(12) United States Patent
`Bernardo et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll 111111111111111 1111111111111111 IIII 11111111
`US00624 7032Bl
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`Jun.12,2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`APPROVING WEB SITE CONTENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Richard S. Bernardo, Needham;
`Christopher Logan, Norton; Elena
`Karra, Randolph, all of MA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: International Business Machines
`Corp., Armonk, NY (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/100,135
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 19, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 60) Provisional application No. 60/050,153, filed on Jun. 19,
`1997, and provisional application No. 60/050,154, filed on
`Jun. 19, 1997.
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... G06F 17/24
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 707/530; 707/531; 345/329
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 707/530, 513,
`707/517, 501, 531; 345/329, 331
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,732,219 * 3/1998 Blumer et al. .................. 395/200.57
`5,848,248 * 12/1998 Kawasaki et al. .............. 395/200.68
`5,864,871 * 1/1999 Kitain et al. ......................... 707/104
`5,918,010 * 6/1999 Appleman et al. ............. 395/200.33
`5,937,160 * 8/1999 Davis et al.
`.................... 395/200.33
`5,945,989 * 8/1999 Freishtat et al. ..................... 345/329
`6,026,433 * 2/2000 D' Arlach et al. .................... 709/217
`
`OIBER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Slein et al., "Requirements for distributed authoring and
`versioning on the world wide web", StandardView, vol. 5,
`Nol. 1, Mar. 1997, pp. 17-24. *
`
`Horstmann et al., "Distributed authoring on the web with the
`BSCW shared workspace system", StandardView, vol. 5,
`No. 1, Mar. 1997, pp. 9-16.*
`
`Whitehead, Jr., "World Wide Web distributed authoring and
`versioning (WebDAC): An introduction", StandardView,
`vol. 5, No. 1, Mar. 1997, pp. 3-8.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Stephen S. Hong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hunton & Williams
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A software tool is provided for use with a computer system
`for simplifying the creation of Web sites. The tool comprises
`a plurality of pre-stored templates, comprising HTML for(cid:173)
`matting code, text, fields and formulas. The templates pref(cid:173)
`erably correspond to different types of Web pages and other
`features commonly found on or available to Web sites. Each
`feature may have various options. To create a web site, a
`Web site creator (the person using the tool to create a web
`site) is prompted by the tool through a series of views stored
`in the tool to select the features and options desired for the
`Web site. Based on these selections, the tool prompts the
`web site creator to supply data to populate fields of the
`templates determined by the tool to correspond to the
`selected features and options. Based on the identified tem(cid:173)
`plates and supplied data, the tool generates the customized
`Web site without the web site creator writing any HTML or
`other programming code. Automated routing for site
`approval to authorized approvers specified during creation
`of the web site is provided.
`
`20 Claims, 31 Drawing Sheets
`
`NO
`
`FINISHED
`WITH
`SELECTION?
`~
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.1
`
`

`

`150a-150n
`OBJECTS
`
`HTML
`
`~
`
`110
`
`I
`
`122n
`122a-
`120
`illn
`162a-
`~-ill!J
`
`DATABASE
`NON-HTML
`
`116
`
`~ r---~o_J_ 150a
`ooo1_50n
`g
`_152_n ,--'-1~64 __ ___J~=--:i~
`
`g
`
`rnn-
`
`166a
`LINK
`
`INDEX 148
`166n
`HTML DATABASE LINK
`
`FIG. 1
`
