Method and apparatus for generating and modifying multiple instances of an element of a web site

Abstract

A technique for modifying a web site generated in accordance with received data entry by: determining at least one characteristic of at least one web site dimension of the web site based on the data entry; generating a multi-dimensional description of the web site based on the determined characteristics; retrieving web site data according to the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site; generating the web site based upon the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site and the retrieved web site data; receiving modification data modifying at least one of the determined characteristics; and regenerating the description of the web site based upon the modified characteristics.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

a registry storage for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more-web site components; and

an instance data storage coupled to said registry storage, said instance data storage storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages, wherein

each of said one or more instances of said-one or more web site components for said one or more web pages are determined based at least in part upon one or more determined characteristics of said one or more web pages in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one interface includes at least one of a runtime interface, a preview interface, an edit interface, a property page interface, a runtime event interface, a preview event interface, and an edit event interface.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the runtime interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in the one or more web pages.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the preview interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in a preview of the one or more web pages.

5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edit interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in editable form in the one or more web pages.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the property page interface includes receiving configuration data for defining an instance of the respective web site component.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the runtime event interface includes receiving input data for modifying a component image of an instance of the respective web site component presented in the one or more web pages.

8. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the preview event interface includes receiving input data for modifying a component image of an instance of the respective web site component presented in a preview of the one or more web pages.

9. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edit event interface includes receiving input data for editing an instance of the respective web site component in the one or more web pages.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an edit engine for presenting said at least one interface to a system for creating a web site.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a runtime engine for presenting said at least one interface to a system for presenting said one or more web pages.

12. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

a registry storage for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

an instance data storage coupled to said registry storage, said instance data storage storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages;

an input for receiving data entry; and

a multi-purpose computing device coupled to said registry storage, said instance data storage, and said input, said multi-purpose computing device adapted to perform the steps of:

determining one or more characteristics for each of one or more web site dimensions in response to the data entry, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions;

retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data; and

presenting the generated web site, wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for at least one designated web site component designated by the generated description of the web site.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one designated web site component is presented in a plurality of portions of the web site.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is further adapted to perform the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component presented in one of the plurality of portions of the web site.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is further adapted to perform the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component thereby modifying the presentation of the at least one designated web site component in one of the plurality of portions of the web site.

16. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one designated web site component is presented in a plurality of pages of the web site.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is adapted to further perform the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component presented in the plurality of pages of the web site.

18. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is further adapted to perform the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component thereby modifying the presentation of the at least one designated web site component in one of the plurality of pages of the web site.

19. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is further adapted to perform the step of generating instance data for the at least one designated web site component.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the multi-purpose computing device is further adapted to perform the step of storing the generated instance data in the instance data storage.

21. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the multipurpose computing device generates the instance data based upon the one or more characteristics for the one or more web site dimensions.

22. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

a registry storage for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

an instance data storage coupled to said registry storage, said instance data storage storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages; and

a multi-purpose computing device coupled to said registry storage and said instance data storage, said multi-purpose computing device adapted to perform the steps of:

determining one or more characteristics for each of one or more web site dimensions, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions, at least one of the characteristics designating at least one web site component to be included in one or more portions of the description of the web site;

retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data; and

presenting the generated web site; and

an input for receiving modification data modifying the at least one of the characteristics, wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for the at least one designated web site component, and

the multi-purpose computing device is adapted to further perform the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component based upon the modified characteristics.

23. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

a registry storage for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

an instance data storage coupled to said registry storage, said instance data storage storing in stance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages; and

a characteristic data storage coupled to said instance data storage, said characteristic data storage storing characteristic data defining one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions, wherein

each of said one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions is determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm, and

the instance data is generated based upon the characteristic data.

24. A method of generating web site component data, comprising the steps of:

storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components; and

storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages, wherein

each of said one or more instances of said one or more web site components for said one or more web pages are determined based at least in part upon one or more determined characteristics of said one or more web pages in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said at least one interface includes at least one of a runtime interface, a preview interface, an edit interface, a property page interface, a runtime event interface, a preview event interface, and an edit event interface.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the runtime interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in the one or more web pages.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the preview interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in a preview of the one or more web pages.

28. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the edit interface includes presenting an instance of the respective web site component in editable form in the one or more web pages.

29. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the property page interface includes receiving configuration data for defining an instance of the respective web site component.

30. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the runtime event interface includes receiving input data for modifying a component image of an instance of the respective web site component presented in the one or more web pages.

31. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the preview event interface includes receiving input data for modifying a component image of an instance of the respective web site component presented in a preview of the one or more web pages.

32. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the edit event interface includes receiving input data for editing an instance of the respective web site component in the one or more web pages.

33. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of presenting said at least one interface to a process of creating a web site.

34. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of presenting said at least one interface to a process of presenting said one or more web pages.

35. A method of generating web site component data, comprising the steps of:

storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages;

receiving data entry;

determining one or more characteristics for each of one or more web site dimensions in response to the data entry, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions;

retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data; and

presenting the generated web site; wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for at least one designated web site component designated by the generated description of the web site.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the at least one designated web site component is presented in a plurality of portions of the web site.

37. The method as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component presented in one of the plurality of portions of the web site.

38. The method as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component thereby modifying the presentation of the at least one designated web site component in one of the plurality of portions of the web site.

39. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the at least one designated web site component is presented in a plurality of pages of the web site.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component presented in the plurality of pages of the web site.

41. The method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the step of modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component thereby modifying the presentation of the at least one designated web site component in one of the plurality of pages of the web site.

42. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising the step of generating instance data for the at least one designated web site component.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising the step of storing the generated instance data in the instance data storage.

44. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the instance data is generated based upon the one or more characteristics for the one or more web site dimensions.

45. A method for generating web site component data, comprising the steps of:

storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages;

determining one or more characteristics for each of one or more web site dimensions, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions, at least one of the characteristics designating at least one web site component to be included in one or more portions of the description of the web site;

retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data;

presenting the generated web site;

receiving modification data modifying the at least one of the characteristics; and

modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component based upon the modified characteristics, wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for the at least one designated web site component.

46. A method for generating web site component data, comprising the steps of:

storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages; and

storing characteristic data defining one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions, wherein

each of said one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions is determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm, and

the instance data is generated based upon the characteristic data.

47. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

means for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components; and

means for storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages, wherein

each of said one or more instances of said one or more web site components for said one or more web pages are determined based at least in part upon one or more determined characteristics of said one or more web pages in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm.

48. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

means for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

means for storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages;

means for receiving data entry;

means for determining one or more characteristics for each of one or more web site dimensions in response to the data entry, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

means for generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions;

means for retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

means for generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data; and

means for presenting the generated web site, wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for at least one designated web site component designated by the generated description of the web site.

49. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

means for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

means for storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages;

means for determining each of one or more web site dimensions, each of said one or more characteristics being determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm;

means for generating a description of the web site based upon the one or more determined characteristics for each of the one or more web site dimensions, at least one of the characteristics designating at least one web site component to be included in one or more portions of the description of the web site;

means for retrieving web site data in accordance with the generated description of the web site;

means for generating one or more pages of the web site based upon the description of the web site and the retrieved web site data;

means for presenting the generated web site;

means for receiving modification data modifying the at least one of the characteristics; and

means for modifying the instance data for the at least one designated web site component based upon the modified characteristics, wherein

the retrieved web site data includes the web site component data for the at least one designated web site component.

50. A system for generating web site component data, comprising:

means for storing web site component data including data defining at least one interface for each of one or more web site components;

means for storing instance data defining one or more instances of said one or more web site components as presented in one or more web pages; and

means for storing characteristic data defining one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions, wherein

each of said one or more characteristics for one or more web site dimensions is determined based at least in part upon one or more of said determined characteristics in accordance with a pseudo-random algorithm, and

the instance data is generated based upon the characteristic data.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for providing a universal interface for managing content on large computer networks and other devices.

In recent times, the World Wide Web maintained on the Internet, as well as other large networks of computers and other devices, has become a prevalent communications medium for wide-ranging purposes from information gathering and exchange to commercial transactions. As personal devices, such as computers, personal digital assistants ("PDA"s), cellular phones, etc., are becoming increasingly integrated with this medium, individuals are becoming more reliant on the content and services offered. As a result, it has become an important marketing and sales tool for various businesses.

For example, a business can advertise its products or services, accept orders for its products and services, receive various inquiries and other information from the general public, and in many other ways increase the ability to provide information to the public through the Web.

To take advantage of this new media outlet, it is necessary for a business to design and maintain a web site that users can visit, and to permit the desired interaction with the users. The procedure for designing a web site has historically taken one of two paths. First, it is possible for a business to purchase a software package that aids in generating such a web site. However, the look and feel of the web site would typically be similar to all other web sites generated with the same software package because the number of choices of design or "templates" is limited. Additionally, it may be difficult to coordinate and pool a wide range of skills from various personnel required to create such a web site. Furthermore, web sites created with such a software product typically do not have the level of complexity desired by businesses.

