Inferring User Interaction With An Iframe

Abstract

Computer systems, devices, and associated methods of inferring user interaction with a web part comprising an <iframe> element are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes observing a location of a user input target on a web page rendered by a web browser. When the location of the user input target is over a web part comprising the host container and the web page detects that the web page has lost focus and a new active element is an <iframe>, the method includes inferring user interaction with respect to the <iframe> element and emphasizing the web part.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/375,896, filed on Aug. 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A web page is a document that can be read by web browsers for displaying designed information to users. A web page can include text, pictures, videos, or other suitable content items. A web page can also include style sheets, scripts, or other types of metadata describing how various content items are to be displayed. Upon receiving a web page, web browsers can render and output the various content items of the web page in accordance with the associated style sheets, scripts, or other types of metadata. Web browsers can also receive user input to a web page and enable user interaction with the displayed content items.

SUMMARY

[0003] 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 to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] A web site typically contains multiple web pages and associated content items hosted on one or more web servers of a web site owner. The web site can also deploy web applications having executables and associated library files in order to provide enhanced user experiences. For example, web applications can be executed upon request to dynamically retrieve updated information from external sources, query back-end databases based on user input, or perform other suitable actions.

[0005] Such an arrangement, however, presents a challenge when the web site is not hosted on web servers belonging to the web site owner but on those belonging to a hosting service. For example, a cloud service provider can provide servers, network storage devices, or other computing resources in a data center to host the web site according to a contract with the web site owner. The cloud service provider, however, has no control or even knowledge of any web applications deployed in the hosted web site. Thus, executing web applications on the servers of the cloud service provider can potentially cause damages to hardware/software components of the servers intentionally or accidentally.

[0006] Several embodiments of the disclosed technology can address at least some of the foregoing challenges by shifting execution of the web applications from the server side to the client side. In one implementation, a developer can configure a web application by (i) defining various content items of the web page and associated rendering format and (ii) defining various functional components or "actions" of the web application using a typescript, JavaScript, or other suitable types of scripting language. Based on the definitions from the developer, a compiler can generate web accessible packages for images, texts, or other suitable static content items. Such static content items can be stored and distributed in, for example, various content distribution network ("CDN") servers for ready retrieval. The compiler can also generate a manifest associated with the web application. The manifest can include a definition of a background and definitions of a list of "actions" or modules of the web application. The modules can include codes to render a web page object in a particular fashion, retrieve information from designated sources to be displayed on the web page, and periodically update the information to the web page, or perform other suitable functions.

[0007] A page model can then be created for the web application based on the static content items and the manifest. In certain embodiments, the page model can include a blank web page defined according to, for instance, hypertext markup language ("HTTP"), extensible markup language ("XML"), or other suitable languages. The page model can also include a script module loader and a list of script modules corresponding to those in the manifest of the web application. The page model can then be saved or stored as an HTTP, XML, or other suitable types of file in a server of the cloud service provider hosting the web site.

[0008] Unlike in other web hosting schemes, upon request from a client device, the server provides the page model to the client device instead of a fully rendered web page. Upon receiving the page model from the server, the client device can render the blank web page in a web browser and initiate execution of the script modules. Execution of the script modules can cause the web browser to perform the designed actions and generate web page objects for the blank web page. For example, the page may contain one script module (referred to as a "web part") can be configured to display a weather timeline chart upon execution and to retrieve weather forecast from a specified content server or other suitable sources. The retrieved weather forecast can then be displayed on the weather timeline chart. Thus, unlike in other web hosting systems, execution of web applications is performed on the client device with no risk to hardware/software components of the data center belonging to the cloud service provider.

