Supplemental request header for applications or devices using web browsers

• US 6,966,034 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Narin, Attila
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US09/754,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091755A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 709216-219, 709/203, 709/206, 709/227, 709/246, 345/744, 345/764, 719/328, 707/10, 707/104.1, 715/513, 715/501.01, 715/744, 715/764
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/561 Adding application-functional data or data for application control, e.g. adding metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data

Abstract

A method and system for generating and/or servicing requests for information requested across networks, such as the Internet, is disclosed. In some embodiments, supplemental request header information is included with HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests for a web page. The supplemental request header information may identify one or more characteristics of an application for which the HTTP request was generated. In further embodiments, the Internet server servicing the HTTP request having such a supplemental request header may extract and use information from this header to select and/or modify the requested web page to best suit the requesting application'"'"'s status and/or current characteristic.

Claims

1. A method for providing information on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving, from a browser program module, a request for a web page;

b) examining said received request for header information identifying said web browser;

c) examining said received request for header information identifying a status of a user-configurable setting for an application for which said web browser sent said request;

d) transmitting a response to said browser program module, wherein said response includes a version of said web page in accordance with said status

e) receiving, from said browser program module, information indicating that said status of said user-configurable setting has been changed; and

f) automatically transmitting a second version of said web page to said program module, said second version differing from said first version in accordance with said change in said status of said user-configurable setting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said header information identifies a size of a graphical display area to be used by said application to display a web page.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said header information identifies a font used by said application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said header information identifies a user interface theme of said application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said header information identifies a property of a physical device or network used by said application.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a version of said requested web page from a plurality of versions of said requested web page for transmission to said browser program module, wherein said step of selecting is in accordance with said header information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

a) retrieving said requested web page; and

b) modifying said requested web page in accordance with said header information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of gathering statistical information regarding applications that request said requested web page.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said statistical information relates to a characteristic, configuration, or state of the applications that request said requested web page.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said request is a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said header information identifying said browser program module is an HTTP User-agent header.

12. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions for executing the steps recited in claim 1.