U.S. patent application number 13/887224 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for method, system, and computer program product for simulating an online session.
This patent application is currently assigned to salesforce.com, inc. The applicant listed for this patent is SALESFORCE.COM, INC. Invention is credited to Christopher D. Hopkins.
Application Number | 20130254267 13/887224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29739254 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130254267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hopkins; Christopher D. |
September 26, 2013 |
METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SIMULATING AN
ONLINE SESSION
Abstract
A method and system for conducting an offline session simulating
an online session between a client and server in a network
environment. The client imports data and functional logic from the
server prior to going offline. The imported functional logic is
embedded into a format or document that is capable of being
interpreted and performed by the local interface at the client that
is used to interact with server during an online session. Whether
offline or online, the user utilizes the same local interface at
the client to transmit instructions to the functional logic in
order to manipulate the data. In an offline session, such
instructions cause the imported and embedded functional logic to
execute, thereby manipulating the data that is imported at the
client. Known synchronization methods may also be used in order to
maintain consistency and coherency between the imported data at the
client and the database at the server.
Inventors: |
Hopkins; Christopher D.;
(San Mateo, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SALESFORCE.COM, INC |
San Fracisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
salesforce.com, inc
San Franscisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
29739254 |
Appl. No.: |
13/887224 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13865128 |
Apr 17, 2013 |
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13887224 |
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13409026 |
Feb 29, 2012 |
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13865128 |
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12773787 |
May 4, 2010 |
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13409026 |
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10287177 |
Nov 4, 2002 |
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12773787 |
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60388832 |
Jun 13, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 29/08072 20130101;
H04L 43/00 20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101; H04L 29/0809 20130101;
H04L 69/329 20130101; G06F 16/2379 20190101; H04L 63/102 20130101;
H04L 41/145 20130101; H04L 29/06 20130101; H04L 41/22 20130101;
G06F 16/2372 20190101; G06F 16/27 20190101; H04L 67/42 20130101;
H04L 67/2804 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101;
G06F 16/214 20190101; H04L 67/14 20130101; G06F 16/00 20190101;
G06F 16/95 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. A method for simulating an online session while offline,
comprising: invoking functional logic associated with a server to
manipulate data in a database associated with the server; allowing
a client to establish one or more communication channels through a
network that connects the client to the server; importing to the
client at least a portion of the data from the database and at
least a portion of the functional logic associated with the server
so that the client can conduct an offline session in isolation;
wherein the importing to the client further comprises establishing
a directory structure in the client; while offline, allowing a user
to manipulate, view, and modify the at least a portion of the data;
and after the client returns online, performing a synchronization
process by uploading the modified or newly created data records
from the client to the database.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to
manipulate the portion of the data by selecting from one or more
options through a web browser while offline.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a relational
database management system.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the importing the portion of the
functional logic further comprises embedding the functional logic
in at least one document.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one document
utilizes a markup language.
6. A system for simulating an online session while offline,
comprising: invoking functional logic associated with a remote
server to manipulate data in a database associated with the remote
server; logic for allowing a client to establish one or more
communication channels through a network that connects the client
to the remote server; logic for importing to the client at least a
portion of the data from the database and at least a portion of the
functional logic associated with the remote server so that the
client can conduct an offline session in isolation; wherein the
system is operable such that the importing to the client further
comprises establishing a directory structure in the client; while
offline, logic for allowing a user to manipulate, view, and modify
the at least a portion of the data; and after the client returns
online, logic for performing a synchronization process by uploading
the modified or newly created data records from the client to the
database.
7. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer
readable medium for simulating an online session while offline,
comprising: computer code for invoking functional logic associated
with a remote server to manipulate data in a database associated
with the remote server; computer code for allowing a client to
establish one or more communication channels through a network that
connects the client to the remote server; computer code for
importing to the client at least a portion of the data from the
database and at least a portion of the functional logic associated
with the remote server so that the client can conduct an offline
session in isolation; wherein the computer program product is
operable such that the importing to the client further comprises
establishing a directory structure in the client; while offline,
computer code for allowing a user to manipulate, view, and modify
the at least a portion of the data; and after the client returns
online, computer code for performing a synchronization process by
uploading the modified or newly created data records from the
client to the database.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/388,832 filed on Jun. 13, 2002.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a computer method and
system for simulating an online session while offline, and more
particularly, to such a method and system in the field of customer
relationship management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The Internet provides the capability to provide services to
customers without requiring them to install additional software on
their local computers. Specifically, by exploiting the customer's
web browser, all functional logic and all data can reside at a
remote server rather than at the customer's local computer (i.e.,
the client). As such, the customer, via instructions submitted
through web pages that are displayed in the web browser, can
remotely invoke the functional logic to view, create, update,
delete or otherwise modify the data residing on the remote
server.
