Real-time data interface and method for browsers and the like

摘要

Providing a real-time data display and interface for a network device by loading a page in a browser (115), the page including an engine which is executed in the browser (120) and used to automatically load a definition file (125) from a remote source in response to content within the page. Widgets are instantiated for display in the interface, each making data requests (145) at intervals which are forwarded to one or more servers in communication with the network device. Requested data is received (160) and presented in the interface thereby providing the user with dynamically updated data (165). An engine for driving such display comprises executable code configured to instantiate one or more widgets for rendering within the display of the real-time interface. The engine further includes a reference to a definition file which defines prescribed parameters for one or more of the widgets.