`,-15 ......:4L...-_!_ -------~--~]~-~--~-~~:~14~4:~-~--~-~--=---_-___ -_____ j
`NE1WORK l
`l
`:
`:
`i
`i
`l
`:
`l
`:
`I :
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`124
`
`MODULE
`SERVER
`NON-HTML
`
`TRANSLATOR
`
`MODULE
`INTERFACE
`
`H™L
`132
`
`145
`
`INTERFACE
`
`URL
`
`130
`
`MODULE
`SERVER
`HTTP
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`----1
`
`----
`
`:
`:
`~-------------
`
`SERVER
`
`114
`
`BROWSER
`
`128
`
`TERMINAL
`
`126
`
`CLIENT
`
`112
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.2
`
`

`

`'"""'
`0
`0
`N
`
`-------,
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`---
`
`---------------
`l
`
`FIG. 1A
`--------------------
`
`MODULE
`SERVER
`NON-HTML
`
`124
`
`-
`
`'
`
`I
`
`J
`
`COMMAND
`
`142 -
`CACHE
`
`MODULE
`SECURITY
`
`140
`
`MODULE
`WORKFLOW
`
`138
`
`MODULE
`INTERFACE
`
`132
`
`J
`
`~
`
`J
`
`'
`
`~---------
`
`MODULE
`CALENDAR
`
`136
`
`SCHEDULE
`
`AND
`
`134 -
`MODULE
`MAIL
`
`130 -
`MODULE
`SERVER
`HTTP
`
`I
`
`SERVER
`
`114
`
`,------
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`1
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`--------------------------------------------
`CLIENT TERMINAL
`34
`
`DISPLAY
`101
`
`VIEW
`102
`OPTION
`104
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`106
`
`FIG. 2
`
`SERVER
`30
`
`TOOL
`
`DATABASE
`40
`I LIBRARY I
`8
`8
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`START
`
`IDENTIFY
`INTERFACE
`1
`
`PRESENT
`OPTIONS/
`FEATURES
`6
`
`SELECT
`OPTIONS/
`FEATURES
`8
`
`NO
`
`IDENTIFY TEMPLATES
`ASSOCIATED WITH SELECTED
`OPTIONS
`12
`
`PROMPT USER
`FOR DATA
`14
`
`ENTER DATA
`16
`
`PUBLISH
`24
`
`APPROVE
`
`NOTIFY
`
`ROUTE
`SERVER30
`
`POPULATE PROFILE
`CREATE
`FINISH
`~ 1 - - - - - . i FIELDS WITH DATA 1 - - - - . . i PAGES
`20
`22
`FIG. 3
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`O
`0
`
`Create New Site
`Update Existing Site
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Buttons
`
`*Site Areas
`
`0 Company Forms Area
`0 Contact Management Area
`□ Customer Tracking Area
`0 Discussion Area
`□ Document Library Area
`□ Employee Phone Book Area
`0 FAQ.Area
`0 *Home Page Area
`□ Job Postings Area
`0 Products/Services Area
`□ Project Management Area
`□ Registration Area
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Webmaster{s):
`explanatory text regarding user
`access to site
`Company Name:
`explanatory text regarding company name
`Default Copyright Message:
`explanatory text regarding copyright message
`Company Contact Information:
`explanatory text regarding
`company contact information
`
`Company Contact E-Mail Address:
`explanatory text regarding email address
`
`I user name
`I company name
`I copyright message
`
`Address
`City, State/Providence
`Zip/Postal Code
`County
`Phone
`Fax
`I email address
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Content Composers:
`
`explanatory text regarding content composer privilege
`
`Readers:
`
`explanatory text regarding reader privilege
`
`Number of approval steps:
`
`explanatory text regarding number of approval steps
`
`I users
`
`I users
`
`I=
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Frame Settings
`
`Frame Layout: Explanatory text
`regarding frame layout
`
`I frame choice
`
`Frame Style: Explanatory
`text regarding frame
`style
`
`Logo: Explanatory
`text regarding logo
`style
`
`Document Settings:
`
`I style
`
`I logo
`
`Background Logo: Explanatory
`text regarding backgrounds
`attached to a Site Image document
`
`I background
`
`Background Color: Explanatory
`text regarding background color
`
`Text Color:
`
`I color
`I color
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Buttons
`
`Which type of update?
`
`O Modify All Site Areas
`O Modify Individual Areas
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Make your selection, then click the "Next" button
`below.
