JP4780915B2 - Method and system for simplifying online shopping using internet browser - Google Patents

Description

  This application is a continuation of US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 429,585 (filed Oct. 28, 1999) and a US patent entitled “Method and System for Simplifying Online Shopping Using an Internet Browser”. Application No. 10 / 015,816 (filed on November 1, 2001), both of which are currently pending. This application also claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 60 / 331,565 (filed Nov. 16, 2001).

  The present invention relates to a method and system for simplifying online shopping using an Internet browser.

  When accessing the Internet (ie, the World Wide Web, Web, etc.), Internet users typically use a browser software program, such as Netscape Navigator ™ or Microsoft Internet Explorer ™, via a computer. Start or start. A browser program (also referred to herein as a browser) establishes a physical link with the Internet (eg, via a modem and an Internet service provider (ISP)), and provides a text interface and graphics that have a predetermined appearance and functionality. Provides a user interface or browser interface. Currently, neither the appearance nor the functionality can be changed significantly by Internet users. Thus, the browser interface is relatively quiet while Internet users navigate the Internet as they move from website to website, application to application, and from an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) page to an HTML page. Is.

  Limited control of the browser interface is currently available via, for example, an executable software program that can add function buttons to the browser interface. However, this additional functionality is added to the browser interface when the browser is first launched, but then remains static. Therefore, when the browser is launched or when the user is navigating the Internet, the browser that dynamically downloads information from the Internet site and displays the modified browser interface as described above is the browser itself. Cannot be customized. Also, such a modified browser interface cannot be used to access various browser application programming interfaces (APIs) for plug-ins and interfaces. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method for modifying the browser interface and provide a browser interface that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

  When accessing a certain website, it may be necessary for the user to enter a user ID and password before being granted permission to access data via the user-specific website. For example, most financial institutions, investment companies and other service providers that have online shopping websites (but are not limited to) are users (or clients of organizations) via the Internet. Has allowed access to their account. For various obvious reasons, such access is based on the user entering certain user specific information prior to obtaining a user account. For example, to set up an online account, a user may be required to provide certain user specific information identifying the user, such as a user ID and password. Once this user-specific information is provided and an online account is established, only the user can access his / her online account by providing the user-specific information as part of the login process.

  It is not uncommon for a user to have multiple online accounts (with multiple financial institutions, investment companies and other service providers) that can be accessed through multiple websites. There may be cases where the user uses the same login ID and password for each of a plurality of websites, but this is not recommended. In fact, a more desirable and recommended practice is the use of different login IDs and passwords for individual online accounts. As a result, the security of the user's online account is enhanced, and even if another person happens to acquire one of the user's login ID and password, the possibility of unauthorized access to the account is reduced. However, the use of different login IDs and passwords for individual online accounts raises its own problem that individual login IDs and passwords cannot be stored at all.

  It is also desirable that a user can search for information from one or more websites without having to navigate through individual websites. It is further desirable to be able to obtain such information easily and quickly using an internet browser.

  The present invention is directed to a method and system for adding functionality to an Internet browser interface. In one embodiment of the present invention, this additional function can simplify automatic login to a website using an Internet browser. In another embodiment, the added functionality allows the user to perform various tasks using an Internet browser. Although not limiting the present invention, examples of such tasks are necessary for navigation of one or more web pages, or for retrieving user desired information from one or more web pages or websites. Execution of various tasks.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, computer code for adding a function to the user's Internet browser is transmitted from the server to the user computer. Accordingly, the present invention provides dynamic control of the Internet browser interface by allowing the user to selectively add buttons and / or toolbars to the browser interface and add features and functions to the browser. Is. In the preferred embodiment, this computer code allows the user to change the browser interface by selectively adding interface objects to the Internet browser interface. Interface objects can have buttons that can be added to the browser interface as part of an existing toolbar or as part of a new toolbar added to the browser interface. This button allows the user to access the merchant list and adds an automatic login function to the browser. Access to the merchant list allows the user to add merchants, edit merchants, and select merchants for automatic login. Once this button is added to the browser interface, the user clicks on the added button (generally referred to herein as an auto-login button) and displays a pull-down menu that displays one or more merchants as a merchant list. Can be accessed. By selecting one of the merchants in the merchant list, a feature added to the browser in accordance with the present invention allows the user to automatically log in to the selected merchant and navigate to the merchant website. The above process is a process that is substantially transparent to the user, and a process in which the user selects a merchant from the merchant list is started.

  The automatic login function provided in accordance with the present invention preferably uses a login process with security protection that requires the user to input a security protection key before the automatic login process to the selected merchant is completed. . When the user has not entered the security protection key in advance during a specific Internet session, or when the user has entered the security protection key during the session and a predetermined time has elapsed since the entry of the security protection key The user is prompted for security as part of the automatic login process. Only after the correct security protection key has been entered, the automatic login process proceeds to the next step. The login process with the above security protection can be executed by the security protection server and the user computer.

  When the user performs security protection processing and logs in to the security protection server during an Internet session, a security cookie can be transmitted from the security protection server and stored in the user computer. If the security cookie exists on the user's computer and is valid (eg, if it has not expired), when the user selects the merchant from the merchant list, the security cookie is first requested by the computer code. As part of the security protection server. The secure server receives this request and determines whether the request includes a security cookie and whether the security cookie is valid. If a security cookie is included in the first request, the secure server transmits an acknowledgment to the computer code, which in turn transmits a second request to the feed server. This feed server may be the same security protection server or a different server from the security protection server as a matter of design choice. This second request includes a user ID and a merchant ID. When the feed server receives the second request, it compares the user ID and merchant ID with the database entry to determine whether a match exists. If a match exists, the feed server transmits an access credential request to another server (which may be a secure server). The other server includes a secure database including a plurality of data related to a plurality of users. Individual user data can be identified by user ID and can include the login ID and password of each of the plurality of merchants, each of the plurality of merchants having a corresponding merchant rule file. Have. Individual database entries consisting of a login ID, password, and merchant rules file are sometimes referred to herein as access credentials. Once the access credentials corresponding to the merchant selected by the user are identified, the other server transmits the access credentials to the user computer. Upon receipt of this access credential, the computer code provided in accordance with the present invention causes the user's browser to navigate to the selected merchant's predetermined web page (eg, a login web page). Automatically populates any fields required to log in and access the user's account. Again, these processes are transparent to the user. If the automatic login is successful, the merchant web page that normally follows the successful login is transmitted by the merchant server and displayed in the user's browser window.

  Thus, by selecting a merchant from the merchant list, the user can automatically navigate, log in to the merchant's web page, and access the user's account.

  As used herein, the terms “control” and “controllable” are meant to add, delete and modify Internet browser interfaces as non-limiting examples of the present invention. As described herein, an Internet browser interface means a visual or audible display presented to a browser user and serves as an intermediary for the user to communicate with the browser in real time. . The term “customize” (and variations of this term) can be used herein to describe the control capabilities provided by the present invention. As used herein, the term “dynamically controlled” (and variations of this term) displays a portion of the Internet browser interface (ie, interface object) and selectively adds it. , Means a method that can be changed or updated periodically.

  As used herein, a browser is given its general, art-recognized meaning, but the term browser generally refers to an interface with the World Wide Web or the Internet. Means a software program that provides A browser allows Internet users to navigate the Internet, establishes connections with various Internet sites (also referred to herein as Web sites), and is provided by content providers at various Internet sites. The page can be browsed. The browser is particularly capable of calling active X controls and plug-ins via the Internet site. Browsers allow Internet users to navigate between Internet sites (surf the Internet). The browser provides a browser interface with Internet users, the format of which is determined by the browser software program provider. The browser interface generally defines the layout (color, size, number and location, etc.) and functions that the browser provides to Internet users. The browser interface can also generally include a first parent window that defines the normal size, color, and layout of the browser interface and window control buttons (minimize, close, etc.). The browser interface may also include a second parent window (which may be a child window for the first parent window), as well as one or more windows subordinate to the second parent window. The second parent window and its subordinate windows provide, for example, various information (advertisements, coupons, news, HTML links, etc.) and functions (toolbars, pull-down menus, plug-ins, applications, etc.) to Internet users. I can do it.

  As used herein, active X control refers to a tool for linking to Internet desktop applications and is based on Microsoft's development specifications understood in the art. As used in this specification, a plug-in means a kind of program developed for use with a Netscape browser, and integrates a larger application (browser software program, etc.) A program that adds a specific function or capability to a program. The active X controls and plug-ins as described above described herein can be used with any Internet browser.

  As used herein, the term “Internet site (or website)” refers to a location on the Internet defined by an Internet address or URL (uniform or universal resource locator). As used herein, the term “Internet web page” refers to a collection of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) commands provided on an Internet site, and these HTML commands are sent to Internet users via a browser. Provides formatting information about text, images and functions for creating hypertext documents that can be displayed on any computer display. For example, an internet user enters a URL to establish a connection with an internet site, and the internet site outputs an HTML command to the user's browser and displays the web page of the internet site on the user's computer display. Make it possible. The browser translates the HTML command embedded in the web page, and uses the HTML command to format text and images for the web page.

  The present invention benefits Internet users, Internet content providers, and Internet service providers (ISPs). For Internet users, the present invention provides a method for dynamically controlling or customizing the user's Internet browser interface. Each time an Internet user accesses the Internet using a browser, the browser user can display information and / or functions defined by the user (collectively referred to herein as information) along with the browser interface. You can customize the interface. For example, the user can have bookmarks, address book and phone book, personal financial information, personal news and various functions that can be used via Active X control and plug-ins.

  Furthermore, if an Internet user has a content provider account, the browser can also dynamically display the user's unique account information along with the browser interface. Currently, an Internet user can access the user's unique account information only while connected to the content provider's Internet site. The user must return to the content provider's site to receive the updated account information. Once the user exits the Internet site, the account information will not be displayed with the browser interface. The present invention provides a method for dynamically controlling a browser interface and a dynamic that allows Internet users to display with the browser interface and continuously update their user-specific information and / or functionality. A controllable browser interface.

  For content providers, the present invention ensures that an automatic connection is established with the content provider's Internet site (via the browser) each time a user accesses the Internet using a browser. Thus, as soon as an Internet user causes the browser to run (such as by selecting a browser icon), the browser automatically connects to the content provider's Internet site to load the user's customized browser interface information. Establish a connection. The present invention can also connect the user's browser with the content provider's Internet site periodically and automatically while the browser is in an active state, i.e., while the user is surfing the net. In one embodiment, the content provider can provide Internet users with access to programs that control the browser interface. Once an Internet user accesses a control program that customizes the user's browser interface, the user's browser can automatically establish a connection with the content provider each time the user accesses the Internet. I can do it. Therefore, only when the user enters a URL (or when he / she actively acts to establish a connection by another method, such as selecting a link or banner advertisement) In contrast to the currently available browsers that are established, the present invention allows content content, regardless of the selected home web page, preprogrammed into the browser by either an Internet user or browser vendor when the browser is launched. Automatically establish a connection with the provider. Once the initial connection is established, the content provider can load user-specific information and / or functions to the Internet user's computer for display along with the user's browser interface.

  In addition, the content provider automatically sends the browser to the content provider's Internet site to periodically transmit updates, new downloads, or information and / or features for the Internet user's browser interface. It is possible to reconnect. For example, if an Internet user subscribes to a content provider's email service, even if the user is “surfing” elsewhere, the Internet user will receive an email message for the Internet user that the content provider has received. Can be automatically transmitted to the network. When a user's browser first establishes a connection with the content provider's Internet site when the user's browser is launched, the information that the content provider transmits to the Internet user includes the content provider's Internet site and Instructions to periodically reconnect are included. Therefore, regardless of the number of Internet sites that the user accesses, and regardless of the specific Internet site that the user is currently accessing, the re-connection of the content provider with the Internet site is at intervals determined by the content provider. Established automatically. These reconnections are transparent to Internet users except when the user receives a notification from the content provider (ie, a new mail has arrived). Therefore, it is possible to dynamically control the browser interface when an Internet user is surfing the internet. There are significant benefits for ISPs, at least as much as for content providers.

