GB2618839A - A webpage annotation method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

A webpage-annotation method M100 is provided for recording a sequential annotated webpage journey of a first user for a second user to follow. The first user creates annotations which are sequential in nature, and which the second user can then follow a sequential annotated webpage journey, improving the ease with which they can follow the actions of the first user. Clicks may be highlighted in different colours, allowing workflow to be followed and broken links to be corrected using the web annotation reader browser plug-in or extension. Html element data associated with the location of a webpage bay therefor be recorded showing the starting URL and web page journey of a user.

Description

A Webpage Annotation Method and System The present invention relates to a webpage-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated webpage journey of a first user for a second user to follow. A webpageannotation system for implementing the method is also provided, as is a more general digital-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated digital journey of a first user for a second user to follow.

There are many scenarios in which an individual may want to provide contextual information regarding a webpage for other users to readily follow. One possibility would be to record video capture of their screen whilst performing actions on-screen in relation to the webpage, usually accompanied by audio. The recording may then be shared. Live streaming is also a common means of sharing a video feed of a screen.

The difficulty presented here is that a user following the video must understand what is occurring in real time. The video could be too fast for the later user to comprehend, or could be too slow and therefore time-wasting. Furthermore, the file size of video content is generally large, creating file transfer difficulties, and in general, users are also required to have a separate window open on their browser to be able to both use the webpage and follow the video simultaneously. Creating and editing videos also requires a reasonable amount of skill, creating a barrier to entry for new users.

Webpage annotation software is also known. This is where annotations are presented on a webpage which are created by the first user for a second user to inspect. There are two primary ways of doing this: the first user can provide annotations directly in the html or CSS of the webpage, and the annotations may appear as toolfip pop-ups, for example; alternatively, positional data regarding the html elements can be used to create a type of overlay or mask of annotations which is rendered over the top of a live website.

Such processes, unlike the screen recording, lose temporal data. It is possible to see all of the annotations which have been made, but it is not clear the order in which they were made. This makes the intentions of the original annotator difficult to follow, as the annotations are likely displayed in a non-chronological fashion. Context and specificity is also often lost during annotation overlay methods, since the positional data may not be the same for all users in all browsers or screens.

The present invention seeks to provide an enhanced means of providing information from one user to another, particularly in relation to webpages and other digital media, which allows for instructions to be more readily conveyed.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a webpage-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated webpage journey of a first user for a second user to follow, the webpage-annotation method comprising the steps of: a] activating a webpage-annotation recorder at a user device of a first user, the webpage-annotation recorder comprising a webpage-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data; b] navigating to a webpage location using the user device of the first user; c] using the webpage-annotation recorder, creating an annotation associated with the webpage location, the webpageannotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpagelocation-specific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element; d] navigating to a further webpage location using the user device of the first user; e] using the webpage-annotation recorder, creating a further annotation associated with the further webpage location, the webpage-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element; f] repeating steps d] and e] for a desired number of further annotations associated with further webpage locations; g] compiling the annotation data and webpage-location-specific data into a sequential annotated webpage journey based on the annotation sequence data; and h] providing the sequential annotated webpage journey for access by a second user.

There are several advantages with the present method. A user having access to the sequential annotated webpage journey produced by the method can follow the steps of the process at their own pace, since they will be able to provide input to sequentially progress through the sequential annotated webpage journey. This ensures that the later user can spend the time necessary to fully comprehend the instructions provided, or can race through more basic material as required. It is noted that the term webpage location here is used in a general context. It could refer to specific locations on a single webpage, or locations spread across different webpages. Both scenarios are intended to be encompassed within the present scope of protection.

Optionally, the web-annotation recorder may comprise a browser plugin or extension. Alternatively, the web-annotation recorder may comprise an installable software program or application.

It is preferred for ease of use that the web-annotation recorder be provided as plugin or 5 extension to a user's browser interface, though it will be apparent that installable desktop software may also be suitable for specific purposes.

Preferably, the webpage-journey-data storage element may comprise an array element, the indices of the array element comprising the annotation sequence data.

Array data structures have the advantage of carrying the sequential information 10 automatically as part of their structure, which makes for a convenient data storage element for the annotation data.