`
`0 Add Site Images
`0 View/Update Site Images
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Window View of Relevant Files
`
`Image Area:
`Explanatory text regarding
`Image area
`
`Attach Image File:
`Explanatory text regarding
`attaching image
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Logo options
`
`Image options
`
`Image File options
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`I user name
`
`Names:
`
`Step 1
`
`Step 2
`
`Alternate:
`
`I function
`
`Function:
`
`o Function
`
`o Function
`
`o Function
`
`Automatic notification:
`Text explanation regarding automatic notification
`
`oYes oNo
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Approval Interval:
`explanatory text regarding approval I duration
`interval duration
`
`ij
`
`Messages:
`Approval Required:
`explanatory text regarding approval message sent at beginning of process
`
`approval message
`
`Approval Completed:
`explanatory text regarding message sent at completion of approval process
`
`I approval message
`
`~
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Buttons
`
`Public Views -SiteCreator Guide
`
`~ Site Designer's Guide
`~ Before You Begin
`SiteCreator Overview
`Gathering Information
`~ Configuring the Site
`Configuring the Site
`Adding a Site Image
`Specifying Site Defaults
`Capturing Graphics
`Establishing Security
`Updating an Existing Site
`Using the Address Book
`~ Designing the Areas
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`SiteCreator Overview
`
`Explanatory Text Giving Overview Of SiteCreator
`
`I Create a New Site
`
`Explanatory Text Giving Overview Of SiteCreator
`
`FIG.15
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Links
`
`Public Views -SiteCreator Guide
`
`111
`
`➔
`➔
`
`Site Designer's Guide
`➔ Before You Begin
`➔ Configuring the Site
`➔ Designing the Areas
`Site Administrator's Guide
`Site Contributor's Guide
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Address Box
`border _bot_Bbutton
`border_bot_BNbuttons
`border_bot_BNHbuttons
`border_bot_Fbutton
`border_bot_graphics
`border_bot_Hbutton
`border_ bot_Nbutton
`border _bot_specer
`Control Frame Images
`Control Frame pagedesign
`Control Frame security
`history _choices
`
`HTML Code Viewer
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`External Name:
`
`Internal Name:
`
`Type:
`
`Sort:
`
`Text:
`
`Agent:
`
`Addimage Finish
`Admin
`AdminAddlmage
`AdminAddlmageFileUpload
`AdminAddlmageFinish_Help
`AdminAddlmage_Help
`AdminArchive
`AdminUpdatelmage
`AdminUpdatelmageDoc
`AdminUpdatelmageFinish
`AdminUpdatelmageFinish_Help
`AdminUpdatelmageView
`AdminUpdatelmageView_Help
`AdminHelp
`
`FIG. 18
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`Finish:
`
`External Name:
`
`Internal Name:
`
`Type:
`
`Sort Order:
`
`Text:
`
`Text:
`
`Agent:
`
`Left URL:
`
`Context Help:
`
`Help Argument:
`
`Right URL:
`
`Right Alignment:
`
`Next WF doc:
`
`Parent Doc:
`
`Query_ String:
`
`Conditional Field:
`
`Conditional Test:
`
`Conditional Value:
`
`Buttons to Show:
`
`FIG.19
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`'1, Site Creator Home.
`
`➔ 1. HomeCreate
`➔ 2. HomeUpdate
`
`Site Creator Guide
`➔ Administration
`Control Center
`
`Buttons
`
`Graphic Menu
`
`External Name:
`
`Internal Name:
`
`Type:
`
`Sort Order:
`
`Choice List:
`
`Text:
`
`Text:
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Buttons
`
`2. Home Update
`1. Home Update Site
`1. Home Update Site Co Info
`1. Home Update Site Co Info Site Profile (PIN: wwwSiteProfile-flag:)
`2. Home Update Site Co Info Site Profile Finish (PIN: Home Update Site Co Info Site)
`
`2. Home Update Site Security
`3. Home Update Site Design
`1. Home Update Site Design Center (PIN: wwwDesign CenterProfile -flag:)
`2. Home Update Site Design CenterFinish (PIN: Home Update Site Design Center)
`
`4. Home Update Site Areas
`2. Home Update Area
`1. Home Update Area Security
`2. Home Update Area Page Design
`3. Home Update Page Copyright
`4. Home Update Area
`
`FIG. 21
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Create Document Library Page
`
`Select
`Logo or Banner:
`
`Title:*
`
`Subtitle:
`
`logo
`
`title
`
`subtitle
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 24 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Internal Name:
`Enter the internal name of the object
`Multiple Object Lookup Name:
`Usually the same as Internal Name. In some cases it is
`used to allow for one object to be looked up multiple ways.
`External Name:
`Enter the external name of this object.
`
`ContractsHomePage
`
`AreaHomePage
`
`Contracts Main Page
`
`FIG. 23
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 25 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Primary Area Internal Name:
`Enter the internal name of the primary area this object goes
`with.
`Primary Area External Name:
`Enter the external name of the primary area this object goes
`with.
`Area(s) belong:
`Enter the area(s) that this object goes with (AppAssembler
`will copy this document to these areas).
`
`Contracts
`
`Contracts Area
`
`Contracts
`
`FIG. 24
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 26 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`DOMINO
`
`...
`
`HTTP
`SERVER
`
`DOMINO
`ENGINE
`
`WEB
`CLIENT
`
`,,,,--
`r-..
`r--..
`r--
`
`'--
`
`___,,,
`---
`-----
`HTML, GIF, CGI, JAVA
`FILES
`
`FIG. 25
`
`NOTES
`SERVER
`
`·~
`
`'
`
`--
`--
`----
`---
`NOTES DATABASES
`
`,--
`r--...