To overcome these drawbacks, a business may hire an outside consulting firm to generate its web site. Such a consulting firm may be an expert in web site generation, and may include personnel able to generate a high quality, complex web site in accordance with the business owner's desires. However, use of an outside firm includes various drawbacks. There is typically a long delay in generating a web site because the outside service is busy with many clients. Additionally, the business owner who has the most in-depth understanding of the business is not directly involved with the generation of the web site, and therefore must relate this information to the web site designers, who then use this information to generate the web site. It may take a number of iterations for the business owner to have his or her ideas about the business properly included in the web site. Additionally, because an outside consultant is designing the web site, artistic control for the web site must be given from the business owner to the web site designer. While the business owner may have the opportunity to make comments during design of the site, it is not possible for the business owner to be involved on a day to day basis in every aspect of the design of the site. Indeed this is why outside designers are hired, but at a cost. The resulting site may not be precisely what the business owner desires, and may be very expensive to implement.

Further, once the design of the web site is completed and the site is up and running on the World Wide Web, the maintenance costs for maintaining and updating a site may be substantial. Any additions to the site, such as adding new pages or new sections, may be very expensive. Furthermore, such added pages may not fit in with the overall scheme of the web site, thereby resulting in an unwieldy site. Additionally, while a web site may provide links to other web sites, it is typically difficult for an individual user to incorporate various complementary programs within its web site, such as calculators, or other business or scientific related information that perform a function.

Therefore, in general, the use of an outside firm to provide a web site isolates the business owners from the finished product in a way that the web site may become unwieldy to update, and therefore less useful for a business owner.

One of the current trends in web site development products is the ability to drag objects and position them anywhere on the screen. While this ability would seem to be beneficial, the process of dragging objects around a screen may result in the user drastically affecting the compatibility of their web site with their visitors. This problem is a result of the user possibly placing objects outside of the visibility of the visitors' web browser. Such a problem may arise if the user is developing a web site at say 1024.times.768 resolution, but the visitor is viewing the web site at 800.times.600 resolution. A user may place an object in a location that is unviewable by the visitor. Another example of incompatibility is when a user is developing a web site in a 800.times.600 resolution, but the visitor is viewing the web site at say 1024.times.768, the visitor will see a large area of "space" that does not fill the browser because of "fixed width" development of the web site. This development trend is seen as limiting as it does not cater for future screen and browser resolution compatibility.

The barriers to completing a usable and impressive web site noted above arise as a result of the division that exists between a business that wishes to advertise through a web site and the resources required to create and maintain that site. The skills required include hardware and software maintenance, business analysis, authoring of the web site with various page layout features, graphic design, generation of the web site content, actual computer programming and maintaining of a required data base. These skills require specialized knowledge of various tools by a user, including flow charting tools, various programming language knowledge, such as in HyperText Markup Language ("HTML"), JAVA.TM., JAVASCRIP.TM., etc., graphic design using Photo Shop.TM., Paint Shop Pro.TM. or other graphics design program, use of a word processor, and use of various database programs.

As is obvious, these skills and products require people having widely differing backgrounds to work together as a team to create a quality product that exists in what many naturally feel to be both a new and alien environment, the Internet. These people who collectively possess the skills to create a particular web site are not likely to be the owners of the business that is requesting the web site, and indeed in many cases are not in any way connected to the business owners who wish to generate the web site, or to each other. For this reason, maintenance of a quality web site in-house is very costly, and may be nearly impossible for many small businesses. Any web site that cannot be properly maintained soon fails in its goal of being an inexpensive, efficient, accurate and flattering representation of the company. As the information included in the web site becomes out-of-date, and unprofessional graphics and layouts are incorporated by unskilled personnel during maintenance, the entire look and feel of the web site deteriorates.

In general, these methods of web site generation may be categorized as "one-to-one"--that is, each individual web site requires the participation of a programming and design team to implement and maintain the site. Moreover, it has also recently become desirable to have an outside company host the web site to absorb the costs of maintaining the server hardware and software up-to-date and to flexibly handle variations and unexpected changes in traffic and volume of visitors and transactions on the web site. Such an outside company may be colloquially referred to as a "server farm". In general, a server farm seeks to create economies of scale by having a single company that is expert in the maintenance of the web server maintain and update the hardware and software necessary for the operation of a number of web sites. As web traffic and business grows, each company having a web site with the server farm will in theory not have to individually maintain personnel capable of scaling the servers to handle the traffic and business.

But to date, the server farm theory has suffered from the problem that control of the web site is further disconnected from the operators of the business. Changes to the content, structure and design of the web site are complex and expensive. Because the design and implementation are "one-to-one" there has been no means available for rapid proliferation of sites hosted by an outside server host, i.e., a method that does not require involvement of an experienced design and/or programmer for each site that is to be hosted.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a web site generation method and apparatus that overcomes these drawbacks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for web site generation that harnesses and coordinates all the resources required for creating, updating and maintaining a quality web site.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for web site generation that allows a user to make various selections regarding design of a web site and for the web site to maintain an overall consistency, regardless of these choices.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for web site generation that allows for the collection of various information from an external database to be used in making automatic selections regarding the design of a web site.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus in which a user may change the look and feel of a web site easily and throughout the web site, but the content and navigation of the web site is maintained.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for web site generation that allows various applications to be launched from within the generated web site while maintaining a user at the web site.

A still further object of the invention is to allow those who are responsible to a particular business, individual or other party to control,.manage, and easily modify both the content and the presentation style of the information in the web site.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for web site generation and maintenance that allows for centralized hosting of a number of web sites through a method that allows for rapid proliferation of the hosted sites without the need for experienced design and programming personnel to be involved on a site-by-site basis.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating a functional web site that allows for the taking and fulfillment of purchase orders.

Yet another object of the invention is to capture differing skills of individual people necessary to generate a web site so that these skills can be combined in a "1-to-many" format, thereby insuring that a single person or skill is not restricted to a single web user but becomes available to all users.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus where each graphical image can be stored as images and yet have textual content rendered and delivered as part of the graphical image, thus providing a dynamic method of providing a combination of content and graphical information.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will impart the obvious and will impart the apparent from the specification and the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a Universal Content Manager ("UCM") is provided by integrating, within one Internet navigation interface: a complete business web site solution; extranet/private Network, enabling companies to safely and efficiently deal with partners, vendors and suppliers; LifeSite, providing individuals and families with fully-realized and powerful personal Internet capabilities; comprehensive e-mail management; and storing and retrieving business financial and/or personal information.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved method and apparatus for generating and maintaining a customized web site, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for allowing an inexperienced user to make various design and content selections for generation of a customized web site. Regardless of the selections made by a user, correspondence between these selections is maintained by the apparatus such that each web site appears as a customized individual web site. A user may be prohibited or discouraged from making design choices that might detract from the overall look and feel of the site.

The user portion of the system includes a web site provider (hereinafter Definer) which acts as an assembly line for an end-user to generate a customized web site. The Definer references a large amount of diverse resources and presents them to a user for easy and intuitive assembly into a polished, complete web site. All of these resources can be provided to the end-user without the need for any specialized knowledge on the part of the user, and without the necessity for the user to be in direct contact with any skilled contributors to the web site generation process. The Definer is the user interface, or front end of a suite of complementary products designed to create a cohesive environment allowing various people with the numerous skills noted above that are required to build a web site to perform in harmony, thereby generating an environment that facilitates teamwork between web creators and web or business owners.

The Definer in accordance with the invention includes various modules, including a site provider (Site Definer) for defining the structure, content and embedded applications of a web site, a framework provider (Framework Definer) which provides various layout variations for a web site, an image provider (Image Definer) which allows for the selection and maintenance of various images on a web site, a Project Manager which coordinates the three prior Definer Publishing products to produce a professional multi-dimensional web site solution, and a web provider (Web Definer) which is the end-user tool that allows a user to select various combinations and to edit the web site. Through the use of such a system, technicians not related to the business owner can contribute essential elements to the production of a web site, including business analyses, graphics, page layout, and copyrighted content that may be used in a business owner's web site, and various applications that may also be incorporated into the web site. Because the provision of all of these features are provided independent of a business owner designing a web site, the end result of the work of each of the designers providing the above information will be available for all users during generation of each of their web sites.

A business owner, therefore, need only interact with the Web Definer to create and maintain a finished, polished web site. The Web Definer allows the owners of a web site to choose both the image, including look and feel, and the content information that their web site will present even though in most cases the owners of the business do not have the technical skills required to achieve this objective from scratch. Thus, the Web Definer brings all of the elements created by skilled personnel using various tools and skills, together in a powerful and intuitive interface that can be easily used by non-technical end-users to create and maintain unique web sites of a professional quality. The Web Definer performs this function by collecting all essential elements of a web site and then simply allows the business owner to arrange, color, and combine these essential elements in an almost infinite number of ways. Thus, the Web Definer acts as a "web kaleidoscope" wherein by a user simply pressing various buttons or making other simple choices, the elements of a user's web site rearrange themselves in accordance with various parameters until a desired effect is obtained. Additionally, maintenance can be performed at any time, and the look and feel of a particular web site can be changed in a matter of minutes. This is because the Web Definer, while allowing a user to change the look and feel of a web site, maintains the content and navigation of the web site, if the user desires, without making any changes thereto. In this way, rather than tediously redefining and recording new areas of a web site to see how changes would be incorporated, it is simple for a user to simply select a new look and feel, colors, or any one of the other number of almost infinite combinations to re-present its web site in a different light. In the preferred embodiment, the process of rearranging or regenerating selected features of the web site while keeping others constant is so simple that the user can create, view, and save for future consideration, a large number of different versions by "trial and error"--all within a matter of minutes.