[0009] In certain implementations, the generated web page objects can be isolated from a host web page by embedding the web page objects in an <iframe> Document Object Model ("DOM") element in the host web page. In the Hypertext Markup Language ("HTML") standard, a DOM is an application programming interface ("API") that defines a set of standard elements for HTML documents. One example element is an <iframe> container that instructs a browser to load an HTML document embedded inside an isolated frame of a host HTML document. The embedded HTML document is isolated from the host HTML document in the <iframe> such that no communication is allowed between the host and embedded HTML documents. As such, the host HTML document can be secured even when the embedded HTML document is not trusted. The DOM treats an HTML document as a tree in which each node of the tree is an element, including the HTML document. Events at a child element can be provided up the tree and made available to parent elements. Accordingly, when an event, such as a user interaction (e.g., mouse click), occurs with respect to an HTML element, information associated with the event can be provided to corresponding parent elements.

[0010] The HTML document can use information related to user interaction with document elements for providing a designed user experience. For example, a web page rendered as an HTML document can emphasize a web part having an element by changing visual appearance details of the web part when the element is receiving user input. One way for determining whether a user is interacting with an element of a web page is by monitoring events at child DOM elements for user interaction. However, because an <iframe> element does not allow communication between an embedded HTML document and a host HTML document, events involving elements of the embedded HTML document are not available to parent elements of the <iframe>. Therefore, the HTML document and other parent elements to the <iframe> can be unable to provide the designed user experience related to user interaction with such elements.

[0011] Several embodiments of the disclosed technology can address at least some of the foregoing challenges by inferring user interaction with respect to web page objects in a host container (e.g., an <iframe>) embedded in a host web page or a section thereof. In one implementation, the host web page can be configured to infer that user interaction with respect to the host container when a focus of the web browser is moved into and out of a DOM element corresponding to a host container and when the host web page loses focus. In response to determining that the host web page has lost focus and the new document.activeElement is an iframe, user interactions with the iframe can be inferred because the iframe contains the last DOM element to report mouse interactions before the iframe became focused.

[0012] In response to determining that user interaction has been received with respect to the host container, the host web page can be configured to change a state associated with the web part embedded in the host container. For example, the host web page can change the web part to an emphasized state by changing a visual appearance of the web part, such as darkening a border around the web part. Emphasizing the web part can also include displaying a toolbox associated with the web part, emphasizing the host container and/or embedded content of the host container. In some embodiments, the web page is configured to maintain the web part in the changed state until the user is detected to interact with a different web part or element outside the web part. Upon such detection, the web page can change the state associated with the web part to a previous state (i.e., not emphasized) or other suitable states.

[0013] The host web page can also be configured to periodically check for a currently active element. If the host container is not the active element, the host web page can be configured to identify whether another web part is receiving user interaction. On the other hand, if a new element of the host container is active while the user input target is over the web part, the web page can be configured to infer that a different embedded element included in the web part has received user input. As a result, the web page can be configured to maintain the web part in an emphasized state. If the user input target is outside the web part, the web page can be configured to cease maintaining the web part in the emphasized state, or perform other suitable actions.

[0014] Several embodiments of the disclosed technology can thus infer user interactions to iframes or other isolated containers in a web page without involving special programming for the web page hosted by the iframe, special programming for the web part having the iframe, or introducing additional DOM elements into DOM hierarchy. Instead, several embodiments of the disclosed technology can infer user interactions based on focus movement and change over a web page. As such, user interactions with iframes in a web page can be easily and efficiently inferred, deduced, or detected without introducing special programming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computing system implementing inferring of user interaction with a host container in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2E are example user interfaces for web pages generated by a browser under an edit mode in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an example simplified DOM element tree representation of a web page in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0018] FIGS. 4A-4B are flowcharts illustrating various processes for inferring user interaction with respect to a host container in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a client-side model of providing web content in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a computing device suitable for certain components of the computing system in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Certain embodiments of systems, devices, components, modules, routines, data structures, and processes for inferring user interaction within a host container in a document are described below. In the following description, specific details of components are included to provide a thorough understanding of certain embodiments of the disclosed technology. A person skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology can have additional embodiments. The technology can also be practiced without several of the details of the embodiments described below with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

[0022] As used herein, the term "element" generally refers to an individual component of a document, for example, an HTML document, after the document is parsed into a document model for rendering the document by a web browser. The document model can comprise an API, such as the Document Object Model. The document model can organize a document into a tree structure with each node of the tree structure representing an element. For example, an element in an HTML document can comprise a <title> element, for defining a title of the document.

