GB2551815A - Webpage content provision - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, for providing webpages to a requesting user, comprising: receiving a plurality of requests from the requesting user (e.g. a URL), the plurality of requests for a plurality of webpages hosted on a plurality of remote servers; determining for each request a set of data items, such as contact details, required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data item is associated with a respective content characteristic, perhaps using a script on the remote server receiving the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; preparing a webpage comprising the required set of data items for each request, wherein each webpage is prepared in accordance with a common layout specification, preferably defined in a user profile, that determines the position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective content characteristic of each item; and providing each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request.

Description

Webpage Content Provision

This disclosure relates to apparatus and associated methods for providing webpage content and in particular, although not exclusively, to providing webpage content for users with particular display or device requirements. VVebsitPs are designed to deliver information and sendees. Conventionally, a user may request formatted webpages front a plurality of different servers associated with different respective organisations using an Internet prc-tocoi. A problem arises when the magnitude of different website designs, and more specifically the whereabouts of information that Is presented In each of these website designs, differ substantially, as is the case for the internet When diverging designs exist* i can be difficult for users to find the Information that they require due to Inconsistent formatting between websites from different providers. Such differences in formatting may eveh cause display errors on devices with limited functionality,

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method, for providing webpages to a requesting user* comprising: receiving a plurality of requests from the requesting user, the plurality of requests for a plurality of webpages hosted on a plurality of remote servers; determining for each request a set of data items required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data item is associated with a respective content chamctefisbcj: retrieving, or receiving, the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote serve! preparing; a webpage comprising the required set of data items for each request, wherein each webpage is prepared in accordance with a common layout specification that determines the position within each webpage of each data Stem based: on the respective content characteristic of each item; and providing:: each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request, in this way, the; method; enabies standardised webpages to be generated from data taken directly from third-party databases, the problems associated with rendering formatted webpages generated by third-party databases are therefore eliminated. The invention is therefore able to provide webpages having a standardised layout to a user despite the: data potentially being provided by one of a piuraiity of different sources with diverging: formatting.

The method may be performed by a central server in communication wills a user terminal and: the plurality of remote servers. in one or more embodiments each request may comprise a Uniform Resource Locator or Uniform Resource Identifier for each requested wehpdgi,: Each request may comprise an operation that defines at least one user Interaction with the requested: wohpage.

In one or more embodiments the method may further comprise providing a respective script on each of the plurality of remote servers. Each of the plurality of remote servers may comprise a respective database of data items* Each respective script may be configured to interrogate the respective database and to select the required set of data items for each request iln one or more embodiments each respective script may be configured to interrogate the respective database and to select the required set of data items for each request in accordance with the respective Uniform Resource Locator or Uniform Resource Identifier and the respective operation.

In one or more embodiments each respective script may be configured to filter the respective database to exclude or remove graphical data items larger than a predetermined data size in order to provide the required set of data items.

In one or more embodiments each respective script may he configured to filter the fespeetiye database to exclude or remove ail graphical data items in order to provide the required let of data items.

In one or more embodiments tie determining step may comprise selecting a template, from a predetermined set of templates,; based oh the request, or on one or more of the Uniform Resource Locator, Uniform i%soeroe Identifier and the eperaiten, The template may comprise the common layout specification, in one or more embodiments there may be provided a method, further comprising populating the template with the required set of data items to prepare the requested webpage,

In one or more embodiments the content characteristic of a particular data Item may he representative of a type of user interaction associated with the item. in one or rhofe ^iibodlrnents.iiii may be representative of remote- bsefH'ontaefedati that the user may use to initiate a communication interaction with a remote user. Thetemote-user-eontaci-data optionally comprises one or more of: a name; a postal address; an email address; a webpage URL; a telephone nianher; a fax number; an instant messaging address; and a social media address.

