Network Address Sharing via Host Mediator and Feed Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web browsers do not efficiently facilitate the sharing of network addresses across users, lacking a systematic method for categorization, authentication, and dissemination of favorite web pages or resources beyond local directories.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically sharing network addresses by converting them into a feed format, such as RSS, and publishing them on a host computer, allowing subscription and filtering based on user requests, with authentication and categorization using Open Directory Project categorization and user-assigned metadata.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network addresses are stored in local favorites directories, then users can easily access their own favorites, but users cannot share network addresses with other users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between client computers. The server receives network addresses from first clients, stores them in a database, and distributes them to second clients upon request. This mediator enables sharing functionality without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication or complex distributed systems architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs multiple functions: it acts as a receiving endpoint for network addresses, a storage database, a processing system that converts addresses to feed format, and a distribution channel to subscribed clients. This multi-functional approach enables sharing capability while consolidating complexity in a single centralized component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network addresses are converted to feed format and published on a host, then network addresses can be shared across users, but the system requires authentication and categorization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs categorization and authentication in advance before distributing network addresses. The server categorizes received network addresses using Open Directory Project categorization and stores this metadata. When second clients subscribe, the server has already prepared the categorized data, enabling efficient filtered distribution without real-time processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The server transforms network addresses from their original format into feed format with associated metadata parameters including categorization tags and authentication credentials. This parameter enrichment enables both sharing capability and controlled access while maintaining a relatively simple core architecture.
3Productivity
If network addresses are automatically received and published by a host computer, then content dissemination is efficient, but security and relevance control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements subscription-based feedback control. Second clients explicitly subscribe to receive network addresses, providing feedback about their content preferences and trust relationships. The server uses this subscription information to control distribution, ensuring that content reaches only authorized and interested recipients, thereby maintaining security and relevance while enabling automated dissemination.
Data Source
AI summary
A network address assigned a shared designation by a first client computer is received, in a first data format, automatically, at a host computer from the first client computer. The network address is categorized and published. Publishing the network address includes converting the network address into a second data format, receiving, at the host computer, a subscription request from a second client computer, and sending the network address to the second client computer in response to receiving the subscription request.