The web site designing method and apparatus of the present invention are unique in that the method and apparatus provide great functionality traditionally provided by a diverse range of products and services into one cohesive environment launched from a globally accessible platform through the Internet or other computer network. The product includes a shared proprietary repository of finite, interchangeable, independent resources that can be easily combined to create an almost infinite number of web sites and allows for all human resources to contribute and be accessed at a single location.

Further, the invention preferably allows for the alteration of the structure of the web site by allowing pages or sections to be moved, added or deleted with all referencing and referenced portions to be updated automatically. Accordingly, a page can be added simply by specifying the referencing page(s) and links will be automatically provided on the referencing pages. This change to the navigation is performed automatically. There is no need for a designer to reprogram the links on every referencing page.

An additional feature of the invention permits rapid proliferation of web sites hosted by a central server system. The web sites generated by the invention may themselves reference a central hosting system containing the necessary software and hardware for carrying out the invention. Thus, each web site generated provides access for additional users to generate their own web sites, which in turn provides additional points of access. Each site so generated may be hosted on the same centralized system, eliminating the need for the business owner (or other site generating person or entity) to host and maintain the necessary equipment, and personnel. Thus, the invention enables for the first time a true one-to-many method and apparatus allowing for rapid proliferation of sites hosted on a central server form.

By providing a self-replicating method for generating a multitude of vastly different, unique web sites the invention provides a "one-to-many" method for generating and hosting web sites, overcoming a major obstacle present in current web generation methods and devices. In other words, in the preferred embodiment, a single web site generator according to the invention can be used to generate a vast number of unique, professional web sites, hosted by a single host, which may be comprised of whatever hardware and software is necessary to host the business and traffic created by the sites hosted.

It should be noted that although the invention is herein generally described in the context of business applications, it is equally useful for non-business applications, such as individual or family web sites, and may be used by non-profit businesses, government agencies or bureaus or almost any individual, group or organization desiring a web site for any legal purposes.

The method and apparatus in accordance with the invention ease the web site design process by providing various features. These include navigation, variation and presentation, separation, business-driven content, colors and What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get ("WYSIWYG") editing. These features will each now be described.

The method and apparatus in accordance with the invention provide a unique navigation model to protect users from one of the main maintenance obstacles faced by those using traditional authoring tools--maintaining navigation through the web site when the web site is edited. In accordance with the invention, the navigational links that provide access to all pages of a user's web site are maintained no matter how the user changes or manipulates the underlying structure of the site, such as the look and feel or the content. This is achieved in accordance with the invention by an algorithm that governs the most efficient way to maintain links between pages of the web site based upon their structural relationship with one another. Thus, the presentation of the site remains consistent no matter what changes the user makes. With the time-consuming, error-prone task of maintaining navigation out of a user's way, the user is free to organize and present their web site in any way they like without worrying about maintaining the navigation.

In accordance with the invention, each user can present a unique web presence to the marketplace with very little effort. In accordance with the invention, a large collection of images called "image sets" are available. Each image set is diverse in nature, but conforms loosely to a theme. Once a user chooses a particular image set, he or she can select from among the pictures in the set and combine these images in any way to create a unique web site, with any combination assured to appear professionally designed. This is referred to in the invention as a "multidimensional presentation." Almost an infinite number of combinations are available so that a user's web site not only looks professional, but also unique.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, while the features of the web site are all intertwined, the invention allows a user to change one or more of most of the attributes of the invention without affecting the other attributes of the web site. The presentation, structure, navigation, content, target resolution, etc., of each web site are maintained independently from each other. Any of these major attributes may be changed at any time without affecting the others. Thus, a user may change the content, navigation, or even the entire look and feel of the site, and the other attributes are maintained, and automatically updated to incorporate the user's change. This ability allows for more frequent, less expensive updates of the user's web site.

The invention insures: (1) that users are able to publish a quality web site with a minimum amount of work, (2) that the content of the web site is customized for a user's business, and (3) that a user's web site can include all of the most up-to-date features for a particular industry (pre-created industry content may be provided to a user). In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, pre-created industry content ("dynamic content") is provided to a user in one of over 200 industry groups. This content is then customized to each user based upon answers to various questions. The answers to these questions generate site-wide variables that set the look and feel of the site. Changing of any of the variables affects the entire site in a cohesive manner, including the addition or removal of industry-based content. A user can therefore generate a customized web site including individual and industry-based content. In addition, the user can edit the textual and graphic content, and can import its own content, including logos and/or graphics and text that the user has previously created. The user's various information could also be obtained from an external database.

While a user can change many attributes of the web site, these changes may be maintained within a predetermined range in accordance with the method and apparatus invention. Thus, for example, when a user wishes to change a color, the user may be limited to only colors that have been determined to be "safe" in regard to the other colors employed for the site. Re-coloring of images may be limited to aesthetically-pleasing colors and may also prevent certain colors, such as black or white from changing. Users can recolor images and be sure that the selected colors will aesthetically blend with the colors on the remainder of the web site.

The method and apparatus of the invention may also provide a user with WYSIWYG editing so that any change requested by a user is immediately implemented for viewing by the user.

The present invention is particularly suited for electronic commerce applications, including both business-to-consumer and business-to-business applications. In one preferred embodiment the web site generated is configured so that all aspects of an electronic business can be maintained on a single web site.

The web site may be maintained so that there are a variety of passwords or other identification method (including "cookies"), each of which may allow specialized access to various portions of the site. For example, a potential customer may have a general-user password, or may require no password. Such a user would preferably have access to all informational and purchasing areas of the web site. The customer could place orders for various items offered for sale and could obtain all of the information on the products and the business offered throughout the web site. A different user, for example, in the warehousing segment of the electronic business, would preferably have access to a running inventory list of all items purchased by the on-line customers with all appropriate routing, delivery and other information which could be used either directly from the web site to fulfill the customer's orders or downloaded onto the user's own computer system for further processing. Other users could have further different types of access. For example, the accounting personnel could have access to a segment of the web site that maintained data on all sales, profitability, payments, etc. Marketing personnel could have access to various types of information that could be collected during the purchasing process such as personal profile data on the various types of consumers who purchase different types of goods, the origination of business as "click throughs" from other web pages or from other sources, projections, etc. One particularly beneficial aspect of this feature is that it allows for efficient use of outsourcing, i.e., the accounting or marketing user can be an outside firm who has full access to all necessary information without having to physically visit the premises of the business. A large accounting or other professional firm can provide a standard interface to all of their customers so that all data is provided in a uniform and efficient manner.

The web site can be configured to include all of the necessary software to perform accounting, marketing, routing, delivery, and other functions, such that the entire electronic business is hosted at the centralized web site server system. Alternatively, portions of the business may be hosted at the various physical locations where the business operates.

The web site may be formatted so that it presents a different appearance depending on a number of factors including: the access password or other identification provided by the user (e.g., user profile, navigation history, etc.), or the capabilities of the device used to access the web site. For example, accounting personnel who log on may be presented only with the relevant accounting data in a format to which they are accustomed. Likewise, a customer or sales person who accesses the site through a reduced-capacity device such as a personal digital assistant (such as those currently marketed under the tradename Palm Pilot), a cellular telephone, or other communication device including those that have not yet been developed, would preferably be presented with the web site in a format useable by the accessing device. The web site can be configured so that it recognizes the format of the accessing device and presents a format that can be transmitted and used by the accessing device.

The web site may include content in any of a number of formats, including text, graphics, audio, video, audio-video, or other media that may be developed. The web site may also be generated to HTML that re-scales dynamically. In other words, the web sites that the product generates may dynamically automatically resize down to a resolution of 800.times.600 pixels which is usually the lowest level of most people currently using on PCs. This resolution is increased depending on the visitor's equipment. The site can also be formatted during editing to depict the look of the site on a reduced capacity device, such as a palm computer, cellular telephone or the like. Thus, a user can design and view a web site for a variety of preview devices of differing capabilities.

The invention also provides for an area in the customer control panel, where a user can get a list of all the different sections available for use in a web site with a description of what each does and the ability to preview the pages in the sections. These sections can be generated by third party developers, and may include external components developed using a software development kit ("SDK"). If the user likes a particular component, the user would enter a credit card number, click a button and that section would appear in the user's site and be paid for by the user.

Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, an easy to use method and apparatus is provided that removes many of the complexities of designing and maintaining a web site. A user is provided with suggested content, based upon an industry of the business, that can be modified as desired. Navigation is maintained independent of the designer. A graphical representation of this navigation is shown. The removal or addition of a page automatically generates an updated navigation. The style, colors, or art employed can each be modified without concern for the others, the content or the navigation. The inventions allow a designer to choose what he or she wants, and for direct implementation. No intermediaries are necessary.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an easy to use method and apparatus is provided for designing a targeted publishing/marketing web site that provides the method and apparatus (tools) for building and maintaining web sites of the invention to users and/or businesses of a certain category. For example, a designer may integrate new suggested content, navigation, styles, colors, art, etc. into a targeted publishing/marketing web site where new users of a certain category may create new web sites by choosing from the suggested content, navigation, styles, colors, art, etc., provided by the designer.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the UCM of the invention, a web environment may be provided for personalized content to an end user. In addition to creating a "virtual storefront" web site on the web, the Definer may be used to design a web site that provides a single URL access for site management of the "storefront" web site and all other aspects of web surfing, including personal content of individual end users. The population of content in a UCM web site may be based on a web site owner's business, interests indicated by an individual user, or suggested by the UCM based on the user's profile. The UCM web site provides a venue for businesses to provide targeted goods and/or services and to provide a flexible "one-stop" web experience for end users. Its features include: user profile orientation; natural web site navigation for content organization; navigation driven, context sensitive "billboard content"; complete "communication" services (including email management, chat, group calendar); web site creation and publishing; and Integrated business services.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts that are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an overall-system configuration for providing Universal Content Management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the interaction between a number of software modules according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an initial welcome web page according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a member control console web page according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a module selection web page for selecting a program module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 to 11 illustrate the interface and functionality for creating, managing, and saving web site templates provided by the Site Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 12 to 40 illustrate the interface and functionality of creating and editing the default structure and content of a web site template provided by the Site Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 41 to 45 show the interface and functionality of creating, managing, editing, and saving image sets provided by the Image Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 depicts an initial welcome web page for accessing the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 47A, 47B, and 47C show registration web pages for registering a new user for the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 48 to 63 illustrate the interface and functionality of creating and editing a new web site provided by the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 64A and 64B depict a registration web page for publishing a web site created using the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 65 shows a start demonstration web page for demonstrating the features of the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 66 to 68 illustrate the program/data structure for providing Universal Content Management according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 69A and 69B show a process for generating and managing referrals among web sites according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 70 illustrates providing externally generated components to be incorporated to web sites created using the Web Definer module according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 71 to 82 show the processes for creating, editing, and selling external components according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for communicating information. In this illustrative embodiment, a server 105 in arrangement 100 is coupled to one or more client terminals through Internet 120. One such client terminal is numerically denoted 125, which may be a personal computer ("PC") or the like. Internet 120 is a packet switched network for transporting information and packets in accordance with the standard transmission control protocol/Internet protocol ("TCP/IP"). Other networks may also be used, including those not yet developed. Server 105 provides the Definer interface of the present invention for web site generation to each client terminal 125 via Internet 120.

Communication software including browser software, e.g., NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR.TM. or MICROSOFT EXPLORER.TM. is installed at each client terminal 125 for communicating information with server 105 via the HyperText Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"). Server 105 is identified by a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator ("URL") on Internet 120. Therefore, to access the UCM in accordance with the invention, including the Definer interface for web site generation, provided by server 105, a modem (not shown) or other communication means in client terminal 125 is used to first establish a communication connection 130 with Internet 120. In addition to a plain old telephone service ("POTS") connection using a conventional modem, it is well-known that client terminals may establish connections to Internet 120 through different high-speed connections, such as an integrated services digital network ("ISDN"), a digital subscriber line ("DSL"), a fiber-optic cable, a T1 line, or the like. Wireless connections may also be used.

After the establishment of communication connection 130, client terminal 125 is assigned an IP address for identification on Internet 120. The user at client terminal 125 may then communicate with server 105 by accessing the aforementioned identifying URL through Internet 120. In accordance with the invention, the user at client terminal 125 is able to access the Universal Content Manager in accordance with the invention.

One aspect of the Universal Content Manager is a Definer software for generating a complete quality web site by communicating with server 105.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a structure of Definer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described. As shown in FIG. 2, the Definer comprises a Site Definer, a Framework Definer, an Image Definer, a Project Manager, and a Web Definer.

Site Definer provides an interface for designing web site navigation models and content types, known as vertical market solutions, with the simple interface usable by a vertical market analyst.

Framework Definer provides an interface for producing creative web site frameworks that are separate from the content ("userspace") of a web site. The designs may be HTML table layouts.

Image Definer provides an interface for a Graphic Designer to create images to match a specific Framework layout and are designed by theme type. The design is based on an image brief provided by the Project Manager, which includes the theme and the quantity of images needed. Preferably, all the image sets are developed with a minimum of 5 image sets per theme and a minimum of 5 Frameworks.

Content Definer provides content for a vertical market solution created using Site Definer. It includes site navigations most suited for specific industries. Content Definer also provides for industry specific questions that allow a user to customize a web site. The questions may be automatically generated as a customized questionnaire of multiple choice questions, multi-selectable answer and variable entry boxes. The content and navigation of a web site may be generated based on the answers to a questionnaire. Content Definer also provides industry specific components and text descriptions to be included in a web site. It includes a feature for developing a specification request for developing a component to a development partner. This information about a business may also be collected from a database.

Project Manager coordinates a number of the Definer Publishing products to produce a professional multi-dimensional web site solution. It receives the requirements from the Site Definer, sends an image brief to an Image Definer, sends a site definition to Content Definer for specific industry content, determines the number of available frameworks and corresponding image sets, and coordinates the completion of a web site generation project for Web Definer.

Web Definer provides a template web site, which is generated using the other Definer modules, to an end user according to the characteristics of the end user's business and/or the end user's preferences; provides an interface for editing the provided template web site into a unique web site; and publishes the web site created by the end user onto the World Wide Web.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an initial welcome page 300 that is displayed on client terminal 125 after accessing the aforementioned predetermined URL identifying server 105. As shown in FIG. 3, page 300 includes a plurality of links 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, and 330 for accessing various additional information and services within the URL identifying server 105. A Join button 335 directs client terminal 125 to a web page for registering a new user. A box 340 comprises one or more text entry spaces 345, 350 and 355 and button 360 for logging in an existing, registered user to the Definer interface. Links 305 through 335, if selected by a user, would direct client terminal 125 to web pages directly linked to initial page 300 at server 105 where introductory information on the Definer software and its provider is displayed on client terminal 125.

As noted above, box 340 provides text-entry spaces 345, 350, and 355 for entering a previously-defined account name, a user name under the account name, and the corresponding password, respectively. Server 105 authenticates the entered information after a click on OK button 360. If the information from spaces 345, 350, and 355 correspond to a valid, previously-defined, existing user under a valid account, then client terminal 125 is directed to a web page comprising services and links designed for the existing user, as will be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 illustrates control console page 400 for accessing the services and links of the Definer Publishing modules for an existing user. An Edit your Web site link 405, if selected, directs terminal 125 to a Definer page 500, as illustrated by FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, Definer page 500 comprises links to individual modules for designing, editing, and publishing a web site, such as a Site Definer link 505, a Section Definer link 510, a Layout Definer link 515, a Framework Definer link 520, an Image Definer link 525, and a Web Definer link 530.

As described above, Site Definer is a design module for creating the generic structures, content, and embedded applications for web site templates. Framework Definer provides tools for defining various layout variations for a web site or template based on layouts created using Layout Definer. Image Definer provides for creating and importing images to be incorporated on a template in the context of layout defined using Framework Definer or a new web site created using. Web Definer. Section Definer provides tools for creating generic sections to be incorporated to a template or web site. Web Definer is the end-user tool that allows a user to design, edit, and publish a web site using the templates, layouts, and images.

In summary the core concept of the Definer is the separation of the content, layout, structure, and appearance of a web site and its presentation. Advantageously, a user can change the one characteristic without affecting the others. For example, Definer allows a user to change the presentation of a web site without affecting the content of the web site, and vice versa.

It is noted that an embodiment of the invention includes a URL for identifying a separate initial welcome page at server 105, or a separate server, wherein membership access is limited to Web Definer. The operations of end-user service providing access to Web Definer will be described in further detail below. In addition, the individual Definer modules include tools for different aspects of creating a complete web site that may be published on the World Wide Web. Therefore, different personnel with specific expertise (such as graphic designers, business analyst, etc.) may collaborate using the modules in completing the web site. Consequently, the separate URLs to each of the modules may require specified usernames and passwords for access thereto, similar to initial welcome page 300 shown in FIG. 3.

The interface, features, and operations of the individual Definer modules will now be described in detail.

Site Definer

Site Definer link 505 directs terminal 125 to a Site Definer page 600 (shown in FIG. 6) that provides an interface to the Site Definer module for creating a site template, including its structure of template web pages.

Site Definer is a design module that may include a plurality of predefined site definitions (or "templates"), also known as Industry Solutions, which are categorized by specific business type, or Specific Industry Solution ("SIS"), which in turn are organized by industry, or General Industry Solutions ("GIS"). These SIS's or templates comprise generic structures, content and embedded applications for generating a web site template to be customized by an end-user using the Web Definer.