Jn one or more embodiments the content characteristic may be representative of 0, hyperlink configured to enable the user to access further webpage content in one or more embodiments each webpage may be prepared in accordance with the common layout specification that determines the position within each webpage of eph data item further based on a predetermined set of user defined preferences. in one or more embodiments the plurality ofraquests may be received at a central server and the centra! server may be configured to send respective database- requests to each of the respective remote servers and each respective remote server may be configured, In accordance with each respective database-request, to provide the required set of data items for each request to the central served and the central server may be eorlgyred to prepare and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request,

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure there may be provided an apparatus, for providing webpages to a requesting user, configured to; receive a plurality of requests from the requesting user, the plurality of requests for a plurality of webpages hosted on a plurality: of remote servers; determine for each request a set of data items required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data Item is associated with a respective content characteristic; retrieve, or receive, the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; prepare a webpage comprising the required set of data items ter each request, wherein each webpaie is prepared in accordance with a common layout specification that determines lie position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective content Pham^erisfid of each item; and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure there may be provided a computer readable medium comprising computer program code stored thereon, the computer readable medium and computer program code being configured to, when run on at least one processor, perform at least the following:; receive a plurality of requests from the requesting user, the plurality of requests- fM Si ptoSty of'webpages· hosifil *|^iy of remote servers; determine for each request a set of data Items required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data Item is associated with a respective content characteristic; retrieve, or receive, the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; prepare a webpage comprising the required set of data items for each request, wherein each Webpage is prepared in accordance with a common layout specification that determines the position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective .content .characteristic of each item; and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request.

Also disclosed is a method, for providing a webpage to a user, comprising: receiving a request from the user for a webpage hosted on one of a plurality of remote servers; determining a set of data items required from said remote server, wherein each data item is associated with a respective content characteristic; receiving the required set of data Items from said remote server; preparing a webpage the required set of data items, wherein the webpage is prepared is aqeofrtihde with a common:layout specification that determines the position within the webpage of each data item based on the respective content characteristic of each data item; providing Die webpage to the requesting user in response to each request.

There may be provided a computer program, which when run oh a ppmputer, causes the computer to configure any apparatus, including a circuit, computer, processor or any device dfsclosed herein or perform any method disclosed herein. The computer program may be a software implementation, and the computer may be considered as any appropriate hardware, including a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and an impiementation in read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or electronically erasable programmable read cniy memory (EEPROM), as non-limiting examples. The software may be an assembly program, computer program may bo provided on a computer readable medium, which may be a physical computer readable medium such as a disc or a memory device, or may be embodied as a transient signal. Such a transient signs! may be a network download, inciuding an internet download.

One or mom embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings In which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first schematic block diagram of a system for providing webpage content to a requesting user;:

Figure 2 illustrates a first method of providing webpage content to a requesting user; Figure 3 illustrates a: second: sqbematic Clock diagram of a system for providing webpage content to a requesting user;

Figure 4 illustrates an implemeritatioh of a method of providing webpage content to a requesting user;

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an Information Processor for use in the method of figure 4;

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a Layout Generator for use in the method of figure 4; and

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a Customizer Tool for use In the method of figum 4.

Figure 1 illustrates a first schematic piock diagram of a system for providing: webpage content to a requesting user. The term ‘webpage’ in general encompasses any electronic document that may be transferred over the internet for rendinhg a 'page1 to a user. A webpage may, for example, comprise hypertext mark-up language (HTML) code. The system 100 comprises a plurality of apparatus including a dsdf terminal 102, a central server 104 and a pluralfy of remote servers 106, 108, 110. The term ’centra!' server imparts no limitation on network construction, nor any particular geometric irtangemeht.

The user terminal 102 is configured to send a request to the central server 104. The central server 104 is configured to, in response to the request from the user terminal 102, tequast and receive data from one or more of the remote servers 106,108,110, and deliver a webpage to the user terminal 102 based on the received data.

Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 of providing webpage content to a requesting user. The method may be implemented using the system described above with reference to figure 1. The method 200 comprises a series of steps, as described beiow. A first step 202 of the method 200 comprises receiving a plurality of requests from: the requesting user. The plurality Of requests may he received in series over a period of time. The plurality of requests may be for a pibraiity of webpages that may be hosted on a plurality of remote servers. A first requested webpage may be hosted on a first remote server, a second requested ftestei -on & seeiiid remote server, and so on. M-^^s:oiiiiiptesy;@iii request may comprise: a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for each requested webpage; and an operation that defines at least one user interaction with the requested webpage. By requesting a prieular operation, tie user may specify what they wisi to do witb the webpage. For example, the user may wish to initiate communication with a remote user associated with the webpage, in this case, the operation may be to communicate, by identifying any oommunioalions-reiated-data present within the webpage with the; particular URL specified in the request, in another example, the operation may be a selection operation, in which the user wishes to select from available items presented on the website. Once selected, the available items may then be Investigated in greater detail, such as by activating a hyperlink associated with an item to access additional information about the item, A second step 204 of the method 200 comprises determining, for each request, a set of data items required from a respective remote serve·· of the plurality of remote servers. The set of data items may he assembled to provide the information content of the requested webpage. Each data item may be associated with a respective content characteristic. Simiiar types of data items may be associated with the same content characteristic. in some examples, the content characteristic of a particular data item may be representative of a type of user interaction associated with the particular data item. That Is, the data Item may enable the user to initiate a particular action or interaction by using or interacting: with the data Item.

For example, the content characteristic may be representative of remote-user-confact-0ata that the user may use to initiate a communication interaction with a remote user, Many different types of data may enable a user to contact, or otherwise communicate with, another remote user. The remote-user-eonlact-dala may be one or more of: a name, of a person, a company* business or organisation: a postal address; an email address; a webpage URL; a telephone number; a fax number; an instant messaging address; a social media address or any other data that may enable one user to contact another user. in another example, the content characteristic may be representative of a hyperlink configured to enable the user to access a further webpage or furtherwehpefe content, in this case, anydata item that contains a hyperlink may be associated with the Sami content characteristic, such that ali such data items may be grouped together to form a conveniently structured menu of different further webpages or content items that a user may choose to access, fa some examples. foe second step 2¾¾ may include selecting a tempiatd, from a predetermined set of templates, based on the Uniform Resource Locator and the operation. The template may inciuds toe epmrhon layout specification, in this way, the user may determine the layout of toe webpage presented to them, based on to# URL and the particular operation that they have selected. A third step 208 of the method 280 comprises receiving, or retrieving, the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server. To retrieve the data items, suitable requests may be sent to each remote server, which may consequently respond by sending responses containing toe required date items such that they are received by the centra! server, A fourth step 208 of the method 200 comprises preparing a webpage comprising the required set of data items tor each request Each webpage may be prepared in accordance with a common layout specification that determines the position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective content characteristic of each item. For example, the common layout specification may define that ali data Items, In a particular webpage, associated with the content characteristic of mmote^user'Contodhdaia maf be displayed *n the top left hand quadrant of the webpage;. in examples where a iatepiaii has been selected, the fourth step 208 may include ppuiatirig the template with the required set of data items to prepare the requested webpage. Populating the: template may involve providing specific types of data item in specific predetermined locations within the template. Where a web site comprises data items that are not required by the template;, the data items may not fee transmitted to foe requesting user. This may both reduce the bandwidth required to provide the necessary information, while presenting the desired information in a clearer and more intuitive format, with which the user may mere quickiy and easily engage, to addition, the template can be configured to ensure correct display on devices with limited hardware capabilities (such as small screens, low resolution screens, or apparatus wttN low processing power).