[0023] Also used herein, the term "parent element" generally refers to an element in the tree structure of the document that is at a node higher up the tree structure than a "child element" to the parent element. A parent element of all elements of a web page can be a root element. Generally, events, such as user interaction (e.g., a mouse click) with respect to a child element, "bubble up" from the child element to one or more corresponding parent elements. In other words, information associated with the event (e.g., that the mouse was clicked) is made available to scripts that monitor corresponding parent nodes.

[0024] As used herein, the term "host container" generally refers to an element of a host document that hosts embedded content in the host document. The embedded content can be another document or a portion thereof different than the host document. In some embodiments, notification of events, such as user interactions with the embedded content, is not communicated outside the host container to other elements of the host document. For example, a web browser rendering the web page based on the host document can prevent scripts included in the hosted content from communicating with scripts of parent elements of the host container. Accordingly, parent elements of the host container can be restricted from detecting user interactions with the embedded content. In some embodiments, a host container comprises an <iframe> of an HTML host document. In other embodiments, a host container can include other suitable types of "sandboxes" in a host document.

[0025] As used herein, the term "focused" generally refers to a state for an element in a document, under which the element is selected by the web browser rendering the document. The web browser can be configured to focus on only one element at a time. When an element stops being the focused element, the element is said to "lose focus" or "blur". In some embodiments, the web browser changes focus to an element when the element is interacted with by a user. For example, when user input (e.g., keyboard input or a finger tap) is received by the element, the element is focused in the web browser. As used herein, the term "active" used in relation to an element generally refers to an element that has most recently received user input. For example, under the DOM, the web browser can indicate the active element to scripts by utilizing the document.activeElement API.

[0026] As used herein, the term "web part" generally refers to a web page object or model that can be an extension to a web page. Developers can create web parts that an author of a web page can add to the web page. Example web parts include a calendar, a voting poll, a weather widget, a sales dashboard, and so forth. As used herein, the term "emphasized" used in relation to a web part generally refers to a highlighted state of the web part, as rendered by the web browser. In some embodiments, a web part is emphasized by changing a visual appearance of the web part. For example, the web application can generate a glow around a web part that is emphasized. In other embodiments, a web part is emphasized by generating controls and/or providing information associated with the web part. Also used herein, the term "client-side" generally refers to program codes that run as a script inside a web page on a web browser executing on a client device. By contrast, "server-side" code runs on a web server in, for example, a datacenter.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computing system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 1, a developer 101 can create a page model 110 of a web application. The page model 110 can include a list of script modules, execution of which can cause a web browser to render a web page object, retrieve information from content servers via a computer network 104, or perform other suitable actions. The page model 110 can then be saved in the web server 106. The developer 101 can also save copies of static elements such as images, texts, etc. in one or more CDN servers 105, for ready distribution.

[0028] Upon receiving a web page request 108 from the user 103 via the computer network, the web server 106 provides the page model 110 to the client device 102 instead of a fully or partially rendered web page. Upon receiving the page model 110, in certain embodiments, a web browser 112 on the client device 102 generates a content request 116 for retrieving various static elements 118 from the CDN servers 105 and executes the list of script modules to, for example, transmit a data request 120 to content servers 107 for retrieving dynamic data 122 from the content server 107 and render a web page 114 on the client device 102. In other embodiments, the web browser 112 can request and retrieve the static elements 118 from other suitable sources.

[0029] In some embodiments, the web page 114 can comprise an HTML document rendered by the web browser 112, including a graphical user interface for the web page 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the web page 114 can comprise functional elements, such as a graphical user interface "GUI" component 126 and a user input inference component 128. In other embodiments, the web page 114 can include additional or different components in some embodiments. Example implementations of the computing system 100 are described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-6.

