Webpage-Launched Local Server Connections for Browser Independence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing browser plug-ins and extensions are typically specific to a type of browser, requiring separate development and installation for each browser type, and often become obsolete with browser updates.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that use a cooperating server program to extend browser functionality, allowing a page to launch and connect to a local server program instance, enabling bi-directional communication and providing browser-independent functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If browser-specific plug-ins or extensions are used to extend browser functionality, then the functionality can be provided for each browser type, but the complexity of development and installation increases because separate plug-ins must be created and installed for each browser
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server program as an intermediary component that receives requests from web pages and processes them to provide extended functionality. This server acts as a mediator between the browser (via web pages) and the extended functionality, eliminating the need for browser-specific plug-ins by using a universal server-based architecture that can serve multiple browser types through a common interface
2Adaptability or versatility
If browser-specific plug-ins are used, then functionality can be tailored to each browser, but the likelihood of obsolescence increases when browser versions are updated
Solution Approach 1:
The server program serves as a stable intermediary that does not depend on specific browser versions. By implementing the functionality in a server that communicates with web pages through standardized protocols, the system maintains reliability across different browser versions, as the server can adapt to protocol changes without requiring plug-in updates for each browser
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple browser-specific plug-ins are installed to provide the same functionality, then each browser can access the extended functionality, but the amount of software to be downloaded and installed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server program is designed as a universal system that can serve multiple browser types through a single installation. The server receives requests from web pages regardless of the specific browser used and processes them to provide the same extended functionality, eliminating the need for separate plug-ins for each browser and reducing the quantity of software that needs to be installed
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a processor and a computer readable memory coupled to the processor, the computer readable memory configured with a page processable by page processing code. The page can be configured to generate a set of random connection data usable by a local server program instance to verify that a connection request is from the page, launch the local server program instance, provide the set of random connection data to the local server program instance, create a client socket instance, send a connection request to the local server program instance to establish a connection between the client socket instance and a server socket instance of the server program instance and based on an acceptance of the connection request by the server program instance, complete the connection. The connection may be usable for bi-directional communication between the page and local server program instance.