For example, a user selects a site definition for generating the initial content of a template web site by selecting an industry, corresponding to a GIS, and a specific business, corresponding to an SIS, respectively. When a new user is created, a new template web site is created and linked to the newly created user. The SIS site definition corresponding to the specific business type selected by the new user is retrieved from Site Definer and copied into the new template web site, which the user may edit using the Web Definer to create a custom web site.

The Site Definer interface may also be used to generate: (a) modular content (pages or sections of pages with text and graphics) that allow users to create a Web page quickly by answering a series of questions; (b) questions that allow users to decide which modules that are being built that will be included in the site they are creating; (c) placeholders that will insert information globally throughout a site. For example, by including a (CompanyName) placeholder on several pages, a user's business name will appear on these pages automatically when he or she registers with the provider of the Definer service at server 105; (d) on-line stores for purchasing products on a site; and (e) on-line forms that allow customers to send their questions and comments about products and services offered on a site. The Site Definer also provides for testing a created template.

FIG. 6 illustrates Site Definer page 600 for creating and maintaining a web site template. In a Display Sites section 605, an Industry Type selection menu 610 includes a drop-down list for selecting an industry to display individual business type site templates thereunder. As illustrated by FIG. 7, an Industry Type drop-down list of 705 is displayed for selection after menu 610 is clicked. As shown in FIG. 8, a list of all site templates 805 stored under an industry category is displayed after the industry category is selected from Industry Type drop-down list 705 and Display button 615 is clicked. Each listed site template includes a Business type site template name and an industry type. For example, "Acts," is the site template name and "Arts and Entertainment" is the industry type for site template 810.

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of copying an existing site template to create a new site template using a Copy a site section 620 of Site Definer page 600. A From Site Name text box 625 is provided for entry of the site name of the template to be copied. A To New Site Name text box 630 provides for naming a new site template that is generated by copying the site template named in text box 625 (e.g., from "Acts" to "Actors"). An Industry Type drop-down list 905 provides for selecting the industry that the new site template is stored under. By clicking Copy button 640, a copy of the site template named in text box 625 is saved in server 106 under the new site template name entered at text box 630 under the industry category selected at menu 905.

FIG. 10 illustrates a new list of site templates 1105 that comprises the new copied site template 1010, "Actors," after the copy operation of FIG. 9 has been performed and Display button 615 is clicked.

In addition to creating a new site template by copying an existing template, a new site template may be independently created in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated by FIG. 11, a Create a site section 645 of Site Definer page 600 includes a Select Your Industry Type drop-down menu 650 which provides for selecting the industry category under which a site template is to be created. The name for the new site template is entered at a Site Name (SIS) text box 655. After Create button 660 is clicked, terminal 125 is directed to a site template creation split screen 1200, as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 depicts site template creation screen 1200 for creating and editing a new site template. On the left is a site map 1205 that lists the pages included in the site; the right side includes a site display area 1210. A blank Home page 1215 is initially generated and displayed in site map 1205. The contents of blank Home page 1215 are displayed in display area 1210. As shown in FIG. 13, a command menu 1305 appears with a variety of commands when Home page 1215 is clicked. The commands, which will be described in further detail, include "Add Page" for adding a page to the site template; "Details" for defining the attributes of a page, such as search engine keywords, page title, emphasis, button text name, and questions users answer when they create sites according to the site template in the Web Definer; "Content" for displaying the layout (the placement of text and graphics) of a page; "Questions" for managing questions that users answer while creating their sites according to the site template in the Web Definer; and "Paste" for placing a cut page to a selected location in the site map hierarchy.

It is noted that when new pages are added to a site template, additional commands for rearranging the pages, such as Rename, Delete, Move Up, Move Down, and Cut, become available. These commands are not included in the menu for Home page 1215 because the name and position of Home page 1215 always remains the same.

A preview of the site template, as would be displayed on the Internet, can be displayed by clicking a Test link 1310 in the upper right corner of the screen. Details of the preview function will be described in further detail below.

Displaying and Maintaining Web Sites

FIG. 14 illustrates a site template editing screen 1400 similar to screen 1200 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Site template editing screen 1400 provides for editing an existing site template or a new site template created by copying an existing template as above-described with reference to FIG. 13. As shown by FIG. 14, a site map 1405 that lists the pages included in the site template is displayed on the left side; and the right side includes a page content display area 1410. As illustrated by FIG. 15, a command menu 1505 appears with a variety of commands when a page designation on site map 1405 is selected. The listed commands include "Add Page" for adding a page to the site template; "Details" for defining the attributes of a page, such as search engine keywords, page title, emphasis, button text name, and questions users answer when they create sites according to the site template in the Web Definer; "Content" for displaying the layout (the placement of text and graphics) of a page; "Questions" for managing questions that users answer while creating their sites according to the site template in the Web Definer; "Rename" for renaming a page; "Delete" for removing a page; "Move Up" for moving a page one position higher in the hierarchy of site map 1405; "Move Down" for moving a page one position lower the hierarchy of site map 1405; "Cut" for moving a page to a Clipboard (not shown); and "Paste" for placing a cut page to a selected location in the hierarchy of site map 1405. It is, again, noted that the commands Rename, Delete, Move Up, Move Down, and Cut are not included in the command menu for the Home page of site map 1405 because its name and position always remains the same. The operation of each command will now be described in detail.

Adding Web Pages

The Add Page command adds a new page under the selected page in the hierarchy of site map 1405, i.e. the new page branches from the selected page. By clicking the page designation above where the new page is to be added and selecting the Add Page command from the pop-up menu, an Add Page dialog box 1600, as shown in FIG. 16, is displayed in display area 1410. A Page Name text box 1605 is provided for entering a name for the new page to be added and a Based on Page drop-down menu 1610 provides for selecting a page format from previously stored template pages. The format from the template selected at menu 1610 is copied into the new page. The new page appears in the hierarchy of site map 1405 after OK button 1615 is clicked.

Defining Attributes for a Web Page

The Details command provides for defining default values for attributes that are displayed to an end-user who is using the Web Definer to create a new web site according to a site template.

FIG. 17 illustrates a Page Details dialog box 1705 that displays a variety of options in display area 1410. A Search Engine Keywords text box 1710 is provided for entering keywords that will help users find the new page using a search engine; "Title" text box 1715 is provided for naming the new page. An Emphasis selection menu 1720 provides for selecting the effect of navigation for the new page. For each site template, there is a limit of six high-emphasis pages and the remaining pages are set at medium or low emphases. A Button Text text box 1725 provides for naming the buttons and/or hyperlinks that direct visitors to the new page. A Question text box 1730 is provided for entering a question to be linked to the new page. As described before, a user creating a web site using the Web Definer is shown a series of questions corresponding to a site template that determine the content to be included on a newly created web site-pages and/or sections are added based on the responses to these questions. Correspondingly, text box 1730 provides for adding one such question to the site template for determining whether to include the new page or section (i.e., if there are pages under the new page in the hierarchy) in a web site generated using the site template. A Question label text box 1735 is provided for entering a name for the question linked to the new page entered in text box 1730. A Show by default check box 1740 provides for selecting whether the new page or section is to be included by default in a web site created according to the site template. The attributes entered into dialog box 1705 are saved to the new page by clicking a Save button 1745.

Changing Content

The Content command provides for changing the content (text and graphics) of a page in the site template. The existing content for the selected page is loaded and displayed in display area 1410 in the predetermined format, as shown in FIG. 18. For a new page, a blank page is displayed in display area 1410.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, {character pullout} and {character pullout} icons are positioned in various locations throughout the page for activating pop-menus for a variety of commands for adding and changing the content of the selected page.

As shown in FIG. 19, the commands in pop-up menu 1905, which is displayed when an {character pullout} icon or an existing component is clicked, provide for editing an existing component, which include: "Edit Component" for changing the attributes of the selected component; "Cut Component" for moving a component from the selected page to a Clipboard (not shown); "Copy Component" for copying a component to the Clipboard; and "Delete Component" for removing a component from the page. Correspondingly, a "Paste Component" command from a pop-up menu 2100 (shown in FIG. 21) displayed when an {character pullout} icon is clicked provides for placing a component from the Clipboard to the location of the selected {character pullout} icon, as will be described below.

FIG. 20 shows text editor dialog box 2000 that is displayed when the aforementioned "Edit Component" command is selected for a text component, as illustrated in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 20, the existing text of a selected text component is displayed in text area 2005. Formatting features in toolbar 2010 provide for changing the format of the text component. Any changes made to the text component are saved to the page upon clicking OK button 2015. In the alternative, all changes are cancelled by clicking cancel button 2020.

FIG. 21 illustrates pop-up menu 2105 that is displayed when an {character pullout} icon is selected. The commands in pop-up menu 2105 provide for inserting components, including the aforementioned "Paste Component" command. As shown in FIG. 21, pop-up menu 2105 includes: "Insert Text" for adding a new block of text to the page; "Insert General Image" for adding a new image to the page; "Insert Table" for adding a new table to the page; "Insert Structured Data" for inserting data created in another file, such as a table, in the page; "Insert External Component" for inserting an externally created component; "Insert Custom HTML" for adding HTML code saved in another file or Web site to the page; "Insert Email Form" for placing a form in the page. Form choices available are e-mail, booking, contract, generic application, credit application, membership application, quote request, review, update, and FAQ (for submitting questions); "Insert a Layout" for inserting a new page layout in your page; "Insert a GIS Layout" for adding a template related to a specific industry, such as a calendar, staff list, or fortune; "Insert Online Store" for placing an online store in the page; "Insert Page Selector" for adding the page to a drop-down list of pages on the site template; and "Paste Component" for placing a cut or copied component on the page.

