Method, system and program product for delayed disconnection of a client from a server

Abstract

When a request for a web page is received on a server from a client, the web page is returned to the client with a client program (e.g., an applet) and a program tag. The program tag specifies a session identifier corresponding to the client. Once the web page is loaded, a start method is initiated on the client to cause a (start) message to be sent to the server. The start message causes any running disconnection timers associated with the client to be canceled. When the web page is later terminated on the client, a stop method is initiated and a (stop) message is sent to the server. The stop message causes the server to initiate a disconnection timer for closing the session with the client. If the stop method is not canceled within a predetermined amount of time, the client is disconnected from the server.

1 . A system for delayed disconnection of a client from a server, comprising: 
 a request system for receiving a request for a web page on the server from the client;    a response system for returning the web page to the client with a client program and a program tag, wherein the program tag includes a session identifier corresponding to the client; and    a timer cancellation system for canceling a first disconnection timer associated with the client in response to a first message received from the client after the web page is loaded, wherein the first disconnection timer is associated with the client in a hashtable on the server based on the session identifier.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message is sent from the client to the server pursuant to initiation of a first method on the client after the web page is loaded, and wherein the first method is initiated from the client program received on the client with the web page.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the session identifier is included in the first message.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a timer initiation system for starting a second disconnection timer in response to a second message received from the client, wherein the second message causes the server to start the second disconnection timer after the web page is terminated on the client, and wherein the client is disconnected from the server if the second disconnection timer is not canceled within a predetermined amount of time.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second disconnection timer is canceled if the client requests and loads a new web page.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second message is sent from the client to the server pursuant to initiation of a second method on the client, and wherein the second method is initiated from the client program received on the client with the web page.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second disconnection timer is maintained in the hashtable and is associated with the client based on the session identifier.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the client is disconnected from the server if a browser into which the web page is loaded on the client is closed.