[0030] In some embodiments, the web servers 106 comprise a content management system ("CMS"), which can host a customizable database for storing web sites, document libraries, web pages, and other content. The CMS enables web pages 114 to be created by the user 103 or other suitable entities. As the author, the user 103 can be an information worker who works directly within the web browser to compose text, graphic, etc., and design visual appearances of the web page 114. Being the author, the user 103 is unlike a graphic designer or developer, who use program codes such as HTML or JavaScript for building the web page. Examples of CMS products include WordPress, Drupal, and SharePoint provided by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.

[0031] Several embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to a page creation engine that enables client-side workflow. Information workers or other users can use the page creation engine to create web pages 114 with rich content with improved productivity. Such content can include, for example, a page that shows a list of documents a user has been working on recently. The page creation engine can be configured to provide a web page that allows a user to create or edit a web page having web parts. Several embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to inferring user interactions with a web part having an embedded host container from which user interactions are not directly observable from outside the web part. In response to inferring user interaction with the web part, the document or web page, as rendered by the web browser, can emphasize the web part, output additional web page elements, or perform other suitable operations, as outlined below with reference to FIGS. 2A-2E.

[0032] For an author, such as an information worker, the web page lifecycle starts when the author creates a new web page 114. FIG. 2A shows an example graphical user interface of the web page 114 in an "edit mode," as generated by the web browser 112 for editing the web page 114 by the user 103 (i.e., the author) to, for example, add content to the web page 114. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a text box 202 can be added to the web page 114, and a user can add text to the text box 202. The web page 114 includes a text toolbox 206 for modifying the text entered in the text box 202. The web page 114 also includes a control toolbox 204 which includes tools for moving or deleting the text box 202. The web page 114 also includes a new object button 208 for adding objects (e.g., web parts) to the web page 114. For example, the browser can receive a user's selection of the new object button 208, and options for new objects for the web page 114 can be displayed, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2B, the object toolbox 210 includes icons for various objects that the author can add to the web page 114. The author can select an icon to add the associated object to the web page. For example, the object toolbox 210 includes a text object 212, for adding a text box, like the text box 202, to the web page 114. The object toolbox 210 also includes column icons, such as a three-column icon 214, which can be selected by the author for dividing a section (i.e., a row) of the web page into zones (i.e., columns). The object toolbox 210 can also include an icon for a web part, which can be selected by the author for adding to the web page 114. For example, in the illustrated example, the object toolbox 210 includes a weather widget icon 216. FIG. 2C shows the web page 114 after the author has selected the two columns icon 214 for creating two zones in a second section 218 of the web page, and has added a third section 219 as well. A first zone 220 of the second section 218 includes a weather widget web part 222.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2C, the weather widget web object 222 includes an <iframe> element 232 which hosts embedded content 234 comprising a weather forecast. A host container, like the <iframe> element, can be configured to host various types of content. In some embodiments, the embedded content 234 is an HTML document. The user input inference component 128 of the web page 114 can be configured to infer user interaction with the <iframe> element 232. In some embodiments, the web page 114 can be configured to infer user interaction with the <iframe> element 232 in response to observing focus shift away from the web page 114 while an input target (e.g., a mouse cursor) is observed over the web part 222. For example, the user input inference component 128 of the web page 114 can be configured to monitor a mouse cursor on the graphical user interface generated for the web page 114. The user input inference component 128 can be configured to monitor a value of document.activeElement provided by the web browser, which identifies a focused element of the web page 114. When the value of document.activeElement changes from the document root 252, for example, to an <iframe> element while the mouse cursor is observed over the web part 222, the user input inference component 128 can be configured to infer user interaction with the <iframe> element, and associated embedded contents, and therefore the web part 222.

