Client portal

Abstract

A client portal that is optimized to fulfill a specific function. The portal can include a browser that is dedicated to performing a particular task, such as reviewing and purchasing electronic books. For example, to better perform the specific function, the browser may only be able to directly access sites designated by an authorized party, e.g., the browser's publisher. Because the browser is dedicated to performing a single task, the user interface for operating the dedicated browser may be simplified to include only those controls useful for performing the assigned task. Also, the content available for access by the client portal can be controlled by a single authorized party, such as the portal's publisher or distributor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An application that uses content to perform a function, comprising: 
 a client portal for retrieving content from a network, such that content retrieved by the client portal from the network is seamlessly integrated into the application for use.    
     
     
         2 . The application recited in  claim 1 , wherein the application provides an interface for manipulating content retrieved from the network; and 
 the client portal retrieves content from the network directly into the interface.    
     
     
         3 . The application recited in  claim 1 , wherein the application is a rendering application for displaying eBooks.  
     
     
         4 . The application recited in  claim 1 , wherein the application is a media player for playing electronic media.  
     
     
         5 . The application recited  claim 1 , wherein the client portal is capable of retrieving content from only preselected sites in the network.  
     
     
         6 . A client portal for facilitating the purchase of a particular product, comprising: 
 a browser capable of retrieving content from only preselected sites that are related to providing the particular product.    
     
     
         7 . The client portal recited in  claim 6 , further including a memory for storing the preselected sites.  
     
     
         8 . The client portal recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the preselected sites lists other preselected sites.  
     
     
         9 . The client portal recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the preselected sites lists sites that are available for preselection.  
     
     
         10 . The client portal recited in  claim 6 , wherein, when the browser requests content from a site, the browser provides a header identifying characteristics of the browser.  
     
     
         11 . The client portal recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the preselected sites includes a catalog of items for purchase through the client portal.  
     
     
         12 . The client portal recited in  claim 11 , wherein 
 the client portal further includes a memory, and    the catalog is downloaded to the memory    
     
     
         13 . The client portal recited in  claim 11 , wherein the catalog contains content from multiple content sources.  
     
     
         14 . The client portal recited in  claim 11 , wherein 
 the browser identifies a user of the client portal; and    the catalog contains a selection of items for purchase based upon a previous purchase history of the user.    
     
     
         15 . The, client portal recited in  claim 11 , wherein 
 the browser identifies a user of the client portal; and    the catalog contains a selection of items for purchase based upon a previous relationship between the user and a content retailer.    
     
     
         16 . A catalog of content available to a user through a client portal, comprising: 
 a first electronic page including a representation of a first item available for purchase through the client portal;    a second electronic page including a representation of a second item available for purchase through the client portal; and    a third electronic page including a representation of a third item available for purchase through the client portal, such that the first page, the second page and the third page are configured for display by the client portal in a sequential order.    
     
     
         17 . The catalog recited in  claim 16 , wherein the second page can be retrieved by the client portal only through a first electronic link contained in the first page and a second electronic link contained in a table of contents page for the catalog.  
     
     
         18 . The catalog recited in  claim 17 , wherein the third page can be retrieved by the client portal only through a third electronic link contained in the second page and a fourth electronic link contained in the table of contents page for the catalog.  
     
     
         19 . A method of purchasing products through a client portal, comprising: 
 connecting the client portal to a network;    retrieving a vendor's catalog from the network into the client portal during the client portal's connection to the network;    disconnecting the client portal from the network;    while the client portal is disconnected from the network, selecting an item for purchase from the vendor's catalog;    reconnecting the client portal to the network; and    during the reconnection of the client portal to the network, sending a purchase request to the vendor for the item.    
     
     
         20 . The method of purchasing products recited in  claim 19 , wherein the vendor's catalog includes 
 a first electronic page including a representation of a first item available for purchase through the client portal;    a second electronic page including a representation of a second item available for purchase through the client portal; and    a third electronic page including a representation of a third item available for purchase through the client portal, such that the first page, the second page and the third page are configured for display by the client portal in a sequential order.    
     
     
         21 . The method of purchasing products recited in  claim 19 , wherein the vendor's catalog is a catalog offering eBooks for purchase through the client portal.  
     
     
         22 . A method of purchasing products through a client portal, comprising: 
 connecting the client portal to a network;    retrieving from the network into the client portal during the client portal's connection to the network both a vendor's catalog and content offered in the vendor's catalog;    disconnecting the client portal from the network;    while the client portal is disconnected from the network, 
 selecting content for purchase from the vendor's catalog, and  
 making the selected content available for use through the client portal;  
   reconnecting the client portal to the network; and    during the reconnection of the client portal to the network, sending a purchase request to the vendor for the selected content.    
     
     
         23 . The method of purchasing products recited in  claim 21 , wherein the vendor's catalog includes 
 a first electronic page including a representation of a first item available for purchase through the client portal;    a second electronic page including a representation of a second item available for purchase through the client portal; and    a third electronic page including a representation of a third item available for purchase through the client portal, such that the first page, the second page and the third page are configured for display by the client portal in a sequential order.    
     
     
         24 . The method of purchasing products recited in  claim 19 , wherein the vendor's catalog is a catalog offering eBooks for purchase through the client portal.