Abstract:
In order to assure that services in an network and applications or users in the network are able to communicate and interact with one another data is provided by the specification and the application that provides for an operable interface between the application and the service. A user or user system can make use of the data information provided by the service to perform selected functions and tasks that is conveyed to the application and passed on to the service. Various graphical user interfaces can be provided, depending on the application and the need of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to the field of network applications such as applications on the Internet, in particular to a method and system to allow users to interface to various network services without a strict service directed user interface.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The world wide web (WWW), specifically through web applications has allowed for numerous services to be provided. Services include photo sharing web sites, researching databases, accessing public library catalog, and electronic commerce (e-commerce). Web site services continue to evolve to allow greater interaction between users, providers of services and products, and web sites that allow groups to communicate. E-commerce has grown from consumers merely visiting a commercial web-site and ordering goods or services by entering account and or credit card information to interactive communication between consumers and web-sites. Service frameworks provide for interaction between groups in a network or the Internet. Service frameworks allow the Internet to evolve from a collection of web-sites accessed by a personal computer to a network of interconnected services that work together to solve problems, perform tasks, or meet a need. Systems and services will be able to have intelligent communications with or without the need for user intervention. Service frameworks include E-speak™ developed by the Hewlett Packard Corporation and Enterprise Java Beans™ (EJB) developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.  
           [0005]    Service frameworks define a uniform services interface or application programming interfaces (API), and uniform services interaction such as the E-speak™ engine allow services to dynamically interact to discover, negotiate, broker and compose themselves to solve a business to business, or business to consumer service request. Most service interfaces are defined by an extensible mark-up language (XML) scheme or an XML interface.  
           [0006]    Application programs (applications) that once controlled various functions and routines were made up of large pervasive sections of code, where one user interface could suffice. Applications are now seen as a collection of individual standalone services that are distributed over a network such as the Internet and combined together by a web application to form a useful end user service. This allows for code reuse, greater flexibility, and ease of maintenance. Individual applications, however, may or may not have proper user interfaces that allow a user to communicate to services.  
           [0007]    When separate pieces of software desire to interact with one other, an interface between the pieces of software must be provided. The interface can have many different characteristics. Characteristics can include tightness of coupling; language independence; and communication mechanism. Relatively tightly coupled interfaces require a change whenever a change is made to one of the pieces of software. Language independence relates to the need for the same language to be used for the interface as the language used for the pieces of software. Certain languages provide for independent or different languages for the interface and the pieces of software. Communication mechanism relates to the ability of an interface to allow pieces of software to call one another in the same memory space or communication network.  
           [0008]    In typical systems, a service tends to be a collection of software that has interfaces that are loosely coupled, language independent, and Internet-communication capable. A component tends to have a tightly coupled, language dependent interface. A component tends to be part of an application, while a service tends to stand apart from the application.  
           [0009]    Ideally, an application provides a user interface that is uniform in graphics, behavior, look, and feel. Because a service is typically reused by many different applications, is not desirable to have a service provide parts of the user interface, since the service can provide a user interface having different graphics, behavior, look, and feel.  
           [0010]    Service frameworks typically provide an application programming interface model that does not allow individual services to provide user interfaces to the user, or otherwise directly interact with the user. Problems therefore can arise with the basic need to provide an interface between services and users.  
           [0011]    A need has been felt for a method and a system, in particular a service framework that allows services that do not have a user interface (UI) to communicate with a user through an appropriate UI. The service framework should be easy to use, extensible, and allow service developers to provide user interaction to their services.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The aforementioned and other features are accomplished, by providing a method and system in which an application and service exchange data files, and additional interface information is provided allowing interface information to be presented to a user system.  
           [0013]    In certain embodiments of the invention, a service provides a dynamic user interface specification that is usable by the application and the user. A user system through the application is able to provide a user interface response back to the service, requesting specific actions or functions to be performed by the service.  