[0035] In response to inferring that user interaction has been received with respect to the <iframe> element 232, the web page 114 can be configured to perform an action. In some embodiments, the action is for the GUI component 126 to emphasize the web part 222 that includes the <iframe> element 232, as shown in FIG. 2D. In some embodiments, the action is to display properties associated with the web part 222. For example, the action can comprise displaying a dialog box associated with the web part 222 for receiving user input of a geographic location for weather information.

[0036] In some embodiments, the GUI component 126 of the web page 114 can be configured to continue performing the action (e.g., emphasizing the web part 222) until the user input inference component 128 detects user interaction outside the web part 222. For example, the user input inference component 128 can be configured to periodically check the value of the document.activeElement API provided by the web browser. The user input inference component 128 can be configured to determine whether the <iframe> element identified when it was inferred that user interaction was received is still the value of document.activeElement. When the value of document.activeElement is not the same <iframe> element as identified earlier, the user input inference component 128 can be configured to determine whether the value of document.activeElement is a different <iframe> element or a non-<iframe> element. In response to determining that the value of document.activeElement is a non-<iframe> element, the web page 114 can be configured to cease performing the action (e.g., the GUI component 126 can remove the emphasis on the web part 222).

[0037] In response to determining that the value of document.activeElement is an <iframe> element, the user input inference component 114 can be configured to examine a location of the input target for user interaction, and if the location of the input target is over the web part 222 when the value of document.activeElement changed to the <iframe>, the web page can be configured to determine that user interaction has been received with respect to another <iframe> element of the web part 222. If the location of the input target is not over the web part 222 when the value of document.activeElement changed, user input inference component 128 can be configured to infer that an <iframe> element of another object has been interacted with. In response to inferring that another <iframe> element of another object has been interacted with, the web page 114 can be configured to cease performing the action.

[0038] The web page 114 can also be configured to modify a web part 222 that is emphasized in response to the author's input. For example, the web page 114 can receive user input with respect to an edit button 228 displayed by a toolbox 226, and generate an interface for receiving modifications to the web part. For example, in certain embodiments, a web part can have properties that can be customized by the author using a property pane generated by the web page. Each web part can have corresponding properties that are relevant to that web part. In the illustrated example, the weather widget web part 222 can have properties such as a geographic location, as specified by the author, for identifying relevant weather information. In other embodiments, the web part can have other suitable properties that can be modified by using command lines, or other suitable editing means. The web page 114 can also be configured to receive other suitable modifications to an emphasized object, such as to delete the object or resize or move the object on the web page. The property pane and editing tools can be viewed by the author while the web page is in an "edit mode." Visitors to the web page 114 can view the page in "read mode," as is shown by the web page 114 in FIG. 2E.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a simplified example node tree 250 representing the web page 114, according to some embodiments. The node tree 250 includes document root 252 which is a parent node to all other nodes of the node tree 250. Child nodes to the document root 252 include a <head> element 254 and a <body> element 256. The <head> element 254 includes child nodes including elements for a title of the web page 114. The <body> element includes child nodes including a <p> element 258, which has a child element comprising text node 260, "Weather Widget," and the weather widget <web part> element 222, which includes an <iframe> element 232, which has an embedded content document address 266 as a child element. The web page 114 can be configured so that an event at a child node, such as user interaction, is received at parent nodes. Consequently, the document root node 252 can be configured to detect user interaction, such as a mouse click, for example, received by the <p> element 258. However, because information related to events with respect to embedded content of the <iframe> element 232 do not bubble up to parent nodes, the document root 252 will be unable to directly detect user interaction with embedded content associated with the embedded content document address 266.