`r--._
`I'--._
`
`'---
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 27 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Contracts Page Template -Form
`
`Contracts Page Template Form
`
`FormlnternalName
`
`FormlnternalName0verride
`
`FormExternalName
`
`FormlnternalName (Field)
`
`Default Value
`
`O Option 1 0 0ption2 O etc.
`
`"Contracts Page"
`
`FIG. 26
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.12,2001
`
`Sheet 28 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Explanatory Text
`
`Type:
`
`Type
`
`Dept:
`
`Department
`
`Additional
`Type
`
`Additional
`Dept.
`
`FIG. 27
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.29
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,2001
`
`Sheet 29 of 31
`
`US 6,247,032 Bl
`
`Domino Library -Design
`
`➔ Folders and Views
`Agents
`+
`Design
`Forms
`Subforms
`
`Other Options
`Other Options
`
`Other Options
`
`Other Options
`I Display Side Bullet Text1 I
`Other Options
`
`Other Options
`Other Options
`Other Options
`
`FIG. 28
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.30
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12,2001
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`Sheet 30 of 31
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`US 6,247,032 Bl
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`Page Look -title bar
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`Button
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`11
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`Button
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`Corporate display w/side navigation and bulleted text links
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`Other options
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`FIG. 29
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`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.31
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 31 of 31
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`US 6,247,032 Bl
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`LIBRARY
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`APP ASSEMBLER
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`FIG. 30
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`Lightspeed Ex. 1026.32
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`US 6,247,032 Bl
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`1
`AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`APPROVING WEB SITE CONTENT
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/050,153 filed Jun. 19,
`1997 and 60/050,154, entitled "Web Site Creation Devel(cid:173)
`opment Tool," filed Jun. 19, 1997. This application is also
`related to co-pending U.S. patent applications entitled, "Web
`Site Creator," Ser. No. 09/100,222, filed herewith, "System
`and Method for Building a Web Site Using Stored Pages,"
`Ser. No. 09/100,136, filed herewith, "System and Method
`for Building a Web Site Using User Specific Interface," Ser.
`No. 09/100,224, filed herewith, "System and Method for 15
`Building a Web Site With Automated Help," Ser. No.
`09/100,225, filed herewith, "System and Method for Build(cid:173)
`ing a Web site for Use in E-Commerce With User Specific
`Pricing," Ser. No. 09/100,226, filed herewith, "System and
`Method for Building a Web Site With Automated
`Workflow," Ser. No. 09/100,116, filed herewith.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`2
`page, another may be responsible for graphics, another may
`add appropriate legal notices (e.g., trademark or copyright
`notices), etc. In such cases, coordinating the collaborative
`effort may be difficult and if done manually can cause
`5 delays. A manual approach also makes it difficult to
`adequately track development, or ensure that all contribu(cid:173)
`tions are timely and properly integrated in the Web site.
`Similar problems are posed in connection with ensuring that
`all requisite approvals are obtained by authorized content
`10 approvers prior to posting the final version of the content to
`the Web site.
`Another drawback of known Web sites is the relatively
`inflexible security features. Typically, either a person trying
`to access a Web site or an area of a Web site has access or
`not. Additionally, all users authorized typically are provided
`the same information. Existing Web sites are generally
`incapable of identifying a user and automatically providing
`information specific to the user. Thus, the host typically
`limits information provided on the site to that which can be
`made generally available to all authorized users. This limits
`flexibility in customizing the types of information presented
`to different categories of users.
`
`The invention relates to a Web site creator tool that
`enables an automated system and method for approving 25
`content included on a Web site.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`35
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`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 a collection of web pages in
`HTML format. Each page includes content, such as text,
`graphics, or other multimedia material. The page may also
`include links and buttons (e.g., "Submit").
`Creating a web site typically requires generating a plu(cid:173)
`rality of pages using HTML. Adding content to a web site
`once created or modifying the web site also involves using
`HTML. This makes it difficult for individuals without spe(cid:173)
`cific HTML knowledge to create a web site or to create
`content for or modify an existing web site.