           [0014]    Various interfaces can be provided to the user, with some embodiments of the invention using a browser type of graphical user interfaces. Data files related to the interface specification and user response can be written in extensible markup languages and other similar languages. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The present invention may be better understood, and it&#39;s numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the figures designates a like or similar element.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network of user systems, applications, and services.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user service, and an application involving missing font files.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user system, an application, and a service involving missing font files and resolutions of images.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user, a specification, and an application using a DUI specification and DUI response.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an example of a user interface screen.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a network environment in which commercial transaction processing according to embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system suitable for implementing embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the interconnection of the computer system of FIG. 7 to client and host systems. 
     
    
       [0024]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, it should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network of user systems, applications, and services. A network  100  connects a multiple number of user systems, applications and services. In this particular example, a user system  110  ( 1 ), user system  110  ( 2 ), and up to and including a user system  110  (N) are included as part of the network system. Network  100  in this particular example is the Internet; however, other networks including local area networks of wide area networks, WLAN, and other similar type networks can be used. Computer network applications are connected to the network  100 . In this example, the applications include application  120  ( 1 ), application  120  ( 2 ), and up to and including user system application  120  (N). Additionally, services are part of the network. In this example, service  130  ( 1 ), service  130  ( 2 ), and up to and including services  130  (N) are included. User systems, in particular operators who interface into a particular user system, with a desire to interface with a service will go through an application. The application in turn will communicate to the service. User systems can connect through the network  100  to communicate to the application. However, it is also expected that a user system can go through a separate network or be directly connected to an application. Likewise various applications, services, systems can be connected indirectly or directly through a network or different networks and connections.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user service, and an application involving missing font files. In this particular example, illustrated is an application of an on-line Internet print job submittal. The service determines problems with a print job. The function served by the service is to take a document, in specific a PDF format file, and verify that the fonts of the document are included in the PDF format file. The user uploads a particular PDF file to the application, step  205 . The application, in turn, receives the PDF file, step  210 . The application contacts a particular service and provides the service with the PDF file, step  215 . The service verifies that the particular PDF file has all the correct and necessary font files, step  220 . A determination is made in regards to whether the PDF file includes all the font files, step  225 . If the particular PDF file has all the necessary and required font files, the application is informed, step  230 . A user interface screen instructs the user that the task has been performed and asks the user to exit the application, step  235 . If required font files are not included in the PDF file, the service informs the application the PDF file or files are missing and lists the particular required missing font files, step  240 . The application builds a user interface screen with, the user interface screen indicating the missing font files, step  245 . User is instructed to select to upload the missing font files, step  250 . The application receives the missing font files and adds them to the existing PDF file, step  255 . The process goes back to step  215  and continues process from there.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user system, an application, and a service involving missing font files and resolutions of images. The process illustrated in FIG. 3 is slightly more complicated than the process illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition to verifying files, a verification is also made as to the resolution of embedded images. Complexity is added to the creation of a user interface screen reviewed to the user system. The process begins with having a user uploading the PDF file to the application, step  305 . The application receives the PDF file, step  310 . The application contacts the service and provides the PDF file to the service, step  315 . The service verifies both that required font files exist and correct resolution of embedded images, step  320 . A determination is made that the PDF file meets all criteria, step  325 . If all criteria are met, including required font files in resolution, the application is informed that the PDF file meets all the criteria, step  330 . A user interface screen is provided to the user instructing the user that the task has been performed and requests the user to exit the application, step  335 . If the PDF file does not meet all the criteria, the application is informed that the PDF file has one or more errors, step  340 . The missing font files can be identified, step  345 . The names or resolution files that do not meet the criteria can also be identified, step  250 . The application builds a new user interface, step  355 . The user selects to upload missing font files, step  360 . The user is given the option on whether to proceed with the current image resolution, if the current image resolution is satisfactory to the user, step  365 . If the user decides to correct the image resolution, the user uploads the image resolution files, step  370 . The user decides to proceed with the current image resolution. The process proceeds by uploading any missing font files, step  375 , and if image resolution files have been uploaded, step  375  is conducted. After step  375  the application goes back to step  315 , and the process continues.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process between a user, a specification, and an application using a DUI specification and DUI response. The user uploads the PDF file to the application, step  405 . The application receives the PDF file, step  410 . The application contacts the service and provides the PDF file, step  415 . The service verifies that all the font files and resolution images are present, step  420 . If the PDF file meets all criteria, a formatted reply to the application is provided stating that the PDF file meets all criteria, step  430 . The application then builds a user interface screen indicating that the task is complete and that the user has the option to exit the application, step  435 . If the PDF file fails in meeting any of the criteria, the formatted reply to the application is sent by the service with a dynamic user interface (DUI) specification. This particular DUI specification is a simple UI term containing an explanatory error message indicating the problem is missing fonts, and/or has improper resolution images. Included in the DUI specification can be a list of UI items defining each item, for example, item text, font name, plus an indication whether items are missing or existing. Also, an action that can be required in regards to the list of UI items. The DUI specification can also include a list of UI items, describing the item and the text associated with a particular resolution criteria. The DUI specification can also include information in regards to an action that can be taken per each item on the item list, in particular, upload the image or to proceed regardless of the resolution. The application then proceeds to use the DUI specification to build a user interface screen, step  445 . The user is presented the ability to interact with the user interface screen, in particular, the user is given an option to upload required files, step  450 . The service receives a DUI user response,  460 . The service responds with the application that the service has completed its function, step  465 . The process then proceeds to step  435 .  
