Nested Browser Hosting for Legacy Web Application Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web applications developed for specific browser types and versions often become incompatible with newer browsers, necessitating the use of outdated browser versions, which is inconvenient for users and resource-intensive to maintain multiple versions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated approach where an instance of a second browser compatible with an incompatible page is invoked within the window of a first browser, with rendering and contextual information provided to the first browser to maintain a seamless user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If web applications are developed for specific browser types and versions, then compatibility with those browsers is improved, but compatibility with newer browsers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested browser architecture where a second browser instance is embedded within the first browser window. When the first browser encounters an incompatible web application, it dynamically invokes a second browser instance that is compatible with the required browser type, and nests this second instance within the first browser's window. This allows the system to maintain compatibility with legacy web applications while running on modern browsers, effectively resolving the contradiction between browser version adaptability and application compatibility.
2Reliability
If multiple browser versions are maintained to support legacy web applications, then compatibility is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal browser system where the first browser serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary user interface, a compatibility checker, and a container for second browser instances. The system dynamically determines whether to render web applications directly or invoke compatible browser instances, eliminating the need for users to manually maintain multiple browser versions. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing compatibility management in a single browser system.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser system automatically detects compatibility issues and self-corrects by dynamically invoking appropriate second browser instances without user intervention. The system monitors web application compatibility requirements and autonomously manages the invocation and nesting of compatible browser instances, reducing the complexity of browser maintenance for users while ensuring application compatibility.
3Reliability
If a second browser is invoked to run incompatible web applications, then compatibility is improved, but user experience may deteriorate due to separate window management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested browser instances where the second browser is embedded within the first browser's window rather than opening as a separate window. This nesting approach allows users to access compatible web applications while maintaining a unified browser interface, eliminating the need to switch between multiple browser windows and preserving a seamless user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the interface of the second browser instance with the first browser window, creating a unified user experience. The system combines the rendering capabilities of the compatible second browser with the user interface of the first browser, allowing users to interact with legacy web applications as if they were running natively in the first browser, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated approach is provided to running web applications with various compatibilities that do not require third-party extensions or sacrifice user experience. When a page of an application incompatible with a first browser is to be executed, an instance of a second browser with which the page is compatible is separately invoked and/or executed without opening a window for that second browser. Instead, the second browser opens a page within the window of the first browser. Moreover, rendering and/or contextual information for a page opened via the second browser is provided to the first browser. Such information is utilized by the first browser to provide a visual experience to the user in which the web page is being hosted by the first browser, even though it is in fact being hosted by the second browser.