To further enhance: the ease of user interaction, each webpage may foe prepared in accordance with the common layout; specification fitoher based on a predetermined set of user defined preferences. The predetermined set of user defined preferences may further specify the position within each webpage at which each data Item is presented. For example, a selected template may specify that all remoie-user-contact-daia may he displayed in the top left hand quadrant of the webpage, while the predetermined set of user defined preferences may specify the order in which each individual remote-user-cdhtacFdaMHem Is to he provided, such as providing a name at the top of the webpage, a telephone- number immedialsly below the name, an email address Immediately below the telephone number, and so on. In thie way, the template may provide a coarse layout structure for the requested webpage, while the user preferences may provide a fine layout structure. This may improve the ease of user interaction with a webpage by always providing a particular type of data item in the same location, or in the same location relative to other related data items. User preferences may also be used to ensure that the webpage rendered adheres Id: the user s preferences for text size, font and colour, for example, A fifth step 210 of the method 200 comprises providing each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request, in this way, a user may immediately identify any names, addresses or contact numbers that the user may use to communicate with remote users; by looking at, for example, the top left hand quadrant of the webpage when it is provided. Conversely, if the webpage content Is accessed by a conventional web browser, contact data may be distributed across the webpage in a manner that makes it dlffibull % immediately identify. For example, in large or opmpikWtef|xagespaPSif may need to undertake considerable scrolling activity and visual searching of the webpage in order to trackdown all of the; contact data. Even then, some examples of contact data mayleasiiy be missed or overlooked.

Further, different types of contact data may be Identified and associated with a different content characteristic, in this way, white ait remote-user-contaet-data may be displayed in the top ieft hand quadrant of the webpage, different types of remote-user-eeniact-data may be displayed in a different order, from the top of the webpage quadrant downwards, in seme examples, a name may be displayed at the top of the quadrant, and then an email address associated with the name, and then a telephone number associated with the name, and so on. in this way, a user may very easily identify the name of an individual and their emali address, because this data may always be positioned in the same place In the user's display, regardless of which webpage the user has requested from which remote server. By providing this consistency in the positioning of specific types of information, the user’s interaction with the presented data may be improved and made more accessible and intuitive. to other examples where the operation is a seiection operation, the required data items may each comprise a hyperlink. The assooiateddentent characteristic for each such data item may be a menu characteristic, Alt of the required data items associated with the menu characteristic may be presented in a predetermined portion of the webpage, such as the top left quadrant, the top right quadrant, the bottom left quadrant or the bottom right quadrant, in this way, tie user may immediately be presented with a structured menu of hyperiinK options situated in the same portion of the webpage, irrespective of the URL or website ohginaiiy requested by the user. This may advantageously enabie fast and more jniulfiye;:lfiser:interaction with the requested content, in this way, the method enables standardised webpages to be generated from data taken directly from third-party databases, the problems associated with rendering formatted webpages generated by third-party databases are therefore eliminated. The method 200 delivers information that is structured and positioned in a consistent manner, therefore eliminating the confusion that can be experienced: Ash dealing with a maihltude Of different website designs. The invention is therefore ahie to provide webpages having a standardised layout to a user despite the data potentially being provided by one of a plurality of different sources with diverging formatting.

The method 200 accesses website information sources in real time, extracting infonmaiob to build up a webpage thus ensuring that the information being presented to the user is the same as that being presented ih a o&nvenfionai web browser, in this way, dynamic content may be updated, as in a conventional web browser, without needing to re-load the entire webpage; oniy the dynamically changing data items need be updated.

The method 200 is easily upgradeable as standards or guidelines evolve and, for the same reason, it is also open to users suggested Improvements for a specific purpose, such as learning, tuition, recreation, etc. the plurality Of requests may be received at a central server and the centra! server maybe configured to send respective database-requests to eaii of the respective remote servers, Each database-request may be representative of the URL and Operation requested by the user. Each database-request may be representative of a selected template.

