FR2809908A1 - Real time web site HTML to WML translation system uses comment markers in separate server - Google Patents

Abstract

The real time web site (12) HTML to WML translation system passes part of the content through a translation server (11) to a WAP mobile terminal (10) using comment markers in the HTML site.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of consultation of websites by mobile terminal.

More specifically, the invention relates to the translation on the fly of a website to be accessible from a mobile terminal communicating via a wireless link with the website. Access to a website on the "web" commonly called web site is now carried out using a browser ("browser" in English) on a computer connected to the web network. Web sites consist of one or more web pages and may contain text, still images or animated relatively complex (in color, high resolution, relatively large size).

The language used in websites is usually HTML ("Hyper Text Markup Language") which is standardized in specifications published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). .

There are also mobile terminals WAP ("Wireless Application Protocol" of the English "Wireless Application Protocol") that allow access to specific sites WAP information or services, the WAP protocol being more robust than the HTTP protocol typically used for website consultation. These terminals are for example mobile phones, "pagers" or wireless communication tools. WAP is both a communication protocol and an environment for dedicated applications. enables a device to connect flexibly, securely, quickly and interactively with WAP sites. WAP sites consist of one or more pages or WAP English <I> "</ I> WAP Card <I>") screens. </ I> may contain text, still or relatively complex images (eg example in black and white, low resolution, relatively small size). Indeed, WAP terminals generally have small screens and data transmission is relatively low speed (typically 9.6 kbps (kilobits per second) in the case of GSM mobile network). Nevertheless, it can be noted that the WAP protocol is independent of the medium. With the advent of the GPRS standard or third generation mobile telecommunication standards such as GPP 3 or IMT2000, data transfer rates will be much higher than the speeds of most current mobile telecommunications networks. The WAP protocol, thanks in particular to its robustness, remains perfectly adapted to new and future mobile networks. The language used in WAP sites is generally the WNIL ("Wireless Markup Language") language that is standardized in specifications published by the WAP Forum Consortium.

 Thus, a WAP terminal can not directly access a website since in particular the websites and WAP sites are not written in the same language and content even differs at least in its form. There are known in the state of the art means enabling a website provider to also provide a WAP site accessible from a WAP terminal, according to one of the following two approaches - a first approach is to create a WAP site with specific content; - a second approach is to generate a WAP site with content containing existing data in a website; - a third approach is to translate the content of a website into a language specific to WAP. Often a service or information provider uses the first approach and offers a WAP site in addition to a website. This raises the problem of dual maintenance for phasing "classic" web content with WAP content. Similarly, the second approach does not take into account the existing one in an already created website and leads to the generation of a double content from a single data source. It should be noted that this operation is not simple since, in general, the WAP terminal screens have a much smaller resolution and are smaller in size than the computer screens usually used to consult a website. For the third approach, we usually use a simple translation technique that gives poor results (poorly formatted WAP screens, lack of links between WAP screens, screens that are poorly adapted to the visualization possibilities of WAP terminals and the constraints of low bit rate transmissions) but which makes it possible to maintain compatibility with the web terminals. It can be improved by adding information enabling a translation more adapted to the needs of the site provider - either the content of the website itself - or using additional files. However, in this case, this technique is not transparent when the site is accessed by a conventional web terminal. The drawbacks of these approaches of the prior art are, in particular, the need to duplicate information with the problem of maintenance and coherence between a website and a corresponding WAP site. </ P> </ p> B> - </ B> the lack of quality of translations on the fly; - the incompatibility of information specific to WAP with a conventional web terminal. The invention in its various aspects is intended to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically, an object of the invention is to allow a WAP terminal to access a website transparently and optimized for a WAP terminal. Another objective of the invention is to maintain compatible or even transparent access for web terminals to this site. Another objective of the invention is also to allow a service provider a total coherence between the information and / or the services offered to a web terminal and a WAP terminal while having maintenance requirements for a website. compatible with weak or even null WAP terminals. Another object of the invention is to allow a content evolution of the website by limiting or making it unnecessary to take into account the possible use by mobile devices.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a process for the translation of at least a portion of a remarkable website in that it comprises a dynamic translation operation performed on the fly by third party equipment of the part of a site. web in a language understandable by at least one mobile device, the translation enabling the mobile device to exploit the part of a website without having to install on the site or on the at least one mobile device , a specific means for translation, other than possible markers. The invention advantageously makes it possible to translate in real time, that is to say in a very short time, one or more pages of a website in a language understandable by a mobile. The invention also has the advantage of limiting the need for maintenance of a website. The provider does not need to create a specific site for incompatible terminals with a website. These can use the translation process. In addition, the invention is advantageous since no specific software and more generally no means other than possible markers is required within the website, part of which will be translated by the method or within the mobile device accessing at this site. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the part of a website comprises at least one marker dedicated to facilitating translation, compatible with the use of conventional web browsing means. Thus, this embodiment advantageously makes it possible to optimize the translation of a part of the website, while strongly limiting these useful operations to optimize the translation. This embodiment is also advantageous in that it limits or even eliminates the necessary maintenance operations when the content of the website is modified. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the marker is transparent when the part of a website is used with a conventional web navigation means. Thus, the invention advantageously allows access to the website both by web terminals and by mobile devices. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the part of a website is in HTML format and in that the markers are placed in the form of comments according to the HTNIL format. Thus, the invention advantageously allows the access to the website by web terminals in a completely transparent manner. In addition, the translation operation on the fly is advantageously facilitated. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the mobile device is compatible with the WAP protocol. According to a particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the mobile device accepts and issues WIV @ commands.

