US 7,127,493 B1 · Optimizing server delivery of content by selective inclusion of optional data based on optimization criteria

Abstract

Optimization constraints are used to select an appropriate content item from an available group of content items which are ordered in a specific manner to facilitate the proper selection of the content item, even if the exact item desired is not present. The server is then able to insert the selected content item into the outgoing content page requested by the client. The optimization constraints can be, but are not limited to, any one of the following: communication channel performance (bandwidth), client operating system, client processor, client display capabilities, client installed software (video or audio codecs for example), and/or user preferences. A software product and method enable selective delivery of content to client devices of varying performance characteristics, including varying bandwidth, by selective filtering and inclusion of markup language content using tags demarcating optional content. The optional content may include a number of alternate items of content. An optimization constraint is used to select one of the items. The server includes the selected item in an item of content requested by a client device. The optimization constraints are associated with varying levels of client/communication channel performance.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of optimizing the delivery of content data from a web server to a client device, said method comprising:

storing a plurality of files, at least one of said files containing non-optional content data and at least another one of said files containing optional content data, said optional content data including a plurality of optional content items, said plurality of content items ordered with respect to a highest and lowest performance characteristic of client devices;
receiving a request for content data from a client device, the content data contained in said at least one of said files;
determining a highest performance characteristic of the client device;
automatically selecting the non-optional content data, and automatically selecting at least one of said plurality of optional content items which corresponds to, the determined highest performance characteristic of the client device;
and
transmitting the selected non-optional content data and the selected optional content item to the client device.

3 more elements

A method of delivering a web page comprising:

storing a plurality of web pages, at least one of said web pages containing non-optional content data and a plurality of files, at least one of said files containing optional content data, said optional content data including a plurality of optional content items, said plurality of content items ordered with respect to a highest and lowest performance characteristic of client devices;
receiving a request for transmission of at least said one of said web pages from a remote device;
determining at least one a highest performance characteristic of the remote device;
automatically selecting for transmission said web page containing non-optional content data and one of said plurality of optional content items which corresponds to, the determined at least one highest performance characteristic of the remote device;
and
transmitting said one of said web pages, including the non-optional content data and the selected portion of optional content data to the remote device;
wherein said non-optional content data and said selected portion of optional content data taken together may represent the at least one web page requested by the remote device.

4 more elements

A computer-readable medium for use in a system having a web server for storing content data, and which is connected to a plurality of client devices, the computer-readable medium storing instructions which cause the server to:

store a plurality of files, at least one of said files containing non-optional content data and at least another one of said files containing optional content data, said optional content data including a plurality of optional content items, said plurality of content items ordered with respect to highest and lowest performance characteristics of client devices;
receive a request for content data from a client device, the content data contained in said at least one of said files;
determine a highest performance characteristic of the client device;
automatically select the non-optional content data, and automatically select at least one of said plurality of optional content items which corresponds to, the determined highest performance characteristic of the client device;
and
transmit the selected non-optional content data and the selected optional content item to the client device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optimizing server delivery of content by selective inclusion of optional data based on optimization criteria

Life of this patent

Optimizing server delivery of content by selective inclusion of optional data based on optimization criteria

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22