Client portal

Abstract

A client portal that is optimized to fulfill a specific function. The portal can include a browser that is dedicated to performing a particular task, such as reviewing and purchasing electronic books. For example, to better perform the specific function, the browser may only be able to directly access sites designated by an authorized party, e.g., the browser's publisher. Because the browser is dedicated to performing a single task, the user interface for operating the dedicated browser may be simplified to include only those controls useful for performing the assigned task. Also, the content available for access by the client portal can be controlled by a single authorized party, such as the portal's publisher or distributor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a client portal optimized for fulfilling a specific function. More particularly, the invention is directed to a client portal for facilitating the performance of a specific task, such as purchasing a particular type of item or service (e.g., eBooks). The invention may be implemented, for example, by a browser or other application that is dedicated to performing a single task and which employs a user interface that is simplified to only those controls useful for performing the assigned task. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Early in their evolution, computers employed operating systems such as MS-DOS® that used command line interfaces. That is, a user controlled these operating systems by typing specific commands on a command line. Similarly, the application programs that ran on these early computers used command line interfaces. While these operating systems and applications were very powerful, they required a user to know a n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Because the portal is dedicated to performing a specific task, the user interface for operating the dedicated portal may also be simplified to include only those controls useful for performing the assigned task. This interface simplification makes the dedicated client portal easier to use for the assigned task than, e.g., a general-purpose browser program. Further, dedicating the client portal to a specific task allows the authorized party to maintain a degree of control over the use of the portal, thereby permitting the authorized party to sell access through the client portal. Moreover, the authorized party can ensure that the merchants that maintain the preselected sites present their information in a consistent manner, so that the user can easily navigate all of the preselected sites. For example, the authorized party can ensure that all of the preselected sites selling eBooks organize the titles of the eBooks into catalogs based upon, e.g., genre, time period, authors, etc. Further, the authorized party can ensure that all of the merchants that maintain preselected sites are reputable, and employ consistent financial transactions for the purchase of their products.

Problems solved by technology

To achieve this optimization, the client portal may have limited or specific functionality.

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