US20120060079A1 - Discovering alternative user experiences for websites - Google Patents
Discovering alternative user experiences for websites Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120060079A1 US20120060079A1 US13/295,486 US201113295486A US2012060079A1 US 20120060079 A1 US20120060079 A1 US 20120060079A1 US 201113295486 A US201113295486 A US 201113295486A US 2012060079 A1 US2012060079 A1 US 2012060079A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- content
- application
- web site
- alternate
- mobile device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004043 responsiveness Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000473945 Theria <moth genus> Species 0.000 description 1
- 101000857680 Xenopus laevis Runt-related transcription factor 1 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005055 memory storage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001690 polydopamine Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013515 script Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
- G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
- G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
- G06F16/954—Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
- G06F15/16—Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
- G06F15/16—Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
- G06F15/161—Computing infrastructure, e.g. computer clusters, blade chassis or hardware partitioning
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
- G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
- G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/10—Services
Definitions
- Computer systems and related technology affect many aspects of society. Indeed, the computer system's ability to process information has transformed the way we live and work. Computer systems now commonly perform a host of tasks (e.g., word processing, scheduling, accounting, etc.) that prior to the advent of the computer system were performed manually. More recently, computer systems have been coupled to one another and to other electronic devices to form both wired and wireless computer networks over which the computer systems and other electronic devices can transfer electronic data. Accordingly, the performance of many computing tasks are distributed across a number of different computer systems and/or a number of different computing environments.
- tasks e.g., word processing, scheduling, accounting, etc.
- HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol
- WWW World Wide Web
- HTTP is a request/response (or synchronous) protocol.
- a Web browser requests information by submitting a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) and a Website identified by the URL returns content (typically Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”)) to the Web browser.
- the Web browser interprets the content for presentation, such as, for example, through video and/or audio output devices.
- Typical Web experiences are advantageous in that any computer system with a properly configured Web browser can access content from a Web site. That is, a Web browser essentially functions as a thin client to provide a small number of well-defined mechanisms for accessing and presenting content.
- a Web server in response to a Web browser request, does virtually all of the processing to get data in an appropriate format (e.g., HTML) for presentation at a Web browser.
- this client/server arrangement also has a number of disadvantages. For example, all interaction with an application is required to pass through a Web server. As a result, data (e.g., a URL) is sent to the server, the server responds, and other data (e.g., a Web page) is reloaded at a Web browser. Thus, typical Web browser operation causes a synchronous (and sometimes slow) loop for user interactions, for example, limiting when Web site content can be presented.
- data e.g., a URL
- other data e.g., a Web page
- typical Web browser operation causes a synchronous (and sometimes slow) loop for user interactions, for example, limiting when Web site content can be presented.
- a Web browser's small number of well-defined mechanisms for accessing and presenting content limits how and what types of content can be presented. For example, most Web browsers are not natively configured to present anything other than HTML data. The use of scripts can enhance presentation abilities to of a Web browser to some extent. However, data presentation still occurs within the Web browser and is limited to the Web browser environment.
- RIAs Rich Internet Applications
- a variety of applications often referred to as Rich Internet Applications (“RIAs”) can provide alternative experiences with expanded or enhanced capabilities for accessing and presenting Internet-based content (sometimes outside of a Web browser).
- RIAs utilize an intermediate software layer, sometimes referred to as a client engine, between a Web browser and Web server to circumvent Web browser limitations.
- a RIA can be programmed to perform virtually any application function a designer believes will enhance some aspect of a user interface or improve its responsiveness when handling various user interactions (e.g., as compared to a standard Web browser implementation).
- RIAs can provide benefits such as expanded user-interface behaviors not obtainable via HTML, increased responsiveness, client/server workload balancing, asynchronous communication (i.e., communication can occur without a user triggering a response/reply), and network efficiency.
- RIAs can be executable (e.g., .exe) files, installation packages (e.g., .msi), or ZIP file installation packages.
- a user typically has to read some Website or application specific HTML user-interface of an application to identify a link to an RIA. The use then clicks a specific button or link on the HTML page to trigger downloading and/or installing of an RIA.
- the present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites.
- a Web browser submits a request for content to a Web site.
- the Web browser receives responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site.
- the Web browser determines that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest.
- the application manifest lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site.
- the Web browser indicates (e.g., through user-interface elements) that the Web site includes alternative application experiences.
- the indication is presented in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest.
- the Web browser receives a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest.
- the Web browser downloads components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication.
- the Web browser caches the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use.
- the Web browser indicates that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center.
- the alternative application center provides a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites.
- FIG. 1A illustrates an example computer architecture that facilitates discovering alternative user experiences for Websites.
- FIG. 1B illustrates an example computer architecture that facilitates activating an alternative user experience for a Website.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a Web browser user-interface for saving alternative user experiences for Web sites.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a portion of a user-interface for accessing and activating an alternative user experience for a Web site.
- the present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites.
- a Web browser submits a request for content to a Web site.
- the Web browser receives responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site.
- the Web browser determines that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest.
- the application manifest lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site.
- the Web browser indicates (e.g., through user-interface elements) that the Web site includes alternative application experiences.
- the indication is presented in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest.
- the Web browser receives a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest.
- the Web browser downloads components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication.
- the Web browser caches the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use.
- the Web browser indicates that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center.
- the alternative application center provides a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites.
- Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, as discussed in greater detail below.
- Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures.
- Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system.
- Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions are physical storage media.
- Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media.
- embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: physical storage media and transmission media.
- Physical storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
- a “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices.
- a network or another communications connection can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry or desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
- program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to physical storage media (or vice versa).
- program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile physical storage media at a computer system.
- a network interface module e.g., a “NIC”
- NIC network interface module
- physical storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.
- Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.
- the computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.
- the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like.
- the invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks.
- program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
- FIG. 1A illustrates an example computer architecture 100 that facilitates discovering alternative user experiences for Websites.