[0040] FIGS. 4A-4B are flowcharts illustrating various processes of inferring user interaction received with respect to embedded content of an <iframe> element included in a web part. Even though various embodiments of the processes are described below with reference to the computing system 100 of FIG. 1, in other embodiments, the processes can also be performed with other suitable types of computing frameworks, systems, components, or modules.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4A, a process 268 can include monitoring a location (i.e. an associated DOM element) of a user input target on a web page being rendered by a browser at stage 270. A user input target can comprise, for example, a cursor. For example, the interaction may include moving a mouse pointer within the area of the web part, an event which "bubbles up" to scripts that are monitoring the main DOM element of the web part. The process 268 can then include observing a change in focus on the web page by the browser at stage 272. In some embodiments, a change in focus on the web page by the browser is observed based on monitoring a value of the document.activeElement API, which returns the active element of the web page. In some embodiments, observing a change in focus on the web page by the browser comprises observing the web page losing focus, for example by monitoring a window.onBlur event.

[0042] The operations include a decision stage 274 for determining whether the user input target was above a web part being displayed on the web page by the browser when the change in focus of the web page was observed at stage 272. For example, it can be determined whether a cursor was most recently moved within a border of the web part when the web page lost focus. When the user input target is not over the web part when the change in focus is observed, the operations include responding to user interaction at stage 276. Responding to user interactions can be handled in conventional ways when it is detected outside of the <iframe> element.

[0043] When the user input target is over the web part when the change in focus is observed, the operations include inferring user interaction with the web part at stage 278. In some embodiments, user interaction is inferred with respect to the web part when, in addition to the user input target being observed over the web part, the new value of document.activeElement is an <iframe> element. The operations then include emphasizing the web part at stage 280.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4B, a process 282 can include operations for determining whether to continue emphasizing the web part after it has been emphasized. The operations include periodically monitoring the value of document.activeElement, which is provided by the web browser. The operations include a decision stage 286 for determining whether the value of document.activeElement is equivalent to the <iframe> element that focus shifted to when user input was earlier inferred. When the value of document.activeElement has not changed, operations include continuing monitoring of the value of document.activeElement by reverting to stage 284.

[0045] When the value of document.activeElement has changed, operations include a decision stage 290 for determining whether the value of document.activeElement is an <iframe> element. When the value of document.activeElement is not an <iframe> element, operations include removing emphasis on the web part at stage 292. When the value of document.activeElement is an <iframe> element, operations include a decision stage 294 for determining whether the user input target was over the web part when focus shifted to the new <iframe> element. When the user input target is determined to have not been over the web part, operations include removing emphasis on the web part at stage 292. When the user input target is determined to have been over the web part, the operations include inferring user interaction associated with different <iframe> element of the web part. The emphasis can remain on the web part.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of components of a client-side model for rendering a web page in a browser and inferring user interaction with respect to an element of the web page for which user interaction cannot be directly detected. As shown in FIG. 5, content management servers 233 include a page and web part data storage area 236 communicatively coupled to web server processes 237, including server-side platform 238. The web server processes 237 can provide the HTML content 239 at the request of an author device 235. The HTML content 239 can comprise HTML content rendered by the content management servers. The author device can receive other data 240 including files and scripts, which can be received from the CDN. The author device 235 includes a web browser process 246 rendering a web page. The web browser process 246 includes objects 241, such as client-side web parts, a client-side application 242, a client-side framework 243, a client-side module loader 245, and a web part 244. The web browser can receive a blank page, containing only some page data including, for instance, computer codes, plus a small fragment of script to get the module loader started. The visual appearance of a web page can be constructed generally entirely using client-side code running inside the web browser on the client device. A much larger amount of script code in the browser is executed in the client-side model than the server-side model. As such, a module loader can be implemented to track all the script files.

[0047] After the author edits the web page, the author can save the web page. In some embodiments, a web part instance's property data, which can be provided by the author, is saved into a database (e.g., an SQL database) alongside the web page data. In certain embodiments, the web pages can be saved as HTML files or in other suitable manners. In other embodiments, web pages can be stored in a CMS system as a collection of page data fields in a database record. The following shows one such example:

[0048] Page Title: Bird watching club

[0049] Page Filename: bir.aspx

[0050] Page Author: John Doe

[0051] Page Id: 12345

[0052] Last Saved: 3:02 pm, January 3rd

[0053] Article Text: [formatted text codes]

[0054] Header Image: N/A

[0055] Show In Menu: Yes

[0056] Page Template: Standard Article Page

[0057] . . . .

