U.S. patent application number 11/345368 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for method and system for implementing a browser object container.
This patent application is currently assigned to UHC LLC. Invention is credited to Linda Wetzel Crofton, Timothy Hamlett, Robert Umbehant.
Application Number | 20060129936 11/345368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34103199 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060129936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamlett; Timothy ; et
al. |
June 15, 2006 |
Method and system for implementing a browser object container
Abstract
A method and system for implementing a browser object container
is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for
implementing a browser object container comprises the steps of
identifying content data for inclusion in a browser object
container; defining one or more navigation options for defining how
one or more recipients view the content data as provided by the
browser object container; adding the content data with the one or
more navigation options to the browser object container wherein the
content data and the one or more navigation options are embedded
into a content definition; compressing the content definition into
a compressed file; encrypting the compressed file into an encrypted
file for securing the content data; and electronically transmitting
the browser object container containing the compressed and
encrypted file to the one or more recipients wherein the one or
more recipients navigate through the content data as allowed by the
one or more navigation options within the browser object
container.
Inventors: |
Hamlett; Timothy;
(Jacksonville, FL) ; Umbehant; Robert;
(Jacksonville, FL) ; Crofton; Linda Wetzel;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Assignee: |
UHC LLC
|
Family ID: |
34103199 |
Appl. No.: |
11/345368 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10622449 |
Jul 21, 2003 |
7020843 |
|
|
11345368 |
Feb 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
09450557 |
Nov 30, 1999 |
6606103 |
|
|
10622449 |
Jul 21, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/733 ;
707/E17.119; 715/748; 715/760 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 9/451 20180201;
G06F 2221/2107 20130101; G06T 3/40 20130101; G06F 16/957 20190101;
G06F 21/6209 20130101; G06F 2221/2119 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/733 ;
715/748; 715/760 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/00 20060101
G06F009/00 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A method for implementing a browser object container, the
method comprising the steps of: identifying content data for
inclusion in a browser object container; defining one or more
navigation options for defining how one or more recipients view the
content data as provided by the browser object container; adding
the content data with the one or more navigation options to the
browser object container wherein the content data and the one or
more navigation options are embedded into a content definition;
compressing the content definition into a compressed file;
encrypting the compressed file into an encrypted file for securing
the content data; and electronically transmitting the browser
object container containing the compressed and encrypted file to
the one or more recipients wherein the one or more recipients
navigate through the content data as allowed by the one or more
navigation options within the browser object container.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of web pages, picture files, PDF documents and flash
files.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the content data is transmitted
via one or more of network computer, email, PDA and mobile
phone.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein the browser object container is
a stand-alone executable operating locally but giving an appearance
of being connected to the Internet.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of web pages from one or more web sites.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein a browser interface of the
browser object container is defined by a user.
32. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:
assigning multiple levels of encryption to content data for
enabling multiple levels of access to the one or more
recipients.
33. The method of claim 26, wherein at a recipient end of the one
or more recipients, further comprising the steps of: receiving the
browser object container containing the compressed and encrypted
file; decrypting the encrypted file; decompressing the compressed
file; and viewing the content data via the browser object container
as allowed by the navigation options.
34. The method of claim 26, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of embedded data files.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the embedded data files
comprises an entire website.
36. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of:
enabling the one or more recipients to access web pages available
on the Internet without an Internet connection.
37. A system for implementing a browser object container, the
system comprising: an identifying means for identifying content
data for inclusion in a browser object container; a navigation
means for defining one or more navigation options for defining how
one or more recipients view the content data as provided by the
browser object container; an add content means for adding the
content data with the one or more navigation options to the browser
object container wherein the content data and the one or more
navigation options are embedded into a content definition; a
compressing means for compressing the content definition into a
compressed file; an encryption means for encrypting the compressed
file into an encrypted file for securing the content data; and a
transmission means for electronically transmitting the browser
object container containing the compressed and encrypted file to
the one or more recipients wherein the one or more recipients
navigate through the content data as allowed by the one or more
navigation options within the browser object container.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of web pages, picture files, PDF documents and flash
files.
39. The system of claim 37, wherein the content data is transmitted
via one or more of network computer, email, PDA and mobile
phone.
40. The system of claim 37, wherein the browser object container is
a stand-alone executable operating locally but giving an appearance
of being connected to the Internet.