[0004] In the field of customer relationship management ("CRM"),
the foregoing use of the Internet is ideal for enabling sales,
customer support, and marketing teams and individuals to organize
and manage their customer information. For example, all leads,
opportunities, contacts, accounts, forecasts, cases, and solutions
can be stored at a secure data center but may be easily viewed by
any authorized sales-person (e.g., with a proper username and
password) through a web browser and Internet connection. One key
benefit of such an online CRM solution is the ability to share data
real-time and enable all team members to leverage a common set of
information from one accessible location. For example, sales
managers can track forecast roll-ups without requiring each sales
representative to submit individual reports, as well as instantly
access aggregated sales data without requiring each sales
representative to manually submit such data. Similarly, reseller
sales representatives and other external partners can be granted
secure access to a company's sales data by providing them a
username and password for the web site.
[0005] Nevertheless, such an online CRM solution suffers from the
requirement that a user must have access to an Internet connection
in order to access and manipulate the data residing on the remote
server. For example, when a sales representative or manager is
working in the field, such an Internet connection may not be
readily available. As such, what is needed is a method for
simulating an online session while the user is offline (e.g.,
without a network connection). Furthermore, it would be
advantageous if such a method minimized the amount of user training
and client-side installation and customization by taking advantage
of pre-existing interfaces and technologies on the client
computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a method and system for
simulating an online session between the client and a remote server
when the client is offline. The client includes a local interface
that can communicate with the remote server. During an online
session, the data and the functional logic that is invoked to
manipulate the data reside on the remote server. As such, the user
transmits instructions to view, create, update, delete, or
otherwise modify portions of data through the local interface and
subsequently through the underlying network. These instructions are
ultimately received at the remote server, which then invokes the
proper functional logic to perform the instructions in order to
manipulate the data.
[0007] In preparation for simulating an online session when the
client is offline, when the client is online, it imports at least a
subset of the data that resides at the remote server. Furthermore,
the client imports at least a subset of the functional logic used
to manipulate the data as an embedded portion of a format or
document that is capable of being interpreted and performed by the
local interface. To initiate an offline session, the user invokes
the local interface (as in the online session). However, rather
than accessing the remote server, the local interface accesses
local documents formatted with the embedded functional logic. As in
the online session, the user transmits instructions to view,
create, update, delete, or otherwise modify portions of data
through the local interface. However, rather than transmitting the
instructions through an underlying network, the local interface
invokes the embedded functional logic in the documents to
manipulate the imported data in response to the instructions.
[0008] As such, the present invention provides an offline
simulation of an online session between the client and a remote
server. Because the same local interface that is used in the online
session is also used in the offline session, user training for the
offline session is minimized or even eliminated. Furthermore, since
functional logic is embedded into a format capable of being
interpreted and performed by the local interface, the need to
install additional standalone software applications is also
minimized or eliminated. Further objects and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an online session between a
client with a local interface and a remote server with a relational
database and functional logic.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an example of a client initiation of an online CRM
session with a remote server.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an example of the presentation of CRM data on a
client's web browser during an online CRM session.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an offline session.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a expanded block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of the various phases used to provide a client with the
capabilities of engaging in an offline CRM session.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
process for conducting an offline CRM session.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an example of a login session to connect to a
remote server during a synchronization process.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an example of a visual representation of a
synchronization process with the remote server.
[0017] FIG. 9A is a first example of the presentation of CRM data
during an offline session (Home View).
[0018] FIG. 9B is a second example of the presentation of CRM data
during an offline session (Home View).
[0019] FIG. 9C is a third example of the presentation of CRM data
during an offline session (Home View).
[0020] FIG. 9D is a fourth example of the presentation of CRM data
during an offline session (Home View).
[0021] FIG. 9E is a fifth example of the presentation of CRM data
during an offline session (Home View).