`Among the inherent difficulties in creating and maintain(cid:173)
`ing such sites is the problem of circulating the proposed Web
`pages to various individuals for review and approval prior to
`incorporating the material into a Web site. One technique is 45
`to circulate printed copies of the proposed pages and their
`content for approval. However, printed copies cannot fully
`demonstrate the operation of links to other objects contained
`within the hypertext, adequately display certain types of
`graphics, accommodate audio or video, support interactivity 50
`with the viewer, or otherwise fully illustrate the capabilities
`of the page. This technique also exhibits other problems
`inherent in a manual system, including a limited ability to
`track the approval process and remind cognizant personnel
`of the need to provide their approval in a timely manner. The 55
`manual system also does not fully support defining and
`limiting a reviewer's approval to specific portions of the
`document or to taking specific actions. Thus, for example,
`the one person might be responsible to review and approve
`artwork, while another person might be responsible for 60
`reviewing and approving other content.
`Another difficulty encountered in Web site creation and
`subsequent modification arises from the fact that often
`several individuals are involved in creating and authorizing
`the Web pages. Often, the format and content of Web pages 65
`involves the collaboration of many individuals. For
`example, one or more persons may propose the text for a
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One object of the invention is to overcome these and other
`deficiencies and drawbacks of existing web site creation
`tools, systems and methods.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`creating a Web site that minimizes or eliminates the need for
`30 a Web site creator to know or use HTML or other program(cid:173)
`ming languages to create a Web site.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`facilitating the creation of Web sites and pages based on
`stored templates that enable personalization and customiza(cid:173)
`tion of the Web site and pages without the need for a user to
`change or write any software code.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`facilitating the creation of Web sites and pages by taking a
`40 web site creator through a series of views, each having one
`or more options/features, to enable the site creator to select
`from a plurality of options/features available for the web site
`layout, content and functionality.
`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, 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. The Web site may then be posted on a network, such as
`the Internet.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`facilitating the creation of Web pages with templates for
`predefined Web pages that enables personalization and cus(cid:173)
`tomization of the Web pages without the need for the user to
`change or write any software code, and facilitates the
`inclusion or modification of graphical and other multimedia
`objects.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`facilitating the creation of content for a Web site with an
`automated content approval feature whereby authorized
`content creators (specified during creation of the Web site)
`can create proposed content for the Web site. Upon creation,
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`US 6,247,032 Bl
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`5
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`the proposed content may be automatically, electronically
`routed to one or more content approvers specified during
`creation of the web site for authorization before posting the
`content on the Web site. The approved web page may be
`automatically posted as appropriate.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool that
`facilitates the modification of Web pages in a finished Web
`site including one or more of the above objects, without
`requiring a content creator to change or write any software
`code.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
`facilitating the creation of a Web site based on stored
`templates whereby once the site is created, a content creator
`can selectively modify individual pages or groups of pages
`without using HTML or other software programming code. 15
`These and other objects are accomplished by various
`embodiments of the invention. According to one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention, a software tool is provided for use
`with a computer system for simplifying the creation of Web
`sites. The tool comprises a plurality of prestored HTML
`templates, each having various fields. The templates pref(cid:173)
`erably correspond to different types of Web pages and other
`features commonly found on or available to Web sites. Each
`feature may have various options. To create a web site, a 25
`Web site creator (the person using the tool to create a web
`site) is prompted by the tool through a series of views stored
`in the tool to select the features and options desired for the
`Web site. Based on these selections, the tool prompts the
`web site creator to supply data to populate fields of the
`templates determined by the tool to correspond to the
`selected features and options. Based on the identified tem(cid:173)
`plates and supplied data, the tool generates the customized
`Web site without the web site creator writing any HTML or
`other programming code.
`The features and options may include, for example, site
`areas, specific security features, enablement of distributed
`authorship with the ability to specify approved content
`authors and content approvers, the specification workflow/
`approval procedures, enablement of automatic workflow
`routing, and a graphical design center with a plurality of
`predetermined user selectable features.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, the
`software tool provides a series of menus or views to guide
`the user through the creation of a web site, where the views
`comprise screens to enable the site creator to select the
`various features and options for the Web site and forms for
`entering text that is used to populate fields of stored HTML
`templates.
`A Web site created with the tool has several advantageous
`features. For example, the system and method of this inven(cid:173)
`tion may include a workflow server which automatically
`routes proposed content created by authorized content cre(cid:173)
`ators through a series of authorized content approvers for
`review, edit and approval. The users authorized content
`creators and content approvers preferably are specified dur(cid:173)
`ing creation of the web site.
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`4
`FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating one
`embodiment of the site creation process.
`FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`selection menu.
`FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a site
`area selection menu.
`FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 8 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`selection menu.
`FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`selection menu.
`FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`selection menu.
`FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 12 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 13 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`message input fields.
`FIG. 14 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`selection menu.
`FIG. 15 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`overview information.
