System and Method for Improved Notifications

Abstract

Systems and methods for sending/receiving improved in-browser notification messages are provided. The notification messages are overlaid on HTTP traffic on port 80 for IP addresses provisioned to receive the notification messages from various sources, including weather, emergency broadcast, and police stations. A load balancer within the end-to-end system allows HTTP traffic on port 80 to be forked from non HTTP traffic on port 80 to selectively insert notification messages. The notifications are inserted by an internet content adoption protocol (ICAP) server in communication with other devices within the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first set of data packets marked with an indicator that indicates that an internet protocol (IP) address associated with a source of the first set of data packets should receive a notification;   transmitting the first set of data packets to a server;   receiving a second set of data packets responsive to the first set of data packets from the server;   inserting the notification into the second set of data packets; and   transmitting the second set of data packets to a user device.