         [0029]    The following is an example DUI specification. The example DUI specification is written in XML, however, other languages can be used.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     &lt;dui-specification id=”34”&gt;                &lt;warning&gt;Problems encountered during preflight analysis&lt;/warning&gt;           &lt;maintext&gt;We have checked your document “CatStory.doc” for possible printing problems.            We have identified three potential problems. Please review the problems carefully, then choose what to       do.&lt;/maintext&gt;                &lt;group name=”Font Problems”&gt;                &lt;item&gt;           &lt;text&gt;The document is uses the font “Century Gothic”, but the font file is not included with the            documents.&lt;text&gt;                &lt;action type=upload id=”35” required=”true”/&gt;           &lt;/item&gt;                &lt;/group&gt;           &lt;group name=”Image Problems”&gt;                &lt;text&gt;Each of the images below, which are part of your document, are low resolution            images, which may not print well. An image should be 600 dpi to print well.&lt;/text&gt;                &lt;item&gt;           &lt;text&gt; “Xander.jpg”: resolution = 300 dpi&lt;/text&gt;           &lt;actionlist selectExactlyOne=”true”&gt;                &lt;action type=”upload” id=”36” required=”false”/&gt;           &lt;action type=”checkbox” id=”37” required=”false”&gt;Ignore and print anyway&lt;/action&gt;                &lt;/actionlist&gt;                &lt;item&gt;                &lt;item&gt;           &lt;text&gt;“Dar.jpg”: resolution = 150 dpi&lt;/text&gt;           &lt;actionlist selectExactlyOne=”true”&gt;                &lt;action type=”upload” id=”38” required=”false”/&gt;           &lt;action type=”checkbox” id=”39” required=”false”&gt;Ignore and print anyway&lt;/action&gt;                &lt;/actionlist&gt;                &lt;item&gt;                &lt;/group&gt;                &lt;/dui-specification&gt;                      
 
         [0030]    The user interface response from a browser is in an encoding particular to browser responses. The encoding is in particular a multi-part Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) encoding. MIME is a formatting specification that in particular provides for ASCII messages to be sent over the Internet. From a multi-part MIME encoding into an XML encoding of the DUI User Response. The conversion can be done through extensible style language transformation (XSLT). XSLT is a language that allows transformation of XML documents into other XML documents. Alternatively, the conversion can be performed programmatically in a language such as Java™. The conversion can be done by software that is not part of the application or the service. The conversion software can be a different application, a software component or utility, or another service. The conversion can be done in a standard way for all applications, or the conversion can be done in a custom way for a specific application.  
         [0031]    The following is an example DUI user response. The example DUI user response is in XML, however, other languages can be used.  
         [0032]    &lt;dui-user-response id=”134” responseTo=”34”&gt; 
         [0033]    &lt;action-response type=upload id=”135” responseTo=”35” bytes=”65323” encoding=”base64” file-name=”CenturyGothic.ttf”&gt; 
         [0034]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0035]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0036]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0037]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0038]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0039]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0040]    . . . .  
