System and method for client-server networked applications

• US 20030023670A1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steve Walrath
• Original Assignee: Steve Walrath
• Inventors: Walrath, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,379,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• 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 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method for providing a distributed software application is disclosed. The application includes multiple browser window components that run together within a single browser window. Each component manages and displays data independently, so that a series of Internet pages can be simultaneously displayed and manipulated by a user.

Claims

1. A system for providing a distributed software application, comprising:

a server comprising a stored electronic main page, wherein the main page comprises at least two browser components for displaying additional electronic pages within the main page;

a client computer comprising a browser program configured to establish a communication link with the server and display the stored electronic main page; and

at least one software control on the main page for selecting one of the at least two browser components to display in the browser program.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the main page is written in the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the browser components comprise the Microsoft HTML parsing and rendering engine.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the browser program is the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser program.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the software control is an Active X control.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the Active X control is a command button control.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the Active X control appears as a tab within the browser program.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the software control is configured to store variable data to the client computer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two browser components are part of a single software control.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two browser components are part of a single software control.

10. A method of processing information using a computer network, comprising:

downloading an electronic main page from a server computer to a client computer, wherein the main page comprises at least two browser components for displaying additional electronic pages within the main page;

providing at least one software control on the electronic main page; and

displaying the stored electronic main page, wherein a first one of the browser components displays a first electronic page, and wherein activation of the software control results in as second one of the browser components displaying a second electronic page.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the main page is written in the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the browser components comprise the Microsoft HTML parsing and rendering engine.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the browser program is the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser program.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the software control is an Active X control.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the Active X control is a command button control.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the Active X control appears as a tab within the browser program.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the software control stores variable data to the client computer.