- computer architecture 100 includes computer system 101 and computer system 102 .
- Each of the depicted computer systems is connected to one another over (or is part of) a network, such as, for example, a Local Area Network (“LAN”), a Wide Area Network (“WAN”), and even the Internet.
- LAN Local Area Network
- WAN Wide Area Network
- each of the depicted computer systems as well as any other connected computer systems and their components can create message related data and exchange message related data (e.g., Internet Protocol (“IP”) datagrams and other higher layer protocols that utilize IP datagrams, such as, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (“SMTP”), etc.) over the network.
- IP Internet Protocol
- TCP Transmission Control Protocol
- HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol
- SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
- Computer system 101 includes Web browser 102 , alternative application center 104 , and alternative application cache 106 .
- Web browser 102 is configured to interact with Web sites to send Web-based data to and receive Web-based data from Web sites (e.g., in HTTP messages, such as, for example, HTTP GET, HTTP HEAD, HTTP POST, HTTP PUT, etc.) and to present Web-based data through a user-interface.
- Web browser 102 also includes sticky user-interface control 103 .
- Sticky user-interface control 103 can activate (or “light up”) when a received message indicates that a Web site has alternative user experiences. A user can then select sticky user-interface control 103 to save or “make sticky” alternative user experiences for Web sites, potentially facilitating use of alternative user experiences when off line.
- Alternative application center 104 provides a user-interface for accessing safe alternative user experiences.
- Alternative application cache 106 is configured to store data for alternative user experiences. When an alternative user experience is saved, data for the alternative user experience can be downloaded to computer system 101 and stored in alternative application cache 106 .
- Alternative application center 104 can visual present (e.g., as icons) alternative user experiences stored in alternative application cached 106 to a user. A user can select an alternative user experience from the list to active the alternative user experience (either acting with the alternative user experience directly or through alternative application center 104 ).
- Computer system 111 includes Web server 112 .
- Web server 112 is configured to manage content for one or more Websites.
- Web server 112 can interact with Web browsers and alternative applications to send Web-based data to and receive Web-based data from Web browsers and alternative applications (e.g., in HTTP messages including HTML data).
- Computer system can return Web-based data from storage 113 in response to data requests received at Web server 112 .
- Responses to data requests can include content from content 114 and/or links to alternative user experiences in alternative applications 116 .
- Web server 112 can include links to any alternative user experiences when returning Web-based data to a Web browser.
- Web server 112 can include a link element in an HTML header of a HTML message. The link element can link to data (e.g., in alternative applications 116 ) for activating alternative user experiences provided by Web server 112 .
- a Web browser such as, for example, Web browser 102
- can activate a user-interface control such as, for example, sticky user-interface control 103 , in response to detecting a link element to an alternative user experience in other received data, such as, for example, in an HTML header.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 200 for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. The method 200 will be described with respect to the components and data of computer architecture 100 .
- Method 200 includes an act of submitting a request for content to a Web site (act 201 ).
- Web browser 102 can submit request 121 (e.g., an HTTP GET containing a URL for Web server 112 ) to Web server 112 .
- request 121 e.g., an HTTP GET containing a URL for Web server 112
- Method 200 includes an act of receiving responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site (act 202 ).
- Web browser 102 can receive response 122 responsive to request 121 .
- response 122 includes header 123 and body 126 .
- Header 123 and body 126 can be the header and body of an HTML message respectively.
- Body 126 can contain content responsive to request 121 .
- header 126 can contain information about response 122 including title, keywords, and other information that is not necessarily considered content.
- header 126 also includes manifest link 124 .
- Web server 112 can embed manifest link 124 in header 123 prior to sending response 122 .
- Manifest link 124 can be of the format:
- the link element includes attribute/value pairs conveying relationship information for accessing an alternative user experience for accessing content 114 .
- RIA Rich Internet Application
- the “application/localria” type can be managed between Web browser 102 and Web server 112 and/or can be registered as a content type, such as, for example, a Mime Type, for expanded use.
- a title attribute can be used to provide advisory information about the link element.
- the value of the title attribute can provided as a user tool tip at a Web browser.
- Web browser 102 can display the word “Applications” when hovering over a user-interface element presented as part of body 126 .
- Method 200 includes an act of determining that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest, the application manifest listing one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site (act 203 ).
- Web browser 102 can determine that response 122 includes manifest link 124 .
- Manifest link 124 can link to a portion of alternative applications 116 (e.g., “local.xml”) that lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content from Web server 112 .
- Method 200 includes an act of indicating at the Web browser that the Web site includes alternative application experiences in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest.
- Web server 102 can active or “light up” sticky user-interface control 103 in response to determining that response 122 includes manifest link 124 .
- FIG. 3 depicts a portion of a Web browser user-interface 300 .
- Web browser user-interface 300 can facilitate saving alternative user experiences for Web sites.
- the functionality of Web browser user-interface 300 can be provided at Web browser 102 .
- Web browser user-interface 300 can also include sticky user-interface control 103 for making an alternative user experiences (e.g., RIAs) sticky at computer system 101 .
- address field 301 e.g., for submitting URLs
- search field 306 for searching received content
- home page control 302 for returning to a designated home page
- print control 304 for printing received content
- RSS control 303 for
- Method 200 includes an act of receiving a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest (act 204 ).
- Web browser 102 can receive user-input 107 selecting sticky user-interface control 103 .
- Method 200 includes an act of downloading components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication (act 205 ).
- selection of sticky user-interface control 103 can cause Web browser 102 to utilize manifest link 124 to send alternative application request 127 to Web server 112 .
- Alternative application request 127 can be a request for a portion of alternative applications 116 , such as, for example, “local.xml”.
- Web server 112 can pull alternative application manifest 128 (e.g, “local.xml”) from alternative applications 116 and provide alternative application manifest 128 to Web browser 102 .
