System and method for dynamic imagery link synchronization and simulating rendering and behavior of content across a multi-client platform

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for simulation of web based content. Specifically, the systems and methods described herein are configured to provide simulation of the rendering and behavior of web (e.g., HTML) documents within multiple client, browser and device platforms. Although the principles can be generally used, the invention is particularly aimed towards simulating emails within different email clients and devices. Embodiments of the present invention further generally relate to synchronization of links with dynamic imagery provided to a remote computing device. Specifically, these embodiments of the invention relate to a web-based system and method for synchronizing URLs and other hyperlinks to dynamic imagery provided to a remote computing device by a server or other content providing device.

1 . A method for simulating rendering and behavior of content across a multi-client platform, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving hypertext markup language (HTML) content at a computing device;   loading HTML content in a target client and a web browser on said computing device;   comparing, via said computing device, differences in rendering and structure between HTML content loaded in said target client and said web browser; and   storing modification parameters for the target client.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 modifying said HTML content according to said modification parameters;   entering a rendering mode;   applying client specific environment in a simulated environment;   generating simulated markup output based on said simulated environment and said modification parameters; and   displaying said simulated markup output on a display element.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating modified markup output based on said modification parameters; and   displaying said modified markup output on a display element.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modified markup output comprises adding a client stylesheet to said HTML content such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modified markup output comprises executing JavaScript to attach event listeners to the elements of the HTML content such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modified markup output comprises modifying the behavior of the browser that is rendering the content itself such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of comparing differences in rendering and structure between HTML content loaded in said target client and said web browser, comprises the steps of:
 parsing a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtaining computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   comparing each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document; and   parsing external, internal and inline styles for changes to the computed styles compared to the original document.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 parsing a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtaining computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   comparing each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document; and   parsing and comparing the HTML content.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of comparing differences in rendering and structure between HTML content loaded in said target client and said web browser, comprises the steps of:
 parsing a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtaining computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   comparing each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document;   parsing external, internal and inline styles for changes to the computed styles compared to the original document; and   parsing and comparing the HTML content.   
     
     
         10 . A computerized system for simulating rendering and behavior of content across a multi-client platform, said system comprising:
 an application module comprising computer-executable code stored in non-volatile memory;   a means for communicating data across one or more digital networks, and   a processor,   wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are operably connected and configured to collectively:   receive hypertext markup language (HTML) content;   load HTML content in a target client and a web browser;   compare differences in rendering and structure between HTML content loaded in said target client and said web browser; and   store modification parameters for the target client.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are further configured to collectively:
 modify said HTML content according to said modification parameters;   enter a rendering mode;   apply client specific environment in a simulated environment;   generate simulated markup output based on said simulated environment and said modification parameters; and   display said simulated markup output on a display element.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are further configured to collectively:
 generate modified markup output based on said modification parameters; and   display said modified markup output on a display element.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein modified markup output comprises adding a client stylesheet to said HTML content such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein modified markup output comprises executing JavaScript to attach event listeners to the elements of the HTML content such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein modified markup output comprises modifying the behavior of the browser that is rendering the content itself such that the HTML content mimics characteristics of the web browser. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are further configured to collectively:
 parse a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtain computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   compare each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document; and   parse external, internal and inline styles for changes to the computed styles compared to the original document.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are further configured to collectively:
 parse a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtain computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   compare each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document; and   parse and comparing the HTML content.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said application module, said means for communicating data across one or more digital networks and said processor are further configured to collectively:
 parse a Domain Object Model (DOM) Tree to determine elements that may have been removed or added;   obtain computed style of each DOM element within the HTML content;   compare each of the DOM elements to the computed style in an original document;   parse external, internal and inline styles for changes to the computed styles compared to the original document; and   parse and comparing the HTML content.