Method of <script> based remote JavaScript function call of web page
The present invention permits a JavaScript-based Remote Procedure Call (RPC) to be executed from a Web page displayed in a Web browser window, without utilizing browser plug-in, Java Applet, or ActiveX technology. Traditionally, clunky downloads and Web browser plug-ins has been required to enable Web page interactivity, which greatly compromises the performance and reach of the Web page. Based purely on HTML and JavaScript, the present invention utilizes the HTML <script> element to pass data to the server and execute a remote procedure, receiving the resulting output to the same displayed Web page. The present invention can be used to build a lightweight Web page that offers real-time data and interactivity.
1. A method for executing an RPC (Remote Procedure Call) over HTTP from a Web page within an application window at a client device, the method comprising:
containing, in the application window of the client device, at least one Web page;
transmitting, to a server, an HTTP request initiated by a first HTML element embedded in a main window of the at least one Web page, said first HTML element including a URL;
invoking, at a server, a procedure or a set of program code identified by the URL of said first HTML element;
receiving, at a Web browser from said server in the transmitting action, output of said procedure or program code in the invoking action into a second HTML <script> element.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said application window is a Web browser window.
3. A method as defined in claim 2 , said first HTML element in the transmitting action and said second HTML element in the receiving action are contained within the same Web page.
4. A method as defined in claim 2 , said first HTML element in the transmitting action and said second HTML element in the receiving action are contained within different Web pages, at least one of which is hosted by a different server.
5. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first HTML element in the transmitting action is an HTML <script> element.
6. A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein said first HTML element in the transmitting action is the same as the second HTML <script> element in the receiving action.
7. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first HTML element in the transmitting action is an HTML <img> element.
8. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first HTML element in the transmitting action is an HTML <embed> element.