- an alternative application is made sticky in an alternative application center by caching the application user experience (XAML, Image, Media), code DLLs and the necessary application reference data.
- the application can be packaged using a simple ZIP like file format with simple “sticky” manifest.
- alternative application manifest 128 can be of the format:
- application description refers to the user friendly description of the alternative applications.
- Application publisher refers to the publisher of the alternative applications.
- Application icon refers to the visual image for the alternative applications.
- the manifest also includes multiple hosts sections.
- Each host section represents an alternative application including an application type, such as, for example, ria-local, clickonce, ria-device, gadget-sidebar, gadget-list, gadget-w3C, etc.
- an application type such as, for example, ria-local, clickonce, ria-device, gadget-sidebar, gadget-list, gadget-w3C, etc.
- a list of application resources e.g., “ClientBin.TVSticky.xap”, TVSticky.application”, etc.
- the resources can be identified using a simple relative URI.
- the default resource is the application ZIP file.
- Method 200 includes an act of caching the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use (act 206 ).
- computer system 101 can cache components identified in alternative application manifest 128 (and/or provided by Web server 112 ) in alternative application cache 106 .
- Cached components can include resources as well as configuration information indicated in alternative application manifest 128 . These components can be grouped together and stored as application data 141 .
- computer system 101 may request further components from Web server 112 (e.g., using URLs contained in alternative application manifest 128 ). For example, computer system 101 can send component request 129 to Web serer 112 . In response to component request 129 , Web server 112 can identify alternative application components 131 as relevant to the activation and use of alternative applications in alternative application manifest 128 . Web server 112 can provide alternative application components 131 to computer system 101 for caching. These components can be grouped into application data 141 for storage in alternative application cache 106 .
- Method 200 includes an act of indicating that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center at the computer system, the alternative application center providing a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites (act 207 ). For example, the availability of alternative user experiences for accessing content 114 can be indicated through alternative application center 104 .
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a portion of a user-interface 400 for accessing and activating an alternative user experience for a Web site.
- alternative application control center 104 can be represented as a user-interface control in user-interface 400 .
- selection of the user-interface control can cause a listing of available alternative user experiences cached in alternative application cache 106 to be presented.
- a user can choose to make a RIA have a “sticky presence” on their machine.
- Sticky in the sense the application code and data resources for activating the application are locally cached.
- a sticky presence RIA is an alternative application that may reuse many of the code and UI assets of the in browser RIA.
- embodiments of the invention permit a uses to navigate to a Web page that has an Alternative Application or “Sticky” RIA (e.g., an .EXE application, .MSI installation package, or ZIP file installation package) for the web site.
- an Alternative Application or “Sticky” RIA e.g., an .EXE application, .MSI installation package, or ZIP file installation package
- a “Make Sticky” button in the browser toolbar can be activated. A user can then click on the button and may be asked to confirm their action.
- the Alternative Application or “Sticky” RIA can be installed to the RIA Center.
- a Web developer can customize the user experience of making an alternative application “sticky”. For example, a Web devloper can add a user-interface control, such as, for example, a button to their application. When a user selected the button a LocalApplication.Install API can be called, passing a URL to the sticky manfiest. Additionally, when a Web developer provides a ⁇ link> element in the ⁇ head> of the HTML web page, the user can drag and drop the web page (from address bar) to the RIA Center.
- a user-interface control such as, for example, a button
- a LocalApplication.Install API can be called, passing a URL to the sticky manfiest.
- a Web developer provides a ⁇ link> element in the ⁇ head> of the HTML web page, the user can drag and drop the web page (from address bar) to the RIA Center.
- the user gets to decide when to take the action to make the RIA sticky.
- the application's resources and data are automatically updated in the background so that a user has access to updated user-interface experiences and data.
- Web server 112 can update application data 141 when communication with computer system 101 is detected.
- FIG. 1B illustrates a portion of computer architecture 100 that facilitates activating an alternative user experience for a Website.
- FIG. 1B includes computer system 101 and computer system 111 .
- alternative application control center 104 loads cached data 141 from alternative application cache 106 .
- Alternative application control center 104 can then process the application data 141 to activate alternative application 142 .
- Alternative application 142 can request Web-based data from Web server 112 .
- Alternative application 142 can send request 151 to Web server 112 .
- Request 151 can be a request for a portion of content 114 (e.g., the content included in body 126 or some other Web-based data).
- Web server 112 can return Web-based data to alternative application 142 .
- Web server 112 can return content 164 to alternative application 142 .
- Alternative application 142 can present content 164 at a user-interface.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Primary Health Care (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. Embodiments of the invention permit a user to navigate to a Web page that has an alternative application for a Web site. In response to a Web browser detecting the alternative application a user-interface control at the Web browser can be activated. A user can then select the user-interface control to install the alternative application in am alternative application control center. Through the alternative application control center, a user activates alternative applications to interact with Web sites having alternative user experiences.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/200,167, entitled “DISCOVERING ALTERNATIVE USER EXPERIENCES FOR WEBSITES”, filed Aug. 28, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Computer systems and related technology affect many aspects of society. Indeed, the computer system's ability to process information has transformed the way we live and work. Computer systems now commonly perform a host of tasks (e.g., word processing, scheduling, accounting, etc.) that prior to the advent of the computer system were performed manually. More recently, computer systems have been coupled to one another and to other electronic devices to form both wired and wireless computer networks over which the computer systems and other electronic devices can transfer electronic data. Accordingly, the performance of many computing tasks are distributed across a number of different computer systems and/or a number of different computing environments.
- For example, on the Internet, computer systems often operate in a client/server arrangement. One computer system including a Web browser requests data from another computer system including a Web server. Communication between the Web browser and Web server is typically facilitated using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), which is a communications protocol for the transfer of information on the Internet and the World Wide Web (“WWW”). HTTP is a request/response (or synchronous) protocol. A Web browser requests information by submitting a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) and a Website identified by the URL returns content (typically Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”)) to the Web browser. The Web browser then interprets the content for presentation, such as, for example, through video and/or audio output devices.
