Browsers for focused access of data

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a browser, and more specifically, to a browser equipped with the function to limit access to a restricted set of URLs. It also relates to data structures of supporting servers for servicing such browsers.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a computer processing system utilized in the implementation of the preferred embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is a high level view of the components of the embodiment described herein.

#The present invention may be implemented on any computer processing system including, for example, a personal computer or a workstation. As shown in FIG. 1, a computer processing system as may be utilized by the present invention generally comprises memory 101, at least one central processing unit (CPU) 103 (one shown), and at least one user input device 107 (such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, voice recognition system, or handwriting recognition system). In addition, the computer processing system includes a nonvolatile memory, such as (ROM), and/or other nonvolatile storage devices 108, such as a fixed disk drive, that stores an operating system and one or more application programs that are loaded into the memory 101 and executed by the CPU 103. In the execution of the operating system and application program(s), the CPU may use data stored in the nonvolatile storage device 108 and/or memory 101. In addition, the computer processing system includes a graphics adapter 104 coupled between the CPU 103 and a display device 105 such as a CRT display or LCD display. The application program and/or operating system executed by the CPU 103 generates graphics commands, for example, a command to draw a box (or window), a command to display a bit map image, a command to render a three-dimensional model, or a command to display a video file. Such commands may be handled by the application program/operating system executed by the CPU 103, or by hardware that works in conjunction with the application program/operating system executed by the CPU 103, wherein the appropriate pixel data is generated and the display device 105 is updates accordingly.

#In addition, the computer processing system includes a communication link 109 (such as a network adapter or modem) coupled to the CPU 103 that allows the CPU 103 to communicate with other computer processing systems over the communication link, for example over the Internet. The CPU 103 may receive portions of the operating system, portions of the application program(s), or portions of the data used by the CPU 103 in executing the operating system and application program(s) over the communication link 109.

#It should be noted that the application program(s)/operating system executed by the CPU 103 may perform the methods of the present invention described below. Alternatively, portions or all of the methods described below may be embodied in hardware that works in conjunction with the application program/operating system executed by the CPU 103. In addition, the methods described below may be embodied in a distributed processing system whereby portions of such methods are distributed among two or more processing systems that are linked together via communication link 109.