`FIG. 16 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`various site information.
`FIG. 17 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`various site options.
`FIG. 18 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`35 selection menu.
`FIG. 19 is an illustration depicting a screen showing the
`contents of a computer desktop.
`FIG. 20 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`various source documents.
`FIG. 21 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`various source documents.
`FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 23 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 24 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 25 is an schematic diagram illustrating one embodi-
`ment of the system.
`FIG. 26 is an illustration depicting a screen showing a
`template form.
`FIG. 27 is an illustration depicting a screen showing
`information input fields.
`FIG. 28 1s an illustration depicting a screen showing
`options.
`FIG. 29 1s an illustration depicting a screen showing
`options.
`FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating the AppAssembler.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overall
`system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. lAdepicts a schematic block diagram illustrating an
`overall system in accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overall
`system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`One embodiment of the invention provides a tool, system
`65 and method for creating Web sites. The tool facilitates the
`creation of a customized Web site without requiring a Web
`site creator to write or edit HTML code. A Web site created
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`US 6,247,032 Bl
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`5
`with the tool has several advantages that can be exploited
`after the Web site is created. The tool also enables various
`advantages in connection with modifying a Web site created
`using the tool.
`As schematically illustrated in the block diagram of FIG.
`1, one aspect of the invention relates to a client/server
`network system 110 enabling access to both HTML objects
`150a-150n (e.g., HTML documents) and non-HTML
`objects 118a-118n using a web browser 128 residing on a
`terminal 126. Preferably, web browser 128 supports Internet
`and Web protocols ( e.g., HyperText Transfer Protocol
`(HTTP) and TCP/IP). The system may further comprise a
`client 112 to enable a non-browser client access to non(cid:173)
`HTML server module 124 to retrieve non-HTML objects
`118a-118n from non-HTML database 116.
`A server 114 preferably comprises a HTTP server module
`130, interface module 132 and non-HTML server module
`124. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the server side of system
`110 may comprise a non-HTML database 116 in communi(cid:173)
`cation with server 114. Preferably, non-HTML database 116
`stores one or more non-HTML objects 118a-118n, each at
`least some of which having one or more non-HTML fields
`162a-162n, and a user directory 120. User directory 120
`includes one or more user objects 122a-122n. User objects
`122a-122n may include information about a user (e.g.,
`electronic mail address, role, profile, etc.). Terminal 126 and
`server 114 can be in communication via a network 154 (e.g.,
`Internet, Intranet or other network).
`According to one aspect of the invention, a user submits
`a URL-based request for an object via browser 128. The
`request is passed to server 114 using HTTP (or other
`protocol). Server 114 receives the request via HTTP server
`module 130 and passes object location information to inter(cid:173)
`face module 132 via URL interface 146. URL interface 146
`transmits that information to non-HTML server module 124.
`Non-HTML server module 124 retrieves the requested
`object and passes it to interface module 132. A HTML
`translator portion 144 of interface module 132 translates the
`non-HTML object to a HTML representation of the
`requested object and the HTML representation is returned to
`browser 128 via HTTP server module 130.
`System 110 also enables browser 128 to access HTML
`objects 150a-150n using HTTP server 130 or a conventional
`web server 156 in a known manner. A conventional editor
`may be used to edit HTML objects within the system. A
`conventional technique (e.g., a computer gateway interface
`(CGI)) may be used to store the edited HTML objects in the
`HTML database.
`Thus, one advantage of the invention is that server 114
`enables a browser 128 to request both HTML objects
`150a-150n and non-HTML objects 118a-118n. Additional
`advantages derive from this capability. For example, one
`significant advantage is that the invention exposes powerful
`resources available in non-HTML databases 116 to a web
`browser 128 according to one embodiment of the invention.
`According to one embodiment of the invention shown in
`FIG. 2, the tool may be installed on a server 30. Installation
`of the tool on other types computer systems is also possible.
`Server 30 may be connected to various client terminals 34.
`Typically, client terminal 34 may include a display 101
`capable of presenting views 102. Terminal 34 may also
`preferably include an input device 106. The tool preferably
`is able to access a database 40 wherein a library of templates,
`views, and fields may be stored.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool
`enables a Web site creator to select from among a plurality
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`6
`of features and options to include within a Web site. The tool
`further comprises a library of templates ( e.g., text, fields,
`HTML code and formulas) that correspond to the available
`features and options. The templates comprise databases
`5 which may include fields, forms, views, text, formulas and
`profiles that enable customization of the features. A profil