Client-Side URL Rating via Component Caching and Hashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional URL rating systems face challenges in maintaining a reliable database due to the rapid evolution of Internet content, particularly with the growth of web 2.0 sites, leading to inefficiencies in rating and filtering processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying and caching rated components of URLs at the client terminal, allowing partial computational load transfer from the server to the client, and using hashing functions to reduce the number of queries sent to the rating server, thereby refining the rating process and improving lookup speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete URL database is maintained on the server, then rating coverage is comprehensive, but database maintenance difficulty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the URL rating system into multiple components: server-side maintains only rating criteria and policies, while client-side maintains local URL lists and performs local rating evaluations. This segmentation allows comprehensive rating coverage without requiring the server to maintain a complete and constantly updated URL database, thus reducing database maintenance difficulty while preserving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If full URL queries are sent to the server, then rating accuracy is ensured, but query time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the client terminal perform local pre-evaluation of URLs using cached rating data and local policies before querying the server. This preliminary filtering reduces the number of full server queries needed, thereby reducing query time while maintaining rating accuracy through subsequent server verification when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The rating evaluation process is segmented into client-side preliminary evaluation using local cached data and server-side final verification. This segmentation allows most routine URL ratings to be completed quickly locally, reducing overall query time, while server verification ensures rating accuracy for uncertain cases.
3Stability of the object's composition
If computational load is centralized on the server, then rating consistency is maintained, but server processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computational load by distributing rating evaluation tasks from the server to client terminals. Clients perform local URL rating evaluations using cached rating data and local policy files, significantly reducing server processing burden. Rating consistency is maintained through server-provided authoritative rating criteria and periodic updates to client-side cached data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling client terminals to autonomously perform URL rating evaluations using local cached rating data and policy files. This self-service capability reduces dependency on server processing, lowering the server's processing burden while maintaining rating consistency through periodic server-provided updates to client-side cached information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing rating information in respect of Uniform Resource Identifiers to a client terminal. The method includes identifying a Uniform Resource Identifier at the client terminal, sending a first query to a rating server over an IP network, the query including as a query string a first component of the identified Uniform Resource Identifier or a derivative of that first component, and receiving the first query at the rating server and determining whether or not a rating exists for the query string. A response is sent by the server to the client terminal, the response including a determined rating, or an indication that no rating exists. The response is received at the client terminal and, if a rating included in the response so indicates or if the response otherwise so indicates, then a further query is sent to the rating server, the further query including as a query string said first component and a second component of the identified Uniform Resource Identifier, or a derivative of the first and second components. The steps of receiving the first query at the rating server, sending a response, and receiving the response at the client terminal, are repeated one or more times as required, adding for each iteration a further component to the query string.