41. The system of claim 37, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of web pages from one or more web sites.
42. The system of claim 37, wherein a browser interface of the
browser object container is defined by a user.
43. The system of claim 37, wherein multiple levels of encryption
are assigned to content data for enabling multiple levels of access
to the one or more recipients.
44. The system of claim 37, wherein at a recipient end of the one
or more recipients, the system further comprises: a receiving means
for receiving the browser object container containing the
compressed and encrypted file; a decryption means for decrypting
the encrypted file; a decompressing module for decompressing the
compressed file; and a display means for viewing the content data
via the browser object container as allowed by the navigation
options.
45. The system of claim 37, wherein the content data comprises a
plurality of embedded data files.
46. The system of claim 44, wherein the embedded data files
comprises an entire website.
47. The system of claim 36, wherein the one or more recipients
access web pages available on the Internet without an Internet
connection.
48. At least one processor readable carrier for storing a computer
program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one
processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a
computer process for performing the method as recited in claim
26.
49. An article of manufacture for implementing a browser object
container, the article of manufacture comprising: at least one
processor readable carrier; and instructions carried on the at
least one carrier; wherein the instructions are configured to be
readable from the at least one carrier by at least one processor
and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to:
identify content data for inclusion in a browser object container;
define one or more navigation options for defining how one or more
recipients view the content data as provided by the browser object
container; add the content data with the one or more navigation
options to the browser object container wherein the content data
and the one or more navigation options are embedded into a content
definition; compress the content definition into a compressed file;
encrypt the compressed file into an encrypted file for securing the
content data; and electronically transmit the browser object
container containing the compressed and encrypted file to the one
or more recipients wherein the one or more recipients navigate
through the content data as allowed by the one or more navigation
options within the browser object container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation in part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/450,557, filed Nov. 30, 1999, now
U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein it its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to implementing
browser objects, and more particularly, to a method and system for
transmitting various types of content data through a defined
browser object container where recipients are able to navigate
through the content data as provided by the browser object
container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The amount and quality of information available on the
Internet has developed and expanded enormously. With the wealth of
information comes the need to effectively share the information
with others. Currently, if a user wants to share information from a
website or web page, the user will send links or single web pages
via email. However, as web sites often update information and
constantly change the look and feel of the web site, recipients are
never guaranteed to receive the exact information intended when
accessed at a later time. Further, it is oftentimes burdensome and
tedious to send more than one web page at a time to a recipient due
to the large amount of data. Further, security concerns and
authenticity of information are also factors that may impede
effective communication of information. In addition, the recipient
may easily wander off the intended web page to information that may
be irrelevant and at times misleading. Thus, there is currently no
mechanism to ensure that what the user will view is the correct
information.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a
technique for providing content data through the use of a browser
object container which overcomes the above-described inadequacies
and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method and system transmits various types of content data through a
defined browser object container where recipients are able to
navigate through the content data as provided by the browser object
container. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a method for implementing a browser object container
comprising the steps of identifying content data for inclusion in a
browser object container; defining one or more navigation options
for defining how one or more recipients view the content data as
provided by the browser object container; adding the content data
with the one or more navigation options to the browser object
container wherein the content data and the one or more navigation
options are embedded into a content definition; compressing the
content definition into a compressed file; encrypting the
compressed file into an encrypted file for securing the content
data; and electronically transmitting the browser object container
containing the compressed and encrypted file to the one or more
recipients wherein the one or more recipients navigate through the
content data as allowed by the one or more navigation options
within the browser object container.
[0006] According to other aspects of this particular exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, in the method described above,
the content data comprises a plurality of web pages, picture files,
PDF documents and flash files; the content data is transmitted via
one or more of network computer, email, PDA and mobile phone; the
browser object container is a stand-alone executable operating
locally but giving an appearance of being connected to the
Internet; the content data comprises a plurality of web pages from
one or more web sites; a browser interface of the browser object
container is defined by the user; the method further comprises the
steps of assigning multiple levels of encryption to content data
for enabling multiple levels of access to the one or more
recipients; at a recipient end of the one or more recipients, the
method further comprises the steps of receiving the browser object
container containing the compressed and encrypted file; decrypting
the encrypted file; decompressing the compressed file; and viewing
the content data via the browser object container as allowed by the
navigation options; the content data comprises a plurality of
embedded data files; the embedded data files comprises an entire
website; and the method further comprises the step of enabling the
one or more recipients to access web pages available on the
Internet without an Internet connection.
