Predictive pre-download of network objects
US6721780B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/5681
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a method and system for fetching network objects from a server, such as used in conjunction with an internetworking environment. A web server maintains information regarding which web pages are most likely to be requested by users, and pre-downloads those web pages to associated web clients in advance of actual requests being made by the user. This allows the user to receive the web page prior to actual request, and thus reduces time the user waits for delivery of the web page. The web server maintains statistical information responsive to requests for information made by users, to estimate which links between web pages are most likely to be followed. The web server provides this information to web clients as hints for pages for web clients to pre-download. The web server also maintains rules regarding web pages most desirable to present to users, to provide the greatest value for the web site. These rules can be responsive to statistical measures, to information about categories of users, to demographic information, to past behavior of specific users at the web site, or to other relevant factors. Examples described herein relate to web pages, but the inventi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.