Modifying apparent browser operation
Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for directing an on-line user to predetermined information. Preferred embodiments of the instant invention interface with the user's browser to utilize the functions of the browser for directing user “traffic” on a network. In preferred embodiments, when a user accesses a web site page, a traffic control program is executed for the page, wherein the traffic control program controls the transmission (downloading) of data to the user computer and further creates a modified set of rules for at least one of the browser functions. Upon query (or other interaction) by the browser prior to closing page, the traffic control program interacts with the browser software to modify or control one or more of the browser functions, such that the user computer is further directed to a predesignated site or page (and displays a predesignated frame) upon execution of a browser function, instead of accessing the site or page typically associated with the selected browser function.
1 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . A method for apparently modifying a browser operation of a recipient computer connected to a network, the method comprising providing a first content from a host computer to a recipient computer in response to a content request from the recipient computer, wherein the first content is formatted for display on the recipient computer and wherein the first content includes a program code configured to execute on the recipient computer upon activation of a window navigation function of a browser on the recipient computer, the window navigation function operable to cause the recipient computer to request a second content without the selection of any link included in the first content, and the program code in the first content configured to cause the recipient computer to request third content instead of the second content when the window navigation function is activated.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising receiving a request for the third content from the recipient computer.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising providing the third content to the recipient computer.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein receiving a request for the third content is performed by the host computer.
23 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer as an HTML page.
24 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer with the program code written in a browser script.
25 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer with a frameset page.
26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer with the frameset page comprising at least one hidden frame.
27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer with the frameset page comprising at least one visible frame configured for displaying the first content.
28 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer with the program code written in a browser script at least partially contained in the at least one hidden frame.
29 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer comprising a page with at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
30 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing the first content to the recipient computer comprising a page with at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
31 . A computer-readable media encoded with a data structure containing a first content, wherein the first content is formatted for display on a recipient computer in response to a content request by the recipient computer, and wherein the first content includes program code configured to execute on the recipient computer upon selection of a browser navigation function operable to request a second content without the selection of any link included in the first content, and wherein the program code is configured to cause the recipient computer to request a third content instead of the second content when the browser navigation function is selected by a user of the recipient computer.
32 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the data structure further contains the third content.
33 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the data structure further contains instructions for providing the third content to the recipient computer.
34 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the first content is formatted for display as an HTML page.
35 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the program code is written in a browser script.
36 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the first content is formatted for display with a frameset page.
37 . The computer-readable media of claim 36 , wherein the frameset page comprises at least one hidden frame.
38 . The computer-readable media of claim 36 , wherein the frameset page comprises at least one visible frame configured for displaying the first content.
39 . The computer-readable media of claim 37 , wherein the program code is written in a browser script at least partially contained in the at least one hidden frame.
40 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the first content comprises a page with at least one link to a traffic-controlled page.
41 . The computer-readable media of claim 31 , wherein the first content comprises a page with at least one link to a non-traffic-controlled page.
42 . A computer-readable media comprising contents configured to change an apparent response of a browser operating on a first computer to navigational input, by providing a first information object to the first computer, wherein the first information object includes first content configured for display in a first window of the first computer and software configured to run on the first computer when triggered by a user selection of a browser function of a type operable, without selection of any link in the first information object, to cause the first computer to unload the first content from the window of the first computer, and wherein the software is configured, when triggered, to cause the first computer to display a second content determined by the first information object in a second window of the first computer.
43 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the software is further configured to cause the second window displaying the second content to be a main browser window.
44 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the contents further comprise the second content.
45 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the first information object further comprises the first content configured as a Web page.
46 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the first information object further comprises the software written in a script that is executable by the browser.
47 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the first information object comprises a multi-frame frameset.
48 . The computer-readable. media of claim 47 , wherein the multi-frame frameset comprises at least one hidden frame.
49 . The computer-readable media of claim 48 , wherein the multi-frame frameset further comprises at least one visible frame configured for displaying the first content.
50 . The computer-readable media of claim 48 , wherein the software is at least partially contained in the at least one hidden frame.
51 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the first information object comprises at least one link to a second information object configured to change an apparent response of the browser to navigational input, in a manner similar to the first information object.
52 . The computer-readable media of claim 42 , wherein the first information object comprises at least one link to a second information object that is not configured to change an apparent response of the browser to navigational input.