 Thus, the invention is advantageously compatible with a protocol and a widespread standard language.

According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that the translation operation comprises at least one of the steps belonging to the group comprising: selecting at least one element of the part of the website; - transforming the content of at least one element of said part of the website; - layout; - creation and management of WAP menus; - creation of at least one hyperlink; - management of HTML windows - memorization of at least one element of the part of translated website. Thus, the translation method advantageously makes it possible to select the parts useful for the translation; - to transform text or images so that they are compatible with a WAP terminal screen> - - to lay out a web page in order to transform it if necessary into several WAP screens; - to structure the relations between WAP screens; - to allow navigation between WAP screens using hyperlinks; - to effectively take into account the HTML windows - not to require additional downloads of part of the site, between two consultations of WAP screens by a mobile WAP when in particular these screens are from the same web page.

Moreover, the translation method advantageously makes it possible to structure the translation of part of a website into one or more WAP screens. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that said translation operation is performed by translation means not included in said web site or in said at least one mobile device. According to a particular characteristic, the translation process is remarkable in that the mobile accesses the website via the translation means. Thus, the invention advantageously allows a mobile WAP to access a dedicated translation server for transparent access to a website. According to one particular characteristic, the translation method is remarkable in that said translation means is a translator site. For the aforementioned purposes, the invention also proposes a system for the translation of at least a portion of a remarkable website in that it comprises - the part of a website; - at least one mobile device <B>, </ B> - a means of dynamic translation on the fly of the part of a website in a language understandable by the mobile device, the translation allowing the device mobile part of a website, without the need to install on the site a specific means for translation other than possible markers. The particular characteristics and the advantages of the translation system being the same as those of the translation processes, they are not recalled here. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which - FIG. 1 discloses a WAP and web network infrastructure according to the invention according to a particular embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates a page of a website according to a particular embodiment; FIG. 3 illustrates a first WAP screen according to a particular embodiment; FIG. 4 illustrates a second WAP screen according to a particular embodiment; FIG. 5 depicts an operating flow diagram of a translation means according to the invention according to a particular embodiment; - Figure 6 describes a simplified exchange protocol between a mobile WAP operator and a website according to the invention according to a particular embodiment; The general principle of the invention relies mainly on the use of translation server for connecting a mobile WAP with a website. The translation server is adapted to translate web pages into WAP screens on the fly and this in a manner that is transparent to the mobile WAP.