         [0041]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0042]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0043]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0044]    &lt;/action-response&gt; 
         [0045]    &lt;action-response type=”upload” id=”136” responseTo=“36” bytes=“125239” encoding=”base64” file-name=”Xander-original.jpg”&gt; 
         [0046]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0047]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0048]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0049]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0050]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0051]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0052]    . . . .  
         [0053]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0054]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0055]    kljrlgk4j4t45987fe8fd7hfdj0759f87mffdxkiuf5nlfd6u8f7fnof87fnsd8  
         [0056]    &lt;/action-response&gt; 
         [0057]    &lt;action-response type=”checkbox” id=”139” responseTo=”39” checked=”True”/&gt; 
         [0058]    &lt;/dui-specification&gt; 
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 5 illustrates an example graphical user interface. Graphical user interfaces (GUI) can be presented in various formats including hyper text markup language (HTML), Windows® by the Microsoft Corp., and wireless markup language (WML). Typically, all GUI share certain logical user interface concepts, such as a yes/no dialog, a selection of a single item from a list, selection of multiple items from a list, entering text, and so forth. When services use the DUI interface specification, services can focus on the information to be displayed and the information to be gathered from the user. In other words, services do not need to be concerned with the details of how to display or format information for the user.  
         [0060]    An application having a user interface can convert the DUI Specification into the correct representation for a target user interface mechanism. The target user interface mechanism can be a web browser based on HTML; a cellular phone browser based on wireless application protocol (WAP) using WML; or a client based browser using Windows®.  
         [0061]    An Example Computing and Network Environment  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a network environment in which a system according to the present invention may be practiced. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, network  600 , such as a private wide area network (WAN) or the Internet, includes a number of networked servers  610 ( 1 )-(N) that are accessible by client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N). Communication between client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N) and servers  610 ( 1 )-(N) typically occurs over a publicly accessible network, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a DSL connection, a cable modem connection or large bandwidth trunks (e.g., communications channels providing T1 or OC3 service). Client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N) access servers  610 ( 1 )-(N) through, for example, a service provider. This might be, for example, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as America On-Line™, Prodigy™, CompuServe™ or the like. Access is typically had by executing application specific software (e.g., network connection software and a browser) on the given one of client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N).  
         [0063]    One or more of client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N) and/or one or more of servers  610 ( 1 )-(N) may be, for example, a computer system of any appropriate design, in general, including a mainframe, a mini-computer or a personal computer system. Such a computer system typically includes a system unit having a system processor and associated volatile and non-volatile memory, one or more display monitors and keyboards, one or more diskette drives, one or more fixed disk storage devices and one or more printers. These computer systems are typically information handling systems which are designed to provide computing power to one or more users, either locally or remotely. Such a computer system may also include one or a plurality of I/O devices (i.e., peripheral devices) which are coupled to the system processor and which perform specialized functions. Examples of I/O devices include modems, sound and video devices and specialized communication devices. Mass storage devices such as hard disks, CD-ROM drives and magneto-optical drives may also be provided, either as an integrated or peripheral device. One such example computer system, discussed in terms of client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N) is shown in detail in FIG. 6.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of a computer system  710  suitable for implementing the present invention, and example of one or more of client computers  620 ( 1 )-(N). Computer system  710  includes a bus  712  which interconnects major subsystems of computer system  710  such as a central processor  714 , a system memory  716  (typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or the like), an input/output controller  718 , an external audio device such as a speaker system  720  via an audio output interface  722 , an external device such as a display screen  724  via display adapter  726 , serial ports  728  and  730 , a keyboard  732  (interfaced with a keyboard controller  733 ), a storage interface  734 , a floppy disk drive  736  operative to receive a floppy disk  738 , and a CD-ROM drive  740  operative to receive a CD-ROM  742 . Also included are a mouse  746  (or other point-and-click device, coupled to bus  712  via serial port  728 ), a modem  747  (coupled to bus  712  via serial port  730 ) and a network interface  748  (coupled directly to bus  712 ).  
