Remote Browser Control via Local BHO Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling a remote browser from a local browser in an intuitive manner is difficult, as existing technologies lack effective methods to seamlessly execute remote browser functions when requested by a local browser.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pair of browser helper objects (BHOs), where a local BHO intercepts requests for functions and sends communications to a remote BHO to perform them, allowing the remote browser to execute functions without visual representations, which are then displayed by the local browser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote browser is controlled from a local browser, then browsing activity can be separated from local networks, but controlling the remote browser in an intuitive manner becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces browser helper objects (BHOs) as intermediary components that facilitate communication between the local browser and remote browser. The local BHO intercepts user actions and translates them into commands for the remote BHO, which then executes corresponding functions in the remote browser. This intermediary mechanism enables intuitive control of the remote browser while maintaining browsing activity isolation through virtualization.
2Loss of information
If visual representations of remote browser functions are displayed, then users can see remote browser capabilities, but user confusion increases due to multiple visual representations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts visual representations of remote browser functions from the remote browser interface and integrates them into the local browser interface. By taking out the duplicate visual elements and consolidating them in the local browser, the system maintains full visibility of remote browser capabilities while eliminating user confusion caused by multiple visual representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control interface of the remote browser with the local browser by integrating remote browser function visual representations into the local browser's user interface. This consolidation allows users to interact with both local and remote browser functions through a single unified interface, improving ease of operation while preserving all necessary functional visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques for causing functions provided by a remote browser to be executed when functions provided by a local browser are requested. For example, a local BHO can intercept a request for the local browser to perform a navigation function. When the navigation function is designated to be provided by the remote browser, the local BHO can (1) prevent the local browser from performing the navigation function and (2) send a communication to a remote BHO to cause the remote browser to perform the navigation function. The remote BHO can cause representations of webpages to be sent to the local browser without visual representations of functions provided by the remote browser. By not having such visual representations, the local BHO can use visual representations from the local browser as visual representations of functions provided by the remote browser.