A preferred embodiment uses translation help commands that insert into comments of an HTML page, facilitates translation into a multiple WML screens. In this embodiment, particular use is made of the following translation assistance commands <I> - </ I> wmlcard which extracts an HTNIL content to define a new screen. This command makes it possible in particular to use the HTML data that is displayed when viewing an HTML page by an HTML terminal; <I> - </ I> wmlmenu that defines a new screen. This command makes it possible to introduce data that is only displayed by a terminal using the W1VIL language. - - - wmlmenuhead adds content to the header of an already defined menu; <I> - </ I> wmlnemufoot adds content to the end of an already defined menu .- - wmlmehuentry adds an entry to an already defined menu. This command makes it possible to create a hyperlink when it is associated with a universal address URL; <I> - </ I> wmlmenuhref is used to reuse an existing element to add an entry to an already defined menu; <I> - </ I> wmltarget moves HTML content to another screen than the current screen. A content can thus be placed in a screen that can be used later or in a screen with a reference called <I> "</ I> none <I>" </ I> indicating that the specified HTML content does not exist. is not selected in a WAP screen> - - wmlblock removes the HTML content from the current screen and keeps it in memory; <I> - </ I> wmlputblock displays the HTML content stored in memory using the wmlblock command <I>; </ I> <I> - </ I> wmltable changes the layout of a table (order rows and columns, selection of table cells to be displayed ..); <I> - </ I> wmlimg allows embedding an image into a current target as well as customizing image attributes (spatial coordinates, height, width, reduction or magnification factor, color normalization or gray level, ...) <B >> - </ B> <I> - </ I> </ B> wmlarea allows the incorporation of a part of image as well as a personalization of his attributes; <I> - </ I> wmldirect allows the definition of windows from a set of windows (in English frameset) present in an HTML document; <I> - </ I> wmlohly allows to embed specific HTML code for WAP terminals simply.

These translation help commands are relatively sophisticated and are generally enriched when used with parameters that specify the translation to be performed. As an illustration, one can for example insert in an HTML page the following set of commands to define a screen: <! -Wmlcard name = <I>"</I> intro <I>"</I> ontimer = <I>"</I>#maih<I>"</I> group = <I>"</I> deck0 <I>" index -></I><I><</I> center ><I><b> Welcome to my site <lb></I><lcenter><I><</I> l - lwmlcard -> This set of commands inserted in an HTML page allows the opening of a screen named "intro", with a <I>"</I>#main<I>"</I> URL that will be displayed after a timer expires (in English <I>"</I> timer <I>")</I> determining the duration of the display, a specific group name" deck0 "and a keyword"<I> index "</ I> indicating the position in a menu. Similarly, you can insert into a HTNIL page the set of commands for defining a menu <I><</I>! -Wmlmenu name <I≥ "menu"-></I>

<I><<SEP>! -Wmlmenuhead <SEP> menuref-- <SEP>"<SEP>" menu -></I>
<tb><I><<SEP>center></I>
<tb><I><b><SEP> Welcome <SEP> .on <SEP> my <SEP> site <SEP><lb></I>
<tb><i></center></i>
<tb><I><<SEP>! - menuhead -></I>
<tb><I><<SEP>!<SEP> wmlcardname = <SEP>"search<SEP>" tille <SEP> = <SEP>"Search<SEP>" menuref = <SEP>"menu<SEP>"</I>
<tb><I><<SEP>! - <SEP> / wmlcard -></I>
<tb><I><<SEP>! -wmlmenufoot <SEP> menuref <SEP> = <SEP>"<SEP> menu <SEP>"></I>
<tb><i><center></i>
<tb><I><small><SEP>& copy <SEP>;<SEP> Right <SEP> of <SEP> copy <SEP> Name <SEP> of <SEP> my <SEP> company <SEP></small></I>
<tb><I><lcenter></I>
<tb><I><<SEP>!<SEP> / wmlmenufoot></I>
<tb> Thus, <SEP> this <SEP> continued <SEP> of <SEP> statements inserted <SEP> into <SEP> a <SEP><SEP> HTML <SEP> page under <SEP> form <SEP> of
<tb> comments <SEP> allows <SEP> the <SEP><SEP> definition of <SEP><SEP> menus (especially <SEP><SEP> name of <SEP><SEP> menu specified <SEP>'<SEP>'SEP'
<tb> command <SEP><I> wmlmenuname) </ I><SEP> and <SEP> of a <SEP> setting <SEP> in <SEP><SEP> expanded <SEP> page (with <SEP> by <SEP> example <SEP> a <SEP> header
<SEP> screen <SEP> specified by <SEP><SEP> command <SEP><I> wmlmenuhead </ I><SEP> and <SEP> a <SEP><SEP> low of <SEP><SEP> screen specified <SEP> by <SEP> the <SEP> command
<tb><I> wmlmenufoot). </ i>
<Tb>