[0022] FIG. 10A is an example of the presentation of "Accounts" CRM
data during an offline session (Home View).
[0023] FIG. 10B is an example of the presentation of "Accounts" CRM
data during an offline session (All Accounts View).
[0024] FIG. 10C is an example of the presentation of "Accounts" CRM
data during an offline session (Specific Account View).
[0025] FIG. 10D is an example of the presentation of "Accounts" CRM
data during an offline session (New Account View).
[0026] FIG. 11A is an example of the presentation of "Contacts" CRM
data during an offline session (Home View).
[0027] FIG. 11B is an example of the presentation of "Contacts" CRM
data during an offline session (All Contacts View).
[0028] FIG. 11C is an example of the presentation of "Contacts" CRM
data during an offline session (Specific Contact View).
[0029] FIG. 11D is an example of the presentation of "Contacts" CRM
data during an offline session (New Contact View).
[0030] FIG. 12A is an example of the presentation of
"Opportunities" CRM data during an offline session (Home View).
[0031] FIG. 12B is an example of the presentation of
"Opportunities" CRM data during an offline session (All
Opportunities View).
[0032] FIG. 12C is an example of the presentation of
"Opportunities" CRM data during an offline session (Specific
Opportunity View).
[0033] FIG. 12D is an example of the presentation of
"Opportunities" CRM data during an offline session (New Opportunity
View).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The following detailed description will first describe the
structure of an online session that may be simulated by an offline
session in accordance with the invention. The structure of the
offline session, itself, is then detailed. Following the
description of the offline session, preparation of the client prior
to conducting such offline sessions (e.g., installation and
synchronization phases) is described.
Online Session
[0035] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an online
session between a client 100 and a remote server 200. The client
includes a local interface 110 while the remote server 200 includes
a database 210 and functional logic 220 that is invoked to
manipulate the data residing in the database 210. The client 100
establishes communication channels through a network 150 that
connects the client 100 to the remote server 200.
[0036] In one environment, the network 150 used by the online
session may be the Internet. In such an environment, the client 100
may be a laptop or desktop computer and the local interface 110 may
be a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
The functional logic 220 at the remote server 200 may be invoked
through an underlying application or specification such as a CGI
program (including, for example, scripts such as Perl), Java
servlet (including, for example, JavaServer Pages, or JSP,
technology), daemon, service, system agent, server API solution
(including, for example, ISAPI or NSAPI) or any other technique or
technology known in the art. The database 210 may be a relational
database management system such as Oracle or DB2. The communication
channels between the local interface 110 and the remote server 200
may be governed by the HTTP protocol. For example, by selecting
various options from a web page, a user transmits instructions in
the form of an HTTP message through the Internet to the remote
server. Upon receiving the HTTP message, the underlying program,
component, or application at the remote server performs the
pertinent functional logic to interact with and manipulate the data
in the database in accordance with the instructions. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that the foregoing general online
client-server scheme is merely illustrative and that various
alternatives, possibly exploiting different technologies, standards
and specifications, may also be utilized to create an online
session over the Internet in accordance with FIG. 1.
[0037] In the field of customer relationship management ("CRM"),
such an online client-server scheme can provide the capability to
track contacts, leads and customer inquiries without needing a
complex software solution on the client-side. For example, in one
instance of an online CRM session, the user securely logs into the
remote server by entering a username and a password through his
local web browser, as shown in FIG. 2. Once the user successfully
logs into the remote server, he may be presented with an initial
home page that provides access to further features and information.
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the initial home page may provide
the user with a brief synopsis of his upcoming events 310 and tasks
320. Furthermore, the initial home page provides access 330 to
further pages that enable the user the track, manage and organize
other data including campaigns, leads, accounts, contacts,
opportunities, forecasts, cases, and reports. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples of one
way of presenting CRM information on a local interface and that
there exist innumerous ways (e.g., look and feel) to present CRM
information on a local interface in accordance with the online
client-server scheme presented herein. Furthermore, those skilled
in the art will recognize that the online CRM session described
herein is merely an example of one area in which the online
client-server scheme may be exploited and that there exist
innumerous fields and areas in which this online client-server
scheme may be exploited.
Offline Session
[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, during an offline session, in contrast
to an online session as described earlier and illustrated in FIG.