[0058] When a person views the web page 114, the CMS system can use the stored data associated with the web pages to render the HTML output that constitutes the web page as presented by the web browser. This runtime rendering has many advantages. For example, if a page template is redesigned, or if a navigation menu is improved, every existing page can automatically reflect these changes. Thus, when a web part developer deploys a new program code to the server, the property data can be rendered with a new appearance, causing all web part instances to have the new look. In contrast, if a web page is stored as a simple HTML file, an author would have to manually edit each page separately to synchronize appearances.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a computing device 300 suitable for certain components of the computing system 100 in FIG. 1. For example, the computing device 300 can be suitable for the web server 106, the CDN server 105, the content server 107, or the client devices 102 of FIG. 1. In a very basic configuration 302, the computing device 300 can include one or more processors 304 and a system memory 306. A memory bus 308 can be used for communicating between processor 304 and system memory 306.

[0060] Depending on the desired configuration, the processor 304 can be of any type including but not limited to a microprocessor (.mu.P), a microcontroller (.mu.C), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof. The processor 304 can include one more levels of caching, such as a level-one cache 310 and a level-two cache 312, a processor core 314, and registers 316. An example processor core 314 can include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An example memory controller 318 can also be used with processor 304, or in some implementations memory controller 318 can be an internal part of processor 304.

[0061] Depending on the desired configuration, the system memory 306 can be of any type including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combination thereof. The system memory 306 can include an operating system 320, one or more applications 322, and program data 324. This described basic configuration 302 is illustrated in FIG. 7 by those components within the inner dashed line.

[0062] The computing device 300 can have additional features or functionality, and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between basic configuration 302 and any other devices and interfaces. For example, a bus/interface controller 330 can be used to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 302 and one or more data storage devices 332 via a storage interface bus 334. The data storage devices 332 can be removable storage devices 336, non-removable storage devices 338, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drives such as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid state drives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storage media can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The term "computer readable storage media" or "computer readable storage device" excludes propagated signals and communication media.

[0063] The system memory 306, removable storage devices 336, and non-removable storage devices 338 are examples of computer readable storage media. Computer readable storage media include, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 300. Any such computer readable storage media can be a part of computing device 300. The term "computer readable storage medium" excludes propagated signals and communication media.

[0064] The computing device 300 can also include an interface bus 340 for facilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., output devices 342, peripheral interfaces 344, and communication devices 346) to the basic configuration 302 via bus/interface controller 330. Example output devices 342 include a graphics processing unit 348 and an audio processing unit 350, which can be configured to communicate to various external devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports 352. Example peripheral interfaces 344 include a serial interface controller 354 or a parallel interface controller 356, which can be configured to communicate with external devices such as input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via one or more I/O ports 358. An example communication device 346 includes a network controller 360, which can be arranged to facilitate communications with one or more other computing devices 362 over a network communication link via one or more communication ports 364.

[0065] The network communication link can be one example of a communication media. Communication media can typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and can include any information delivery media. A "modulated data signal" can be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media can include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein can include both storage media and communication media.

[0066] The computing device 300 can be implemented as a portion of a small-form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an application specific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the above functions. The computing device 300 can also be implemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations.

