Method and code module for adding function to a web page

• US 7,783,721 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Upland Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Augme Technologies Incorporated (Upland Software, Inc.)
• Inventors: McCollum, Charles P., Burgess, Jr., Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yohannes, Tesfay
• Application Number:
  US11/899,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 709/218
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• 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

Abstract

A computer network (20) includes a first processor (22) for maintaining a Web page (34) having an embedded first code module (36) and accessible through a Web address (38). A second processor (24) supports a Web browser (52) for downloading the Web page (34) and executing the first code module (36). When executed, the first code module (36) issues a first command (93) to retrieve a second code module (90) from a server system (26). The server system (26) includes a database (68) having a service response (162, 176, 186) associated with the Web address (38). A processor (62) assembles the second code module (90) having the service response (162, 176, 186). When the second code module is retrieved, the first code module (36) issues a second command (106) to initiate execution of the second code module (90) to provide added function to the Web page (34).

Claims

1. A method of operating a computer network to add function to a representation of a web page comprising:

downloading said representation of said web page at a processor of a client computer, said downloading operation being performed by said processor;

when said web page is downloaded, said processor automatically executing a first code module associated with said web page, wherein execution of said first code module initiates retrieval of a second code module;

receiving, at a server system, information from said processor;

providing, from said server system, said second code module having a service response, said service response being formed in response to said information;

downloading said second code module to said processor; and

said processor initiating execution of said second code module at said processor, wherein said second code module includes a web address for a second web page, and said method further comprises;

downloading information content from said second web page at said processor in response to said execution of said second code module; and

presenting said information content in said service response at said processor.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said information received at said server system characterizes said processor.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

obtaining informational content of said web page at said server system; and

determining said service response related to said informational content.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

storing, at said server system, said service response in association with a web address of said web page; and

said providing operation accesses said service response associated with said web address so that said service response is included in said second code module.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

presenting said service response at said processor in response to said initiating operation; and

terminating said presenting operation upon detection, at said server system, of a terminate service response indicator from said processor.

6. A method of operating a computer network to add function to a representation of a web page comprising:

downloading said representation of said web page at a processor of a client computer, said downloading step being performed by said processor;

when said representation of said web page is downloaded, said processor automatically executing a first code module associated with said web page;

said first code module issuing a first command to retrieve a second code module;

assembling, in response to said issuing operation, said second code module having a service response;

said first code module issuing a second command to initiate execution of said second code module; and

said processor initiating execution of said second code module in response to said second command; and

downloading information content from a second web page at said processor when said second code module is executed, said second code module including a web address for said second web page; and

presenting said information content in said service response at said processor.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

presenting said service response at said processor in response to said initiating operation; and

terminating said presenting operation upon detection, at a server system, of a terminate service response indicator from said processor.

8. A method of operating a computer network to add function to a representation of a web page comprising:

downloading said representation of said web page at a processor, said downloading step being performed by said processor;

when said web page is downloaded, said processor automatically executing a first code module associated with said web page;

said first code module issuing a command to retrieve a second code module;

assembling, in response to said issuing operation, said second code module having a service response, said service response being a metaphor;

said processor executing said second code module at said processor;

displaying said metaphor in connection with said representation of said web page at said processor;

detaching said metaphor from said representation of said web page; and

displaying said metaphor disassociated from said representation of said web page.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising customizing said metaphor to include a parameter set relevant to said web page, said customized metaphor describing a conditional service presented upon execution of said second code module.