In a <SEP> general <SEP> way, <SEP> the <SEP><SEP><SEP> and <SEP><SEP> instruction <SEP><SEP><SEP> is <SEP> rich <SEP> and
<tb> allows <SEP> of <SEP> specify <SEP> finely <SEP> including <SEP><SEP> setting <SEP> in <SEP> page <SEP> WML, <SEP><SEP><parametersSEP><SEP> display of
<tb> text, <SEP> of <SEP> tables <SEP> or <SEP> of images <SEP> and <SEP> the <SEP> definition <SEP> of hyperlinks.
<Tb>

On <SEP> presents, <SEP> in <SEP> relation <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> figure <SEP> 1, <SEP> a <SEP> infrastructure <SEP> of <SEP> network <SEP> WAP <SEP> and
<tb> This <SEP> infrastructure <SEP> includes <SEP> including
<tb> - <SEP> a <SEP> mobile <SEP> WAP <SEP> 10 <SEP><B> - </ B>
<tb><B> - <SEP> A <SEP><SEP> Point Of Access <SEP> To <SEP> A <SEP><SEP> Network Of <SEP><SEP> Mobile <SEP> 17
<tb> - <SEP> a <SEP> server <SEP> of <SEP> translation <SEP> 11 <SEP> loaded <SEP> of <SEP> the <SEP> translation <SEP> of <SEP> pages <SEP > web <SEP> in <SEP> screens <SEP> WAP <SEP><B>> - </ B>
<tb><B> - <SEP> a <SEP><SEP> web <SEP> 12 <SEP> site containing <SEP> at <SEP> less than <SEP> a <SEP> page <SEP> web
<tb> - <SEP> a <SEP> terminal <SEP> web <SEP> The WAP terminal 10 communicates via a wireless link 13 with the access point 'a mobile telecommunication network 17.. This terminal is for example a mobile phone a wireless multimedia terminal, a "pager". The mobile telecommunications network 17 is, for example, a wireless local area network, a GSM, DECT, GPRS or third generation mobile network. The mobile telecommunications network 17 is itself connected to the translation server 11 via a wired link 18. A portal (in English <I>"</I> gateway <I>") </ I> not shown can be present between the access point 17 and the translation site 11. The communication between the WAP terminal 10 and the translation server 11 is done according to a WAP protocol using the WNIL language, the translation server 11 communicates via a wired link 14 with a website 12 according to an HTTP protocol using HTML. The website 12 is any site for example service (for example, weather, banking ..) or information (road, event, _) managed for example by a company or an individual.

The web terminal 15 accesses the website 12 via a wired link 16 according to an HTTP protocol. The web terminal is a terminal, for example a microcomputer type having a color screen with a good resolution. FIG. 2 represents a web page 20 of the website 12 as proposed to the web terminal 15. The web page 20 is large in color and has a high resolution adapted to the screen of the web terminal 15. It includes in particular - a text 21 "Today: Sun" - an image 24 representing a sun with a strong definition and in color for example to one of the formats known as JPEG or GIF - a text 22 "Tomorrow: Rain" - an image 25 representing a cloud with a strong definition and in color - a text 23 "The day after tomorrow: Rain". FIG. 3 represents a first WAP screen 30 resulting from the translation of the web page 20 by the operator <B> 11 </ B> and as proposed to the WAP terminal 10. The first WAP screen 30 is of small size, monochrome and has low resolution adapted to the display screen of the terminal WAP 10. It comprises in particular - a text 31 "Today: Sun" taken from text 21 possibly simplified - an image 32 representing a sun, resulting from a transformation carried out by the operator 11 to reduce the size of the image, to make it monochrome and reduce the definition. - An invitation icon 33 to go to a second WAP screen represented look of Figure 4.