- Typical Web experiences are advantageous in that any computer system with a properly configured Web browser can access content from a Web site. That is, a Web browser essentially functions as a thin client to provide a small number of well-defined mechanisms for accessing and presenting content. A Web server, in response to a Web browser request, does virtually all of the processing to get data in an appropriate format (e.g., HTML) for presentation at a Web browser.
- Unfortunately, this client/server arrangement also has a number of disadvantages. For example, all interaction with an application is required to pass through a Web server. As a result, data (e.g., a URL) is sent to the server, the server responds, and other data (e.g., a Web page) is reloaded at a Web browser. Thus, typical Web browser operation causes a synchronous (and sometimes slow) loop for user interactions, for example, limiting when Web site content can be presented.
- Further, a Web browser's small number of well-defined mechanisms for accessing and presenting content limits how and what types of content can be presented. For example, most Web browsers are not natively configured to present anything other than HTML data. The use of scripts can enhance presentation abilities to of a Web browser to some extent. However, data presentation still occurs within the Web browser and is limited to the Web browser environment.
- A variety of applications often referred to as Rich Internet Applications (“RIAs”), can provide alternative experiences with expanded or enhanced capabilities for accessing and presenting Internet-based content (sometimes outside of a Web browser). RIAs utilize an intermediate software layer, sometimes referred to as a client engine, between a Web browser and Web server to circumvent Web browser limitations. A RIA can be programmed to perform virtually any application function a designer believes will enhance some aspect of a user interface or improve its responsiveness when handling various user interactions (e.g., as compared to a standard Web browser implementation). For example, RIAs can provide benefits such as expanded user-interface behaviors not obtainable via HTML, increased responsiveness, client/server workload balancing, asynchronous communication (i.e., communication can occur without a user triggering a response/reply), and network efficiency.
- RIAs can be executable (e.g., .exe) files, installation packages (e.g., .msi), or ZIP file installation packages. Unfortunately, gaining access to or even becoming aware of RIAs can vary between different Web sites. For example, a user typically has to read some Website or application specific HTML user-interface of an application to identify a link to an RIA. The use then clicks a specific button or link on the HTML page to trigger downloading and/or installing of an RIA.
- The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. A Web browser submits a request for content to a Web site. The Web browser receives responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site. The Web browser determines that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest. The application manifest lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site.
- The Web browser indicates (e.g., through user-interface elements) that the Web site includes alternative application experiences. The indication is presented in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest. The Web browser receives a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest. The Web browser downloads components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication.
- The Web browser caches the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use. The Web browser indicates that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center. The alternative application center provides a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites.
- This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
- Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
- In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1A illustrates an example computer architecture that facilitates discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. -
FIG. 1B illustrates an example computer architecture that facilitates activating an alternative user experience for a Website. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a Web browser user-interface for saving alternative user experiences for Web sites. -
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a portion of a user-interface for accessing and activating an alternative user experience for a Web site. - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. A Web browser submits a request for content to a Web site. The Web browser receives responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site. The Web browser determines that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest. The application manifest lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site.
- The Web browser indicates (e.g., through user-interface elements) that the Web site includes alternative application experiences. The indication is presented in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest. The Web browser receives a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest. The Web browser downloads components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication.
- The Web browser caches the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use. The Web browser indicates that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center. The alternative application center provides a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites.
- Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions are physical storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: physical storage media and transmission media.
- Physical storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
- A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissions media can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry or desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
- Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to physical storage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile physical storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that physical storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.
- Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
- Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
-
FIG. 1A illustrates anexample computer architecture 100 that facilitates discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. Referring toFIG. 1A ,computer architecture 100 includescomputer system 101 andcomputer system 102. Each of the depicted computer systems is connected to one another over (or is part of) a network, such as, for example, a Local Area Network (“LAN”), a Wide Area Network (“WAN”), and even the Internet. Accordingly, each of the depicted computer systems as well as any other connected computer systems and their components, can create message related data and exchange message related data (e.g., Internet Protocol (“IP”) datagrams and other higher layer protocols that utilize IP datagrams, such as, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (“SMTP”), etc.) over the network. -
Computer system 101 includesWeb browser 102,alternative application center 104, andalternative application cache 106. Generally,Web browser 102 is configured to interact with Web sites to send Web-based data to and receive Web-based data from Web sites (e.g., in HTTP messages, such as, for example, HTTP GET, HTTP HEAD, HTTP POST, HTTP PUT, etc.) and to present Web-based data through a user-interface.Web browser 102 also includes sticky user-interface control 103. Sticky user-interface control 103 can activate (or “light up”) when a received message indicates that a Web site has alternative user experiences. A user can then select sticky user-interface control 103 to save or “make sticky” alternative user experiences for Web sites, potentially facilitating use of alternative user experiences when off line. -
Alternative application center 104 provides a user-interface for accessing safe alternative user experiences.Alternative application cache 106 is configured to store data for alternative user experiences. When an alternative user experience is saved, data for the alternative user experience can be downloaded tocomputer system 101 and stored inalternative application cache 106.Alternative application center 104 can visual present (e.g., as icons) alternative user experiences stored in alternative application cached 106 to a user. A user can select an alternative user experience from the list to active the alternative user experience (either acting with the alternative user experience directly or through alternative application center 104). -