A new text component may be added to any location on a template page by clicking an {character pullout} icon next to the area where the text component is to be inserted, and selecting the insert text command in pop-up menu 2105. Insert text dialog box 2200, as shown in FIG. 22, appears upon such selection wherein the contents of the new text component may be entered. Formatting feature toolbar 2205 provides various text formatting functions. New text entered into text area 2210 is inserted into a page upon clicking OK button 2220. It is noted that text generated by other word processing programs such as Microsoft Word.TM. or WordPerfect.TM., may be inserted into a page as a new text component by copying or cutting a portion of the text from the file thereunder and pasting said text into text area 2210.

FIG. 23 illustrates the selection of the above-described insert general image command for inserting a graphic image at a selected location. Upon selection of the command, a choose image dialog box 2400, as shown in FIG. 24, is displayed. As shown in FIG. 25, drop down selection list 2505 appears upon clicking menu bar 2405. Each item listed in selection list 2505 is an industry category based upon which images are categorized. The images displayed in display area 2420 are changed by selecting an item in list 2505 and clicking the change category button 2425. Each category may comprise more than the six images displayed in display area 2420, in which case a page of up to six images is represented by each of links 2430. A click on one of links 2430 would cause the images stored thereunder to be displayed in display area 2420.

When an image in display area 2420 is selected, an "Edit Image" dialog box 2600, as shown in FIG. 26, is displayed. "Edit Image" dialog box 2600 is also displayed when the "Edit Component" command, as illustrated in FIG. 19, is selected for a graphic component (instead of a text component, as shown in FIG. 19). As shown in FIG. 26, "Edit Image" dialogue box 2600 provides various features for editing and changing the characteristics of an image component. A "General Image Library" button 2605, when clicked, causes a "Choose Image" dialog box 2400 to be displayed for displaying a catalog of pictures that may be inserted to the selected location of the page template. A "Source" text box 2610 displays and provides for the entry of the path name of a selected image. The "Vertical Padding" text box 2615 provides for the entry of an amount of space between the top and bottom of the graphic component and its adjacent components on a page template. Correspondingly, a "Horizontal Padding" text box 2620 provides for the entry of an amount of space between the left and right sides of the graphic component and its adjacent components on a page template. A "Break After" check box 2625 provides for the selection of whether the line break is placed between the graphic component and the subsequent component. In other words, if "Break After" check box 2625 is checked, the selected graphic component is placed directly above the subsequent component. If, however, box 2625 is not checked, then the selected graphic component is placed side by side with a subsequent component. A "Resize Image" text box 2630 provides for changing the size of the graphic component. A number entered at text box 2630 represents a percentage of the size of the original image as saved in an image file. In other words, as shown in FIG. 26, the selected image component is 70% the size of the original image file. A line text to image drop down menu 2635 provides for selecting whether to line up a text component to the right or left edge of the selected graphic component.

FIG. 27 illustrates "Insert Table" dialogue box 2700 that is displayed when the "Insert Table" command in the {character pullout} icon menu is selected. As shown in FIG. 27, various characteristics of a table component may be changed using dialogue box 2700. A "Number of Rows" drop down menu 2705 provides for determining the total number of rows in a table component. Correspondingly, a "Number of Columns" drop down menu 2710 provides for selecting the total number of columns in the table component. An "Alignment" drop down menu 2715 provides for selecting the alignment of the text in the cells of the table component. A "Cell Spacing" text box 2720 is provided for entering an amount of white space between the cells of the table component. A "Background Color" selection button 2725 provides for the selection of the color that will appear in the background of the table component. A "Border On" check box 2730 provides for determining whether each cell and table components will be surrounded by a border. A "Cell Padding" text box 2735 is provided for entering an amount of white space around the text in a cell (see similar to the margin in the document). A "Width" selection drop-down menu and text box 2740 provides for selecting the total width of the table component. A "Percentage" check box 2745 provides for selecting whether the width selected at drop-down menu and text box 2740 is measured by pixels or percentages. Correspondingly, a "Height" drop down selection menu and text box 2750 provides for selecting the total height of the table component. Similarly, a "Percentage" check box 2755 provides for selecting whether the height selected at 2750 is measured in pixels or in percentages.

As described before, "Background Color" button 2725 provides for the selection of the background color of the table component. "Color Palette" dialog box 2800, as shown in FIG. 28, is displayed if button 2725 is clicked. "Color Slider" bar 2805 provides for selecting a color from a color pallete. "Shade Selection" area 2810 provides for selecting a shade of the color selected using color bar 2805. Display area 2815 displays the selected color and shade. A "Restore Default" button 2820 restores the selected color to the default setting. The selected background color is incorporated to the table component upon clicking on "OK" button 2825. No changes are made to the table component if "Cancel" button 2830 is clicked.

FIG. 29 depicts "Structure Data" dialogue box 2900 that is displayed upon selection of the insert structure data command mentioned before. An "Upload data from file" radio button 2905 provides the feature of uploading a table component from a file generated from an application separate from the Definer Publishing modules. A "File" text box 2910 and "File Format" drop-down selection menu 2915 provide for selecting the source file for the uploading.

FIG. 30 illustrates an "Insert HTML" dialogue box 3000, which is displayed upon selecting the aforementioned "Insert Custom HTML" command. HTML code may be entered into text box 3005 and incorporated to a page template upon clicking "OK" button 3010.

FIG. 31 illustrates an "E-mail Form Options" dialogue box 3100 that is displayed when the aforementioned "Insert E-mail Form" command is selected. A "Heading" text box 3105 is provided for entering the name of the heading for the form component. A "Format" drop-down list 3110 provides for selecting the type of form component to be added. "E-mail Address" text box 3120 is provided for entering the E-mail address to which completed forms are sent. A "Display Success Message" check box 3125 provides for selecting whether a successful transmission of a completed form is displayed to a user of a web site comprising the form component. A "Go to Page" drop-down list 3130 provides for the selection of a page that the terminal is automatically directed to after a complete form is sent. If "None" is selected as shown in FIG. 31, the page containing the form remains open after the completed form is sent.

FIG. 32A illustrates an "Add Page" dialogue box 3200 that is displayed when the "Insert a Layout" command, as shown in FIG. 23, is selected. A "Page Name" text box 3205 is provided for entering a name for the new inserted layout. A "Based on Page" drop-down menu 3210 provides for selecting an existing layout upon which the new layout is to be based.

FIG. 32B illustrates a "Choose Page Layout" dialogue box 3250 that is displayed upon the selection of the "Insert AGIS Layout" command, as shown in FIG. 23. A "Choose Page Layout" drop-down menu 3255 provides for selecting the name of an existing layout to be added to the selected location of the "Insert AGIS Layout" command.

FIG. 33 illustrates an "Online Store Maintenance" dialogue box 3300 that is displayed when the aforementioned "Insert Online Store" command, shown in FIG. 23, is selected. As shown in FIG. 33, a "Store" radio button 3305 is selected, whereupon a "Name" text box 3310, a "Color Scheme" drop down selection menu 3315 and a "Message" text box 3320 are displayed. "Name" text box 3310 is provided for entering a name for the online store to be created. "Color scheme" drop down menu 3315 provides for selecting a color scheme for the online store. "Message" text box 3320 is provided for entering a text message to be displayed when an order is placed by a customer using a web site containing the online store. A "Countries" radio button 3325 provides for selecting countries in which the online store is to provide products or services. A "Shipping Methods" radio button 3330 provides for selecting shipping methods to be made available to a customer using a web site containing the online store. A "Payment Methods" radio button 3335 provides for selecting payment methods to be made available on the online store. A "Save" button 3340 saves the information and settings for the online store when clicked.

A "Name" text box 3345 is provided for entering a name for a new product category. After a name is entered into text box 3345, and after "Add Category" box 3350 is clicked, a new product category is added to the online store as shown in area 3405 of FIG. 34. A "Name" text box 3410 is provided for entering and editing the name of the product category, as previously entered at text box 3345. A "Heading" text box 3415 is provided for entering a heading for the product category to be displayed on the online store. An "Upload Image" button 3420 provides for uploading an image to be displayed on the online store for the product category. A "Clear" button 3425 provides for removing an uploaded image.

Upon entering a product name into "Name" text box 3430 and clicking "Add Product" button 3435, a new product is added to the product category as shown in area 3505 of FIG. 35. A "Name" text box 3510 is provided for entering and editing the name of the product, as previously entered at text box 3430. A "Heading" text box 3515 is provided for entering a heading for the product to be displayed on the online store. A "Price" entry box 3520 is provided for entering a unit price for the product. A "Hide Product" check box 3525 allows for selecting whether the product is to be hidden from display on the on-line store. A "Sale Price" entry box 3530 is provided for entering a sale price which would be the effective unit price for the product when "On Sale" check box 3535 is checked. A "Code" text box 3540 is provided for entering a product code for the product and a "Description" text box 3545 is provided for entering a text description of the product. Upload image buttons 3550 provide for uploading at least one image of the product for display on the on-line store. The aforementioned details and settings of the product is saved by clicking "Save" button 3555.