Each respective remote server may be configured, in accordance with: each respective database-request to provide the required set of data items for each request to the central server, in this way, the second step 204 may be carried cut partiy on the centra! server and partiy on the remote server. The database request may provide the remote server script with the Information needed Toidentify the required set of data items within the database, Out the remote server script may make the ultimate selection of the required set of data items, based on the database request and any additional rules defined with the remote server script.

The remote server script may send the required set ef data items to the centra! sever, thereby enabling the centra! server to retrieve foe required set of data items. The centra! server may then he configured to prepare and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request orlglnaiiy received from the requesting user.

As such, there is provided a system that presents website information, identifiabie by the user in a layout that is an alternative to the original layout.

Figure 3 illustrates a second schematic block diagram of a system for providing webpaie content to a requesting user. As in the example described with reference to figure 1, the system 300 comprises a user terminal 302 and a central server 304, The centra! server 304 is configured to communicate with a plurality of remote servefsi one remote server 306 is illustrated in figure 3 for clarity, although it will be appreciated· that the plurality of remote servers may comprise any number of remote servers greater than or equal to two.

The user terminal 302 is configured to send a request to the central server 304. The centra! server 304 is configured, in response to the request from the user terminal 302, to select a template webpage 307. A centra! server-side script 309 is configured to communicate with a remote server-side script 311 in order to populate the template webpage 307 with data taken from a database 313, based on the request. The central server 304 subsequently delivers a webpage to the user terminai 302 based on foe received data and the selected template webpage 307.

The remote server-side script 311 is an ejtampie of a script provided on each of the plurality of remote servers. In general, each of the plurality of remote servers comprises a respective database of data items, aptaaeh respective script is configured to interrogate the respective database and to select the required set of data items for each request, in this way, the selection of data items required for each webpage may be determined on the respective remote server, based on a request provided to die remote seb/er trom a centra! server. An enrolment-of a website may be performed and an upload of a remote server-side script may reside in the remote servers for that website, A programming layer will identify the database structures of the remote website.

Generally, the remote server-side script functions as an interface to accept user generated requests, or data representative of user generated requests, and provide data items, from the database, that have relevant content characteristics required to satisfy the user’s pqdesii: in some examples, each respective script, on each respective remote server, may be configured to interrogate the respective database and to select the required set of data Items for each request in accordance with the respective Uniform Resource Locator and the respective operation. In this way, since only data items relevant to the respective operation are selected, the network bandwidth required to transmit them from the respective remote server, to the requesting user, may be reduced compared to the system provided by a conventions! web browser, while still providing all of the ihfeifhabpn content desired by the requesting user.

In some examples, each respective script may be configured to filter the respective database to exclude graphical data items larger than a predetermined data slss If order to provide the required set of data items. The script may identify data items as graphical data items based on meta-data stored in the database, or based on a partlpplar fllelbrmat that is known to correspond to graphics, such as jpeg, tiff, png, bitmap or other common graphical file type. Where the file Is larger than a predetermined data size, that is, where the graphical data Item comprises more than a predetermined number of bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes etc, the script may filter out the graphical data Item and thereby not provide the graphical data item to the requesting user. In this way, the bandwidth required to provide the webpage may be advantageously reduced. Further, the data content of the webpage may he presented in a clearer and more easily and immediately accessible form, thereby improving the ease of interaction with the webpage for the requesting user. Conversely, where large graphical data items are provided, such as by conventional web browsers, the information presented; tf the requesting user may be confusing and more difficult to interpret.

In some examples, each respect#; script may be configured to filter the respective database to exclude alt graphical data: items in order to provide the required set of data items, By providing no gmphicai data items, and thereby providing text data items and/or lunGtiohii data items, such as hyperiinks, the ease of interaction with the webpage may he improved for the requesting user, '^|0:'t^H#iyfiih'fequirements are further reduced, it wil be appreciated that, while it is known for some web sites to provide different webpages with related content, some with full graphical: content and others with reduced, or graphics light, content, the present system does not refy oh third party web servers to provide any such options. Any website may be processed according to methods of the present disclosure to provide a level of graphics! content desired by a requesting user, whether different versions of the content are provided on a respective remote server, or not,

In some examples, communication between the centrai: Server 304 and the remote server 306 may be achieved by using an AdM tisynehronitia JavaScript and XML) protocol. Such protocols may enable? asynchronous eomraMbieations such that dynamic website content may be updated in real time without the need to update unchanged webpage content.