  Initially, the browser interface for Internet users needs to be customized using a software program that can be provided by a content provider or ISP, or a software program available on the user's computer. Hereinafter, this software program, which will be referred to as a computer code, a control program, or a program for performing control (and other names), changes the manner in which the user's browser functions. Specifically, the control program downloads or creates a library file on the Internet user's computer. This library file may be, for example, a dynamic link library (DLL) (for Windows operating system) that creates a shell (or a plurality of shells) in the browser. Also, various information and / or functions may be loaded in the browser as active X controls or plug-ins in the shell. This library file includes active X controls and plug-in functions that define interface objects added to the browser interface according to the present invention. When an Internet user starts or launches a browser, this library file is opened and the active X controls and plug-in code contained within the file are made available to the browser and incorporated into the browser interface, thereby , Display the interface object with the browser interface. As long as the browser is activated, typically as long as the user is surfing, the library file and thus the shell (or shells) will remain open. Thus, even when a user is moving from Internet site to Internet site, information and / or functions for customizing the browser interface that are loaded into the shell remain active. As used in the context of this specification, the term “information and functions” refers to functions performed by software that can be included in a library file or in any information, data and / or part of a library file. Means.

  When the user first launches the browser, the library file also causes the browser to establish a connection with the content provider's Internet site. The content provider's Internet site loads information and / or functions related to the interface object onto the user's computer for use in the browser and for display in the browser interface. The information and / or functions that a content provider loads can be specific to an Internet user, for example, if the user has a content provider account. Alternatively, the content provider may load general information and / or functionality, for example, if the Internet user does not have a content provider account (ie, a guest).

  The present invention uses Object Link & Embedding (OLE) in the server being processed to control browser interface information and / or functionality. Any information and / or functionality available by the active X control or plug-in along with the active X control or browser plug-in (each referred to herein as a browser interface overlay (BIO) library) contained in the library file The present invention may be used to add virtually to the browser interface. In this way, the library file (via the BIO library) contains the code necessary to customize the browser interface, ie, add, delete and / or change the browser interface.

  Once the control program is accessed and the user's browser handle is customized, the customized browser interface is displayed when the browser is launched. In contrast to conventional browser modification methods, the present invention provides a method and browser interface that can be dynamically controlled. Updated or changed information and / or functionality is transmitted to the browser, while the Internet user is surfing the web and while the browser interface's customized information and / or functionality is maintained. The above information and / or function can be displayed on the interface. In this way, an Internet user can use the browser's browser interface at any Internet site, and as long as the user is surfing the Internet using the browser, stock quotes, email, headline news. You can receive the latest information such as.

  The present invention also provides a method and system for simplifying online shopping by changing the browser interface that provides shopping assistant buttons and functionality. The modified browser interface provided in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention simplifies online shopping by creating a wallet for each shopper or user. This wallet is stored in the database of the server that has been subjected to security protection processing, and can only be accessed and changed by the user with the security protection key given by the user. This wallet contains user-supplied information that can be ported directly to a supported merchant checkout web page. Thus, when a user is shopping online at a supported merchant website and wishes to purchase certain goods and / or services from that merchant, the present invention provides the user with access to the user's wallet. To facilitate the porting of the data contained in the wallet and to fill out the merchant order form provided on the merchant's checkout web page quickly and without effort Is.

  In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an automatic login function can be added to the Internet browser. The steps of adding an auto login interface object to the browser interface are the same as described above with respect to various other embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it is not necessary to repeat this step for this embodiment. The auto-login interface object includes, as a non-limiting example, the ability to access the merchant list and revise, add and / or remove the merchant list, and the selected merchant website Various functions such as the ability to log in automatically are added to the browser. As used herein, “merchant site” is referred to in connection with this embodiment, and the present invention is applicable to any website where a user can establish an online account. It is noted. A website may require the user to enter a login password and / or other user data to access the user's account via the website.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, these drawings are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention, and reference should be made to the appended claims for limitations of the present invention.

  In the drawings, which are merely exemplary, the same reference numerals indicate the same corresponding elements throughout the several views.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate automatic login to a website using an Internet browser. According to one embodiment of the present invention, computer code is transmitted from a server to a user computer that adds certain functions to the user's Internet browser. This allows the present invention to dynamically add to the browser interface by allowing the user to selectively add buttons and / or toolbars to the browser interface, and by adding features and functions to the browser. It provides control. In the preferred embodiment, the computer code allows the user to change the browser interface by selectively adding interface objects to the Internet browser interface. An interface object may have buttons that can be added to the browser interface as part of an existing toolbar or as part of a new toolbar added to the browser interface. This button allows the user to access the merchant list and adds an automatic login function to the browser. Access to the merchant list allows the user to add merchants for automatic login, edit merchants, and select merchants. Once a button has been added to the browser interface, the user clicks on the added button (referred to broadly herein as an auto-login button) to pull down one or more merchants as a merchant list. You can access the menu. By selecting one of the merchants in the merchant list, a feature added to the browser in accordance with the present invention allows the user to be automatically logged in to the selected merchant and the user's browser navigates to the merchant's website. Is done. The process is substantially transparent to the user and begins when the user selects a merchant from the merchant list.

  The present invention also provides a method and system for simplifying online shopping by changing the browser interface that provides shopping assistant buttons and functionality. The modified browser interface provided in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention simplifies online shopping by creating a wallet for each shopper or user. This wallet is stored in the database of the server that has been subjected to security protection processing, and can only be accessed and changed by the user with the security protection key given by the user. This wallet contains user-supplied information that can be ported directly to a supported merchant checkout web page. Thus, when a user is shopping online at a supported merchant website and wishes to purchase certain goods and / or services from that merchant, the present invention provides access to his wallet to the user. To facilitate the porting of the data contained in the wallet so that the merchant order form provided on the merchant checkout web page can be completed quickly and without effort It is to make.

  Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer 50 connected to the Internet 90 capable of implementing the present invention. The computer 50 includes an internal bus 64 that facilitates communication of information between the various devices of the computer 50 and facilitates communication between the computer, external devices, and the system via the communication interface 68. A processor 66 connected to the bus 64 processes information in the computer 50. The computer 50 has a main memory 60, such as a random access memory (RAM) or another equivalent dynamic storage element, connected to the bus 64, for receiving and storing instructions transmitted from the processor 66. In addition. The main memory 60 may also be used to temporarily store variables and other intermediate information while the processor 66 executes instructions. A read-only memory (ROM) 62 is connected to the bus 64 for storing static data and instructions used by the processor 66. Non-limiting examples include various inputs and outputs including, for example, a display 54 (eg, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc.), an input device 56 such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 58 such as a mouse or trackball. An apparatus is provided as part of the computer 50. For example, a data storage device 52 such as a magnetic disk drive and a magnetic disk, a CD-ROM drive and a CD-ROM, or another equivalent device and a data recording medium communicate with the processor 66, the main memory 60, and the communication interface 68. Is connected to a bus 64 for performing The storage device 52 preferably stores an operating system 70 and an Internet browser software program 72 (that is, a browser) stored in the operating system 70. As will be discussed in further detail below, the library file 74 may be stored in the data storage device 52. As used herein, the term “computer” is intended to have its broadest interpretation and is limited to any physical size or structure, or any architectural configuration. It is not a thing. Rather, the term “computer” as used herein refers to any device that has the ability to transmit and / or receive digital data, store and / or retrieve digital data, and process digital data, for example, It is used to mean a device that can be connected to a network such as the Internet in any manner and by any means. The computer may be a computer of any style, size and configuration, without limitation, server, workstation, desktop, laptop, internet appliance, notebook, personal information appliance (PDA) It may include a mobile phone connected to the Internet, or a currently known or later developed device. A computer may include all or part of the following components: a central processing unit (CPU or processor) operable in connection with software (operating system, application program, etc.), a hard disk unit (HDU) ), Fixed storage device (ROM etc.), temporary memory (RAM etc.), removable data storage device (CD-ROM, floppy drive etc.), input device (keyboard, mouse, trackball etc.), output device (monitor and display) And I / O devices (modems, infrared transceivers, wireless (cellular) transceivers, etc.). It is well known to those skilled in the art that a computer can include all or part of these components, along with components not listed.

  The computer 50 can be connected to the Internet 90 via the communication interface 68 through a transmission medium including, but not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, and an optical fiber cable. Communication between the computer 50 and the Internet 90 may be via a wireless or cellular interface. The communication interface 68 facilitates bidirectional communication between the computer 50 such as a server computer (not shown) provided by the content providers 100 and 200 and another electronic device or system.

  An Internet user (not shown) who uses the computer 50 can access the Internet 90 by activating the browser 72, whereby the computer 50 is connected via the Internet service provider (ISP) 80. Communication link 68 between the content provider 100 and the Internet site 130 of the content provider 100 is opened. The browser 72 displays the browser interface 20 (see FIG. 1 etc.) having the layout (color, size, number, position, etc.) and functions of the window 30 preset in the browser 72 by the browser vendor. Provided on computer display 54. Internet content is transmitted to the computer 50 and displayed in the content window 32 of the content provider 100 browser interface 20.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first Internet content provider 100 can also provide Internet users with access to a program 120 for controlling the browser 72 and the browser interface 20. . When the user executes the process, the control program 120 downloads or creates a library file 74 such as a dynamic link library (DLL) to the data storage device 52 of the computer 50 of the Internet user. The library file 74 preferably includes an active X control and a plug-in function. Thereafter, when an Internet user accesses the Internet using the browser 72, the browser 72 opens the library file 74 and preferably automatically establishes a connection with the content provider's Internet site 130. In response to the connection established by browser 72, the content provider loads information and / or functional data into a shell running in the browser created by library file 74. For example, if the user has an account with the content provider 100, customized information and / or functions may be loaded into the library file 74. If the user does not have an account, more generalized information and / or functions may be loaded.

  Various embodiments of the present invention allow data communication between computers (between a server and a user or client computer, etc.), as described in more detail herein. In the present invention, such data communication (or transmission / reception, download / upload, etc.) is performed by any method using any medium using any currently known or later-developed medium or method. It is assumed that

  The library file 74 essentially consists of one shell (or multiple shells) in the browser 72 containing active X controls and plug-in code that can control the Internet browser 72 and the browser interface 20. Open. When loaded with active X controls and plug-ins, the library file 74 preferably includes functions, objects, data, and other software that can be used to control the browser 74 and browser interface 20. In the present specification, these are called information in a broad sense. The present invention ensures that the library file 74 (and shell) does not close when an Internet user moves from the Internet site 130 to the Internet site 230. As a result, even when an Internet user disconnects from an Internet site loaded with an Active X control or plug-in and connects to another Internet site, information and / or functions obtained through the Active X control or plug-in are not Not lost.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional Internet browser interface 20 is shown having a plurality of windows, each window providing various functions to Internet users. The browser interface 20 typically defines the general size, color, and layout of the browser interface, and includes a first parent window that includes window control buttons 28 (minimize, close, etc.) for that window 30. 30 can be provided. The browser interface 20 may further include a second parent window 36 (a child of the first parent window) within the first parent window 30 and one or more windows 38 subordinate to the second parent window. Is possible. Second parent window 36 and child window 38 generally define information and / or functions that assist Internet users when accessing or navigating the Internet. For example, the second parent 36 and its subordinate windows 38 may provide toolbars, pull-down menus, plug-ins, and applications.

  For example, the three windows 38 provided at the top of the interface 20 (in the figure) define three toolbars 22, which include, for example, pull-down menus, function buttons (stop, return, next, home, etc.). And various interface controls 24 such as a combination of function buttons and windows (such as search buttons and windows). The uppermost toolbar 22 provides a plurality of pull-down menus 24, the middle toolbar 22 provides a plurality of function buttons 24, and the lowermost toolbar 22 provides a pull-down menu and a window 26 (URL address window). A content window 32 is also provided as part of the interface 20 that can display content from the Internet content provider 100 (see FIG. 10 etc.). The Internet user can switch on and off one of the three lower toolbars 22 (in the drawing) using the display toolbar object 24 (pull-down menu) provided on the second toolbar 22. However, Internet users cannot add, delete or otherwise change the browser interface 20 here.