Computer system 111 includesWeb server 112. Generally,Web server 112 is configured to manage content for one or more Websites.Web server 112 can interact with Web browsers and alternative applications to send Web-based data to and receive Web-based data from Web browsers and alternative applications (e.g., in HTTP messages including HTML data). Computer system can return Web-based data fromstorage 113 in response to data requests received atWeb server 112. Responses to data requests can include content fromcontent 114 and/or links to alternative user experiences inalternative applications 116.Web server 112 can include links to any alternative user experiences when returning Web-based data to a Web browser. For example,Web server 112 can include a link element in an HTML header of a HTML message. The link element can link to data (e.g., in alternative applications 116) for activating alternative user experiences provided byWeb server 112. - A Web browser, such as, for example,
Web browser 102, can activate a user-interface control, such as, for example, sticky user-interface control 103, in response to detecting a link element to an alternative user experience in other received data, such as, for example, in an HTML header. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of anexample method 200 for discovering alternative user experiences for Websites. Themethod 200 will be described with respect to the components and data ofcomputer architecture 100. -
Method 200 includes an act of submitting a request for content to a Web site (act 201). For example,Web browser 102 can submit request 121 (e.g., an HTTP GET containing a URL for Web server 112) toWeb server 112.Method 200 includes an act of receiving responsive content responsive to the request from the Web site (act 202). For example,Web browser 102 can receiveresponse 122 responsive to request 121. - As depicted,
response 122 includesheader 123 andbody 126.Header 123 andbody 126 can be the header and body of an HTML message respectively.Body 126 can contain content responsive to request 121. Generally,header 126 can contain information aboutresponse 122 including title, keywords, and other information that is not necessarily considered content. As depicted,header 126 also includes manifest link 124.Web server 112 can embed manifest link 124 inheader 123 prior to sendingresponse 122. - Manifest link 124 can be of the format:
-
<head> <link rel=“alternate” type=“application/localria” href=“local.xml” title=“Applications”/> </head> - The link element includes attribute/value pairs conveying relationship information for accessing an alternative user experience for accessing
content 114. The rel=“alternate” attribute/value pair describes the relationship frombody 126 to “local.xml” (i.e., the anchor specified in the href attribute) and designates local.xml as a substitute version ofbody 126. The type=“application/localria” attribute/value pair gives an advisory hint that the content type of the content available at the link target address (i.e., for the substitute version of response 122) is Rich Internet Application (RIA) typed content. The “application/localria” type can be managed betweenWeb browser 102 andWeb server 112 and/or can be registered as a content type, such as, for example, a Mime Type, for expanded use. The hrer=“local.xml” attribute/value pair specifies the location ofalternative application manifest 128 defining a link betweenresponse 122 andalternative application manifest 128. - Generally, a title attribute can be used to provide advisory information about the link element. The value of the title attribute can provided as a user tool tip at a Web browser. Thus, the title=“Applications” attribute/value pair indicates that the nature of manifest link 124 is related to “Applications”.
Web browser 102 can display the word “Applications” when hovering over a user-interface element presented as part ofbody 126. -
Method 200 includes an act of determining that the responsive content includes a link to an application manifest, the application manifest listing one or more alternative applications configured to access content from the Web site (act 203). For example,Web browser 102 can determine thatresponse 122 includes manifest link 124. Manifest link 124 can link to a portion of alternative applications 116 (e.g., “local.xml”) that lists one or more alternative applications configured to access content fromWeb server 112.Method 200 includes an act of indicating at the Web browser that the Web site includes alternative application experiences in response to determining that the responsive content includes the link to the application manifest. For example,Web server 102 can active or “light up” sticky user-interface control 103 in response to determining thatresponse 122 includes manifest link 124. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 ,FIG. 3 depicts a portion of a Web browser user-interface 300. Web browser user-interface 300 can facilitate saving alternative user experiences for Web sites. The functionality of Web browser user-interface 300 can be provided atWeb browser 102. As depicted, Web browser user-interface 300 includes address field 301 (e.g., for submitting URLs),search field 306 for searching received content,home page control 302 for returning to a designated home page,print control 304 for printing received content,RSS control 303 for activating RSS formatted feeds (e.g., data of type=“application/rss+xml”). Web browser user-interface 300 can also include sticky user-interface control 103 for making an alternative user experiences (e.g., RIAs) sticky atcomputer system 101. -
Method 200 includes an act of receiving a user indication of a user desire to retain the alternative application experiences listed in the application manifest (act 204). For example,Web browser 102 can receive user-input 107 selecting sticky user-interface control 103. -
Method 200 includes an act of downloading components associated with the alternative application experiences to the computer system in response to the user indication (act 205). For example, selection of sticky user-interface control 103 can causeWeb browser 102 to utilize manifest link 124 to sendalternative application request 127 toWeb server 112.Alternative application request 127 can be a request for a portion ofalternative applications 116, such as, for example, “local.xml”. In response to receivingalternative application request 127,Web server 112 can pull alternative application manifest 128 (e.g, “local.xml”) fromalternative applications 116 and providealternative application manifest 128 toWeb browser 102. - In some embodiments, an alternative application is made sticky in an alternative application center by caching the application user experience (XAML, Image, Media), code DLLs and the necessary application reference data. The application can be packaged using a simple ZIP like file format with simple “sticky” manifest. Thus,
alternative application manifest 128 can be of the format: -
<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“utf-8” ?> <application> <description>MyTV</description> <version>1.0.0.0</version> <publisher>Timbuktourist</publisher> <icon>favicon.ico</icon> <manifestOrigin>http://example.com/Local.xml</manifestOrigin> <hosts> <!--- support multiple user experiences --> <!--- ability to inline info --> <host type=“ria-local”> <icon>favicon.ico</icon> <resources> <resource Source=“ClientBin/TVSticky.xap”/> </resources> <startup> <param>...</param> <param>...</param> <param>...</param> <param>...</param> </startup> <resourceUpdatedSchedule frequency=“daily” time=“2:00AM” /> <initialQuota>2048KB″</initialQuota> </host> <!--- integrate with existing installers --> <host type=“clickonce”> <resources> <resource Source=“TVSticky.application”/> </resources> </host> <host type=“ria-device”> ... </host> <host type=“gadget-sidebar”> ... </host> <host type=“gadget-live”> ... </host> <host type=“gadget-w3c”> ... </host> </hosts> </application> - Within
alternative application manifest 128, application description (“MyTV”) refers to the user friendly description of the alternative applications. Application publisher (“Timbuktourist”) refers to the publisher of the alternative applications. Application icon (“favicon.ico”) refers to the visual image for the alternative applications. - The manifest also includes multiple hosts sections. Each host section represents an alternative application including an application type, such as, for example, ria-local, clickonce, ria-device, gadget-sidebar, gadget-list, gadget-w3C, etc. Within each hosts section, a list of application resources (e.g., “ClientBin.TVSticky.xap”, TVSticky.application”, etc.) that should be synchronized/downloaded as a consistent unit are included. The resources can be identified using a simple relative URI. The default resource is the application ZIP file.
