Methods and apparatus enabling dynamic resource collaboration when collaboration session host is distinct from resource host

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for enabling collaboration between clients with respect to dynamic resources are described. The method includes the step of establishing a collaboration session between a first client and a second client through a session host. A first client request having a first uniform resource locator (URL) identifying a host other than the session host is re-directed through the session host. In one embodiment, the retrieved resource is modified such that for each embedded request identifying a host other than the session host, its associated embedded URL is replaced with a re-directed URL incorporating the embedded URL. The re-directed URL re-directs the corresponding request for a resource identified by the embedded URL through the session host. In an alternative embodiment, the retrieved resource is not modified. In either embodiment, the resulting resource is cached if necessary (e.g., when the resource is dynamic). In one embodiment, an expiration date of the retrieved resource indicates whether the resource is dynamic. In another embodiment, the retrieved resource is presumed dynamic if the first client request includes at least one of a POST, PUT, DELETE, LINK, and an UNLINK hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) command. The resulting resource is then provided to the first client. The second client is provided with a second URL that identifies either the requested resource or the cached resource depending upon whether caching was necessary.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.