1, the client 100 can no longer establish a communications channel
through the network 150 to connect to the remote server 200. As
such, at least portions of the data from the database 210 and
portions of the functional logic 220 at the remote server 200 are
imported to the client 100 so that the client 100 can conduct an
offline session in isolation. In FIG. 4, at least a subset 130 of
the data 210 is imported to the client 100. Similarly, at least a
subset 120 of the functional logic 220 is also imported to the
client. This imported functional logic 120 is embedded into a
format capable of being interpreted and performed by the local
interface.
[0039] In an embodiment of an offline session in which the local
interface 110 is a web browser, both the data 130 and functional
logic 120 may be stored according to an open standards formatting
protocol. For example and without limitation, the data 130 may be
stored in a single or a series of documents in XML (Extensible
Markup Language), possibly including, for example, XSL stylesheets
(which are XML documents, themselves) for rendering the data into
HTML documents. As is known to those skilled in the art, XML may be
considered a markup language (or a specification for creating
markup languages) that is used to identify structures within a
document. Similarly, the functional logic 120 may be embedded in a
document utilizing a markup language and may be expressed as a
scripting language within the document. For example and without
limitation, the functional logic 120 could be expressed as
JavaScript or VBScript that is embedded in an HTML (HyperText
Markup Language) document. As used herein, the term "embedded" may
mean either actually embedding the JavaScript (or any other
functional logic in a format capable of being interpreted and
performed by the web browser) code in the HTML document, or
alternatively, accessing a separate JavaScript document by, for
example, providing the URL (relative or full address) of the
JavaScript source code file in the HTML document. As such, when the
HTML document is rendered by the web browser, depending upon
certain actions taken by the user, certain portions of the
functional logic 120 (e.g., JavaScript) may be interpreted and
performed by the web browser. Such functional logic 120 may
interact with the data 130 expressed as XML. For example and
without limitation, a user may request to view portions of the data
130 on the web browser. In response to the request, by calling an
XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language for Transformations) processor
that is incorporated into the web browser (e.g., MSXML Parser) or
any other comparable XSLT technology residing at the client, the
functional logic 120 may access the appropriate portions of the
data 130 (e.g., in XML documents) in conjunction with the
appropriate XSL stylesheets, in order to transform or render such
data 130 into an HTML document that is visually presented on the
web browser.
Preparation of Client for Offline Session
[0040] Prior to conducting an offline session as described in the
foregoing, an initial installation phase and subsequent
synchronization sessions may be needed to prepare the client 100
for such an offline session. During the installation phase, an
installation or setup executable may be downloaded from the remote
server 200 to the client 100. As depicted in FIG. 5, during the
installation phase 500, the executable prepares the client for
conducting an offline session by, for example and without
limitation, (1) establishing a directory structure in the client's
file system (Step 510), (2) downloading navigational markup
documents with embedded functional logic (e.g., HTML files with
embedded JavaScript code or HTML files and related separate
JavaScript files) (Step 520); (3) downloading other miscellaneous
installation components possibly including static HTML files,
stylesheets, XSL templates, ActiveX controls, system shortcuts,
local language components and, if not already available, an XML
parser that may be integrated into the web browser (e.g., MSXML
Parser) (Step 530).
[0041] Furthermore, prior to going offline, a user may synchronize
the imported subset of data 130 at the client with the data
residing in the database 210. For example, if synchronization is
occurring for the first time, all data residing in the database 210
that is needed for conducting an offline session may be downloaded
from the database 210 to the client 100 (Step 550). This downloaded
data may, for example, be defined and customized according to the
user's criteria for conducting an offline session. In one
implementation, the synchronization process may download this data
as XML documents (e.g., according to data type such as accounts,
contacts, opportunities, etc.). Once such XML documents are
downloaded, XSL templates that are used to visually render the data
(e.g., 130 in FIG. 4) on the web browser may be constructed at the
client by utilizing the formatting instructions provided by the XML
documents. Alternatively, such XSL templates might also be
generated at the server and subsequently downloaded to the client.