The use of such asynchronous communication protocols may avoid then need to leave ports open at a remote server. Sy avoiding the need for open ports, the cammuhicatiohs protocols described herein provide for improved data security as security vulnerabilities are thereby avoided. Further, by distributing the data processing required to implement methods of the present disclosure, between a central server and one of rhbfe remote servers, the processor power required withinthe central server may be advantageously reduced, while still providing the user with: their requested content, presented aid structured In accordance with the users particular preferences, A method for implementing the system 300 Is described in further detail below with: reference to figures 4 to ?,

Figure 4 illustrates an Implementation of a method 400 of providing webpage content to a user. The method may be implemented; at least in part, by a central server of a computer system such as that described previously with reference to Figure 1. A user 402 who is registered with the central server sands a request 403 to the central server. The request typically comprises e unifonn resource locator (URL) 405, but could be any kind of unique resource identifier (URI), that, indicates a desired website. A desired operation may aise optionaliy be provided as part of the request 403.

Within the centra! server, the request 403 is sequentially processed by an information Processor 408, a Layout Generator 410 and a customised Tool 412.

The user, through a standard Browser; may request a webpage. The request 403 is addressed to the central server. The request may he in a iink either on a webpage, a directory, a search engine, a bookmark, etc. The centra! server processes the request using its Process Uni! The Process Unit constructs the Answer using the information Processor 408, the Layout Generator 410 and the Users Customiser Toot 412.

The function of the information Processor 408 is to interrogate the Web Server Sources In order to retrieve the information requested in its raw stale. The function of the Layout Generator 410 is to populate the Standard Layout using the information retrieved by the information Processor 408. The function of the User Customiser Too) 412 is to customise the Standard Layout with the users Personal Preferences. These preferences may be obtained during registration of the user. The answer is displayed in the users Browser,

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an djiifopii implementation of an Information Processor 508.

The Information Processor 508 receives 520 the request thaflhdibafeS the desired website and optionally a desired operation.

The information Processor, the desired website and desired operation are used ti determine 522 a Unique Resource indicator and template webpage using information stored, for example, In a centra! database by the centra! server. An operation may also be performed by the centra) server in order to validate the request before proceeding. A central server-side script at the centra! server determines data that is required in order to complete the desired operation using the template. The centra! server side script communicates 524 with a remote server side script at a remote server associated with the desired website. The remote server side script is able to access directly data in a database on the remote server and provide the data to the cenfrai server side script,

The information Processor SOS subsequently calls 526 a Layout Generator and provides the parameters of the desired website, the desired operation and the retrieve data to the Layout GenateSob

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of ah example implementation of a Layout Generator 610.

The Layout Generator 610 is configured to receive 630 parameters of the desired website, the desired operation and the data retrieved from the remote server from the information Processor.

The Layout Generator loads 632 the template website associated with the desired operation and applies 834 the received data to template website to provide a populated template website.

The Layout Generator 610 subsequently sails 636 a Customizer Tool and provide the parameters of the populated template website.

Figure 7 Illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example implementation of a Customizer Tool 712.

