System and method for adding functionality to web-based applications having no extensibility features

• US 10,019,420 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2015
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Think Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Think Research Corp.
• Inventors: Kimber, Ryan, Mukhi, Saurabh, Wong, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/872,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20170097740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 715234, 715763-765, 715851-853
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods of extending user interface web pages of a web-based application with user interface elements of a second web-based application. A client receiving a web page from a first server may detect that web page as including user interface of a first web-based application. The client may analyze that web page to extract data and send that data to a second server. The client may receive an indication of one or more modifications to make to the web page from the second server so as to display user interface of a second web-based application. The web page may be modified according to the indication, and the modified web page rendered in the client browser so as to yield a screen display with user interface elements of both the first and second web-based applications. Embodiments may employ a web browser plug-in.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of extending web pages of a first web-based application with user interface elements of a second web-based application at a client, said first web-based application hosted by a first web server and said second web-based application hosted by a second web server, each of said first and second servers in communication with said client, the method comprising:

receiving, at said client from said first server, a web page;

detecting said web page as a web page comprising a user interface element of said first web-based application, said interface element of said first web-based application providing access to a service provided by said first web-based application;

in response to said detecting;

analyzing, at said client, extracting data from said web page by said client;

sending, from said client to said second server, said extracted data;

receiving, at said client from said second server, an indication of one or more modifications to make said web page so as to display a user interface element of said second web-based application to insert to said web page, said interface element of said second web-based application providing access to a service provided by said second web-based application;

modifying, by said client, said web page according to said indication to generate a modified web page, said modified web page including said user interface element of said first web-based application and said user interface element of said second web-based application; and

displaying, at said client, a screen display corresponding to said modified web page, thereby allowing a user of said client device to access services of both said first web-based application and said second web-based application through said modified web page.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting and said steps in response to said detecting are performed at said client according to a web browser plug-in.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said indication comprises data sent by said client, said data extracted from one or more web pages of said first web-based application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said extracting data comprises evaluating one or more regular expressions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said extracting data comprises searching said web page for one or more strings.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said indication comprises HTML.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said extracted data is stored by said second server in a database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said web page is provided to said user after authenticating said user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said web page is encrypted.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said web page is provided to said user over an intranet, and wherein said extracted data is provided by way of the public internet to said second web server.

20. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause said computer to perform operations comprising the method of claim 1.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20 wherein said instructions embody a web browser plug-in.

11. A client computer system, said system comprising:

at least one processor;

a network adapter in communication with said at least one processor;

a display; and

,

memory in communication with said at least one processor, said memory storing software adapting said client computer system to extend web pages of a first web-based application with user interface elements of a second web-based application, said first web-based application hosted by a first web server and said second web-based application hosted by a second web server, each of said first and second servers in communication with said client computer system, wherein said software when executed by said at least one processor, causes said client computer system to;

receive, at said client from said first server, a web page;

detect said web page as a web page comprising a user interface element of said first web-based application, said interface element of said first web-based application providing access to a service provided by said first web-based application;

in response to said detecting;

extract data from said web page by said client;

send, from said client to said second server, said extracted data;

receive, at said client from said second server, an indication of a user interface element of said second web-based application to insert to said web page, said interface element of said second web-based application providing access to a service provided by said second web-based application;

modify, by said client, said web page according to said indication to generate a modified web page, said modified web page including said user interface element of said first web-based application and said user interface element of said second web-based application; and

display, at said client, a screen display corresponding to said modified web page, thereby allowing a user of said client device to access services of both said first web-based application and said second web-based application through said modified web page.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said software comprises a web browser plug-in.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said indication comprises data sent by said client, said data extracted from one or more web pages of said web-based first application.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said data extraction comprises evaluating one or more regular expressions.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said extraction of data comprises searching said web page for one or more strings.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said indication comprises HTML.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said extracted data is stored by said second server in a database.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein said web page is sent to said client computer system in an encrypted format.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said web page is provided to said client computer system over an intranet, and wherein said extracted data is provided by way of the public internet to said second web server.