Creating a web proxy inside a browser

#Embodiments generally relate to the sharing of web-based content between devices. More particularly, embodiments relate to the use of a proxy server that is embedded in a browser to share content between devices.

#Certain web-based content may have access restrictions due to security and/or monetization concerns. In such a case, express authorization may need to be given to a particular device before a web server will permit access to the content in question. End users, however, may often have several devices such as a desktop computer, notebook computer, smart phone, etc., wherein each device may need to be individually authorized in order to receive the content from the web server.

#The various advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a private proxy network according to an embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is a screen diagram of an example of an enrollment interface according to an embodiment;

#Turning now to FIG. 1, a personal proxy network 10 (e.g., personal cloud) is shown in which browser embedded proxy servers and clients may be used to share web-based content among devices in the network 10. In the illustrated example, a tablet 12 has access to (e.g., is authorized with respect to) content on a first web server 14, a smart phone 16 has access/authorization to content on a second web server 18, and a desktop computer 20 has access/authorization to a third web server 22.

#For example, the content on the first web server 14 could include a video stream of a movie or television show, wherein a provider of the video stream has authorized the tablet 12 to receive the video stream. In the illustrated example, the tablet 12 receives the video stream via a browser 24 and a network stack 30 on the tablet 12. Similarly, the content on the second web server 18 may include an audio stream of a subscription-based radio program, wherein a provider of the audio stream has authorized the smart phone 16 to receive the audio stream. In the illustrated example, the smart phone 16 receives the audio stream via a browser 26 and a network stack 32 on the smart phone 16. Additionally, the content on the third web server 22 may include online banking information, wherein a financial institution associated with the online banking information has authorized the desktop computer 20 to receive the online banking information. In the illustrated example, the desktop computer 20 receives the online banking information via a browser 28 and a network stack 34 on the desktop computer 20. The illustrated network stacks 30, 32, 34 include the protocols involved in transferring information between the network-related hardware and software layers of the respective devices in the personal proxy network 10.

#Of particular note is that the provider of the content on the first web server 14 has not expressly authorized either the smart phone 16 or the desktop computer 20 to access the content on the first web server 14, in the example shown. Similarly, the provider of the content on the second web server 18 has not expressly authorized either the tablet 12 or the desktop computer 20 to access the content on the second web server 18, and the provider of the content on the third web server 22 has not expressly authorized either the tablet 12 or the smart phone 16 to access the content on the third web server 22, in the example shown. The illustrated approach, however, uses a proxy server 36 embedded in the browsers 24, 26, 28 to share the content on the servers 14, 18, 22 across each of the devices in the network 10, wherein the devices accessing the content may use proxy clients 37 also embedded in the browsers 24, 26, 28 to display, output and/or otherwise experience the content. Authorization from the web servers 14, 18, 22 could be in the form of cookies stored on the authorized machine or even requiring the connection to the content to be made through an internal firewalled network.