Time Zone Aware Layout Prerendering for Web Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rich web applications face long load times due to the inability of rendering servers to determine the user's time zone, resulting in incorrect display of time-bound information.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimate the user's time zone based on weighted data associated with the client, allowing for server-side rendering of initial layout data and subsequent validation by the client browser, ensuring accurate time zone-aware data display without requiring knowledge of the browser's local time zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the layout is rendered on a server to reduce load time, then the initial page load time is reduced, but the server cannot determine the user's time zone resulting in incorrect time information display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-rendering the layout on the server before the user actually views it. The server renders the HTML layout in advance based on estimated time zone data, so when the user accesses the page, the layout is already prepared and can be displayed immediately without waiting for full application execution. This resolves the contradiction by having the rendering happen beforehand while still allowing time zone correction later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the client browser determine the actual time zone after receiving the pre-rendered layout, then compare it with the estimated time zone used during server-side rendering. If they differ, the client corrects the time information in the displayed layout. This feedback mechanism ensures time zone accuracy is improved while maintaining the speed benefits of server-side pre-rendering.
2Measurement precision
If the application executes fully in the browser to ensure accurate time zone data, then time zone accuracy is improved, but the load time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rendering process into two separate parts: (1) server-side pre-rendering of the layout structure and non-time-sensitive content, and (2) client-side verification and correction of time-specific information. This segmentation allows the majority of the rendering to happen quickly on the server while minimizing the client-side work needed for time zone accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by having the client browser perform only the necessary time zone verification and correction steps rather than executing the entire application logic. The client doesn't need to re-render the entire layout, only to validate and adjust time-specific elements. This partial execution on the client side maintains accuracy while avoiding the full performance penalty of complete browser-side execution.
3Productivity
If the server uses estimated time zone data for rendering, then the rendering speed is improved, but the reliability of time zone-specific data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by having the server render the layout with estimated time zone data as a preliminary version, knowing that this may not be perfectly accurate. The system cushions against potential inaccuracy by preparing the layout in advance with best-estimate data, then allowing the client to apply corrections. This ensures that even if the initial estimation is wrong, the final displayed information will be reliable after correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach where the client browser acts as a mediator between the server's pre-rendered layout and the final displayed content. The client receives the server's estimated time zone rendering, determines the actual time zone, and intermediates by applying corrections to the time-specific elements. This intermediary step preserves the rendering speed benefit while ensuring the final output is reliable.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods and systems for rendering and displaying an initial layout of a web application (e.g., calendar application), where the layout includes data specific to a time zone determined to be applicable to a user. Server-side rendering of the initial layout is utilized without compromising the correctness of the initial layout if the server-side heuristics fail. The methods and systems are designed such that it is not necessary to “know,”“fingerprint,” or “reverse engineer” the browser's local time zone in order to validate the time data to be displayed with the user's time-bound information (e.g., calendar data) in the web application. Furthermore, meaningful time data can be displayed to the user without the full web application having to execute in the browser.