URL MAPPING TO NON-HYPERLINKED CODE
A uniform resource locator (URL) is mapped to a non-hyperlinked human-readable code that is sent to an intended user of a web service using an electronic communication. The intended user enters the non-hyperlinked human-readable code into a website to access the service. The web service may generate the code or a service provider may generate the code. The service provider may also provide inverse mapping logic to map the code back to the URL.
1 . A method comprising:
mapping a uniform resource locator (URL) to a non-hyperlinked human-readable code;
electronically communicating the non-hyperlinked human-readable code to an intended user;
serving a webpage corresponding to the URL to the intended user when the intended user enters the non-hyperlinked human-readable code in a separate webpage.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein mapping the URL to the non-hyperlinked human-readable code comprises encrypting at least a subset the URL
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the separate webpage performs a decryption function to determine the URL.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein mapping the URL to the non-hyperlinked human-readable code comprises using a hash function.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein mapping the URL to the non-hyperlinked human-readable code comprises using a lookup table.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising requiring the intended user to enter secondary information in addition to non-hyperlinked human-readable code prior to serving the webpage corresponding to the URL.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the secondary information comprises an email address.
8 . The method of claim 6 wherein the secondary information comprises a zip code.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein electronically communicating the non-hyperlinked human-readable code to an intended user comprises emailing the non-hyperlinked human-readable code.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein electronically communicating the non-hyperlinked human-readable code to an intended user comprises sending the non-hyperlinked human-readable code in a short messaging service (SMS) communication.
11 . A method comprising:
receiving a request to map a uniform resource locator (URL) to a non-hyperlinked human-readable code;
mapping the URL to the non-hyperlinked human-readable code; and
providing the non-hyperlinked human-readable code and inverse mapping logic to the requestor, wherein the inverse mapping logic maps the non-hyperlinked human-readable code back to the URL.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein mapping comprises encrypting, and the inverse mapping logic comprises decrypting.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein mapping comprises encoding, and the inverse mapping logic comprises decoding.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein mapping comprises performing a hash function, and inverse mapping logic comprises a lookup value.
15 . The method of claim 11 further comprising the requestor emailing the non-hyperlinked human-readable code to an intended user.
16 . The method of claim 11 further comprising the requestor sending the non-hyperlinked human-readable code to an intended user using a short messaging service (SMS).
17 . The method of claim 11 wherein the request includes the URL and at least one identifier corresponding to an intended user of the non-hyperlinked human-readable code.
18 . A method comprising:
providing a service that maps a uniform resource locator (URL) to a non-hyperlinked human-readable code that when entered into a form on a first webpage, causes a second webpage corresponding to the URL to be displayed.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the service maps the URL to the non-hyperlinked code by encrypting the URL.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the form on the first webpage performs a decryption function to determine the URL.
21 . The method of claim 18 wherein the service maps the URL to the non-hyperlinked code using a hash function.
22 . The method of claim 18 wherein providing the service further comprises providing inverse mapping logic for use with the first webpage, wherein the inverse mapping logic maps the non-hyperlinked human-readable code back to the URL.