[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a system for implementing a browser object container
comprises an identifying means for identifying content. data for
inclusion in a browser object container; a navigation means for
defining one or more navigation options for defining how one or
more recipients view the content data as provided by the browser
object container; an add content means for adding the content data
with the one or more navigation options to the browser object
container wherein the content data and the one or more navigation
options are embedded into a content definition; a compressing means
for compressing the content definition into a compressed file; an
encryption means for encrypting the compressed file into an
encrypted file for securing the content data; and a transmission
means for electronically transmitting the browser object container
containing the compressed and encrypted file to the one or more
recipients wherein the one or more recipients navigate through the
content data as allowed by the one or more navigation options
within the browser object container.
[0008] The present invention will now be described in more detail
with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof as shown in the
appended drawings. While the present invention is described below
with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood
that the present invention is not limited thereto. Those of
ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein
will recognize additional implementations, modification, and
embodiments, as well as other fields of use, which are within the
scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein, and
with respect to which the present invention could be of significant
utility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present
invention, reference is now made to the appended drawings. These
drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention,
but are intended to be exemplary only.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for receiving a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a system for implementing a browser object
container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an example of a conventional web page and
[0014] FIG. 5 is an example of the web page within the browser
object container of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating a
browser object container, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an interface for designing a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an example of a browser object container, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an example of an animation properties screen, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[0019] FIG. 10 is an example of a script editor, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an example of a frame map view, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an example of an ambient properties screen 1200,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method and a system are directed to transmitting various types of
content data through a defined browser object container where
recipients are able to navigate through the content data as
provided by the browser object container.
[0023] The browser object container of an embodiment of the present
invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) development
platform which provides a purpose-built Internet browser that may
be activated by an Internet Explorer (IE) plug-in. Purpose-built
browsers may contain any, all or none of the common browser
navigation controls depending on the level of user flexibility
desired by the designer. The browser object container may include
compressed and encrypted (e.g., up to 2048 bit) design files.
Further, the browser object container may include any and all types
of embedded data files including entire websites and/or any other
browser compatible content. In addition, the browser object
container may be made into stand-alone executables giving an
appearance of being connected to the Internet while operating
locally.
[0024] The browser object container may include a self contained
modular file structure; file data compressed and streamable; a file
containing complete GUI definition; support of various conventional
encryption standards (e.g., AES, DES, PK, etc.); MD5 hash to ensure
data integrity; error detection and recovery and/or other various
functions and features.
[0025] According to an example of an embodiment of the present
invention, the browser object container may encapsulate an entire
user interface, including web documents, pictures, and/or other
files (e.g., PDF documents, flash files, etc.) into a single
platform independent file. The user interface may be fully
scaleable for use on an array of different display resolutions. The
file may be compressed to ensure efficiency. MD5 hash or other
security mechanisms may be used to maintain data integrity. File
specification associated with the browser object container may be
platform independent for display on various systems, such as
Windows.TM., Windows CE.TM., Linux.TM., etc. In addition, the code
for the browser object container may be written with as little
Graphic Device Interface (GDI) dependence as possible thereby
allowing for use of multiple devices. File format of the browser
object container may use tagged data to ensure that enhancements
will not `break` previous versions. Tagged data may be identified
by type with an application executing only those types of tagged
data that are capable of acting upon. Hence, new features which may
be identified by new tags will not attempt to execute on older
applications. The file format may be streamable for faster data
access over the web. Automatic data recovery features are also
available in the event of file damage or other similar event.
[0026] Various types of encryption may include AES (e.g., RC6,
MARS, Twofish, Serpent, CAST-256, etc), DES (e.g., IDEA, DES,
Triple DES (DES-EDE2 and DES-EDE3, etc.), DESX (DES-XEX3), RC2,
RC5, Blowfish, Diamond2, TEA, SAFER, 3-WAY, GOST, SHARK, CAST-128,
Square, Skipjack; PK (e.g., RSA, DSA, ElGamal, Nyberg-Rueppel (NR),
Rabin, etc.); Rabin-Williams (RW), LUC, LUCELG, DLIES (variants of
DHAES), ESIGN and others.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. At step 110, content data may be identified.
