Browser Contact Extraction and Link Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in extracting and formatting contact information from web pages due to its embedded nature in HTML code, varying formats across websites, and the inefficiency of server-side interactive maps in providing up-to-date information.
Innovation Solution
A contact information function within a web browser uses a look-up table of recognizer functions indexed by regular expressions to extract and format contact information, while a redirection engine on a link server ensures that links to third-party information servers are updated and active, providing accurate and formatted data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If contact information is copied by hand to paper, then the information can be transferred, but the process takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts contact information from HTML markup and presents it in a clean, formatted view separate from the original web page. The extension identifies and pulls out contact details (names, phone numbers, addresses) from embedded HTML code, allowing users to copy only the essential information without extraneous content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a browser extension as an intermediary between the web browser and the user's clipboard. This extension automatically captures contact information from web pages and places it in a formatted state ready for pasting into other applications, eliminating the need for manual copying.
2Loss of information
If the full web page is printed, then contact information is captured, but the printed page is filled with extraneous information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant contact information from the full web page and presents it in a condensed, formatted view. Users can see and copy contact details without the clutter of advertisements, navigation elements, and other non-essential content that would appear in a full page printout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different formatting and presentation styles to different parts of the contact information based on their type and importance. Contact details are organized with appropriate spacing, fonts, and structure to enhance readability and usability, while extraneous information is completely excluded.
3Ease of operation
If contact information is selected and copied from the web page, then the information can be pasted elsewhere, but the copied text is arranged poorly due to HTML formatting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts contact information from HTML markup and reformats it into clean, plain text with proper spacing and organization. The extension removes HTML tags and formatting codes, presenting only the essential contact details in a visually appealing and easily copyable format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a formatted copy of contact information that is optimized for pasting into other applications. The extension generates a clean text representation that preserves the essential contact details while eliminating the formatting issues associated with copying directly from HTML web pages.
4Speed
If a client-side interactive map stores all map data on the computer, then map presentation is fast, but links cannot be constantly updated to ensure they point to active services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid approach where the client-side map stores essential map data locally for fast presentation, while link information is pre-configured to check for updates when accessed. This allows the map to display quickly while still maintaining link accuracy through periodic validation and updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the map system dynamic by allowing link data to be updated without requiring a full map data download. When users interact with map links, the system can check for and retrieve updated link information from the server, ensuring accuracy while maintaining the speed benefits of client-side storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A contact information function associated with a web browser maintains a look-up table of recognizer functions, indexed by regular expressions that specify URLs. Upon a user entering or selecting a URL, the contact information function indexes the look-up table with the URL against the regular expressions. If one or more recognizers are found, the web content returned from the URL is processed by each of the recognizers, which recognize the format of information on that web site, and locate and extract contact information from the web content. The contact information may be saved, formatted, and output to other applications. Updated recognizers may be downloaded from a recognizer server.