During steps c] and e], the annotation data and further annotation data may be generated by a user input by the first user. Said user input may be a user click.

There needs to be some form of user input in order for an annotation to be registered, 15 and this will typically be in the form of a click, thereby creating a click journey for the second user to follow. This provides a clear and obvious direction to the second user as to the actions which should be taken to follow the first user's guidance.

Optionally, the annotation data may comprise any or all of: webpage-element highlighting; text data; image data; video data; audio data; and a hyperlink.

There are many ways in which the annotation data can be displayed to a user, and more complex information recording means may be helpful for providing more information to the second user.

Preferably, the webpage-location-specific data may comprise positional and/or dimensional information relating to the annotation.

Where comments are provided in addition to any highlighting or bounding box around the html element of the webpage, it is desirable that the exact position and/or size of the comment box, for instance, be specified, to provide the second user with a suitable scale of comment to read.

The webpage-location-specific data may comprise html element data associated with a location of the webpage to be annotated.

Since the webpage-location-specific data references the underlying html elements, the entire method becomes compatible with any given browser, as well as usable for any 5 depictable webpage.

Optionally, during steps b] and/or d], a html element of the webpage may be visually identified prior to steps c] and/or e] respectively.

Identification of the underlying html element to which the annotation is anchored has the advantage of ensuring that the first user unambiguously realises where the annotation 10 will appear to a subsequent viewer, limiting the chance of accidental misplacement of the annotation.

During step c], the annotation may include a starting URL for the sequential annotated webpage journey.

It is preferred that the webpage-annotation system have a means for directing the second 15 user to the correct starting point for any sequential annotated webpage journey, rather than making them identify the correct webpage beforehand.

The webpage-journey-data storage element may comprise visual annotation indicator data for indicating an annotation type to the second user.

It is preferred that there is some form of visual identifier, preferably colour-based, to 20 clearly denote what of annotation is present. This way, the second user can rapidly identify which annotations are of most use and/or interest.

The webpage-annotation method may further comprise a step of displaying to the first user previously recorded sequential annotated webpage journeys.

It is helpful for the first user to be able to organise their previously recorded sequential 25 annotated webpage journeys and have a simple means of identifying which recordings relate to which topic, particularly for the purposes of sharing said sequential annotated webpage journeys with other parties.

Preferably, the first user may be able to replay the said previously recorded sequential annotated webpage journeys.

A review process may advantageously allow the first user to reduce or eliminate errors or mistakes in their recordings, reducing confusion to the or each second user viewing the sequential annotated webpage journey at a later date.

The webpage-annotation recorder may comprise an undo button to undo previously 5 recorded annotations.

Undo functionality provides a means of eliminating accidental click recording which may otherwise clutter a streamlined sequential annotated webpage journey.

Optionally, the webpage-annotation recorder may require authentication credentials to use.

Access to the webpage-annotation system may be limited to authorized users only, so that sequential annotated webpage journeys cannot be generated or edited without permission. This also provides a means for users keeping their own sequential annotated webpage journeys separate.

During step a], a visual representation of a recording state of the webpage-annotation 15 recorder may be presented.

It is helpful for a first user to be made aware of the recording status of the webpageannotation recorder, and therefore a visual indication is a logical means of providing this rapidly.

The webpage-annotation method preferably further comprises the steps subsequent to step h] of: i] a second user accessing the sequential annotated webpage journey; j] directing the second user to the said webpage location associated with the said annotation, and displaying the said annotation to the second user; and k] advancing sequentially through the sequential annotated webpage journey upon a sequential inputs by the second user, displaying the or each said further annotation at the or each said further webpage location respectively.

The second user is able to follow the sequential annotated webpage journey prepared by the first user completely at their leisure. As the second user makes inputs of their own, progress is made through the sequential annotated webpage journey at a pace of the second user's own choosing.

Preferably, during step k], the or each sequential input may be a click by the second user.

Click advancement through the sequential annotated webpage journey is a simple means of progressing the sequential annotated webpage journey, requiring very limited amounts of digital proficiency on the part of the second user.

The said annotation and/or the said further annotation may be displayed to the second 5 user by reference to a html element identifier of the webpage location or the or each further webpage location.

If the html element of the webpage is the locator for the annotations, then the second user will have a representation before them which is as close to the rendering at the first user device, regardless of the type of second user device used.