Content data may include a variety of data, including web pages, an
entire web site, animation files, sound files, PDF files,
documents, drawings, presentations, applications, directory
structures, etc. In addition, navigation capabilities available to
the intended recipients may be identified by the designer. For
example, the designer may define how the recipients can view and/or
navigate through the content. data provided by the browser object
container. In another example, varying levels of access for
different recipients may be assigned to the content data. For
example, certain recipients may have access to certain data while
other recipients may have access to other portions of the content
data. At step 112, the identified content data may be added to a
browser object container of an embodiment of the present invention.
At step 114, the content data may be compressed. At step 116, the
compressed content data may be encrypted. At step 118, the content
data may be transmitted to one or more recipients via the browser
object container.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
designer (or other user) may add a wide range of content data into
a browser object container with defined navigation and/or viewing
options for the recipients. The content data may be compressed and
encrypted to facilitate delivery and ensure security.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for receiving a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. At step 210, a user may load a plug-in viewer.
At step 212, the browser object container may be received by the
user. Various modes of communication may be used, such as Internet,
email, PDA, mobile phone or other receiver. At step 214, the
content data may be decrypted. At step 216, the content data may be
decompressed. At step 218, the content data may be accessed by the
user via the browser object container where the content data may be
viewed, as defined by navigation options provided by the
designer.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a system for implementing a browser object
container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. A user may identify various forms of data to be included
in a browser object container 320 of an embodiment of the present
invention. For example, data 310 may represent web pages and other
types of data accessible via the Internet 314 or other network.
Data 312 may represent files, such as PDF files, flash.files,
animation files, sound files and other data. The browser object
container 320 containing the user selected (or user defined) data
may be compressed and encrypted before being electronically
transmitted. In this example, the browser object container 320 may
be transmitted via the Internet 330 or other network, including
wireless phone network, etc. At the receiving end, as shown by
computer 340, PDA 342 and mobile phone 344, the content data in the
browser object container 320 may be decrypted and decompressed. The
user may then access the content data through the browser object
container 320 while staying within the limits of the browser object
container as specified by the designer.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an example of a conventional web page and FIG. 5
is an example of the web page within the browser object container
of an embodiment of the present invention. The browser object
container may include various types of embedded data files
including entire websites and/or any other browser compatible
content. The browser object container may be made into stand-alone
executables giving the appearance of being connected to the
Internet but operating locally. The browser object container may
provide a high level of design flexibility. As shown in FIG. 5,
standard console controls are missing by design. As there is no
address "go to" input box, the browser is unable to wander beyond
the limits of the site or page becoming, in effect, a closed
system. Thus, designers may specify any degree of flexibility or
access rights in a browser object container design definition.
[0032] The browser object container design definitions may pack a
visual wallop with little additional overhead. For example, the
browser object container illustrated in FIG. 5 weighs in at
approximately 17 k, about the size of a small GIF button image. The
definition file and any embedded content may be compressed and
encrypted where any tampering will produce a non-operable file. If
even 1 byte is altered, the browser object container will not
execute to ensure high data authenticity.
[0033] The browser object container may function locally or within
a network--the choice may be up to the designer. A feature of the
browser object container may include the ability to embed content,
even entire websites, right into the design file. Many times highly
compressed content (e.g., JPG, PDF, etc.) may be squeezed another
15-20%. Thus, the embedded content. may be encrypted and become
part of the browser object container definition. Another feature
includes the ability to create stand-alone executables. This
feature allows the designer (e.g., user, content provider, etc.) to
distribute purpose-built browser object container applications via
various forms of communication, including email, CD-ROM, FTP, etc.,
and have critical data accessible to recipients (e.g., clients)
even when the recipient is offline.
[0034] Browser object containers may include a GUI development
platform which provides purpose-built Internet browsers that
recipients may activate by a plug-in. Purpose-built Internet
browsers may contain any, all or none of the common browser
navigation controls--depending on the level of user flexibility
desired by the designer.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating a
browser object container, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 610, objects may be loaded. The objects may
include animation and/or other objects. At step 612, the objects
may be added to a frame script. At step 614, image content may be
assigned to the objects. At step 616, other additional objects,
including image, animation and/or other objects may be added. At
step 618, a browser object and other properties may be determined.