  An Internet browser 20 configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 2, the browser interface 20 includes an interface object 40 defined by an active X control or plug-in loaded into the library file 74 by the content provider 100. The interface object 40 has a pull-down menu 44 and is displayed on the browser toolbar 22 along with the interface control (ie, browser toolbar object) 24 provided by the browser 72. In FIG. 3, the interface object 40 has an interface object toolbar 42 and a pull-down menu 44 displayed as a separate window 48 in the browser interface 20. In FIG. 4, the interface object 40 includes an interface toolbar 42 that includes a plurality of pull-down menus 44 and a search window 46 displayed in another 48 window within the browser interface 20. The interface object 40 according to various embodiments of the present invention can virtually comprise any type of information and / or functionality available through a browser. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, the interface object 40 may include pull-down menus, toolbars and pull-down menus, text information (eg, advertisements, coupons, new HTML links, etc.), text and / or audio information (at the same time). May include text, sound-related advertisements, etc.), text, voice and / or image (whether or not video) information, video, video and audio, audio, etc. .

  The various embodiments of the Internet browser interface 20 according to the present invention illustrated by FIGS. 2-4 are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not limiting examples of the present invention. Changes to the browser interface 20 are possible with the teachings presented herein.

  Referring now to FIG. 5, a method for controlling the Internet browser interface 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in this figure and designated generally as 500. At step 510, the Internet user accesses the control program 120 via the Internet website 130, ISP 80 or the user's computer 50. The control program 120 provides the user with the ability to subsequently control the user's Internet browser interface 20 as the Internet user performs processing, as discussed in more detail below. In step 520, the control program 120 downloads and creates the library file 74 on the Internet user's computer 50 including the active X control that defines the interface object and the plug-in code. As shown in steps 530 and 540, each time an Internet user starts or activates the browser 72, the library file 74 is opened and a connection to a predetermined Internet website 110 is automatically established. The website 110 is preferably constructed to transmit active X controls and plug-in code for interface objects to the Internet user's computer 50. The opened library file 74 provides a shell in the browser 70 that can add functions provided by active X controls and plug-ins to the browser interface 20. Neither the library file 74 nor the shell is closed until the browser 72 is closed. At step 550, an interface object 40 that is displayed on the browser interface 20 is created. Information and / or functions of the interface object 40 are defined by active X controls and plug-ins. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the interface object 40, as shown in step 560, is the browser interface 20 as long as the user continues to surf the net, i.e., as long as the browser 72 is activated. At the same time, it remains displayed by the browser 72. Thus, the functionality added to browser 72 and browser interface 20 according to the present invention is not lost while Internet users are surfing the net.

  The present invention provides various embodiments for controlling the browser 72 and browser interface 20 as outlined with reference to FIG. 5, each of which will be described in detail below.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6 and subsequently to FIG. 10, an embodiment showing a method for controlling and displaying the browser 72 and the browser interface 20 according to the present invention will be described as 600 as a whole. As described herein, for the purposes of FIG. 6 and for the purposes of the following discussion directed to this figure, a library file 74 has been previously downloaded or created on the Internet user's computer 50. And At step 610, the Internet user starts or activates browser 72 and begins accessing the Internet 90. In step 620, the library file 74 is opened and a connection with a predetermined content provider is automatically established as shown in step 630. Functions defined by the active X control or plug-in code of the BIO library are transmitted to the user's computer 50 by the content provider to create an interface object 40 that can be added to the browser interface 20. As shown in step 640, the interface object 40 is displayed with the Internet browser interface 20. The function of the interface object 40 is defined by the active X control or plug-in code, but regardless of the number or type of Internet sites visited by the user while the Internet user circulates the Internet 90, As long as the user is accessing the Internet 90 using the browser software program 72, it remains with the Internet browser interface 20. As shown in step 650, when an Internet user moves from one Internet site to another, the present invention determines whether the interface object 40 is present due to the movement, ie, as shown in step 652. A determination is made as to whether the object 40 is still displayed on the browser interface 20 by the browser 72. If the interface object 40 is not displayed on the browser interface 20 (ie, it has been deleted from the browser interface 20 or terminated for other reasons), as shown in step 660, the interface object 40 is Redrawn. If the interface object 40 exists even when the user moves from one Internet site to another Internet site and remains displayed in the browser interface 20, the browser 72 can be operated in step 654. It is also determined whether or not it is in a state. This is because the interface object 40 is displayed only on the browser interface 20 if the browser 72 is operable. If the browser 72 is not operable, the interface object 40 is terminated and the library file 74 is closed, as shown in step 670. If the browser 72 remains operable, the present invention continues to ensure that the interface object 40 is displayed with the browser interface 20 at step 652. The present invention monitors the state of the interface object 40 as the Internet user is moving between Internet sites, and as long as the user is traversing the Internet 90, the interface object 40 is moved along with the browser interface 20 by the browser 72. Guarantee that it will be displayed.

  In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the present invention provides an interface for the browser 72 along with the browser interface 20 when the Internet user exits from the Internet website 130 that initially invoked the BIO library and loaded into the user's computer 50. It is guaranteed that the object 40 is displayed. For example, when the user starts or activates the browser 72, a connection to the first predetermined Internet site 130 maintained and managed by the first content provider 100 is automatically established, and the BIO library is stored in the user's computer 50. To be loaded. The functions provided by the BIO library are then made available to the browser 72 via the shell created by the library file 74. When an Internet user connects to the second Internet site 230 maintained by the second content provider 200, the functionality for the interface object 40 will continue to exist in the browser interface 20. In the present embodiment, when the link with the first Internet site 130 is completed, the browser 72 or the operating system 70 of the computer 50 disables the function of the BIO library by unloading the library file 74. Is prevented by the present invention.

  For example, when the browser 72 first connects to the Internet site 130, the site 130 provides functional information in the form of active X control software code to the Internet user's computer 50 as a BIO library loaded into the library file 74. To transmit. If the library file 74 has not received a clear command such as closing or unloading by the operating system 70 or the browser 72 at the end of the connection with the first Internet site 130, the connection with the first Internet site 130 Even after the connection is closed, the library file 74 will remain loaded and the desired functionality for the interface object 40 within the browser interface 20 will be provided. By keeping the library file 74 loaded while the Internet user is moving between the various Internet sites, except for the interior of the library file 74 (the Internet user 50 by the first Internet site 130). It is possible to load data, functions and objects outside the active X control (which are only transmitted to). As long as the library file 74 remains loaded, any data or objects created in the library file 74 and outside the active X control will remain loaded, and the browser interface 20 Will continue to function within.

  By keeping the library file 74 open during surfing after the browser 72 connects to the first Internet site 130 and before the connection is terminated, the global object A (object A) is called It is created in the program heap of the Internet user's computer 50 instead of the heap of the user. In this way, the global object survives the end of the calling function. A global object can be created using a new C ++ operator or by declaring a global object with a generic declaration. In any case, the global object will continue to exist even after the connection between the browser 72 and the first Internet site 130 is terminated.

  The global object defined in this manner will continue to function even after the active X control provided by the first Internet site 130 is closed, that is, after the initial connection with the first Internet site 130 is terminated. Become. Once a global object is created, an interface is created using this global object. The interface functions to, for example, delete functions, replace functions, and / or add functions to the browser 72 and the browser interface 20. This interface may be created as part of the global object or by a global object to which a new interface object 40 is assigned. For example, the interface object 40 may be created by creating an interface object window 48 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 etc.) in the browser window 38. Apart from the above, the browser interface 20 may be directly changed by adding or changing the browser toolbar 22 or the browser toolbar object 24 in the browser interface 20, for example. Yet another alternative is the creation of an object interface toolbar 42 that is separate from the browser interface 20 shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, a pointer used for controlling the browser 72 to instruct the browser 72 to establish a connection with a predetermined Internet site 130 is required. It is desirable to store this pointer in a wide range so that it can be accessed by any function or object in the library file 74 that sends commands to the browser 72. For example, in Microsoft Internet Explorer (trademark), a pointer can be created using an IWebBrowser, IWebBrowser2 or IWebBrowserApp object link & embedded (OLE) interface command. For example, using the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC), the GetClientSite member of the COleControl class is used to create a pointer that retrieves a pointer from the first Internet site 130, that is, the Internet site loaded with the BIO library. I can do it. GetClientSite functions as an entry point for the browser 72 to communicate with the BIO library. A pointer to the BIO library container can be acquired using the GetContainer member of the IOleClientSite class returned in the previous step. The BIO library container is a container for loading an active X control. The internet browser interface 20 is generally composed of several parts including a browser toolbar 22 and a content window 32. Document objects are created by browser 72 for all web pages that contain all the data accessed by an internet user and appearing on a particular web page. The document object is also a container for the BIO library. Therefore, the document object may be referred to as a BIO library container.

  A pointer to the IServiceProvider interface can be obtained using the QueryInterface member of the IOleContainer class returned in the previous step. Using this pointer, the location of another interface indicated by the browser 72 can be detected. Finally, the pointer to the IWebBrowserApp, IWebBrowser or IWebBrowser2 interface is obtained using the QueryService member of the IServiceProvider class returned by the previous step, corresponding to the specific interface provided by the browser 72 that called the BIO library. I can do it.

  In an alternative embodiment, the entire browser window 30 can be modified using the present invention. If the entire browser window 30 is modified, the entire class for the modified browser window 30 may be subclassed, as opposed to integrating the interface object 40 into the existing browser window 38, or It becomes possible to subclass the unique browser window 38. As used herein, the term “window subclassing”, also called hooking a window, refers to the processing of all messages sent to a window using a user-defined window message handling procedure. It means replacing the original browser window message handling procedure. For example, a window can be subclassed using the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) CWnd: SubclassWindow () function. Apart from the above, it is also possible to subclass windows using the SetWindowLong function (Microsoft Windows function) call with the GWL_WNDPROC argument (Microsoft Windows constant). The original browser window message handling procedure for the subclass window may store the pointer returned by the SetWindowLong function call. This allows the BIO library to intercept all messages passed to window 30 or 38. Further, the BIO library translates commands from the interface control 24 including buttons, menus, etc. provided by the browser 72 or commands from the interface object 40 added by the BIO library according to the present invention. It becomes possible.

  A user-defined window message handling procedure provided by the BIO library, which replaces the original browser window message handling procedure, is a BIO procedure. be called. It is also possible to intercept and change messages (commands, etc.) intended for the browser 72 using the BIO procedure for the browser 72. Alternatively, a replacement or new message (such as a message handler for the interface object 40) can be transmitted to the browser 72 by the BIO procedure.

  The present invention also ensures deletion of the interface object 40 from the browser interface 20. For example, when an Internet user accesses a new website, some Internet browsers 72 redraw the entire browser interface 20. While the global object is still functional while following the user's movement on the Internet as described above, the interface object 40 is deleted from the browser interface 20 so that the interface object 40 is not displayed by the browser interface 20. . To prevent this from happening, a message from the browser 72 that repaints the browser interface 20 can be intercepted by a BIO procedure, and the interface object 40 immediately after the browser interface 20 is redrawn. Can be redrawn. Apart from the above, the presence of the interface object 40 in the browser interface 20 can be periodically tested. If the interface object 40 does not exist, the interface object 40 is re-introduced in the browser interface 20. It becomes possible to draw. It is desirable to perform such periodic tests at intervals of approximately less than 1 second.

  As an example of the above-described embodiment (shown in FIG. 6), the active X control is loaded as a BIO library and menu items (and functions) are added to the browser interface 20. The present invention creates an active X control that dynamically creates a new global object, and this new global object provides a new menu object (with a desired function to be added to the browser interface 20). This object may be an interface object 40). It is also possible to add the menu object 40 to the browser interface 20 using the command AfxGetMainWnd ()-GetMenu ()-AppendMenu (). In this case, the additional menu of the browser interface 20 includes a pop-up menu indicating the menu object 40. The browser interface window is then subclassed and the browser interface window processes the message for the menu object 40 processed by the BIO procedure, and the message for the browser interface 20 goes to the message handler for the browser 72. Passed. When an Internet user disconnects from the first Internet site 130 (exiting a web page containing an active X control), the active X control will be closed, but the global object will remain in the program heap and the browser Continue to provide desired functions to the interface 20.