FIG. 4 represents a second WAP screen 40 resulting from the translation of web page 20 by the operator 11. This second WAP screen 40 is as proposed to the WAP terminal 10 following the first screen 30 when the user of the WAP terminal 10 clicked on the icon 33, the operator 11 having created a hyperlink between the icon 33 and the second screen WAP 40.

The first WAP screen 30 is small, monochrome and has a low resolution adapted to the display screen of the WAP terminal 10.

It includes - a text 41 "Tomorrow <B>: </ B> Rain" taken from the possibly simplified text 22 - a text 42 "The day after tomorrow <B>: </ B> Rain", taken from the 23 possibly simplified text.

an invitation icon 43 to return to the first WAP screen 30 shown with reference to FIG. 3, this icon 43 being connected to the first WAP screen 30 by a hyperlink created by the operator 11. It is noted that the image 25 which is present in the web page 20 described with reference to FIG. 2 and which represents a cloud with a strong definition and in color, is not present in the WAP screens 30 or 40: the image 25 has indeed been suppressed by the operator 11 because the website provider 12 has estimated that the image 25 is not very important in the case of a consultation by a WAP terminal and will have placed a marker in an HTLM comment on page 20 indicating that the image 25 was not to be displayed on a WAP terminal, this marker being easily interpretable by the translation server 11.

 Thus, it is noted that the translation server 11 has carried out a translation of the page 20 comprising several operations, in particular - selection of the texts 21, 22, 23 and image 24 of the page 20 of the website 12; transforming the texts respectively 21, 22 and 23 into the texts respectively 31, 41 and 42. layout comprising a division of the page 20 into two screens formatting; creating hyperlinks linked to the icons 33 and 43 including the text even these icons and the link itself with the screens 40 and 30 respectively; storage of the screens 30 and 40 allowing a rapid transfer of the screens when this transfer operation is required for example when the user of the WAP terminal 10 clicks on one of the icons 33 or 34. In Figure 5, which shows the operation of translation means included in the translation server 11, it is observed that after an initialization operation 50 during which the registers of the translation means are initialized, during a waiting operation 51 of a page HTML, the translation means waits to receive and then receives an HTML page to be translated into a WML type language. This page comes from a website12 and is for example such the page 20 described with reference to Figure 2. Then during a test 52, the translation means tests whether markers facilitating translation are present in the HTML page. received. On the other hand, if the translation means detects the presence of a marker during the test 52, during an operation 54, it extracts the commands included in this marker and performs the operation indicated by these commands. These commands can for example be WAP commands for creating a menu, creating a screen, defining a hyperlink, selecting a part of a web page, formatting text or images, etc. The marker is preferentially included in comments on the HTIVIL page as a translation help command. For example, we can find the following line in the web page <! -Wmlcard> This command to help the translation is not taken into account by a web terminal since it is a comment in HTIVLL language. On the other hand, the translation means will extract the translation help command "wmlcard <I>" </ I> and open a WAP screen.

Then during a test 55, the translation means tests whether another marker is present.

If so, the extraction operation 54 is repeated.

When the result of the test 52 is negative, the translation means translates the HTNIL page into one or more W1VIL screens according to conventional methods of translation.

Then, after a translation operation 53 or when the result of the test 55 is negative, during an operation 56, the translation means stores the screen or screens produced by the translation operation and sends the first screen to a terminal WAP, the possible other screens that can be issued later on request of the terminal or after the expiration of a timer without a new translation operation is necessary. The screens produced by the translation operation will preferably be kept in memory for the duration of the consultation session of the website by the WAP terminal and will be deleted at the end of the session.

Then the wait operation 51 is reiterated.

According to FIG. 6, which describes an exchange protocol between a WAP terminal 10, a translation server 11 and a website 12, as represented in FIG. 1, the WAP terminal 10 transmits to the translation server 11 , a request or a WML 61 message to access the website 12.