At step 620, browser controls may be added.
[0036] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an interface for designing a
browser object container, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The design interface 700 provides an editor 710,
animation properties screen 712, an object ambient properties list
714, an ambient properties screen 716, and a script editor 718.
Object Bank 720 is a repository for various images, sounds and
sub-animations and Frame Map 722 displays a thumbnail view of each
frame.
[0037] FIG. 8 is an example of a browser object container, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Browser
object container 800 provides content data to a recipient, as
defined by the designer. In this example, browser component 810 may
include an Active-X.TM. control and automatically provide the
capabilities of Internet Explorer to the browser object container.
Re-size handle area 812 represents a defined interactive area that
enables the viewer to size the browser object container. Navigation
controls 814 may provide back, forward, stop, refresh and home
controls. Custom navigation controls 816 may include a surface
image selector which links to a pre-selected web site, for example.
Standard application controls 818 may include controls such as
minimize, maximize and exit.
[0038] Many different controls may be accommodated to create a
browser object container. In this particular example, there is no
access to extended navigational features of Internet Explorer, such
as a Favorites list and a URL address line. In essence, the browser
object container may represent a custom environment wrapper that
may be generated on a page by page basis while the user is within
the confines of the defined site. On exit from the defined site,
the browser object container evaporates restoring the original
Explorer referring page and allowing the user to interact with a
conventional browser intact.
[0039] FIG. 9 is an example of an animation properties screen, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
animation properties screen 712 of FIG. 7 is shown in more detail
as 900. Image/Sound files 910 may allow a designer to add, remove
and/or save files, such as image, sound and/or other files. In this
example, three images may be used to create a browser object
container. The images may be listed by file name and file type.
Image objects may be listed in order of loading and list entries
may include type icon, object name (e.g., file name) and detailed
file type description. Other different type icons may include
vector images, raster images, sounds and sub-animations which may
represent external resources (as well as PAINT and BROWSER) which
may be generated by a script editor. Other files may include binary
files 912. Playback position 914, copyright information 916 and
other options 918 may also be provided.
[0040] The size and position of the browser object container may be
defined. By selecting the playback position 914 tab, playback
window size (e.g., full screen, 75%, 50%, 25%, 10%, user
percentage, etc.) and playback position (e.g., center, upper left,
upper right, lower left, lower right, user percent offset, etc.)
may be selected. A universal sizing feature of an embodiment of the
present invention sizes a browser object container as a percentage
of screen size, regardless of the screen resolution. In other
words, a browser object container defined as 50% window size will
appear as 50% of the screen size.
[0041] The Options 918 tab enables a designer to set pop-up and/or
other options. For example, a playback in popup window option may
display the browser object container in a floating, positionable
window. In another example, a playback in topmost window option
brings the browser object container to the top of the desktop Z
order (or other order of appearance of imagery on a display
screen). Other options may include show controls window, attach
controls window, show splash box, cutout all images, always paint
background, play back speed percentage, global link, background
window, etc. Other options useful in making other types of
animation may also be included.
[0042] Objects may then be added to a frame script through a script
editor. FIG. 10 is an example of a script editor, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Script Editor 1000 is
an example script editor 718 of FIG. 7. In this example, a PAINT
object has been added to the script editor. A cutout option allows
the shape to be extruded from the designated image object. By
selecting the add button, a frame has been created in the browser
object container.
[0043] FIG. 11 is an example of a frame map view, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Frame map 1100 is an
example of frame map 722 in FIG. 7. After a frame has been created
and added to script editor 1000, a new frame will appear in the
Frame Map 1100.
[0044] Image content may be assigned to the object (e.g., the PAINT
object). FIG. 12 is an example of an ambient properties screen
1200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is shown as 716 in FIG. 7. By selecting a General 1210 tab,
content may be assigned to an image. In this example, an image may
be selected from an drop down menu. Other options include Position
1212, Interpolation 1214, Text 1216, Text Flags 1218, Image 1220,
Action 1222 and Frame 1224.
[0045] Position 1212 tab provides adjustment of the image object
size and position. By selecting the Position 1212 tab, values for
left, top, width and height may be defined. For example, in the
case of width and height, a zero value indicates a full frame
image. By selecting Image 1220 tab, provides object size and
position, as well as translucency percentage may be defined.