  Instead of subclassing the browser window to which the interface object 40 is added, the object A or one of its descendants can retain the state that is the owner of the interface object 40. A message handler for the interface object 40 can then be created. For example, the owner of the interface object 40 may use the above-described embodiments of the present invention, except that the Microsoft Foundation class is used to set the object A or one of its descendants. An interface object 40 can be added to the compliant browser toolbar 22.

  Next, another embodiment of a method for controlling and displaying the browser interface 20 according to the present invention (generally indicated as 700) will be described with continued reference to FIGS. As described herein, a library file 74 has been pre-created on the Internet user's computer 50 for the purposes of FIG. 7 and for the following discussion directed to FIG. At step 710, the Internet user starts or activates browser 72 to access Internet 90. At step 720, the library file 74 is opened on the user's computer 50, and a connection to a predetermined Internet site 130 is automatically established as shown in step 730. In step 740, the function defined by the active X control or plug-in code of the BIO library is transmitted by the content provider to the user's computer 50, using a continuous loop to control the display of the interface object 40, and the browser. An interface object 40 that can be displayed on the interface 20 is created. It is only necessary to delete the interface object 40 at the end of the continuous loop (i.e. to terminate its function). The function of the interface object 40 as defined by the active X control or plug-in code is independent of the number and type of Internet websites visited by the user, and the Internet user uses a browser software program. As long as the Internet is accessed, and as long as the browser 72 remains active, the Internet browser interface 20 when the Internet user circulates the Internet 90 remains. When an Internet user moves from one website to another, as shown in step 750, the present invention determines whether the interface object 40 is present due to the movement, ie, shown in step 752. As described above, it is determined whether or not the object 40 is still displayed on the browser interface 20. If the interface object 40 is not displayed on the browser interface 20 by the browser 72, the interface object 40 is redrawn as shown in step 760. If the interface object 40 survives the user's movement from one website to another and remains displayed on the browser interface 20, the browser 72 is operational at step 754. It is also determined whether or not. This is because the interface object 40 is displayed only on the browser interface 20 by the browser 72 if the browser 72 is operable. If the browser 72 is not activated, the interface object 40 is terminated and the library file 74 is closed, as shown in step 770. If the browser 72 remains operable, the present invention determines in step 756 whether the continuous loop has ended. If the loop is complete, the interface object 40 is also terminated, as shown at step 770. As shown in step 752, if the loop is still executing, the present invention determines whether the interface object 40 is still displayed on the browser interface 20.

  In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, even if the operating system 70 or browser 72 generates an instruction to unload or terminate the library file 74 (the active X control code is loaded in) The processing of the file 74 is frozen to prevent the active X control from being unloaded. Due to the fact that the library file 74 is frozen and does not end unloading, all of the data, functions and objects inside the library file 74 created by the active X control are received by the library file 74. Exist and continue to function.

  In some operating systems 70 and / or browsers 72, the BIO library is closed when the active X control no longer exists on the Internet site. This is when an Internet user moves from one Internet site with active X control, such as the Internet site 130 of FIG. 10, to another Internet site without active X control, such as the Internet site 230 of FIG. May occur. When there is no active X control, the BIO library (and library file 74) must not be closed to allow the interface object 40 to continue operating.

  In order to achieve this, a pointer used to control the browser 72 is created. This pointer is preferably stored globally so that it can be accessed by any function or object in the library file 74 that needs to send commands to the browser 72. For example, in Microsoft Internet Explorer (trademark), a pointer can be created using an IWebBrowser, IWebBrowser2 or IWebBrowserAppOLE interface command. To do this using the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC), the BIO library Internet site, ie Active X Control, can be used using the GetClientSite member of the COleControl class (which can be used to communicate with the BIO library). You can search for a pointer to that Internet site. By using the GetContainer member of the IOleClientSite class returned by the previous step, a pointer to the BIO library container can be obtained. A pointer to the IServiceProvider interface can be obtained using the QueryInterface member of the IOleContainer class returned in the previous step. Any of the other interfaces shown by the browser 72 can be easily found using the IServiceProvider interface. A pointer to the IWebBrowserApp, IWebBrowser, or IWebBrowser2 interface can be obtained using the QueryService member of the IServiceProvider class returned in the previous step according to the interface indicated by the version of the browser 72 that called the BIO library.

  In order to prevent the library file 74 from closing, the operation of the library file is stopped. In order to freeze or stop the processing of the library file 74, it is also possible to create a continuous program loop that ends only when the BIO library is unloaded and execute the processing. At that point, the program loop also pumps the message queue. This program loop is referred to as a message pump in the present specification, and can be created using the PeekMessage, GetMessage, TranslateMessage, and DispatchMessage commands in the loop. Exemplary C ++ code for implementing a message pump is shown below:

  However, m_Continue is a logical variable used to instruct the stop point to the loop, and PeekMessage, GetMessage, TranslateMessage, and DispatchMessage are all Windows functions. If m_Continue is false, the loop ends and terminates the message pump. The msg argument is a reference value for the Windows MSG structure.

  One way the message pump works well is to check to see if there are any messages waiting in the message queue using any PeekMessage function. If the message exists, the message pump obtains the message from the message queue using the GetMessage function, converts the message from the virtual key message using the TranslateMessage function, and converts it into a character message. Finally, the message pump sends the message to the initial window message handling procedure that is supposed to receive the message using the DispatchMessage function.

  It is also possible to configure a message pump that pumps the message queue using the built-in capabilities of the operating system 70. For example, a modal dialog box or message box that uses commands such as the MFC command CWnd :: MessageBox ("My Modal", MB_OK) will be useful enough to serve this purpose, and this box will be a library. This is used to freeze or stop processing of the file 74.

  As long as the message pump is performing a continuous loop process, active X control will not be terminated even when an Internet user is accessing another Internet site.

  The embodiment of the present invention illustrated by FIG. 7 is implemented similarly to the above-described embodiment of FIG. 6 (for example, in case of subclassing, message processing, etc.).

  In both of the above embodiments (FIGS. 6 and 7), although not necessary, it is desirable to provide an exit function for the interface object 40 so that object A and all of its descendants are closed. . An example scenario that can be implemented to call the exit function includes intercepting a message to close the browser window in the BIO procedure and terminating the active X control.

  Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown, designated generally as 800. For the purposes of FIG. 8 and for the following discussion directed to FIG. 8, a library file 74 has been created in the Internet user's computer 50 in advance. At step 810, the Internet user starts or activates browser 72 to access Internet 90. At step 820, the library file 74 is opened on the user's computer 50, and a connection to a predetermined Internet site 130 (see FIG. 10, etc.) is automatically established as shown at step 830. At step 832, a new browser interface is created that is a copy of the initial browser interface provided by browser 72. In step 840, a function window is created that represents the original browser interface from which the plug-in functions were first loaded.

  The function window creation steps according to this embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIG. At step 842, a handle for the first browser interface window is identified. The first browser interface window (currently the function window) cannot be closed because it has been hidden and / or disabled at step 844. Closing this will crash the BIO library. In step 846, a pointer used to control the browser 72 is created. Finally, in step 848, a new browser interface window is created that can be used by Internet users to crawl the Internet.

  Referring again to FIG. 8, starting from step 850, a first subclass of any browser window to be controlled or any window used by the browser, then a window as described in further detail below. Addition, deletion and / or modification of the browser can now control the browser interface. The original browser window message handling procedure is replaced by a BIO procedure (as defined above). In step 860, the present invention opens any new browser windows (ie, windows that may not have been previously subclassed or that may not have been controlled in accordance with the present invention). Judgment is made whether or not If new windows are open, the present invention determines in step 870 whether the interface object 40 should be added to these new windows. If a new window has not been opened, the present invention determines whether the Internet user wants to close the browser 72, as shown in step 880. If desired, the present invention closes all browser windows, including function windows, at step 890. If the user does not wish to close browser 72, as determined at step 880, the present invention returns to step 860 and again determines whether a new browser window is open.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 8, 8a and 10, the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described in further detail. When an active X control is loaded by the content provider 100 via the internet site 130, generally in response to the browser 72 establishing a connection with the website 130 and calling the active X control on the user's computer. The arranged library file 74 is opened, and a shell is created in the browser 72. The code for active X control can be loaded in the browser 72. When the active X control is closed (when the user terminates the connection with the Internet site 130), the operating system 70 or browser 72 explicitly instructs the library file 74 containing the active X control to unload or close. If so, when the library file 74 is unloaded, any data, functions or objects created outside the active X control and within the library file 74 will be destroyed. To prevent unloading of the library file 74, the browser 72 is prevented from closing the active X control until instructed. If the active X control does not receive a close command, the library file 74 is never unloaded.

  A good way to accomplish this is to allow the Internet user to continue working and go around the Internet by hiding and / or disabling the first browser interface window that has loaded the Active X control. There is a way to make a new copy of that same window. Since the first browser interface is preferably hidden and / or disabled, this window is displayed until the library file 74 points to the first browser interface window (the window that loaded the library file 74). The active X control cannot be closed until it is enabled or until this window is closed.

  As described above in FIG. 8, for example, using a tag normally included in a web page 130 or as a band object, and described in a software development kit for Microsoft Internet Explorer (trademark) 4.x. As described above, there is a method of suitably loading the BIO library as a standard active X control in the browser 74. This instructs the browser 72 to initialize and execute the library file 74 including the BIO library code.

  At the first time that the BIO library is initialized and invoked, a function window is created, and while an Internet user is visiting another Internet website 210, ie another web page, this function window is active X control. By keeping the session with itself open, the BIO library is kept open. This function window also allows a browser window that does not have a copy of the open BIO library to access the OLE interface connected to the browser 72.

  In order to create a functional window, it is desirable to hide and / or disable the initial browser interface window (ie, the window that loaded the BIO library). This can be accomplished by specifying a handle for the first browser interface window, starting with the BIO library handle. In order to retrieve the window handle for the first browser interface from the handle of the BIO library, the GetParent function (Windows function) continues until the current value for calling the GetParent function represents one level below the desktop window. Called. For example, a desired function and result can be obtained by a declaration such as “m_Handle = GetParent (m_Handle)” executed in a loop. However, the value of m_Handle is initially set equal to the handle value of the BIO library, and then this value eventually returns this handle to the first browser interface window.

  The next step is to hide and / or disable the first browser interface window (now called the function window) so that the Internet user can close the function window (eg, by closing browser 72). This is the step of disabling it, thereby causing the BIO library to unload and deleting the functionality provided by the BIO library from the browser interface 20. WM_SHOWWINDOW with a value that hides the browser window and / or disables the browser window to hide the initial browser interface window from the user and / or disable the browser window from user-driven events. And / or WM_ENABLE messages (both Windows constants) can be sent to the first browser interface window. For example, the PostMessage or SendMessage function (existing Windows function) can be used to send a message to the first browser interface window using the browser window handle. Apart from the above, it is also possible to obtain the same result using the ShowWindow and EnableWindow functions (existing Windows functions).

  A pointer for controlling the browser 72 is created. This pointer is preferably stored globally so that it can be accessed by any function or object in the library file 74 that sends commands to the browser 72. For example, in Microsoft Internet Explorer (trademark), the pointer can be created using an IWebBrowser, IWebBrowser2 or IWebBrowserAppOLE interface. For example, to do the above using the Microsoft Foundation Classes, use the GetClientSite member of the COleControl class, which serves as an entry point for the browser 72, to communicate with the BIO library and the BIO library Internet site, ie active A pointer to the Internet site 130 loaded with the X control can be searched. By using the GetContainer member of the IOleClientSite class returned by the previous step, a pointer to the BIO library container can be obtained. It is possible to get a pointer to the IServiceProvider interface using the QueryInterface member of the IOleContainer class returned by the previous step, and use any of the other interfaces shown by the browser 72 using the IServiceProvider interface. It is desirable to be able to find it. A pointer to the IWebBrowserApp, IWebBrowser, or IWebBrowser2 interface may be obtained using the QueryService member of the IServiceProvider class returned in the previous step according to the interface indicated by the version of the browser 72 that called the BIO library.