-
Method 200 includes an act of caching the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternative application experiences for subsequent use (act 206). For example,computer system 101 can cache components identified in alternative application manifest 128 (and/or provided by Web server 112) inalternative application cache 106. Cached components can include resources as well as configuration information indicated inalternative application manifest 128. These components can be grouped together and stored asapplication data 141. - In response to receiving
alternative application manifest 128,computer system 101 may request further components from Web server 112 (e.g., using URLs contained in alternative application manifest 128). For example,computer system 101 can sendcomponent request 129 toWeb serer 112. In response tocomponent request 129,Web server 112 can identifyalternative application components 131 as relevant to the activation and use of alternative applications inalternative application manifest 128.Web server 112 can providealternative application components 131 tocomputer system 101 for caching. These components can be grouped intoapplication data 141 for storage inalternative application cache 106. -
Method 200 includes an act of indicating that the alternative user experiences are available through an alternative application center at the computer system, the alternative application center providing a common location for accessing alternative application experiences for different Web sites (act 207). For example, the availability of alternative user experiences for accessingcontent 114 can be indicated throughalternative application center 104. -
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a portion of a user-interface 400 for accessing and activating an alternative user experience for a Web site. Referring now toFIG. 4A , alternativeapplication control center 104 can be represented as a user-interface control in user-interface 400. Referring now toFIG. 4B , selection of the user-interface control can cause a listing of available alternative user experiences cached inalternative application cache 106 to be presented. - Thus, with a simple gesture a user can choose to make a RIA have a “sticky presence” on their machine. Sticky in the sense the application code and data resources for activating the application are locally cached. A sticky presence RIA is an alternative application that may reuse many of the code and UI assets of the in browser RIA.
- Accordingly, embodiments of the invention permit a uses to navigate to a Web page that has an Alternative Application or “Sticky” RIA (e.g., an .EXE application, .MSI installation package, or ZIP file installation package) for the web site. In response to a Web browser detecting the alternative application or “Sticky” RIA, a “Make Sticky” button in the browser toolbar can be activated. A user can then click on the button and may be asked to confirm their action. Upon confirmation (when presented), the Alternative Application or “Sticky” RIA can be installed to the RIA Center.
- Further, a Web developer can customize the user experience of making an alternative application “sticky”. For example, a Web devloper can add a user-interface control, such as, for example, a button to their application. When a user selected the button a LocalApplication.Install API can be called, passing a URL to the sticky manfiest. Additionally, when a Web developer provides a <link> element in the <head> of the HTML web page, the user can drag and drop the web page (from address bar) to the RIA Center.
- Advantageously, using any of these mechanisms, the user gets to decide when to take the action to make the RIA sticky. Further, once an alternative application is cached, the application's resources and data are automatically updated in the background so that a user has access to updated user-interface experiences and data. For example,
Web server 112 can updateapplication data 141 when communication withcomputer system 101 is detected. -
FIG. 1B illustrates a portion ofcomputer architecture 100 that facilitates activating an alternative user experience for a Website. As depicted,FIG. 1B includescomputer system 101 andcomputer system 111. In response to user-input 147 (input selecting an alternative application for activation) alternativeapplication control center 104 loads cacheddata 141 fromalternative application cache 106. Alternativeapplication control center 104 can then process theapplication data 141 to activatealternative application 142. -
Alternative application 142 can request Web-based data fromWeb server 112. For example,Alternative application 142 can send request 151 toWeb server 112. Request 151 can be a request for a portion of content 114 (e.g., the content included inbody 126 or some other Web-based data). In response to a request,Web server 112 can return Web-based data toalternative application 142. For example,Web server 112 can returncontent 164 toalternative application 142.Alternative application 142 can presentcontent 164 at a user-interface. - The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims (20)
1. A method, comprising:
using an application at a computer system to access a portion of content from a Web site;
determining that the accessed portion of content identifies an alternate application for accessing content from the Web site, the alternate application providing an alternative user experience for accessing content from the Web site;
receiving user input at the computer system indicating a desire to retain the alternate application;
downloading components associated with the alternate application to the computer system in response to the received user input;
storing the downloaded components at the computer system to retain the alternate application for subsequent use in accessing content from the Web site; and
indicating that the alternate application is available at the computer system to access content from the Web site.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user selection of the alternate application;
activating the alternate application for use from the stored components; and
providing an alternative user experience for content from the Web site, including:
the alternate application submitting a request for content to the Web site;
the alternate application receiving a second portion of content back from the Web site; and
the alternate application presenting the received content.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein determining that the accessed portion of content identifies an alternate application for accessing content from the Web site comprises determining that links to the alternate application are contained in an HTML header.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein downloading components associated with the alternate application to the computer system comprises downloading an application manifest.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein indicating that the alternate application is available at the computer system to access content from the Web site comprises lighting up a user-interface control of the application.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising updating the downloaded components subsequent to storing the downloaded components to make an updated version of the alternate application available at the alternative application center.
