Serving signals

Abstract

Output signals are served from a serving device to a plurality of browsing devices connected to a network. The output signals represent commands executable by each browsable device so as to display viewable data in accordance with specified page formatting. Requests from browsing clients are identified which contain information relating to the data itself and the display format for the data. The data is read and processed so as to combine a representation of the viewable data with executable instructions. The signals are then supplied to requesting browsing devices, after effectively being assembled as a real time o-line process.

1 . A method of serving data over a network, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a plurality of requests, wherein each request includes an identifier;    recording a history of usage for each identifier; and    analysing said history of usage in order to adjust the nature of data returned in response to said requests.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said requests is an HTTP request.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said requests is in the form of a URL.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said requests is a request for specified data to be supplied.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said history of usage records the information provided by the specified data requested by each of said requests.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of analysing said history of usage comprises identifying topics of interest.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein a topic of interest is a product.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein a topic of interest is a type of news.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said requests is a request for a web page to be supplied and said returned data is adjusted by supplying a different web page.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said identifier identifies a user.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein for a plurality of requests a plurality of web pages are returned, said web pages containing information on a plurality of products, and history of usage records products on web pages that were viewed by a user for a significant period of time.  
     
     
         12 . A method of serving data over a network, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a plurality of HTTP requests, wherein each request includes an identifier;    recording a history of usage for each identifier; and    analysing said history of usage in order to adjust the nature of data returned in response to said requests.    
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for the distribution of data to one or more browsing devices connected to said apparatus over a network, comprising a processor, storage and a network connection, wherein said processor is configured to: 
 receive a plurality of requests via said network connection, wherein each request includes an identifier;    store, in said storage, a history of usage for each identifier; and    analyse said history of usage in order to adjust the nature of data returned in response to said requests.    
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of said requests is an HTTP request.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein each of said requests is in the form of a URL.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of said requests is a request for specified data to be supplied.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said history of usage records the information provided by the specified data requested by each of said requests.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of analysing said history of usage comprises identifying topics of interest.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a topic of interest is a product.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein a topic of interest is a type of news.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of said requests is a request for a web page to be supplied and said returned data is adjusted by supplying a different web page.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said identifier identifies a user.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein for a plurality of requests a plurality of web pages are returned, said web pages containing information on a plurality of products, and history of usage records products on web pages that were viewed by a user for a significant period of time.