  Finally, a new browser window is created that allows Internet users to continue surfing (ie continue to access a variety of different Internet sites). This is because the browser window previously used to create the function window is hidden and / or disabled. Preferably, a new browser window is created using any of the IWebBrowser, IWebBrowser2 or IWebBrowserApp OLE interfaces (eg, using the navigate member or navigate 2 member of the OLE interface). In addition to the above, a WMCOMMAND message corresponding to an arbitrary command that can open a new browser window using the browser 72, such as a New Window or Open In New Window command, may be transmitted to the browser 72. Is possible. A new window may be opened using dynamic data exchange (DDE) support provided by browser 72.

  The BIO library needs to control various browser interface features and functions and these features and functions. As a first step, there is a step of subclassing any one of the browser windows to be controlled in accordance with the present invention or one of the windows used by the browser (that is, a child window). The BIO window message handling procedure is used to replace the original window message handling procedure, hereinafter referred to as the BIO procedure.

  Once the browser window or any of its child windows is subclassed, it can be added to the subclass menu by retrieving the pointer to the browser window menu using the GetMenu function. Once you have a pointer to the menu handle, you can use menu functions such as ModifyMenu, AppendMenu, and InsertMenu to add any desired menu to the browser window. Any command assigned to the menu must be processed by the BIO procedure used to subclass the BIO window. Do not use the same command identifier as that included in the browser when creating the menu.

  The interface object toolbar 42 may be added to the browser interface 20 by searching for the handle of the window to which the toolbar 42 is added (hereinafter referred to as the frame handle) using standard Windows functions. I can do it. In general, the window is a BIO window or a frame window that is a child of the BIO window. A window is then created using the frame handle as the parent window. For example, to add a dialog bar (which is one form of a toolbar) as an interface object 40, it is derived from type CDialogBar (Microsoft Foundation Class) or an object of type CDialogBar is created. This is a Create method that is called using a frame handle. For example, when resources such as images, toolbars, dialogs, etc. are used and the browser 72 does not share the same resources as the BIO library, any data can be loaded from the BIO library resource. Before that happens, browser resources are temporarily replaced by BIO library resources. Thereafter, the BIO library resource can be replaced by the original resource of the browser.

  When a new browser window is opened, it may be desirable to add an interface object 40 to the new window. A timer may be created using a SetTimer Windows function that calls a user-defined function. The user-defined function uses the FindWindowEx function (Windows function) that checks all the child windows of the desktop window having the same class name as the function window. For browser windows that have not been changed in advance, i.e., browser windows that do not have the interface object 40, it is possible to retrieve the necessary handle, and the changes made to the original BIO window. You can make the same changes.

  Finally, if an Internet user wishes to close the browser 72, it needs to determine whether all of the browser windows are closed except the function window. And if all other browser windows are closed, this function window must also be closed. The above can be achieved by listening to the WMCLOSE message (Windows constant) in the BIO message processing procedure or by setting a timer that periodically checks the number of open browser windows. . To close the original function window, you can send a WMCLOSE message to that window.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, another alternative embodiment of a method for controlling and displaying the Internet browser interface 20 according to the present invention is shown and designated generally as 900. FIG.

  Steps 910, 920 and 930 are substantially the same as in the above embodiment of FIGS. In step 940, a new browser interface window is created and the first browser interface window is hidden and / or disabled. This browser interface window is called a function window. The plug-in identifies the handle for the first browser interface window, hides and / or disables this window, and creates a new browser interface window that can be used by Internet users. At step 950, all browser windows are subclassed, and then the browser interface can be controlled for all opened windows, as shown at step 960. In step 962, the present invention determines whether any new browser windows are open, and if so, the present invention returns to step 960. If a new browser interface window has not been opened, step 962 proceeds to step 964, where it is determined whether the Internet user wishes to close the browser. All windows must be closed before the function window is closed, which is determined in step 966. As shown in step 970, if all windows are closed, the function window is closed. If all windows are not closed, step 966 returns to step 964.

  In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the present invention uses a browser plug-in to control the internet browser interface to control the functionality of the calling browser 72 and allows a user from the internet site 130 loaded with the plug-in. It provides a way to retain plug-in functionality after exiting.

  In response to establishing a connection between the browser 72 and the Internet site 130 and invoking the plug-in, the library file 74 establishes a shell in the browser 72 when the browser plug-in is loaded into the Internet user's computer 50. The plug-in code can be loaded in the browser 72. If the plug-in is closed, it is outside the plug-in when the library file 74 is unloaded, provided that the operating system 70 or browser 72 explicitly indicates unloading the library file 74; Moreover, any data, function or object created in the library file 74 will be destroyed. To prevent the library file 74 from unloading, the plug-in closing by the browser 72 is prevented until a plug-in close command is received. If the plug-in does not receive a close command, the library file 74 will never receive an unload command. By hiding and / or disabling the first browser window that loads the plug-in, a new copy of that same window can also be used by Internet users to access and crawl the Internet The above can be achieved by creating. Since it is desirable that the first browser window be hidden and / or disabled, the plug-in is the first browser that loaded the plug-in until the library file 74 chooses to display, launch or close.・ The window cannot be closed.

  For example, a browser plug-in is loaded into the browser 72 as a standard plug-in, preferably using a tag in the web page 110 (see, eg, FIG. 10). This plug-in instructs the browser 72 to initialize and load the library file 74 containing the plug-in (ie BIO library) code.

  When the BIO library is first initialized and called, a functional window is created by hiding and / or disabling the original browser window, thereby opening a session with the plug-in itself By keeping this, unloading of the BIO library is prevented. This function window also allows browser windows that do not have a copy of the open BIO library to access the plug-in's embedded application programming interface (API) (ie, Netscape Navigator ™). The functionality is made available to Internet users through a browser interface 20 such as that provided by Microsoft Internet Explorer ™ and via a plug-in function).

  When the browser 72 is first invoked, the functional window is preferably created by disabling or hiding the initial browser window (in which case the plug-in is resident). To do this, the plug-in must first identify the handle of the first browser window. A window member having an NPWindow structure is passed from the browser 72 to the BIO library as a second argument to the NPPSetWindow function. This window member is a handle to the plug-in window (NPWindow and NPP_SetWindow are part of the Netscape and Internet Explorer ™ API for plug-ins). In order to retrieve the first browser window handle from this window member, the GetParent function (Windows function) is continuously called until the current value for calling the GetParent function represents one level below the desktop window. For example, a desired function and result can be obtained by a declaration such as “m_Handle = GetParent (m_Handle)” executed in a loop. However, the value of m_Handle is initially set equal to the value for the handle of the NPWindow structure, and then this value eventually returns this handle to the first browser window.

  The initial browser window is then hidden and / or disabled so that Internet users cannot close the function window and crash the BIO library. WM_SHOWWINDOW and / or WM_ENABLE with values to hide the browser window and / or disable the browser window to hide the first browser window from the user and / or disable the window from user-driven events A message (both Windows constants) can be sent to the first browser window. This can be accomplished, for example, by using the PostMessage or SendMessage function (Windows function) to send a message to the first browser window using the browser window handle. Apart from the above, the same results can be achieved using the ShowWindow and EnableWindow functions.

  The final step is to create a new browser window that can be used by Internet users to continue surfing after the initial browser window is hidden and / or disabled. For example, _new, _blank, or any of the following Netscape and Internet Explorer (trademark) plug-in API functions: NPN_GetURL, NPN_PostURL, NPN_GetURLNotify, NPN_PostURLNotify The above can be achieved by calling. The NPP argument of the above function is an NPP structure provided by the browser 72 to the function window plug-in. Another way to do this is to send a WMCOMMAND message to the browser 72 corresponding to any command that can be used to open a new window, such as a New_Window command or Open_In_New_Window, for example. A new window can be opened using dynamic data exchange (DDE) support provided by the browser. The NPN_GetURL, NPN_PostURL, NPNGetURLNotify, NPNPostURLNotify and NPP structures are part of the plug-in Netscape and Internet Explorer ™ API, and WMCOMMAND is a Windows constant.

  The BIO plug-in can control the features and functions of the browser 72. As a first step, there is a step of subclassing any one of the browser windows to be controlled in accordance with the present invention or any of the windows used by the browser (collectively BIO windows). .

  After subclassing the browser window or its child window, a menu can be added to the browser interface 20 by retrieving a pointer to the browser window menu using the GetMenu function (Windows function). Once a pointer to the menu handle is obtained, any desired menu can be added to the browser window using menu functions such as ModifyMenu, AppendMenu, InsertMenu (Windows functions). Any command assigned to the menu by the BIO message processing procedure used for subclassing the BIO window is careful not to use the same command identifier as any of the same command identifiers included in the browser 72 when creating the menu. Must be processed.

  In addition to or in addition to the above, the interface object toolbar can be retrieved by using standard Windows functions to retrieve the handle of the window to which the toolbar 42 is added (hereinafter referred to as the frame handle). 42 can be added to the browser interface 20. The window becomes a BIO window or a frame window which is a child window of the BIO window. A window is then created using the frame handle as the parent window. For example, to add a dialog bar (which is one form of a toolbar) as an interface object 40, an object derived from type CDialogBar (Microsoft Foundation Class) or an object of type CDialogBar can be created. This is the Create method that is called using the frame handle. For example, when resources such as images, toolbars, dialogs, etc. are used and the browser 72 does not share the same resources as the BIO library, any data can be loaded from the BIO library resource. Before that happens, browser resources are temporarily replaced by BIO library resources. Thereafter, the BIO library resource can be replaced by the original resource of the browser.

  When a new browser window is opened, an interface object 40 can be added to the new window. You can achieve this by creating a timer using the SetTimer Windows function that calls the user-defined function. The user-defined function uses a FindWindowEx function (Windows function) that checks all child windows of the desktop window having the same class name as the function window. For new windows that do not include the changed interface in advance (not including the interface object 40), the necessary handles are retrieved and the same changes as those made to the original BIO window are made.

  Finally, if an Internet user wishes to close the browser 72, it needs to determine whether all of the browser windows are closed except the function window. And if all other browser windows are closed, this function window can be closed. For example, the above can be achieved by listening to a WMCLOSE message (Windows constant) in the BIO message processing procedure, or by setting a timer that periodically checks the number of browser windows that are open. It becomes possible. It is also possible to close the original function window by sending a WM_CLOSE message.

  According to the present invention, a BIO library (that is, a plug-in) can be loaded, and the function of the BIO library can be automatically provided in the browser interface 20 (the user can actively visit a specific Internet site). There is no need to surf to a web page that automatically accesses, ie calls a plug-in). For example, Netscape has a key in its window registry that identifies it as an automatic startup. At startup, Netscape loads all of the OLE control functions listed in the auto-startup key. The library file is loaded each time the Netscape browser is started or started by making a reference or call to the library file 74 in the automatic startup key (and thus to the plug-in that defines the BIO library and interface object 40). Can be done. An instruction for creating an instance of the interface object 40 in the browser interface 20 and an instruction for the browser 72 for establishing a connection with a predetermined Internet site 130 can be included in the library file 74. By using this technique, the user need not visit a particular Internet site 130 to load the BIO library. It is necessary to keep the library file 74 open for display and access via the browser interface 20 at least until the plug-in can be loaded into the browser 72. One way to do this is to increment the reference counter associated with the library file 74, so that when the Netscape unloads the OLE control functions listed in the auto startup key, the library file 74 becomes larger. There is a way to prevent unloading because it has a reference number.

  The library file 74 can be loaded as a plug-in so that the Netscape DDE server can be searched periodically using a timer or loop. When the browser 72 receives a reply from the Netscape DDE server, Netscape is ready to receive the command and can load the plug-in together. The DDE may then be used to send a command, such as WWW_OPENURL, to the browser 72, which will cause the plug-in to be loaded as discussed herein.

  Another way to hide the Netscape plug-in window used for the BIO library is to remove the Netscape plug-in window from the taskbar (where the “Start” button is located) and make it invisible from the visible screen There is. One way to remove the Netscape plug-in window from the taskbar is to call SetWindowLong to change the window style of the plug-in window to a toolbox window. The toolbox window never appears in the taskbar. Netscape plug-in windows can be placed off the screen by calling MoveWindow and giving coordinates that are not in the visible range of the user's desktop.