[0067] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications can be made without deviating from the disclosure. In addition, many of the elements of one embodiment can be combined with other embodiments in addition to or in lieu of the elements of the other embodiments. Accordingly, the technology is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of inferring interaction by a user with a host container in a web page having a host document being rendered by a web browser, the host container hosting embedded content, wherein communication of user interactions with the embedded content to the host document is not permitted, the method comprising: tracking a location of a user input target on the document, the location of the user input target corresponding to a document element that most recently received user input; and when the location of the user input target is over the host container, detecting whether the host document has lost focus and an active element of the host document has changed to the host container when the host document lost focus; and in response to detecting that the host document has lost focus and the active element of the host document has changed to the host container, inferring user interaction with the host container in the web page; and based on the inferred user interaction, emphasizing the host container as displayed on the web page, thereby allowing user interactions with the host container without introducing additional programming to the embedded content in the host container.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein observing the location of the user input target includes tracking a mouse cursor movement into and out of the host container.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: periodically checking whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the host container was emphasized; and in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the host container was emphasized, determining whether the active element is of the host container type; and in response to determining that the active element is not of the host container type, deemphasizing the host container.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: periodically checking whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the host container was emphasized; and in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the host container was emphasized, determining whether a new location of the user input target is over the host container, and in response to determining that the new location of the user input target is not over the host container, deemphasizing the host container.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: periodically checking whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the host container was emphasized; and in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the host container was emphasized, determining whether a new location of the user input target is over the host container, and in response to determining that the new location of the user input target is over the host container, maintaining emphasizing the host container.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein emphasizing the host container comprises modifying a visual appearance detail associated with the host container.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein emphasizing the host container comprises displaying tools associated with the host container.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein emphasizing the host container comprises displaying properties of a visual object associated with the host container.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the host container is an <iframe> element, and wherein observing the location of the user input target includes tracking a mouse cursor movement into and out of a document element in the host document that corresponds to the <iframe>.

10. A method of inferring interaction by a user with content of a document being rendered by a web browser, the content comprising a host container hosting embedded content, wherein communication of user interaction with the embedded content to a parent element of the document is not permitted, the method comprising: tracking a location of a user input target on the document, the location of the user input target corresponding to a document element that most recently received user input; when the location of the user input target is over the content comprising the host container: detecting whether another element of the document different from the host container has lost focus; and in response to detecting that the element of the document different from the host container has lost focus while the input target is over the content comprising the host container, determining whether an active element of the document is of a host container type; and in response to determining that the active element of the document is of the host container type, emphasizing the content as displayed in the web browser.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein emphasizing the content includes emphasizing the content in response to both: that the element of the document different from the host container has lost focus, and that the active element of the document is of the host container type.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: periodically checking whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the content was emphasized; and in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the content was emphasized, determining whether the active element is of the host container type; and when the active element is not of the host container type, deemphasizing the content.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: periodically checking whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the host container was emphasized; and in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the host container was emphasized, determining whether a new location of the user input target is over the content, and when the new location of the user input target is not over the content, deemphasizing the host container.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the host container is an <iframe> element.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein emphasizing the content comprises modifying a visual appearance detail associated with the content, displaying tools associated with the host container, or displaying properties of the host container.

16. A computing device, comprising: a processor; and a memory containing instructions executable by the processor to infer user interaction with respect to content of a document being rendered by a web browser, the content of the document comprising a host container, wherein information associated with user interaction with respect to the host container does not bubble up to parent elements, the memory containing additional instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to: track a location of a user input target on the document, the location of the user input target corresponding to an input location for receiving user input; and when the location of the user input target is over the content comprising the host container: detect whether an element of the document different from the host container has lost focus; and in response to detecting that the element of the document different from the host container has lost focus while the input target is over the content comprising the host container, emphasize the content as displayed by the web browser.

17. The computing device of claim 16 wherein the memory contains further instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to: determine whether an active element of the document is of a host container type, wherein the content comprising the host container is emphasized in response to both: detect that the element of the document different from the host container has lost focus, and determine that the active element of the document is of the host container type.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the memory contains further instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to: periodically determine whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the content was emphasized; in response to determining that the active element is not the active element of the document as determined when the content was emphasized, determine whether the active element is of the host container type; and when the active element is not of the host container type, deemphasizing the content.

19. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the memory contains further instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to: periodically determine whether the active element of the document is the active element as determined when the content was emphasized; in response to determining that the active element is the active element of the document as determined when the content was emphasized, continue to emphasize the content as displayed in the web browser.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the host container comprises an <iframe>.