FIG. 36 illustrates a page selector link 3605 that is added to a page by selecting the "Insert Page Selector" command illustrated in FIG. 23.

Operations for designing and maintaining questions to be included in a web site template for generating new web sites will now be described in detail. In accordance with the invention, there are five types of questions. Include page questions are questions that prompt end-users on whether a certain page from the template is to be included in the generated web site. Content questions are questions that inquire end-users whether a specific section of content in one or more pages in the template is to be included in the generated web site. Text questions are questions that prompt users to provide short answers therefor wherein such answers are to be included in the generated web site. Text area questions are questions that require longer answers from users, wherein set answers are to be included to the generated web site. Finally, drop down questions are questions that require users to choose an answer from a custom drop down list.

FIG. 37 illustrates selecting the "Questions" command from pop-up menu 3705, which is displayed by selecting an individual page template from site map area 1405. As shown in FIG. 38, an "Edit Questions" dialog box 3805 is displayed in page template detail area 1410 upon selection of the "Questions" command. When an {character pullout} icon 3810 in "Edit Questions" dialog box 3805 is clicked, a menu of commands 3905 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 39. Menu 3905 includes commands such as a "Content Question" command, a "Text Question" command, a "Text Area Question" command, and a "Drop Down Question" command for inserting additional Questions of the various types to the page template.

FIG. 40 illustrates a "Content Question" dialogue box 4000, which is displayed upon selecting the "Content Question" command in menu 3905. A "Question" text box 4005 is provided for entering the question. A "Name" text box 4010 is provided for entering the name of the question. "Default Answer" radio buttons 4015 and 4020 provide for designating a default answer to the content question generated hereby. An "Answer" text box 4025 is provided for entering the text to be included in the contents of a generated web page if the content question is answered yes.

Layout Definer

Layout Definer creates tables for the various pages in layouts of the template web site. These tables are in a meta-data format so that they may be selected and/or edited using the Web Definer to suit a custom web site. The meta-data format will be described in further detail below.

Framework Definer

Framework Definer provides various layout variations for a web site. Framework Definer separates the "userspace" and "framework" to optimize a flexible solution for developing creative web site designs. The framework of the designs is maintained in various HTML table layouts. A framework is made up of components that define where one or more of a plurality of images from an image set, and where a content piece should be located in a web page layout. An image set defined by Image Definer (described below) contains images which are organized in an ordered tree of categories such horizontal, vertical, background, etc. As will be described below, Image Definer provides for defining additional image sets and categories of images.

A framework generated by Framework Definer defines the placement of each component of a web page. Content components of a site definition generated by Site Definer are placed according to the framework.

Functionally, Framework Definer provides for capturing and storing details of a web site, thus, enabling a user to quickly develop a unique table layout to develop image sets therefor. Typically, Layout Graphics for a web site include: Header, Footer, Background, and User Editable Content Space. Navigation Bar image data usually includes the image order, the number of navigational images, the navigational level (first, second, third level navigation etc). These parameters may be set and adjusted using Framework Definer.

Referring back to FIG. 5, "Framework Definer" link 520 directs client terminal 125 to a Framework Definer page. For a first time user, a tutorial pop up provides a `wizard` style introduction. An experienced user may directly select one of the menu options: Specify Framework provides Framework Definer interface for specifying each layout object; Save--exports a framework to be saved in a framework library, and generates a thumbnail view of the framework for the library display; Previous Menu; Exit; and Help--small pop up window with tutorial type help with description of each button action.

To create a new Framework the user clicks on a red arrow in an edit area for a framework template and selects insert table. The user sets the attributes for the table layout; sets the table layout width to be fixed pixels or percentages; sets the table height in pixels or percentages; specifies the layout options--Header, title, horizontal navigation, vertical navigation, bottom navigation, userspace, and filler space.

A user may "Save" the Framework to a Framework Library (which is located at a content data store, and includes a collection of all created frameworks) without an Image Brief; or "Transfer Framework" to transfer the Image Brief to Project Manager to co-ordinate delivery to Image Definer. The operation of Image Definer for specifying images on a framework will be described in further detail below.

Project Manager adds a created framework to the Framework Library to enable a user to select an appropriate framework to fit their web site specification. List of modules the Framework Definer is authorized to use. Selecting the program leads the user to the `Menu List` for that module. A list of tasks allocated to this user by the `Project Manager`, with the links to the correct module to perform this task. The `Task List` also includes: Edit--edit existing `Site`; Create--create new `Site` using Definer with the correct task selected.

In the above-mentioned Framework Library, the number of navigational links and levels will determine the available Frameworks. The Project Manager co-ordinates the delivery of the Image Brief to Image Definer.

Image Definer

Referring back to FIG. 5, "Image Definer" link 525 directs client terminal 125 to Image Definer screen 4100 shown in FIG. 41.

Image Definer allows for the selection and maintenance of various images on a web site. Image Definer contains a plurality of collections of image sets created by graphic designers that are matched with specific framework layouts and are designed by theme type. Each of the plurality of image sets is developed including related images. A minimum of 5 image sets are defined for a theme, thus allowing for a minimum of 5 frameworks for each theme. The Image Definer is provided with an image brief request by the Project Manager, which includes a requested theme and the quantity of images needed for the web site.

An image set is randomly selected from a requested theme and the images in the image set are broken down into separate categories. For each category, the images are broken down into variations. Image Definer replaces the image set of the template web site with the uploaded image set after selection and rescales the uploaded image set to conform to the framework to which it is applied, i.e., the framework of the template web site. Similar to the predefined image sets, the uploaded images may be re-colored in the Web Definer.

When displaying a page in the web site all images in a particular selected variation are retrieved and rendered. For a navigation object component, such as a navigation bar, navigation information generated for the page is used to determine how many actual images need to be rendered to form the component. Likewise, the text for each component image can be rendered instantaneously. Thus, the image and text rendering is based on navigation information for content, the structure of the content data, and the variation information for the look.

Image Definer also provides an interface for defining a new set of images for a framework. This new image set is constructed by adding images for every single category contained in the framework. And, as part of the Image Definer interface, the user, e.g., a graphic designer, is prompted to upload images. Using the Image Definer interface, the user is able to ensure that the uploaded image and all its variations fit properly no matter where they appear on a web page.

Definer also includes an image designer as an internal design tool that allows a designer to upload images and designs and conform them to the Definer environment, e.g., designate them to categories within a framework and modify them to conform to the requirements of the categories. As will be described in further detail below, Image Definer prompts a user/designer to choose a framework, whereupon a blank screen and a list of categories are presented. The user/designer then chooses one of the categories to work on, and can upload an image into the category.

As shown in FIG. 41, "Image Definer" screen 4100 comprises a "From Framework" drop-down selection menu 4105, an "Existing Image Set Name" text box 4110, a "Copy" button 4115, a "New Image Set Name" text box 4120, an "Add New Image Set" button 4125, and an image set display area 4130.

Image set display area 4130 includes a "Framework" selection drop-down menu 4135 for selecting a web page template framework, as created using Framework Definer, and displaying existing image sets stored thereunder, for example, "corporate 1" 4140.

"From Framework" menu 4105 provides for selecting a framework and retrieving an existing image set stored thereunder by entering the name thereof in text box 4110. The image set selected using menu 4105 and text box 4110 is copied as a new image set for the framework selected at drop-down menu 4135 upon clicking "Copy" button 4115.

"New Image Set Name" text box 4120 is provided for entering a name for a new image set to be created for the framework selected at drop-down menu 4135 by clicking "Add New Image Set" button 4125.

The image sets stored under the framework selected at drop-down menu 4135 are displayed in image set display area 4130 with "Edit" buttons 4145 and "Delete" buttons 4150. A "Save" button 4155 is also provided for each non-empty image set, for example, "corporate 1" 4140. "Delete" buttons 4150 provide for deleting an image set and "Save" button 4155 provides for saving the contents of image set "corporate 1" 4140. "Edit" buttons 4145 direct client terminal 125 to "Image Definer Editor" screen 4200, as shown in FIG. 42, for editing a corresponding image set.

