Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-19
2001-02-06
Feild, Joseph H. (Department: 2776)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185587
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a software tool for creating web sites where the tool itself can be used to create HTML-formatted help documents pertaining to use of the tool and use of a web site created by the tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the proliferation of the Internet and intranets, there has been an increasing demand for the creation of Web sites. A Web site typically includes multiple pages having a predefined structure or layout for presenting content which, unlike the structure, may be updated and changed frequently. The structure of the page may include various arrangements of menus to navigate the site, windows or “frames” including navigation and other tools, and specifically formatted content in predefined areas of the frames. Content may include various objects and object types including, for example, text, graphics, other media and multimedia material such as audio and video presentations, and links to other objects including other Web pages. Both components defining a Web page, that is, page structure and content, are specified using hypertext markup language (HTML).
The Web site organization is defined by the various Web page links. An initial entry node in the organization of links is called the Home Page which, through the various links, allows a user to navigate to and access other objects including other objects on the current referencing page, other pages of the current Web site and objects and pages on other Web sites. The Home Page may include an overview of the structure and content of the Web site, display options (e.g., provide text only, include graphics and/or frames, etc.), and provide the links to other Web site pages: HTML documents and other objects. Thus, HTML is used to define the layout or structure of the Web pages and to provide content and links to other objects.
Among the inherent difficulties in creating and maintaining such Web sites is that the HTML used to define the Web pages (and therefore the structure, organization and content of the Web site) is difficult to compose and read. HTML is a specialized language with its own syntax, codes and terminology that requires specialized knowledge and training to interpret, understand and write. This precludes individuals without specific HTML knowledge and experience from creating a Web site or including content on a Web site, the content also being expressed in HTML.
Another difficulty is presented to a user of the Web site accessing the various Web pages and objects over the Internet. In particular, as Web sites have become more complex, users have been required to become more knowledgeable about accessing and using Web site features. For example, certain Web sites may incorporate advanced features only supported by certain Web browsers or versions of Web browsers. Other Web sites require specialized helper applications, viewers or audio players to receive certain presentations. Web site complexity has also evolved as sites have expanded.
While Web sites include various links to objects, some of which may provide assistance in connection with the use of the referencing object, there is no standardized facility of help documents provided on such Web sites. Further, even if a Web site creator attempted to include a library of such help documents with appropriate links, two problems would need to be addressed. First, the Web site creator would need to address identifying, authoring, and implementing help pages that would be displayable using a browser and be displayed in an appropriate portion of the user's display screen. Secondly, the Web site creator would need to provide means so that the help facility would be context sensitive, i.e., provide information relating to the object being accessed or task being performed by the user. Should a Web site creator attempt to create such a help facility, they would again be faced with the problem of its implementation using HTML coding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to overcome these and other deficiencies and drawbacks of Web site creation techniques, systems and methods.
Another object of the invention is to provide a software tool for creating web sites where the tool itself can be used to create HTML-formatted help documents pertaining to use of the tool and use of a web site created by the tool.
Another object of the invention is to provide a software tool for creating web sites where the tool itself can be used to create HTML-formatted help documents based on a library of stored HTML-formatted templates.
Another object of the invention is to provide a software tool for creating web sites where the tool itself can be used by the tool developer or a person creating a web site using the tool to create HTML-formatted help documents based on a library of stored HTML-formatted templates associated with the tool.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for creating a Web site with context-sensitive help functions using HTML templates to minimize or eliminate the need for a Web site creator to know or use HTML or other programming languages to create a Web site or help documents pertaining to the finished web site.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for creating a Web site where the tool comprises a library of stored templates (including fields) associated with different options/features for a Web site, and various help documents relating to the options/features. The tool prompts a user of the tool to select desired options/features from a list of possible options/features. Based upon the option/features selected, the tool determines which of the stored templates (and fields) are to be used and the user is prompted to supply data to populate those fields. The tool uses the templates and user supplied data to create the web pages that make up a Web site. It also identifies the help documents that relate to the selected features/options and includes their help documents in the web site. The Web site may then be posted on a network, such as the Internet.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool which can be readily customized by a developer to support the creation of customized classes of Web sites by respective classes of Web site creators by providing (i) a library of Web page templates; (ii) a library of Web site creator Help objects associated with the Web page templates and providing information about using the Web page templates; (iii) a library of user Help objects associated with Web pages and objects created using respective Web page templates and providing information to Web users accessing those Web pages; (iv) a Help facility to guide a developer through the creation of custom Web page templates and associated Web site creator and Web site user Help objects; (v) a Web site creator Help facility including the standard and custom Web site creator objects to help a Web site creator use the templates and other tool facilities to create a Web site; and (vi) as part of the Web site, a user Help facility including the Web site user Help objects to assist a user accessing the Web site to navigate and utilize features and functions of the Web site.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a software tool is provided for use with a computer system for simplifying the creation of a customized Web site by avoiding the need for the web site creator to know or use HTML, or other programming language to create the web site. The tool comprises a plurality of pre-stored HTML templates. The templates preferably correspond to different types of Web pages and features commonly found on Web sites. The tool further includes a library of Help documents in HTML format, with each of the help documents being associated with one or more templates.
This embodiment of the invention provides for the automated generation of a web site, with help pages that are included in the site based on features/options of the site selected by the web site creator during the site creation process. Another aspect of the invention relates to enabling context-sensitive help do
Bernardo Richard S.
Macphee David A.
Smith Jennifer J.
Feild Joseph H.
Hunton & Williams
International Business Machines - Corporation
LandOfFree
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