  The BIO window message handling procedure used to replace the original browser message processing procedure is the window to which the message is specified, and once the BIO window message handling procedure receives the message , You must know what to do with the message. A preferred way to do this is to create a map that links information together. In the case of the present invention, it is desirable to utilize a map that links the structure containing information important to the window and the window handle. For example, when the BIO library adds an interface object 40 to a new browser window, a new entry is created in the map that links the structure containing the information useful for that BIO window to the handle of the BIO window. One of the numerous pieces of information contained within this structure preferably includes the browser's original window message handling procedure for the BIO window. By holding the browser's original window message handling procedure, if the BIO window message handling procedure does not know how to handle the message, it passes the message to the browser's original window message handling procedure I need to be able to do things.

  When a message is received by the BIO window message handling procedure, the first argument passed to the processing procedure is the handle of the window that received the message. To retrieve the structure containing all the window specific data, a search in the map is performed using the window handle as a key. The returned structure contains stored window specific information such as the original window message handling procedure.

  When the browser interface 20 is controlled, the operation method of the browser 72 is changed in the present invention. By sending messages to the browser window or child windows, Internet users can do almost anything with regard to browser functionality. Objects or windows that send messages include menus, buttons, combo boxes and almost any other means (ie interface control means) with which Internet users can communicate directly in real time. For example, a message can be broken down into four components: 1) the handle of the window that is intended to receive the message, 2) the msg value of the message, 3) the wParam that has uses dependent on the normal msg value, 4) An IParam with a value that usually depends on the msg value.

  For example, when a button in a browser window is clicked, a message (msg value) including a WMCOMMAND that is a windows constant can be transmitted to the window message handling procedure of the browser window. In this case, the lower two bytes of the wParam variable in the message are the numbers used to specify which button was pressed.

  As described above, by subclassing the browser window or child window, any message sent when the user transmits in real time with any of the interface control means can be intercepted. Once the message is intercepted, the BIO window message handling procedure can translate the message and react to the message. If the interface control function is to remain the same (i.e. not add to, remove from or modify the present invention), the message will be the original window message handling procedure. You can go back to In this way, almost all interface control functions existing in the browser 72 can be controlled. In addition, an interface control function can be added to the browser interface 20 to assign a command identifier (passed in the form of wParam). The BIO window message handling procedure can then translate the wParam and provide an interface control function to be added. Further, when a command identifier associated with an interface control to be deleted is received from the browser, the function can be deleted without causing the window processing procedure according to the present invention to do anything. This prevents the above command from being passed to the original message handling procedure in the browser window.

  As discussed in detail above, various embodiments of the present invention allow Internet users to create a browser interface 20 with user-defined interface controls. In this case, by setting the parent of the window of the browser interface 20 to a subclassed window, any message issued from a new (ie, controlled) window is processed by the BIO window message handling procedure. Will do. Using this, it is possible to add arbitrary interface objects 40 such as a toolbar, a dialog bar, and a floating dialog to the browser interface 20.

  In order to further illustrate the present invention, the following illustrative use examples are presented that do not limit the present invention. A browser that allows users to download their “bookmarks” and “favorites” from a database located on the Internet, with plug-ins or active X controls that persist when Internet users travel around the Internet It becomes possible to add an interface object 40 to the interface 20. This interface is added directly into the browser interface, and using this interface object 40 provided by the plug-in or active X control, the user can visit downloaded “bookmark” and “favorite” links. Is possible. The interface object 40 performs the same function as the current “favorite” or “bookmark mark” menu item on an existing browser. An advantageous difference is that since this bookmark is downloaded from a database on the Internet, the user can access their bookmarks that can load plug-ins or active X controls on any computer browser.

  The present invention can also be used to generate advertising revenue based on advertisement “links” provided in “favorites” and “bookmarks” of the browser interface 20 via plug-ins or active X controls. The targeted consumer to be advertised is based on information stored in the database, such as name, age, gender, income, race, educational background and geographic location, and is also stored in the database or browser 72 It is also possible to carry out based on favorites such as favorites and bookmarks.

  A browser interface that allows users to download their “address book” from a database located on the Internet, using plug-ins or active X controls that persist when the user crawls the Internet It is possible to add an interface object 40 to 20. Such an interface object 40 can be added directly into the interface of the browser interface 20, and this interface object 40 is sent in an email as well as listed in its “address book”. It enables the user to search stored information for contacts.

  The present invention can also be used for the purpose of obtaining advertising revenue based on the advertisement “link” provided in the “address book” of the interface object 40 of the plug-in or active X control. Targeted consumers to be advertised are based on information stored in the database, such as name, age, gender, income, race, educational background and geographic location, and are also stored in the database or in the browser It is also possible to perform based on existing favorites and bookmarks and other preferences.

  The present invention provides a browser interface 20 that allows a user to type search terms directly into the browser using plug-ins or active X controls without having to visit a web page that allows the user to search. The edit box can be added.

  In addition, with persistent plug-ins or active X controls, even if the user is surfing a different website, polling or periodic at the user, on the website, or at program-selected intervals It is possible to search for information from a suitable website. When polling the preferred website, this preferred website will allow you to email, continuously update stock prices, and other times such as feed headlines for news, sports scores for favorite sports teams, etc. It is possible to send updated information such as notification of near real-time reception of sensitive information to the interface object of the user's browser. Preferred websites can control polling timing if desired by extending the time interval between polls to control traffic on the preferred website during peak usage periods.

  As described in the present specification, the shell created by the library file is one environment in which an application can be executed and information can be displayed. The program can be added to the browser interface. The shell is independent of the browser interface, browser content, and even the shell itself. In short, the shell is an adaptable function that, in extreme cases, does not even need to be visible to the user. Thus, during use, the shell may be empty and receive its contents from the website. Alternatively, the shell can obtain a plug-in. Alternatively, when the shell receives new content from a website or user, the shell can even get a new library file and learn to parse new information "in real time". Thus, the present invention provides an important opportunity to send the desired information directly from the preferred site to the user, even when the user is visiting another site. Of course, the more user-specific functions provided by a website via the customizable interface of the present invention, the greater the user loyalty that the website can generate.

  Referring to FIGS. 11-17, in another embodiment of the present invention, a shopping assistant button is added to the toolbar of the Internet browser interface to simplify online shopping on supported merchant websites. I can do it. The functionality of this embodiment, including the provision of shopping assistant buttons, is provided by computer code sent from the server and stored on the user's computer. The computer code monitors the internet navigation of the internet browser to determine if the browser is on a supported merchant website, and if the internet browser is on a supported merchant website, shopping Provide an indicator for assistant buttons and fill out supported merchant checkout web pages.

  As used herein, the term “online shopping” refers to a process by which an Internet browser user can purchase goods and / or services on the Internet. Online merchants (such as sellers of goods and / or services on the Internet) can provide websites hosted by merchant servers. Through this website, the user can access one or more web pages using an internet browser. The merchant can provide various goods and / or services for sale via one or more web pages. Shoppers can browse descriptions of products and services, select various products and / or services to be placed in the electronic shopping cart, view the contents of the shopping cart, and check out (see below for further details). explain).

  The browser interface 20 shown in FIG. 11 includes an interface object 40, which is provided with an interface object toolbar 42 and a shopping assistant button 144. The shopping assistant button 144 provides various functions to the browser interface 20, and among these various functions, as a non-limiting example, the user of the browser interface 20 (user And the term shopper are used interchangeably herein) to create an electronic wallet (discussed in more detail below), edit the electronic wallet, and enter the shopping assistant button 144 (and browser Disable the shopping function from the interface 20, list supported merchants, and inquire about the shopping assistant button 144, the pull-down menu 44, and the functions provided by the shopping assistant button 144. How to use the function of shopping assistant button 144, and a shopping assistant button 144 is provided includes the ability to carry out an inquiry to ask for help. Computer code or software for shopping assistant (eg, dll file, exe. File, JavaScript, etc.) is provided by the server, stored on the user's computer 50, provided in accordance with the shopping assistant button 144 and the present invention. It can be executed in connection with a browser and browser interface 20 to define and provide other functions. These will be described in more detail below.

  In a preferred embodiment, as described in detail above with respect to various embodiments of the present invention, when an interface object 40 is added to the browser interface 20, it is provided by a shopping assistant button 144 and a shopping assistant button 144. Functions are provided. That is, when the interface object 40 is added to the browser interface 20, the shopping assistant button 144 and associated computer code are transmitted or downloaded to the user's computer 50. Apart from the above, when the user requests before and after the interface object 40 is added, a shopping assistant button 144 and a function can be selectively added to the browser interface 20.

  The shopping assistant function provided in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, at least in the first example, is the server 102 (this server is physically located close to each other or physically separate from each other. (See FIG. 10 and the like). When the user inputs a predetermined Internet address or URL in the URL address window 26 of the browser interface 20, the server 102 can be accessed. Server 102 is preferably a secure server (ie, a server accessible only via a secure socket layer (SSL) connection). With this predetermined Internet address, the user can access one or more web pages. At least one of these web pages allows the user to set up a wallet in accordance with this embodiment of the invention. An exemplary wallet settings web page is shown in FIGS. The wallet settings web page is described in more detail below.

  This shopping assistant function is also provided by shopping assistant computer code or software downloaded by the server 102 to the user's computer 50, which function is performed in conjunction with the browser interface 20 and the shopping assistant button 144. Is possible. The shopping assistant code may be, for example, a dll file, .exe file, JavaScript, or other known type of computer code file or software file. The shopping assistant code monitors the internet navigation of the internet browser by intercepting the internet address (or domain or URL) each time the user navigates to a different internet address. The shopping assistant code compares the intercepted internet address to the supported merchant internet address by comparing the intercepted address with a supported merchant file that contains the supported merchant internet address. Make a comparison. The supported merchant file is preferably downloaded by the server 102 and stored on the user's computer 50. Each time a user logs into the server 102, the server 102 compares that version of the supported merchant file with the version stored on the user's computer 50 (eg, this version information is in the process of logging in) It can also be sent by the user). Server 102 downloads an updated version of the supported merchant file to the user's computer as needed. The shopping assistant code also intercepts each web page received by the browser, and determines the type of the web page (for example, a billing web page, a merchant home page, a product page, etc.) based on the html code and the HTTP request header.

  The shopping assistant code also defines the shopping assistant button 144 and pull-down menu 44, and controls communication between the browser, the server 102, and the online shopping merchant server.

  A shopping assistant button 144 can also be provided as part of the interface object 40 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. However, in order for the user to use and access the shopping assistant function, the user must first set up a wallet. As used herein, the term “wallet” is a user-specific file (which can be encoded or encrypted), and is composed of information (also referred to herein as data). The file is provided by the user and is stored in the wallet database 104 provided in the data storage device 106 (hard drive, optical disk) of the server 102 (see FIG. 10). The wallet database 106 is structured so that information provided by the user when setting the wallet is stored in a preset field or field name. Similarly, supported merchant data files are structured with the same fields or field names to the extent that the merchant checkout web page requires the same information that was provided during the wallet setup process. .

  In order to set a wallet, the user needs to provide certain information in response to a certain wallet setting web page provided by the server 102. Those skilled in the art know that Internet browsers receive data (typically HTML data) from a server for display by the browser interface 20. Thus, references herein to a server providing a web page mean a download or data transmission from the server for display by an Internet browser.

  An exemplary wallet settings web page is shown in FIG. For example, the web page 1000 can be accessed via the “Edit Wallet” option in the pull-down menu 44 of the shopping assistant button 144. For example, by selecting a predetermined link of the wallet setting web page 1000 such as the “wallet setting” link 1002, the wallet data input web page 1010 as shown in FIG. 13 is downloaded by the server 102. On the wallet data entry web page 1010, the user enters certain information (pull-down menu or alphanumeric entry) in a plurality of fields 1012. This information includes, as a non-limiting example, the credit card type, credit card number, credit card expiration date, user first and last name, billing address, phone number, user ID, user password, and various other user specifics It can be considered as information. In setting the wallet, each user is required to input a necessary security protection key (see FIG. 16 and the like) in addition to the user ID and password in order to use the user's wallet. Once all required fields 1012 in the wallet data entry web page 1010 have been filled, the user can select an “Finish” button (not shown). As a result, user input information is transmitted to the server 102. In response, the server 102 includes a summary 1022 of the newly entered user account information for the user to review before finally setting up the user's wallet, as shown in FIG. Download the wallet summary web page 1020. If the user information is correct, the user can, for example, select a wallet summary web page 1020 link such as a link 1024 instructed to “Click here to continue” and the user information (data) is The data is transmitted to the server 102 and stored in the wallet database 104 of the data storage device 106. During the wallet setting processing procedure just described, data is transmitted between the server 102 and the user's computer 50 (see FIG. 10, etc.). For example, when the user selects the “Set Wallet” link 1002, both web pages 1000 (FIG. 12) and 1010 (FIG. 11) are sent by the server 102, and the user sends these web pages to the browser interface 20. Can be displayed. When the user finishes inputting necessary information on the wallet data input web page 1010 and selects an “end” button (not shown), user information, that is, user data can be transmitted to the server 102. Upon receiving user information from the user's computer 50, the server 102 can send a wallet summary web page 1020. Alternatively, the server 102 may send each of the web pages described above separately in response to a user initiated action (such as when a user selects a link or button).