[0046] Additional image objects may be selected through the scrip
editor 1000 as discussed above. Image content may be assigned to
the new object through ambient properties screen 1200 as discussed
above. Image object size and position may be adjusted through the
position tab 1212 of the ambient properties screen 1200. Next,
image transparency and other properties may be set through the
image tab 1220 of the ambient properties screen 1200. The process
may be repeated for additional image objects.
[0047] A Browser object and associated properties may be
determined. For example, objects (e.g., PAINT objects) may be
assigned image content, text content and/or a browser window.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an object may
be made into a browser window. Browser windows may be considered to
be persistent objects and are not affected by object order. By
selecting a browser tab from Ambient Properties screen, a browser
start page URL address may be entered. Browser controls may be
added to a browser window embedded. into the browser object
container. In this example, text content may be assigned to an
object for providing control features.
[0048] According to an example, the browser object container may be
web enabled and require an Internet connection. In another example,
the browser object container may function locally without an
Internet connection. The browser object container may be deployed
in a variety of ways. One exemplary use is as a page generated site
browser. Another exemplary use may include a stand-alone emailed or
downloaded executable site browser. For example, through an
embodiment of the present invention, one user may email another
user a web site in a (e.g., 150 kb) browser object container.
[0049] An embodiment of the browser object container may function
as a highly efficient and compact animation file through the use of
a web projector control. The web projector may be a Windows
Active-X control embedded in a web page as a visible projection
surface or as a hidden user or conditionally activated pop-up
window. The web projector may interpret the tagged data and execute
per the data tag characteristics.
[0050] The following HTML code describes an exemplary object, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 <object id="Ani"
classid="clsid:A1B624AF-EA23-11D3-9EE4- 444553540000"
codebase="http://www.uhcllc.com/as/anm/AsAnm.ocx" border="0"
width="1" height="1"><param name="bHideParent"
value="1"><param name="bRestoreParent" value="1"><param
name="rgbColor" value="255,255,255"> </object>
where [0051] id is a web projector object name where the name may
be programmer selectable and if more than one projector is required
on a page, a different id may be used for each; [0052] classid is a
unique identifier for the object for differentiating versions;
[0053] codebase is a web location of the current version of the
projector object; [0054] width & height, in this case the
values are set to 1 (pixel) since this object is used as an
invisible control; [0055] bHideParent is the switch (0=off, 1=on)
that tells the web projector to minimize the referring web page on
startup; [0056] bRestoreParent is the switch (0=off, 1=on) that
tells the web projector to restore the referring web page on
shutdown; and [0057] rgbColor is the red, green & blue (RPB)
values for the projector splash screen. Other additional object
parameters that may be useful may include: [0058] bRun is the run
switch (0=no, 1=yes); [0059] bSilent is the splash screen
visibility switch (0=no, 1=yes); [0060] bSound is the audio switch
(0=no, 1=yes); [0061] strUrl is the URL address to be loaded;
[0062] dwVersion returns the version number of the web projector,
the format is XXXXYYYY where X is the major version # and Y is the
minor version # (e.g., v 1.2=12000); [0063] dwCurrentFrame returns
the current frame #; and [0064] dwFrames returns the number of
frames.
[0065] The functionality associated with the browser object
container, as discussed above, may be represented as software code
and/or hardware structure. Further, the browser object container in
accordance with the present invention as described above typically
involves the processing of input data and the generation of output
data to some extent. This input data processing and. output data
generation may be implemented in hardware or software. For example,
specific electronic components may be employed in a hardware or
similar or related circuitry for implementing the functions
associated with browser object container in accordance with the
present invention as described above. Alternatively, one or more
processors operating in accordance with stored instructions may.
implement the functions associated with browser object container in
accordance with the present invention as described above. If such
is the case, it is within the scope of the present invention that
such instructions may be stored on one or more processor readable
carriers (e.g., a magnetic disk), or transmitted to one or more
processors via one or more signals.
[0066] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various
modifications of the present invention, in addition to those
described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.
Thus, such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of
the following appended claims. Further, although the present
invention has been described herein in the context of a particular
implementation in a particular environment for a particular
purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its
usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention
can be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for
any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below
should be construed in view of the full breath and spirit of the
present invention as disclosed herein.
* * * * *
References