The Customizer Tool 712 is configured to receive 740 the populated template website from the Layout Generator. The Customizer Tool receives 742 user preference data associated with the user and amends 744 the layout of the populated template website in accordance with the user preference data. The populated template website is subsequently served 746 to the user in order to fulfil the request .Alternatively, the Customizer Tool may be applied to the template website before it is populated, in which case the Customizer Too! invokes the Layout Generator, which subsequently serves the website to the requesting user.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1 - & method, for providing webpages to a requesting user, comprising: receiving a plurality of requests froRVthe requesting user, the plurality of regibsts for a plurality of webpages hosted on a plurality of remote servers; determining for each request a set of data items required from a respeelye remote server of the plurality of remote servers; wherein each data item is associated with a respective content characteristic; receiving the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; preparing a webpage comprising the required set of data items for each request, wherein each webpage is prepared in accordance with a common layout specification that determines tie position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective content characteristic of each data item; and providing each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request, ; 2> The method of claim 1, wherein each request comprises: a Uniform Resource Locator for each requested webpage; and an operation that defines at least one user interaction with the requested webpage,

   1, The method of claim 2, further comprising; providing a respective script on each of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each of the plurality of remote servers comprises a respective database of data items;: and each respective script is configured to imerrogate fhe fespptlye database i and to select the required set of data items for each request
2. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each respective script is configured to interrogate the respective database and to select the required set of data items for each request In accordance with the respective Uniform Resource Locator and the respective operation. i
3. 5, The method of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein each respective script is configured to filter the respective database to exciude graphical data items larger than a pmdetermiried data sizi ih order to provide the required set of data items.
4. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each respective script is configured to filter the respective database to exclude ail graphical data Items in order to provide the required set of data items. ?. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the determining step comprises; seiesfing a «plate, tom a; predeiermfrted set of templates, based on the request, the template comprising the common layout specification.
5. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising populating the template with the required set of data items to prepare the requested webpage.
6. 9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the content characteristic of a particular data Item is representative of a type of user interaction associated with the particular data Item.
7. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the content Characteristic Is representative of remote-user-contact-data that the user may use to initiate a communication interaction with a remote user, the remote-user-contact-data optionaiiy comprising one or more of: a name; ajpsta) address; an email address; a webpage URL; a telephone number; a fax number; an instant messaging address; and a social media address.
8. 11. The .method of claim 9, wherein the content characteristic is representative of a hyperlink configured to enable the user to access further webpage content
9. 12. The method of any preceding claim, wherein each webpage is prepared in accordance with the common layout specification that determines lie position within; each webpage of each data item further based on a predetermined; sat of user defined i preferences.
10. 13. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of requests are received if a centra! server end the central server is configured to send respective database-requests to each of the respective remote servers and each respective remote server is i configured, in accordance with each respective database-request, to provide the required set of data items for each request to the central server, and the central server is configured to prepare and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request-
11. 14. An apparatus, for providing webpages to a requesting user, configured to: ; receive e plural^ requesting user, the plurality of requests for a plurality of webpages hosted on a plurality of remote servers; determine for each request a set of data items required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data item Is associated with a; respective content characteristic; receive the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; prepare a webpage comprising the required set of data items for each request, wherein each webpage is prepared In accordance with a common iayqut specification that determines tie position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective content characteristic of each data item; and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request.
12. 15. A computer readable medium comprising computer program code stored thereon, the computer readable medium and computer program code being configured to, when run on at least one processor, perform at least the following: I receive a plurality of requests from the requesting user, the plurality of requests for a plurality of webpages hosted on a pluraiity of remote servers; determine tor each request a set of data Items required from a respective remote server of the plurality of remote servers, wherein each data fflm Is associated with a respective content characteristic; ! receive the required set of data items for each request from each respective remote server; prepare a webpage comprising the required sat of date dims for each request, Wherein each webpage is prepared in accordance with a common 'layout specification that determines the position within each webpage of each data item based on the respective > content characteristic of each data item; and provide each webpage to the requesting user in response to each request,
13. 18. A method for providing webpages to a requesting user, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; ) P, An apparatus for providing webpages to a requesting user, substantially as described herein with; reference to the accompanying drawings:,
14. 18. A computer program for providing webpageslo a requesting user, substantially as ΐ described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,