Background cache synchronization

Abstract

Two new cache control headers in the cache control header, “post-check” and “pre-check”, enable the display of content from the cache, with a later synchronization of the content performed in the background via a conditional request such as an IMS request. These headers enable the server to define a non-validate time period relative to the cached content's age in which the user will receive content from the cache, a background synchronization period in which the user will receive content from the cache and automatically queue a request for background synchronization thereof, and a validate period in which the cached content may or may not be used, depending on a response to a validation request sent to the server. The content is quickly rendered for the user in the non-validate and background synchronization periods, and the hit count is correct in the background synchronization and validate periods. In the background synchronization time period, the user has a fast experience with rapidly rendered content, while via the background synchronization, the server receives the proper number of hits.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.