7. A mobile device including one or more processors and system memory, the mobile device having stored computer executable instructions that when executed by the mobile device perform operations comprising:
using an application to access a portion of content from the Web site;
determining that the accessed portion of content identifies an alternate application for accessing content from the Web site, the alternate application providing an alternative user experience for accessing content from the Web site;
receiving user input indicating a desire to retain the alternate application;
downloading components associated with the alternate application to the mobile device in response to the received user input;
storing the downloaded components at the mobile device to retain the alternate application for subsequent use in accessing content from the Web site; and
indicating that the alternate application is available at the mobile device to access content from the Web site, the alternate application indicated in an alternative application center that provides a common location for accessing alternative user experiences for different Web sites.
8. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , the mobile device having computer executable instructions that when executed by the mobile device perform operations further comprising:
receiving a user selection of the alternate application;
activating the alternate application for use from the stored components; and
providing an alternative user experience for content from the Web site, including:
the alternate application submitting a request for content to the Web site;
the alternate application receiving a second portion of content back from the Web site; and
the alternate application presenting the received content.
9. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , wherein using the application to access a portion of content from the Web site comprises accessing an HTML document, the HTML document including a header and a body, the header containing links to the alternate application.
10. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , wherein determining that the accessed portion of content identifies the alternate application for accessing content from the Web site comprises determining that links to the alternate application are contained in an HTML header.
11. The mobile device as recited in claim 10 , wherein determining that links to the alternate application are contained in an HTML header comprises determining that URLs are contained in the HTML header.
12. The mobile device as recited in claim 11 , wherein downloading components associated with the alternate application to the mobile device comprises submitting a URL to the Web site.
13. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , wherein downloading components associated with the alternate application to the mobile device comprises downloading an application manifest.
14. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , wherein indicating that the alternate application is available at the mobile device to access content from the Web site comprises lighting up a user-interface control of the application.
15. The mobile device as recited in claim 7 , the mobile device having computer executable instructions that when executed by the mobile device perform operations further comprising updating the downloaded components subsequent to storing the downloaded components to make an updated version of the alternate application available at the alternative application center.
16. A computer system including one or more processors and system memory having stored computer executable instructions that when executed by the computer system perform operations comprising:
consume a portion of content from the Web site by the computer system;
determining from the consumed portion of content that an alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site is available, the alternate mechanism providing a corresponding alternate user experience for consuming content from the Web site;
indicating that the alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site is available;
receiving user input indicating a desire to use the alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site;
configuring the computer system to use the alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site; and
using the alternate mechanism to consume a second portion of content from the Web site to provide the corresponding alternate user experience to a user.
17. The computer system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the consuming a portion of content from the Web site comprises consuming an HTML document, the HTML document including a header and a body, the header containing links to the one or more alternate applications.
18. The computer system as recited in claim 16 , wherein determining from the consumed portion of content that an alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site is available comprises determining that links to the one or more alternate portions of content are contained in an HTML header.
19. The computer system as recited in claim 18 , wherein determining that links to the one or more alternate portions of content are contained in an HTML header comprises determining that URLs are contained in the HTML header.
20. The computer system as recited in claim 16 , wherein indicating that alternate mechanism for consuming content from the Web site is available comprises lighting up a user-interface control displayed at the computer system.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/295,486 US20120060079A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2011-11-14 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/200,167 US8065617B2 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2008-08-28 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
US13/295,486 US20120060079A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2011-11-14 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/200,167 Continuation US8065617B2 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2008-08-28 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120060079A1 true US20120060079A1 (en) | 2012-03-08 |
Family
ID=41722226
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/200,167 Expired - Fee Related US8065617B2 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2008-08-28 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
US13/295,486 Abandoned US20120060079A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2011-11-14 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/200,167 Expired - Fee Related US8065617B2 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2008-08-28 | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8065617B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2319000A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5384646B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101700458B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102132316B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010025059A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9329851B2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2016-05-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Browser-based discovery and application switching |
US9450824B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 | 2016-09-20 | Wipro Limited | Systems and methods for smart request processing |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
TWI474275B (en) * | 2009-06-23 | 2015-02-21 | Univ Yuan Ze | 12-lead ecg measurement and report editing system |
US8769391B2 (en) | 2009-08-24 | 2014-07-01 | Adobe Systems Incorporated | Application broker |
KR101800744B1 (en) * | 2011-03-07 | 2017-11-24 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for linking application and browser |
US9823917B2 (en) * | 2011-10-20 | 2017-11-21 | Facebook, Inc. | Update application user interfaces on client devices |
KR101642209B1 (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2016-07-22 | 인텔 코포레이션 | Mechanism for facilitating proxy user interface-based remote management and control of computing and non-computing devices |
US9075877B2 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2015-07-07 | Citrix Systems Inc. | System and method for transparent in-network adaptation of rich internet applications |
CN103546513B (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2016-12-21 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | The method and device of communication between a kind of customer terminal webpage |