As shown in FIG. 42, "Image Definer Editor" screen 4200 comprises a WYSIWIG Panel area 4205 for displaying a combination of images from an image set on a framework as a complete Web page. A "Category" drop-down menu 4210 provides for switching between the "Home" page and the remaining pages of an image set, and an "Image Category" drop-down menu 4215 provides for selecting an image category, such as, Background, Header, Horizontal, Title, Vertical, and Footer. A "Category Display" window (not shown) displays the available image sets for a selected "Image Category." An image set selected in the "Category Display" window is displayed in WYSIWIG Panel area 4205. In addition, an "Image Type" may be entered for each image set at the "Category Display" window for specifying whether the images for the "Home" page and the remaining pages in the image set are the same. By clicking on the "Image Type" text, a pop-up menu (not shown) comprising the options "Delete this set", "Upload to this set", and "split into specific" is displayed. An "Upload to this category" button 4220 is provided for uploading the image set on display in panel area 4205 to the category selected at menus 4210 and 4215. A "Browse" button 4222 prompts the display of a menu (not shown) for browsing the local storage media at client terminal 125 for images stored therein. An "Upload" button 4225 is provided for uploading the image selected using the menu prompted by clicking "Browse" button 4222 or entered at entry box 4230. The uploaded image is displayed in a display panel 4235. If display panel 4235 is selected, the image therein is displayed in WYSIWIG Panel area 4205.

FIG. 43 illustrates an "Image Options" drop-down menu 4305 that is displayed when an image in WYSIWYG Panel area 4205 is clicked. As shown in FIG. 43, the "Image Options" include: "Insert Image Before" for inserting an image before the selected image (selecting this option prompts for uploading an image); "Replace This Image" for replacing the selected image (selecting this option prompts for uploading an image); "Insert Image After" for inserting an image before the selected image (selecting this option prompts for uploading an image); "Edit Image Attributes" for specifying the attributes for the selected image (a menu, which will be described in detail below, is displayed upon selection of this option); "Delete This Image" for deleting the selected image; "Edit Page Background" for editing an existing background image; "Put Logo Here" for including a logo uploaded by a user and specifying restrictions for displaying the logo with the selected image (a menu, which will be described in detail below, is displayed upon selection of this option); and "Insert Background For T his Set" for inserting a background image for the table cell comprising the selected image (this is important because a background image for the table cell completes the ability for a Web site to scale when viewed in various resolutions)(selecting this option prompts for uploading an image).

FIG. 44 depicts an "Edit Image Attributes" menu 4400 that is displayed when the "Edit Image Attributes" option from "Image Options" drop-down menu 4305 is selected. As shown in FIG. 44, menu 4400 comprises a number of "Image Options" and "Text Options."

Image Options

"Set Base Color" entry boxes 4405 and "Set Color" button 4410 provide for entering the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) base color of the selected image. An "Allow Color to Cell" check box 4415 provides for designating whether a base color is set in the table cell comprising the selected image. An "Align in Cell" drop-down selection menu 4420 provides for selecting the alignment (Default, Left, Right, Center) of the selected image in the table cell. A "Show Always" check box 4425 provides for designating whether the selected image is always displayed. A "No Text or Link" check box 4430 provides for designating whether or not text or a link is to be applied to the selected image. A "Repeat Image" check box 4435 provides for designating whether the selected image is to be repeated.

Text Options

An "Enter Text" text entry box 4440 is provided for entering text that is to be applied to the selected image. An "Effects" drop-down selection menu 4445 provides for selecting an effect (for example, Drop Shadow) to be applied to the text entered in box 4440 for display with the selected image. A "Vertical" alignment drop-down selection menu 4450 and entry box 4455 provides for designating the vertical alignment of the text entered in box 4440 to the selected image when displayed. Similarly, a "Horizontal" alignment drop-down selection menu 4450 and entry box 4455 provides for designating the vertical alignment of the text entered in box 4440 to the selected image when displayed. A "Default Font" drop-down selection menu 4460 provides for selecting the default font for displaying the text entered in box 4440. A "Default Font Size" drop-down selection menu 4465 and entry box 4470 provide for designating the default font size for displaying the text entered in box 4440. "Default Text Color" entry boxes 4475 and "Set Color" button 4480 provide for entering the RGB color for displaying the text entered in box 4440. "W" and "B" buttons 4485 provide for designating the text color to be white and black, respectively. The designations of "Rollover Text Color" and "Rollover Image Color" are done in the same fashion as for "Default Text Color," which will not be described again. A "Preview This Image" button 4490 provides for previewing the selected image and entered text as specified using "Edit Image Attributes" menu 4400.

FIG. 45 depicts a "Put Logo Here" menu 4500 that is displayed when the "Put Logo Here" option from "Image Options" drop-down menu 4305 is selected. As shown in FIG. 45, an "Enable" text box 4505 for entering "Y" or "N" provides for designating whether a logo uploaded by a user is to be displayed with the selected image. A "Width" entry box 4510 is provided for entering a maximum width for the logo (in pixels). A "Height" entry box 4515 is provided for entering a maximum height for the logo (in pixels). A "Horizontal" drop-down selection menu 4520 provides for selecting an alignment of the logo (Left, Right, Center) to the selected image. An "Offset" entry box 4525 is provided for entering an offset position (Left, Right, Center and number of pixels) for displaying the logo with the selected image. A "Save" button 4530 provides for saving the specifications entered at menu 4500. A "Cancel" button 4535 provides for cancelling any changes to the selected image brought about by changes to the specifications at menu 4500. A "Show" button 4540 provides for previewing a sample of the selected image according to the specifications entered at menu 4500. A "Wide" button 4545 is provided for previewing a wide version of the sample image. A "Tall" button 4550 is provided for previewing a tall version of the sample image. A "Perfect" button 4555 is provided for previewing the sample image as specified exactly by the specifications entered at menu 4500.

The above-described text rendering system ("text options") under Image Definer provides, say, a Graphic Designer the tools that are both flexible and easy to use when rendering text onto high quality professional images. The options that are available, as mentioned above, will now be described in further detail.

Depth Effects

A Graphics Designer may set an effect for the text on an image, the menu options for setting such effect include: drop shadow; select color of drop shadow; select by pull down list the `blur` type; set the X and Y offset of effect (in pixels); enter the Transparency level (in percentages); embossed text; set the X and Y offset of effect; and apply effect.

Blank Setting

A Graphic Designer may also preset a number of settings to be applied to a blank image before entering text, including: `Head Length` (in pixels); Body Length` (in pixels); Tail Length` (in pixels); and RGB base color of image.

Text Position

A user may set the text position on the image, including: horizontal justification on left, center, and right; vertical justification on top, middle, and bottom; and offsets on vertical (in pixels) and horizontal (in pixels).

Button Text

A user may enter the text to render onto an image by entering text in a text entry box, as described above, whereby entry of multiple lines of text is supported.

Text Layer

A user may apply customize text characteristics to an image, as described above, which include: font specifications; pull down list of `Font Type`; color selection for `Text Color`; `Red, Green, Blue` entry boxes to fine tune color or allow a designer to enter their color value if known; text effects, such as anti-aliased Text check box. The anti-aliased option allows a user to minimize the pixel contrast at the edges of the text. As a result thereof, the edges of the text appear smooth and blend into the background.

Save Batch

After finishing with the text rendering, a designer may save multiple images as a batch. A batch file may contain phrases to apply to an image, i.e., image text and image name. Additional options include `Load a Batch File`--Select a (text.txt) file that contains the batch information; and `Choose a Destination Directory`--Select the directory the new images are to be stored.

Project Manager

The Definer Project Manager allows a registered user to facilitate the delivery of a successful vertical market solution. The Project Manager co-ordinates a number of Definer products including: Site Definer; Framework Definer; Framework Library; Graphic Designer; and Content Definer.

Once a user enters the Project Manager, a list of projects is displayed at client terminal 125 with the following hierarchy:

                .cndot. List of Projects
                    .cndot. Current
                       .cndot. Open
                           .cndot. User ID
                           .cndot. Module Type
                           .cndot. Description
                           .cndot. Status
                               .cndot. Creation Date
                               .cndot. Start
                               .cndot. Work in Progress
                               .cndot. Completion Date
                    .cndot. New
                       .cndot. User ID
                       .cndot. Module Type
                           .cndot. Industry
                           .cndot. Theme
                       .cndot. Description
                       .cndot. Status
                           .cndot. Creation Date
                    .cndot. History
                       .cndot. List of projects by modules.
                    .cndot. Transfer Project
                       .cndot. Transfer project to another user.

    .cndot. New Projects
        .cndot. Lists the number of `New Projects` submitted for Graphic Sets
     or
        Framework creation.
        .cndot. View Definition
            .cndot. Lists the page topics.
            .cndot. Lists the navigation type.
            .cndot. Lists the relationship of the page links.
        .cndot. View Suitable Frameworks
            .cndot. Lists the Frameworks that will fit configuration
        .cndot. View Suitable Graphics
            .cndot. Lists the Graphic Sets available for both the selected
     vertical
            market and theme.
        .cndot. Transfer Site Definer
            .cndot. Allows the Project Manager to transfer the selected project
     to
            either a Framework Definer or Graphics Designer or both.
                .cndot. Enter the Graphic Designer ID or
                .cndot. Framework Definer ID to transfer project includes the
                Project ID and creation date.
        .cndot. Projects for Approval
            .cndot. Lists the number of Projects for approval.
            .cndot. The Project Manager can view the new Frameworks and
            Graphic sets before approval.
        .cndot. Completed Projects
            .cndot. Lists the full directory listing for Site Definer.

              Create Project - create new `Content Definition`
                    Industry specified by `Site Definer`.
              Current Project Status
                    Creation Date
                    Not Started
                    Work in progress
                    Completed