         [0065]    Bus  712  allows data communication between central processor  714  and system memory  716 , which may include both read only memory (ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. The RAM is generally the main memory into which the operating system and application programs are loaded and typically affords at least 66 megabytes of memory space. The ROM or flash memory may contain, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components. Applications resident with computer system  710  are generally stored on and accessed via a computer readable medium, such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk  744 ), an optical drive (e.g., CD-ROM drive  740 ), floppy disk unit  736  or other storage medium. Additionally, applications may be in the form of electronic signals modulated in accordance with the application and data communication technology when accessed via network modem  747  or interface  748 .  
         [0066]    Storage interface  734 , as with the other storage interfaces of computer system  710 , may connect to a standard computer readable medium for storage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk drive  744 . Fixed disk drive  744  may be a part of computer system  710  or may be separate and accessed through other interface systems. Many other devices can be connected such as a mouse  746  connected to bus  712  via serial port  728 , a modem  747  connected to bus  712  via serial port  730  and a network interface  748  connected directly to bus  712 . Modem  747  may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a telephone link or to the Internet via an internet service provider (ISP). Network interface  748  may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a direct network link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Network interface  748  may provide such connection using wireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection or the like.  
         [0067]    Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in a similar manner (e.g., bar code readers, document scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely, it is not necessary for all of the devices shown in FIG. 7 to be present to practice the present invention. The devices and subsystems may be interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 7. The operation of a computer system such as that shown in FIG. 7 is readily known in the art and is not discussed in detail in this application. Code to implement the present invention may be stored in computer-readable storage media such as one or more of system memory  716 , fixed disk  744 , CD-ROM  742 , or floppy disk  738 . Additionally, computer system  710  may be any kind of computing device, and so includes personal data assistants (PDAs), network appliance, X-window terminal or other such computing device. The operating system provided on computer system  710  may be MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, Linux® or other known operating system. Computer system  710  also supports a number of Internet access tools, including, for example, an HTTP-compliant web browser having a JavaScript interpreter, such as Netscape Navigator® 8.0, Microsoft Explorer® 8.0 and the like.  
         [0068]    Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that a signal may be directly transmitted from a first block to a second block, or a signal may be modified (e.g., amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of the above described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from one block to the next, other embodiments of the present invention may include modified signals in place of such directly transmitted signals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of the signal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input at a second block may be conceptualized as a second signal derived from a first signal output from a first block due to physical limitations of the circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuation and delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from a first signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the first signal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage through other circuit elements which do not change the informational and/or final functional aspect of the first signal.  
         [0069]    The foregoing described embodiment wherein the different components are contained within different other components (e.g., the various elements shown as components of computer system  710 ). It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In an abstract, but still definite sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting a network  800  in which computer system  810  is coupled to an internetwork  810 , which is coupled, in turn, to client systems  820  and  830 , as well as a server  840 . Internetwork  810  (e.g., the Internet) is also capable of coupling client systems  820  and  830 , and server  840  to one another. With reference to computer system  810 , modem  847 , network interface  848  or some other method can be used to provide connectivity from computer system  810  to internetwork  810 . Computer system  810 , client system  820  and client system  830  are able to access information on server  840  using, for example, a web browser (not shown). Such a web browser allows computer system  810 , as well as client systems  820  and  830 , to access data on server  840  representing the pages of a website hosted on server  840 . Protocols for exchanging data via the Internet are well known to those skilled in the art. Although FIG. 8 depicts the use of the Internet for exchanging data, the present invention is not limited to the Internet or any particular network-based environment.  
         [0071]    Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and  8 , a browser running on computer system  810  employs a TCP/IP connection to pass a request to server  840 , which can run an HTTP “service” (e.g., under the WINDOWS® operating system) or a “daemon” (e.g., under the UNIX® operating system), for example. Such a request can be processed, for example, by contacting an HTTP server employing a protocol that can be used to communicate between the HTTP server and the client computer. The HTTP server then responds to the protocol, typically by sending a “web page” formatted as an HTML file. The browser interprets the HTML file and may form a visual representation of the same using local resources (e.g., fonts and colors).  
         [0072]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with several embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.