System for downloading only a portion of a file from a server through a computer network utilizing a client menu downloaded periodically from the server

For use in downloading a file from a server through a computer network to a client, a subfile responder, comprising:

• a subfile designation receiver, associated with said server, that receives a server request based on data containing a keyword or key-phrase within said file designating only a portion of said file to be downloaded to said client;
• and
• a subfile transmitter, associated with said subfile designation receiver, that initiates a download of only said portion, said computer network thereby relieved of having to communicate an entirety of said file;
• wherein said designated portion of said file is selected from a generated menu of subfile selections residing at said client, said menu being downloaded periodically from said server via said computer network.

For use in downloading a file from a server through a computer network to a client, a system, comprising:

• a subfile selector, including:
• a subfile designator, associated with said client, that receives data containing a keyword or key-phrase within said file designating only a portion of said file to be downloaded to said client, said subfile designator also generates a menu of subfile selections based on menu information downloaded periodically from said server via said computer network, and
• a subfile requester, associated with said subfile designator, that transmits a server request based on said data;
• and
• a subfile responder, including:
• a subfile designation receiver, associated with said server, that receives said server request, and
• a subfile transmitter, associated with said subfile designation receiver, that initiates a download of only said portion, said computer network thereby relieved of having to communicate an entirety of said file.

A method for downloading a file from a server through a computer network to a client, comprising:

• receiving data containing a keyword or key-phrase within said file designating only a portion of said file to be downloaded to said client;
• and
• transmitting a server request based on said data to prompt said server to initiate a download of only said portion, said computer network thereby relieved of having to communicate an entirety of said file;
• wherein said receiving data includes generating a menu of subfile selections residing at said client based on menu information downloaded periodically from said server via said computer network.

A method for downloading a file from a server through a computer network to a client, comprising:

• receiving a server request based on data containing a keyword or key-phrase within said file designating only a portion of said file to be downloaded to said client;
• and
• initiating a download of only said portion, said computer network thereby relieved of having to communicate an entirety of said file;
• wherein said designated portion of said file is selected from a generated menu of subfile selections residing at said client based on menu information downloaded periodically to said client via said computer network.