control.

45. A system as recited by claim 44, wherein the second control is an ActiveX control.

46. A system as recited by claim 41, wherein the second script is operable in connection with the second computer by opening a Web page containing the second script.

47. A system as recited by claim 41, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script, and wherein the second script is operable in connection with the second computer by opening a Web page containing the second script.

48. A system for enabling a first computer to synchronize with a second computer so that the second computer is caused to navigate the Internet based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said system comprising:

a processor being operable in connection with software to enable the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, wherein the first computer includes a first control for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, the first computer further including a first script, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components, and wherein the second computer includes a second control for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, the second computer further including a second script, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

said processor being further operable in connection with software to enable the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

said processor being further operable in connection with software to provide synchronization functionality to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer; and

said processor being further operable in connection with software to provide navigation functionality to control Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer.

49. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to enable the user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

50. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a login function that generates a login identification and that receives the data input from the user of the first computer, said ActiveX control transmitting the data and login identification to the server, said ActiveX control receiving login confirmation or rejection data from the server and passing the login confirmation or rejection data to said script.

51. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from said script, said ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

52. A system as recited by claim 48, wherein Internet navigation is carried out by the user of the first computer in connection with an Internet browser, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a browser helper object (BHO) control for receiving a navigation message from the Internet browser when the user of the first computer navigates from a first Internet Web page to a second Internet Web page;

provide a script for receiving the navigation message from the BHO control and for creating an XML feed of the navigation message; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from said script, said ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server to control the Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer.

53. A system as recited by claim 52, wherein the navigation message comprises a url for the second Internet Web page.

54. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the first computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from said script, said ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

55. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to enable the user of the second computer to login to the synchronization group.

56. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a login function that generates a login identification and that receives the data input from the user of the second computer, said ActiveX control communicating the data and login identification to the server, said ActiveX control receiving login confirmation or rejection data from the server and passing the login confirmation or rejection data to said script.

57. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to enable the user of the second computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group.

58. A system as recited by claim 57, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from said script, said ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

59. A system as recited by claim 48, said processor being further operable in connection with software to enable the user of the second computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

60. A system recited by claim 59, said processor being further operable in connection with software to:

provide a script that accepts data input from the user of the second computer and creates an XML feed of the data; and

provide an ActiveX control defining a synchronization function that generates a synchronization identification and that receives the XML feed from said script, said ActiveX control transmitting the XML feed and synchronization identification to the server.

61. A method of synchronously following the network navigation of a first computer by at least a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

downloading, to the first computer, computer code comprising a first script, wherein the script is written in a Web based scripting language, operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, wherein the control is written in a programming language and is compiled, the control being loaded on the first computer, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with a server and to transmit the data input by the user to the server, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components;

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, the second computer having a second script and a second control loaded thereon and operable in connection therewith for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer;

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer; and

causing the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control.

62. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the computer code further comprises the first control.

63. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the first control comprises an ActiveX control.

64. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the first script can display data output to the user of the first computer.

65. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the first control.

66. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the first script can call the function of the first control.

67. A method as recited by claim 66, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the function of the first control.

68. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script.

69. A method as recited by claim 61, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to a synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group; and

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of the member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer.

70. A method as recited by claim 69, wherein the function of the first control further comprises an instant message function to enable a user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the synchronization group.

71. A method of synchronously following the network navigation of a first computer by a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a server in a network, said method comprising the steps of:

downloading, to the first computer, computer code comprising a first script, wherein the script is written in a Web based scripting language, operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, wherein the control is written in a programming language and is compiled, loaded on the first computer, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with the server and to transmit the data input by the user to the server, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components;

defining in a database in the server a synchronization group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises;

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to the synchronization group;

a synchronization function to enable the user of the first computer to synchronize with a member of the synchronization group;

a navigation function to enable control of the Internet navigation of a computer of the member of the synchronization group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request for synchronization with the user of the first computer, the second computer having a second script and a second control loaded thereon and operable in connection therewith for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to synchronize with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to synchronize with the user of the second computer;

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer; and

causing the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control.

72. A method of enabling a first computer to communicate and exchange data with at least a second computer, the first computer and the second computer each having a browser and being in communication with each other via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

downloading, to the first computer, computer code comprising a first script operable in connection with the first computer for accessing a function of a first control loaded on the first computer for operation in conjunction with said first computer browser, the first script being further operable for receiving data input by a user of the first computer and for causing the first control to communicate with a server and to transmit the data input by the user to the server, wherein the first script and the first control are separate components;

enabling the user of the first computer to communicate with the second computer to present a request to couple with the user of the first computer, the second computer having a second script and a second control loaded thereon and operable in connection therewith for operation in conjunction with said second computer browser, wherein the second script and the second control are separate components;

enabling the user of the second computer to agree to couple with the user of the first computer;

enabling the user of the first computer to couple with the user of the second computer;

controlling Internet navigation of the second computer based upon Internet navigation of the first computer, wherein the first script and the first control and the second script and the second control are independent from Web pages that are displayed on the first computer and the second computer; and

causing the server to transmit the data received from the first script to the second computer for receipt by the second control.

73. A method as recited by claim 72, wherein the computer code further comprises the first control.

74. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the first control comprises an ActiveX control.

75. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the first script can display data output to the user of the first computer.

76. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the first control.

77. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the first script can call the function of the first control.

78. A method as recited by claim 77, wherein the first script can send data to and receive data from the function of the first control.

79. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the first script is operable in connection with the first computer by opening a Web page containing the first script.

80. A method as recited by claim 73, wherein the server has defined in a database thereon a coupling group, and wherein the function of the first control comprises:

a login function to enable the user of the first computer to login to a coupling group; and

a coupling function to enable the user of the first computer to couple with a member of the coupling group.

81. A method as recited by claim 80, wherein the function of the first control further comprises a navigation function to enable control of Internet navigation of a computer of the member of the coupling group based upon the Internet navigation of the first computer.

82. A method as recited by claim 80, wherein the function of the first control further comprises an instant message function to enable a user of the first computer to send an instant message to a member of the coupling group.