  Server 102 may be a server of content provider 100, another Internet service provider such as a search engine provider or ISP. In the present specification, these servers are collectively referred to as the provider 100. The online merchant is selected by the provider 100, and the shopping function of the present invention can be used by connecting to the provider 100. Supported merchant files include a list of all supported merchants, including each merchant's Internet address. The computer code for the shopping assistant uses this file to convert the URL entered into the URL address window 26 (or provided in the link) into the URL contained in the supported merchant file. By comparing with, the user can determine if he has navigated to a supported merchant website.

  Once the merchant is selected (the merchant is designated as 200 in FIG. 10 as a whole), the provider 100 determines the checkout web page layout (see FIG. 17), the merchant checkout process and Check out the merchant's checkout process, including the information needed to complete the checkout web page. Provider 100 creates supported merchant rules and mapping files for selected individual merchants (also referred to herein as supported merchants). The mapping file defines user data required by the merchant during an individual merchant checkout process and a plurality of merchant field names corresponding to the individual merchant checkout web page. For example, referring to FIG. 17, in a supported merchant checkout web page 2100, a shopper may enter billing information including a billing address including, for example, payment method, credit card number, and credit card expiration date. , And the provision of shopper's personal information (name, address, telephone number, etc.). The merchant field name corresponds to the wallet field name defined in the user's wallet. Because individual merchants may require different information during their checkout process, individual supported merchant rules and mapping files may contain different merchant field names. However, all merchant field names correspond to wallet field names.

  Supported merchant rules and mapping files associate wallet data (ie wallet field names) with the required merchant data (ie merchant field names). For example, the merchant rule defining the first name field and the first name field and the entry in the mapping file can be structured as follows.

但し、"wallet_b_fname_first"はユーザの名前用のウォレット・データベースフィールド名である。これに対して、サポートされたマーチャント・ファイルではユーザの第１の名前は"contactFirstName"と特定される。従って、本発明は、ウォレット・データベース内のフィールドを、サポートされたマーチャント・ファイル内のフィールドに対応づけて、ユーザがサポートされたマーチャント・ウェブサイトで買い物をする時、個々のマーチャントの注文用紙に自動的に記入が出来るようにするものである。

However, “wallet_b_fname_first” is the wallet database field name for the user's name. In contrast, in the supported merchant file, the user's first name is identified as “contactFirstName”. Thus, the present invention maps the fields in the wallet database to the fields in the supported merchant file so that when a user shop on a supported merchant website, the individual merchant's order form It allows you to fill in automatically.

  An exemplary checkout process will be described below with reference to FIGS. Since different merchants may include different checkout processes and provide different checkout web pages, the following description is merely exemplary and may limit the scope of the present invention. It is not intended to be defined. Furthermore, the following description does not track the entire online shopping process (which may vary from process to process merchant), but only the checkout process. This checkout process generally begins after the user selects “Checkout” or another similar button on the merchant web page.

  When the user starts his internet browser, the interface object 40 automatically establishes a connection between the user's computer 50 and the server 102. Various user data is downloaded to the user's computer 50 by the server 102. The user can cause the Internet browser to navigate to any Internet address by typing the address in the URL address window 26 (see FIG. 11) or by selecting a link on the web page. I can do it. Regardless of how the browser navigates the Internet, the shopping assistant code intercepts the URL of the individual Internet site that the user is navigating to and compares the supported merchant data file with that URL. . If a match is found, the shopping assistant code can be perceived by the user with a shopping assistant button 144, such as a yellow circle indicating that the user is navigating to a supported merchant website, for example. Indicates. The shopping assistant code also makes a request to the server 102 to download a file containing rules and mapping data for the merchant and providing detailed information regarding the merchant checkout process.

  The shopping assistant code also intercepts each web page received by the browser, and determines the type of web page such as billing page, email address request, credit card information request, etc. by looking at the html code and HTTP request header To do. The above information was obtained during selection of the merchant provider and creation of a supported merchant data file. Using the merchant rules and mapping file, the shopping assistant code can determine the dedicated page to receive the service and how to provide user information on that page.

  As shown in FIG. 15, if the shopping assistant code determines that the user's wallet is required for a particular page, the shopping assistant code is security within the user's browser interface 20. The protection key window 3000 is opened and the user is prompted to enter a security protection key (SK) in the data entry window 3020. Once the user has entered SK and selected the “Continue” button 3030, the security key is securely transmitted to the server 102 by the user's computer 50, preferably using http. The server 102 compares data stored in advance in the wallet of the user on the wallet database 106 with user data (such as ID and SK). If the data matches, the SK is verified and authentication is sent by the server 102 to the shopping assistant code. If the data does not match, a rejection is sent. Authentication may be output as a wallet information window 3100 as shown in FIG. If the SK is successfully verified by the server 102, a “security cookie” is sent via SSL to the secure server, and if the “security cookie” is set, the user using the user's wallet The online shopping session begins. The “security cookie” should be aggressively timed out and preferably valid for up to 1 hour.

  If the user wishes to continue the checkout process using the shopping assistant function of the present invention, the user can select the “Continue” button 3130. If the user wishes to check out using the merchant's checkout process, the user can select a “Cancel” button 3140. When the user selects the continue button 3130, the shopping assistant code retrieves the user's wallet from the wallet database 104 on the server 102 and automatically enters the merchant's checkout web page 2100 as shown in FIG. Fill in. The user's wallet is securely transmitted by the server 102, preferably using http. The user's wallet, and hence the user's personal data, need not be stored in the user's data storage device 52, but only stored in temporary memory 60 (referred to herein as main memory or RAM). This personal data is then used by and connected to the shopping assistant code and functions of this embodiment of the present invention. This user's data can be automatically timed out or erased by flushing from the memory 60 when the user closes the browser.

  Depending on the type of web page that the browser displays, the shopping assistant code provides appropriate user data to the web page from the user's wallet (data temporarily stored in RAM). For example, if the shopping assistant code determines that the web page is a “billing billing” web page, billing billing data is copied from RAM and populated into fields in the billing billing web page, and finally To the merchant server. During the checkout process, the shopping assistant code connects to the merchant rules and mapping file and the user's wallet for processing and automatically provides the user data required by the various merchant checkout web pages. .

  The wallet database 106 may contain only wallet data. Alternatively, the wallet data may be arranged in a database together with other data. The shopping assistant button 144 and functions, and connected to and using the wallet suitably, for example, payment and shopping without using the shopping assistant, and most of the users are required to enter personal data It is also possible to use this wallet by applications other than shopping assistants for any online transaction. This wallet provides secure transmission and processing of the user's data, making the data available to the user for various online transactions without incurring unnecessary suspicion on the security of the data. .

  Once the user sets a wallet, the functions provided in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention are available to the user when the user performs online shopping. Preferably, it is desirable to be able to connect to a supported merchant and use the online shopping function regardless of the Internet site to which the user is connected (via an Internet browser). Thus, the user does not need to connect to the provider's Internet site, or even to connect to a supported merchant website. The shopping assistant code handles all communication between the user (user's computer 50), the server 102, the wallet database 104, and the merchant's Internet site and checkout web page.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a party other than provider 102 places a button 44 (ie, an interface object) on a browser interface toolbar, such as interface object toolbar 42 (see FIG. 4). It is also possible to add. For example, a link is provided to a company website, and a visitor to the company website is transferred from the browser interface 20 to his / her interface object toolbar 42 that provides a link to the company website with a single click. It is also possible to add a button 44. Any entity that hosts a company or website can be a sponsor of provider 100. This is because by adding a company button to the interface object toolbar 42, it is possible to return to the company website from any other website with a single mouse click. In this way, adding a company button to the browser interface (ie, toolbar 42) establishes an affinity between the user and the company website. The corporate sponsor designs the buttons (appearance (one-click buttons and pull-down menus), icons, etc.), the button design and URL data for incorporation into a database maintained by the provider and associated with the browser interface. To the provider 100. In this way, a corporate sponsor can have a button defined in the provider's database.

  If a visitor to the company website wants to install the company button in his browser interface 20 but has not yet installed the browser interface toolbar 42, the present invention allows The browser interface toolbar 42 and the company button 44 can be installed. On the other hand, it is possible to add a company button 44 to the toolbar 22 of the browser interface 20. Alternatively, the company button 44 can be added as the button 44 of the interface object toolbar 42.

  The present invention can also be used as a teaching tool. For example, the interface object toolbar 42 includes a plurality of buttons 44 that can change color, blinking, highlight, etc., so that the user pays attention to the buttons and the functions provided by the buttons. You can make it.

  It is also possible with the present invention to allow the provider or corporate sponsor to notify the user about certain features of the provider or corporate sponsor when the user is visiting a competing website. For example, when a user visits a car company website, highlight the corresponding provider feature (such as the provider's car) and alert the user on the provider website about the availability of the feature. I can do it. It is also possible to provide the user's computer with software that intercepts the URL each time the user causes the browser to navigate to a website. The intercepted URL can be compared to a file containing multiple URLs for provider properties.

  What is important is that the detection of the destination website where the user has navigated to any particular point in time can be detected only by the user's computer. This prevents information about user activity on the Internet from being transmitted to any server.

  In general, adding a merchant to a user's merchant list requires two steps. First, the user must establish an online account with the merchant via the merchant's web page. When doing this, the user may be prompted for the user's login ID, password, and account number. Once the data is accepted by the merchant, an online account is set up for the user. Second, the user must link this online merchant account with data for the user in a secure database. For example, a user can access a web page from which a merchant can be selected, and can input data unique to the user and the merchant (such as the user's login ID, password, and account number). The data can then be collated (by communicating with the merchant website) and stored in a secure database for the user. These steps may be performed using another web page (ie, a web page not associated with the merchant). Once the above two steps are complete, the user can add the merchant to the merchant list and simply select the merchant from the merchant list to automatically log in to a particular merchant's user account. It becomes possible to do.

  Each time a user activates (starts) his / her browser, the computer code provided in accordance with the present invention automatically communicates with a predetermined Internet site to retrieve data specific to that user. The retrieved data can be used in whole or in part to add functionality to the browser and add interface objects to the browser interface. In this way, the retrieved data defines an automatic login interface object that includes the latest merchant list.

  A preferred embodiment of the automatic login method of the present invention will now be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. The method shown in FIGS. 18a-18b and discussed in detail below is that of assuming that the auto login interface object has been pre-added to the browser interface, as detailed above. The method also assumes that computer code providing automatic login (and other) functionality according to the present invention is transmitted to a user's computer and can be executed in conjunction with the computer's processor and the user's Internet browser. is there. At step 1810, the user selects a merchant from a merchant list provided via an auto-login interface object that may include buttons and pull-down menus. At step 1820, computer code (also referred to as a client) performs an automatic login process internally, causing the browser to open a hidden window. The computer code also transmits a first request including the merchant ID and cookie to the server (preferably a secure server as shown in FIG. 19 and discussed in further detail below). The secure server receives the first request and determines in step 1822 whether the cookie is a security cookie. If the cookie is not a security cookie, the user has not logged in securely for the current Internet session or a predetermined time has passed since the user logged in safely. In any case, the secure server, in step 1830, prompts the user's browser to enter some data to securely log in, to one or more web pages (new in the user's browser). Open as a simple browser window). At step 1832, one of the data that the user must enter is the security key, and the secure server receives this key and is given the correct and / or valid security key for the user. Determine if it exists. If an incorrect security protection key is entered, at step 1834, the secure server determines whether the user has re-entered the security key more than a predetermined number of times. If the user's retries exceed the allowed number of times, the secure login process is terminated (it will be terminated by the secure server, and the user's browser will allow the user to automatically login interface object ( Button) to return to the web page that was displayed before selecting the merchant from the merchant list, and in step 1836, if the user has not exceeded the allowed number of retries, choose to cancel the secure login process If not, the user may attempt to re-enter the security key, and in step 1832 the secured server again determines whether the correct security key has been entered. If the correct security key is not entered, or If the user chooses to terminate the secure login process by selecting the cancel button, the secure login process is terminated (terminated by the secure server) and the user's browser is Will return to the web page being displayed before selecting the merchant from the merchant list of the auto-login interface object (button) (step 1850).