On receipt of this request or message 61, the translation server 11 translates this request or message WML 61 into a request or message HTIVLL 62 to access the website 12 to this site 12.

Then, the website 12 takes into account the request or the message HTIVIL and sends an HTML page 63 to the translation server 11.

On reception of the HTML page 62, a translation means included in the translation server 11 translates during an operation 64, this HTNIL page 62 into one or more WML screens according to the flowchart described with reference to FIG. Then, the translation server 11 sends a first WML screen 65 to the WAP terminal 10. Next, the WAP terminal displays the first WML screen 65 during an operation 66. If there is a second WML screen, a hyperlink to from the first displayed screen to display a second screen on request of the user of the WAP terminal 10 or after the expiration of a timer initiated by the terminal WAP 10. Thus, after validation of this hyperlink, the WAP terminal 10 issues a request 67 to the operator 11 to obtain the next WML screen. Alternatively, the translation site 11 can itself launch a timer which can be controlled by a translation help command present in the web page.

Then, upon receiving this request 67, the translation site 11 transmits a second WML screen 68 to the WAP terminal 10.

Then, the WAP terminal displays the second WNIL screen 68 during an operation 69.

The described embodiment is not intended to reduce the scope of the invention. As a result, many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this one; in particular in the network infrastructure.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above.

In particular, the skilled person can make any variant in the web language that is not limited to HTML but extends to any other Internet language understood by a terminal.

It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the case where the translation operation is carried out by a WAP operator but extends to operators of mobile or wireless networks, to Internet operators and to any other operator, to the sites of dedicated translation to non-dedicated translation sites.

Similarly, the invention is not limited to the case of mobile terminals where the communication protocol with mobile terminals is WAP but extends to any terminal type not compatible with direct access to an Internet network. Similarly, the invention is not limited to where a language understood by the terminal is the WTV # language but extends to any type of communication language for displaying information screens or services.

Similarly, the invention is not limited to the case where the terminal communicates relatively low bit rate or has a monochrome screen, small or low resolution but extends to any type of terminal incompatible with direct access to a site Internet that can communicate at low or high speed and has a screen that can be large, high resolution and color.

Claims (1)

 CLAIMS A method for translating at least part of a site (12) characterized in that it comprises a dynamic translation operation performed on the fly by a third party device (11) of said at least a part of a site in a language understandable by at least one mobile device (10), said translation enabling said at least one mobile device to exploit said part of a site without it being necessary to install on said site (12) or on said least one mobile device (10), a specific means for said translation, other than any markers. 2. Translation method according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least a portion of a website comprises at least one dedicated to facilitate translation, compatible with a use of conventional navigation means. 3. Translation method according to claim 2 characterized in that said at least one marker is transparent when said at least one website portion is used with a conventional web browsing means. Translation method according to any one of Claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the said at least part of a website is in HTML format and in that the said markers are placed in the form of comments according to HTML format. any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said at least one mobile device (10) is compatible with the WAP protocol. 6. Translation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said at least one mobile device (10) accepts and issues WML commands. 7. Translation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said translation operation comprises at least one of the steps belonging to the group comprising: - selection of at least one element of said part of the website ; transforming the content of at least one element of said part of the website; - layout; - creation and management of menus - creation of at least one hyperlink; - management of HTML windows; storing at least one element of the translated website portion. 8. Translation method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said translation operation is performed by translation means (11) not included in said web site or in said at least one mobile device. 9. Translation method according to claim 8 characterized in that said at least one mobile (10) accesses said web site (12) via said translation means (11). 10. Translation method according to claim 9 characterized in that said translation means is a translation server (11). 11. System for translating at least a part of a website characterized in that it comprises - said at least part of a website (12) - at least one mobile device (10) - means of translation dynamic (11) and performed on the fly of said at least a portion of a website in a language understandable by said at least one mobile device, said translation enabling said at least one mobile device to exploit said portion of a website without it being necessary to install on said site a specific means allowing said translation other than possible markers