During subsequent synchronization processes prior to going offline
540, as depicted in FIG. 5, modified data records and data records
created since the previous synchronization may be downloaded to the
client (Step 560). Furthermore, the synchronization process 540 may
also provide the opportunity to download (or modify) user
customizations (e.g., XML layout information used to construct XSL
templates at the client or the XSL templates themselves) for the
visual representation of data and other information on the web
browser (Step 570). Similarly, upon re-establishing a connection
with the remote server 200, the user may also desire to conduct a
synchronization process 580 in order to upload any modified or
newly created data records to the remote database 210 (Step 590).
In one implementation of the synchronization process, the
communication channel between the client 100 and the remote server
200 may be established through the HTTP protocol using XML-RPC and
a related HTTP/HTTPS server based XML API. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that there are alternative synchronization processes
other than the one presented in FIG. 5 that may be conducted in
accordance with the present invention. For example and without
limitation, all synchronization processes, regardless of whether
the subsequent activity is an offline session or the
re-establishment of an online connection, may simultaneously
download modified and newly created data records from the server
database to the client as well as upload modified and newly create
data records from the client to the server database. Additionally,
those skilled in the art will recognize that any variety of
techniques and models known in the art may be used implement the
synchronization process in order to maintain consistency and
coherency while accessing data (e.g., atomic, sequential or causal
consistency, etc.).
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a process for
initiating and conducting an offline CRM session. As depicted, in
this embodiment, an initial installation process should be
conducted before an offline session can begin (e.g., Steps 610,
510, 520, 530). After installation, a user may initiate an offline
session by opening an HTML page downloaded to the client during the
installation phase (Step 620). While still online, the user may
then synchronize local client data with the remote database before
going offline (Step 630 and expanded in Steps 632, 634, 550, 560,
590). As shown in FIG. 6, this may involve downloading data from
the remote server (Step 550) as well as uploading data to the
remote server (Step 590), and if necessary, an initial download of
all offline session data (Step 550). As previously discussed, one
implementation of such downloading and uploading may be implemented
through HTTP communications channels using XML-RPC. Once
synchronization is complete, the user may go offline and
manipulate, view, and modify his customer relationship data by
selecting from various options through the web browser (Step 640).
For example and without limitation, the user may view his calendar,
tasks, and activities (Step 642). Additionally, data may be
organized into certain categories such as accounts, contacts, and
opportunities. The user may be able to maneuver through the web
browser to access, edit, create, delete, or otherwise modify data
within these categories (Steps 642, 644, 646, 648).
[0043] FIGS. 7 to 12D represent examples of the local interface 110
as a web browser that may serve as visual examples for certain
steps in the flowchart of FIG. 6. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a
login interface to access the remote server to initiate a
synchronization corresponding to 632 of FIG. 6. Similarly, FIG. 8
illustrates the synchronization process of downloading modified and
newly created records from the remote database as in 560 of FIG. 6
(and possible uploading of any modified or newly created records to
the remote database as in 590 of FIG. 6). Corresponding to Step 642
in FIG. 6, FIG. 9A illustrates one example of an offline home page
and FIGS. 9B to 9E illustrate various other alternative "Home"
views that may be accessed by the user during an offline session.
Similarly, corresponding to Step 644 in FIG. 6, FIGS. 10A to 10C
illustrate various views of data organized into an Accounts
category. Corresponding to Steps 646 and 648 in FIG. 6, FIGS. 11A
to 11D illustrate various views of data organized into a Contacts
category and FIGS. 12A to 12D illustrate various view of data
organized into an Opportunities category, respectively.
[0044] The various embodiments described in the above specification
should be considered as merely illustrative of the present
invention. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the forms disclosed. Those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that still other variations and modifications
may be practiced without departing from the general spirit of the
invention set forth herein. For example and without limitation,
those skilled in the art will recognize that there exist
alternative proprietary technologies, languages and open standards
(e.g., other than JavaScript, XML, XSLT, XML-RPC, HTML, HTTP, etc.)
that may be practiced in the context of the Internet and World Wide
Web in accordance with the invention set forth herein. Furthermore,
while much of the foregoing discussion has been described in the
context of the World Wide Web and the Internet (e.g., local
interface 110 is a web browser), those skilled in art will
recognize that the invention disclosed herein may be implemented in
other network environments as well. Similarly, while much of the
foregoing discussion utilized the CRM area as an example, those
skilled in the art will also recognize that other fields and areas
may exploit the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention be defined by the claims that
follow.
* * * * *