  If the user has successfully entered the correct security key, then in step 1840, the secure server transmits an authorization message to the computer code, which then selects the user's access and password specific to the selected merchant. A second request for credentials is transmitted to feed server 1842. This second request may include a user ID and merchant ID that can be translated by the feed server to locate the user and the user's access credentials in the database. If the feed server finds a match between this second request and the database entry, the user's access credentials (merchant login ID and password, merchant website ID (such as URL) and merchant rules file) are It is transmitted to the user computer by the feed server. The computer code receives the access credentials, causes the user's browser to navigate to the merchant's website (as specified by the URL) and sets the login field along with the user's login ID and password and according to the merchant rules file. Automatically populate and perform automatic login of users to the merchant website.

  The automatic login process described above is performed transparently by computer code provided in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the present invention controls the browser interface, thereby providing rules for controlling navigation (in this case, rules for automated login to a merchant website) without client side changes. It provides the ability to control the navigation by the user so that it can be changed on the side. The present invention makes it possible to preferably use a document object module (DOM) that can be used by a browser to execute a change to the above-described rule. That is, after the user selects a merchant from the merchant list, the computer code performs an automatic login process without requiring further input from the user (unless the user is not securely logged in). With continued reference to FIGS. 18a-18b, automatic login performed by computer code in accordance with the present invention will be discussed in further detail. At step 1844, the computer code determines whether an access credential has been received in response to the second request. If no access credentials have been received, the computer code creates an error message that is displayed by the user's browser (step 1860). Thereafter, the computer code closes the hidden window (opened at step 1820) and terminates the automatic login process. The display in the browser then returns to the web page being displayed before the user selects the merchant from the merchant list. As determined at step 1844, if the computer code has received the access credentials, at step 1870 the computer code initiates another hidden window to perform the rest of the automatic login process. At any time prior to the end of the automatic login process, the user selects the appropriate button that is displayed in the computer code (the cancel button that is displayed while the computer code is performing the automatic login process). You can cancel this process. In step 1872, if the user chooses to cancel the automatic login process, the computer code will close all hidden windows opened during the process and the browser will display the merchant from the merchant list. Return to the displayed web page before making a selection. If the user does not manually terminate the automatic login process, the computer code may cancel the process if a predetermined time has passed before the process is terminated. For example, after receiving access credentials, computer code may not be able to cause the browser to navigate to the merchant website due to device or network issues. In that case, the computer code terminates the automatic login process (step 1874) and displays an error message to the user that automatic login could not be terminated (step 1878). At that point, the computer code may provide the user with an opportunity to retry the automatic login process (step 1878). At this point, processing returns to step 1844 and proceeds as described herein.

  If the computer code determines that the automatic login process has not automatically timed out (step 1874), the computer code determines whether a login confirmation response has been received from the merchant website (step 1876). To do this, the computer code evaluates the HTML data received in a hidden window to indicate that the login for a given word, word, message or merchant website was successful. Search for the indicator. For example, the merchant website may display a message after the user has successfully logged in. The message may be included as part of the merchant rule file transmitted by the feed server to the computer code as part of the access credentials. In this way, the computer code can determine whether the automatic login has been successfully completed. If successful, the computer code displays the web page from the merchant website in the main browser window (step 1890), thereby effectively bringing the user's browser to the merchant website and then the user. Navigate directly to your account web page.

  Referring now to FIG. 19, a system that facilitates automatic login to a website by a user is shown. The system includes a server (which may be a single server or multiple servers 1900, 1920, 1940) as a standard design choice. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a data storage device and a server having software stored on the data storage device. As detailed herein, software that adds an automatic login function to the user's Internet browser transmits the computer code to the user's computer.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, a server 1900 that has been protected by security executes a login process that has been secured by connecting to a computer code. The security-protected server 1900 has a database having a plurality of user data and security protection key information corresponding thereto. The secure server 1900 receives a cookie from the user and can determine whether the cookie is a security cookie with a valid security protection key. If so, the secure server 1900 can transmit an acknowledgment or authentication to the computer code of the user computer.

  The feed server 1920 has a database containing a plurality of user data, including merchant login and password data for individual merchants provided by the user, and merchant rule data. When the computer code of the user computer receives an acknowledgment or authentication from the secure server, the computer code transmits a second request to the feed server having a cookie containing the user ID and merchant ID. The feed server determines whether the user ID and merchant specified in the feed server database exist, and if so, transmits the access credentials to the user computer. In the preferred embodiment, the access credentials include all user login IDs, passwords, and merchant rules files that are unique to a particular merchant. The computer code uses the access credentials to navigate the user's browser to the merchant's website and the login web page of the site, automatically populate the login fields (login ID and password), and the merchant rules • Log in according to the file (eg, select “Login” or another similar button). At this point, the user computer may connect to the merchant server 1940 via the Internet. Once the computer code determines that the automatic login has been successfully completed, the user's account merchant web page is displayed by the browser.

  Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure provided herein that various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using software provided on a user's computer and various servers.

  It should be understood that the present invention can be implemented using any number of computer technologies. For example, although the present embodiment has been disclosed as being operable by connecting to the Internet, the present invention can also be used via an arbitrary computer network including a wide area network, for example. Similarly, a user's computer 50 can be any device connected to a network including, for example, personal information devices, web-enabled cell phones, wired phones that can be dialed into the network, mobile computers, personal computers, Internet devices, and the like. It may be. Further, the server described herein may be of any type that executes any software, and the software modules, objects, and plug-ins described herein may be written in any programming language. It may be what was written. Finally, the databases and storage devices described herein include any storage technology including, for example, local computer memory, storage devices connected to a network, and any known storage media such as magnetism or optics. It may be used.

  While the main novel features of the present invention as applied in the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown, described and pointed out above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various omissions, substitutions and alterations of the details and forms are possible. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Draw a diagram of a prior art internet browser interface. FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of an Internet browser interface that includes an interface object in a browser toolbar according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of an internet browser interface with an interface toolbar containing interface objects according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of an internet browser interface with an interface toolbar that includes a plurality of interface objects in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an Internet browser interface according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface according to various embodiments of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface according to various embodiments of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface according to various embodiments of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface according to various embodiments of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface according to various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a computer connected to the Internet capable of implementing the present invention. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of an internet browser interface with a shopping assistant button according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of a wallet settings web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an example screenshot of a wallet data entry web page. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of a wallet summary web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of a secure key window according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of a wallet information window according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary screenshot of a supported merchant checkout web page according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically logging a user into a merchant website according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically logging a user into a merchant website according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system that facilitates automatic login by a user to a merchant website according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Claims (16)

A method for controlling an internet browser interface displayed on a display of a computer that communicates with a server by an internet browser, wherein the internet browser user accesses the internet and performs internet navigation. Receiving one or more web pages from one or more internet sites, including displaying web pages from a predetermined internet site, and displaying them on a computer display in a content display area; Has at least one Internet browser toolbar in the user interface portion of the browser, the browser toolbar Said method comprising at least one tool bar buttons providing a predetermined function to chromatography data and Internet browser of the user,
(A) providing access to a program that is not part of the browser that controls the Internet browser interface at the predetermined Internet site;
(B) for displaying a user toolbar as part of the Internet browser user interface, which was not present in the browser prior to downloading from the Internet site, allowing the user to use additional functions; Once the file has been downloaded by the predetermined internet site so that the user toolbar is displayed in the browser user interface and not overlapping the browser user interface , the internet browser Ensuring that the user toolbar remains displayed and the additional functionality remains available to the user regardless of the Internet site being navigated;
With
The file determines whether the navigated website requires the user to log in and, if login is requested , automatically populates the login field of the website using user data. Thus, when the user navigates to the website by satisfying the login requirements of the website without having to re-enter the user data at the website navigated by the user, An automatic login function for automatically logging the user into the website using user data is further added to the browser.
Method.   The method of claim 1, wherein the user toolbar includes an interface object and can be customized by a user to provide a user selection function in the user toolbar.   The method of claim 1, wherein the file comprises an active X control.   The method of claim 1, wherein the file comprises a plug-in.   The method of claim 2, wherein the interface object is a toolbar button.   A search window that allows the user to start the search at the predetermined Internet site, regardless of the Internet site to which the computer is connected via the browser when the interface object is started. The method of claim 2, wherein The predetermined Internet site holds user-specific information of a plurality of users including the user of the computer and an Internet browser;
The method further comprising enabling download of information specific to the user of the computer and an internet browser for defining all or part of the user toolbar by the predetermined internet site;
The method of claim 1, wherein all or part of the display of the user toolbar depends on information specific to the user of the computer and internet browser downloaded by the predetermined internet site. Further comprising the step of allowing the predetermined internet site to download additional information specific to the user of the computer and internet browser for defining all or part of the user toolbar;
The method of claim 7, wherein all or part of the display of the user toolbar depends on the downloaded information. A system comprising an internet connectable server configured to send computer code to a computer enabling configuration of an internet browser interface,
The internet browser interface is displayed on the display of the computer by an internet browser,
The Internet browser simplifies connection between the computer and one or more Internet sites including a predetermined Internet site within a content display area of the Internet browser ,
The Internet browser further includes at least one Internet browser toolbar in a user interface portion of the browser, the browser toolbar having a predetermined function available to users of the computer and the Internet browser, The Internet browser further simplifies the display on the computer display of one or more web pages from the one or more Internet sites, including display of web pages from the predetermined Internet site.
Regardless of the Internet site to which the computer is connected via the Internet browser, it is displayed as part of the Internet browser user interface and with the Internet browser toolbar while the Internet browser is running. The Internet browser interface includes a user toolbar obtained as a result of downloading an executable file from the predetermined Internet site ,
The user toolbar is displayed within the browser user interface and without overlapping the browser user interface, providing additional functionality to the user as part of the internet browser user interface; Thereby, once the user toolbar is displayed, the user toolbar remains displayed in the browser user interface regardless of the internet site to which the internet browser is navigated, and the additional function is Remain available to the user,
The additional function determines whether the navigated website requests login to the user, and automatically logs the login field of the website using user data when login is requested. By populating , the user can navigate to the website by satisfying the login requirements of the website without having to re-enter the user data at the website navigated by the user. An automatic login function for automatically logging the user into the website using the user data is further added to the browser.
system.   The system of claim 9, wherein the user toolbar comprises an interface object that is customizable by the user.   The system of claim 10, wherein the interface object is a toolbar button.   A search that allows the user to start the search at the predetermined Internet site, regardless of the Internet site to which the computer is connected via the Internet browser when the interface object is started. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is a window.   The system of claim 10, wherein the interface object comprises an active X control that allows a user to customize the interface object.   The system of claim 10, wherein the interface object comprises a plug-in control function that allows a user to customize the interface object. The predetermined Internet site holds user-specific information of a plurality of users including the user of the computer and an Internet browser;
When the Internet browser is first launched, the interface object causes the Internet browser to establish a connection with a predetermined Internet site, and then provides information specific to the computer and the user of the Internet browser to the predetermined Internet site. Received from internet sites,
All or part of the user toolbar depends on the information received from the predetermined internet site specific to the user of the computer and internet browser;
The system according to claim 10. In order to receive additional information specific to the user of the computer and Internet browser from the predetermined Internet site, the interface object is connected to the predetermined Internet site while the Internet browser is activated. Periodically re-establishing the internet browser;
All or part of the user toolbar depends on the received information and additional information;
The system according to claim 15.

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