CN103902184A (en) * | 2014-04-08 | 2014-07-02 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Electronic equipment, and method and device for controlling electronic equipment |
KR101684278B1 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2016-12-08 | 주식회사 컨시어지소프트 | Application control method using the application controller |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080056480A1 (en) * | 2006-08-31 | 2008-03-06 | Kana Software, Inc. | Dynamic message context driven application assembly for customer service agent productivity applications |
US20100005403A1 (en) * | 2008-07-02 | 2010-01-07 | Rozmaryn Gadiel Z | Monitoring viewable times of webpage elements on single webpages |
Family Cites Families (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6125384A (en) | 1996-12-23 | 2000-09-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Computer apparatus and method for communicating between software applications and computers on the world-wide web |
US6266681B1 (en) * | 1997-04-08 | 2001-07-24 | Network Commerce Inc. | Method and system for inserting code to conditionally incorporate a user interface component in an HTML document |
US7143358B1 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 2006-11-28 | Yuen Henry C | Virtual world internet web site using common and user-specific metrics |
US20050257128A1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2005-11-17 | Simple.Com. | WWW browser configured to provide a windowed content manifestation environment |
US6734886B1 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2004-05-11 | Personalpath Systems, Inc. | Method of customizing a browsing experience on a world-wide-web site |
AU1612801A (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2001-07-16 | General Electric Company | Web site consumer attention capturing system and method |
US7313588B1 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2007-12-25 | Biap Systems, Inc. | Locally executing software agent for retrieving remote content and method for creation and use of the agent |
JP2002189600A (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2002-07-05 | Intec Inc | Method for executing application from web browser |
JP2002218107A (en) * | 2001-01-15 | 2002-08-02 | Yamaha Corp | Communication terminal and its control method, server unit and its control method, and storage medium |
US20020109713A1 (en) | 2001-02-14 | 2002-08-15 | Daniel Carchidi | Intelligent internet site method and system |
US7099870B2 (en) | 2001-11-09 | 2006-08-29 | Academia Sinica | Personalized web page |
JP2003303152A (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2003-10-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Content transmission system |
CN1209723C (en) * | 2002-04-28 | 2005-07-06 | 上海友讯网络资讯有限公司 | Forming method and system of virtual images and virtual scenes capable of being combined freely |
US20040237082A1 (en) * | 2003-05-22 | 2004-11-25 | Alcazar Mark A. | System, method, and API for progressively installing software application |
US7873668B2 (en) | 2003-08-15 | 2011-01-18 | Laszlo Systems, Inc. | Application data binding |
US7865511B2 (en) * | 2004-06-25 | 2011-01-04 | Apple Inc. | News feed browser |
US7296025B2 (en) | 2004-10-21 | 2007-11-13 | Createthe, Llc | System and method for managing creative assets via a rich user client interface |
KR100755697B1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-09-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method, apparatus, and system for installing software |
US8280843B2 (en) | 2006-03-03 | 2012-10-02 | Microsoft Corporation | RSS data-processing object |
US8150840B2 (en) | 2006-04-19 | 2012-04-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Dynamic RSS services |
US7650390B2 (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2010-01-19 | Roam Data Inc | System and method for playing rich internet applications in remote computing devices |
US7814234B2 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2010-10-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Offline execution of web based applications |
KR101425029B1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2014-07-31 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Image forming device for transmitting and receiving through ria, and method thereof |
-
2008
- 2008-08-28 US US12/200,167 patent/US8065617B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2009
- 2009-08-18 EP EP09810458A patent/EP2319000A4/en not_active Ceased
- 2009-08-18 KR KR1020117004220A patent/KR101700458B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-08-18 JP JP2011525089A patent/JP5384646B2/en active Active
- 2009-08-18 WO PCT/US2009/054226 patent/WO2010025059A2/en active Application Filing
- 2009-08-18 CN CN2009801341710A patent/CN102132316B/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-11-14 US US13/295,486 patent/US20120060079A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080056480A1 (en) * | 2006-08-31 | 2008-03-06 | Kana Software, Inc. | Dynamic message context driven application assembly for customer service agent productivity applications |
US20100005403A1 (en) * | 2008-07-02 | 2010-01-07 | Rozmaryn Gadiel Z | Monitoring viewable times of webpage elements on single webpages |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9329851B2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2016-05-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Browser-based discovery and application switching |
US9450824B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 | 2016-09-20 | Wipro Limited | Systems and methods for smart request processing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP5384646B2 (en) | 2014-01-08 |
WO2010025059A2 (en) | 2010-03-04 |
CN102132316B (en) | 2013-06-05 |
EP2319000A4 (en) | 2012-01-18 |
KR101700458B1 (en) | 2017-01-26 |
WO2010025059A3 (en) | 2010-05-20 |
US8065617B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 |
KR20110063633A (en) | 2011-06-13 |
EP2319000A2 (en) | 2011-05-11 |
JP2012501498A (en) | 2012-01-19 |
CN102132316A (en) | 2011-07-20 |
US20100058191A1 (en) | 2010-03-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8065617B2 (en) | Discovering alternative user experiences for websites | |
US7865544B2 (en) | Method and system for providing XML-based asynchronous and interactive feeds for web applications | |
KR101433981B1 (en) | Offline execution of web based applications | |
US8452925B2 (en) | System, method and computer program product for automatically updating content in a cache | |
US7698256B1 (en) | History support for stateless Javascript Web client | |
US8001551B2 (en) | Providing localized resources for client-side script execution | |
US8424004B2 (en) | High performance script behavior detection through browser shimming | |
US20090144753A1 (en) | Method And System For Providing Update Content In A Markup Language-Based Resource | |
US8621092B2 (en) | Remote portlet consumer with enhanced resource URL processing | |
US20050108418A1 (en) | Method and system for updating/reloading the content of pages browsed over a network | |
US20070101061A1 (en) | Customized content loading mechanism for portions of a web page in real time environments | |
US20060212798A1 (en) | Rendering content natively on local operating system | |
US7747604B2 (en) | Dynamic sitemap creation | |
US20120054327A1 (en) | Site redirection | |
US20080172396A1 (en) | Retrieving Dated Content From A Website | |
CN105528369B (en) | Webpage code-transferring method, device and server | |
US20060155682A1 (en) | Running content emitters natively on local operating system | |
US8887239B1 (en) | Access to network content | |
US20080275963A1 (en) | Dynamically Modifying A Universal Resource Indicator | |
US20020047863A1 (en) | Method and system for creating software applications in a visual development environment | |
Harrison et al. | Package ‘RSelenium’ | |
US20060075069A1 (en) | Method and system to provide message communication between different application clients running on a desktop | |
US20110295966A1 (en) | Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing a combined command response based on a markup element | |
US20030120768A1 (en) | Method for obtaining status of web-based imaging originated processes | |
US20110295932A1 (en) | Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing an attached command response based on a markup element |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HAWKINS, JONATHAN C.;REEL/FRAME:027221/0501 Effective date: 20080827 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MICROSOFT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:034544/0001 Effective date: 20141014 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |