Selective internet request caching and execution system

• Main Authors: WOLFE; DANIEL CHARLES, GAMPPER; JAMES MICHAEL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.12.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRICITY; PHYSICS; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

A server selectively filters and caches internet downloading requests from attached terminals, subsequently resubmitting cached requests appropriately. With the terminals connected to the internet via the server, the server is a focal point for all internet requests. Initially, the server receives a request from an attached terminal to download desired information from the internet. The received request contains a download code, such as a universal resource locator, identifying the desired information. The server determines whether the requested download should proceed based upon information obtained from one or more of sources such as (1) server-related limitations and status, (2) limitations set forth in a user profile, and (3) characteristics of the download itself, obtained from the download code and by tentatively forwarding the request to the internet and inspecting an initial response. The server applies certain criteria to these current conditions. If the criteria are satisfied, the server proceeds to receive the complete response from the internet and then forward the response to the requesting terminal. If the criteria are not satisfied, the current conditions are not appropriate for the user's particular request. In this case, the server caches the download code (if not already cached), sends a message to the internet to abort the request, determines when to resubmit the request in compliance with the criteria, and schedules resubmission of the download code to the internet at the determined time. If conditions warrant, the server may forego resubmission of the request.