The webpage-annotation method may further comprise the step of searching for the said html element identifier at the webpage location or the or each further webpage location. Additionally, the webpage-annotation method may further comprise the step of inserting the said annotation and/or the said further annotation onto the webpage in the event that the html element identifier is not found during the search.

With webpage technology, there is a temporal factor which needs to be considered; webpages change or are removed regularly on the internet. It is therefore desirable for the webpage-annotation system to attempt to search for the underlying html element linked to the annotation, and, in the event that it is not found, present the annotation regardless to the user in a most appropriate location.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an annotation recording system comprising: a service host communicable with one or more user devices; and a webpage-annotation recorder comprising a webpage-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data; wherein the webpage-annotation recorder is configured to record a plurality of annotations associated with webpage locations, the webpage-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element for each annotation; the webpageannotation recorder being further configured to compile the annotation data, and webpage-location-specific data into a sequential annotated webpage journey based on the annotation sequence data.

A system capable of implementing the aforementioned method provides all of the previous advantages, enabling a new form of web annotation to be recorded in a sequential manner.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated digital journey of a first user for a second user to follow, the digital-annotation method comprising the steps of a] activating a digital-annotation recorder at a user device of a first user, the digital-annotation recorder comprising a digital-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data; b] navigating to a digital location using the user device of the first user; c] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating an annotation associated with the digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; d] navigating to a further digital location using the user device of the first user; e] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating a further annotation associated with the further digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; f] repeating steps d] and e] for a desired number of further annotations associated with further digital locations; g] compiling the annotation data and digital-location-specific data into a sequential annotated digital journey based on the annotation sequence data; and h] providing the sequential annotated digital journey for access by a second user.

The present invention is clearly not limited to use in the annotation of webpages, even though this is the initial intended use case. It will be clear that there are more general digital applications, particularly in the realm of client, customer, or staff information 25 programmes, or during change management processes.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a pictorial representation of an indicative webpage-annotation system, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, for use in implementing 30 a webpage-annotation method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a pictorial representation of a webpage having been annotated using the webpage-annotation system of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a webpage-annotation method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is indicated a webpage-annotation system, referenced globally at 10, and which is suitable for implementing the present webpage-annotation 5 method.

There is a first user 12, having a first user device 14, which is configured to be able to connect to the internet and access webpages. The first user device 14 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or any other type of internet-accessible device. In order to make use of the webpage-annotation system 10, there is appropriate webpage-annotation recorder 16, in the form of computer software, made available to the first user 12, which is preferably provided in the form of a browser plugin or extension that runs within the browser of the first user device 14.

There is also a second user 18, having a second user device 20, which is configured to be able to connect to the internet and access webpages. The second user device 20 15 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or any other type of internet-accessible device.

The first and second user devices 14, 20 are communicable via the internet, being able to access the same internet sources. This is indicated by a webpage server 22, which is where an indicative webpage to be annotated will be hosted; both the first and second user devices 14, 20 are configured to retrieve webpage data from the webpage server 22 in order to render the webpage locally.

It will be appreciated that the webpage server 22 could be any form of server, including but not limited to a local network server, a centralised but remote server, or a decentralised or cloud-based server. Where multiple webpages are to be accessed, it will be apparent that a plurality of different webpage servers 22 will likely be accessible simultaneously.

There is also a service host 24 which stores and/or receives data specific to the webpage-annotation system 10. This service host 24 will likely be maintained or operated by the owner or operator of the webpage-annotation system 10, for the specific purpose 30 of recording and/or storing sequential annotated webpage journeys.

An indicative rendering of a webpage 26 to be annotated is illustrated adjacent the webpage server 22 in Figure 1. The upper screen images indicate the rendering of the webpage 26 in a pre-annotated form, as well as four subsequent instances of the webpage, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, following the annotation, represented on the screen of the first user device 14. The lower screen images indicate the rendering of the webpage 26' on the screen of the second user device 20, as well as four sequential instances of the webpage 26a', 26b', 26c', 26d', corresponding with the annotated instances from the first user 12.

A typical webpage comprises a html document having container elements, such as the <html> element, which is the overarching wrapper for the webpage 26, the <head> element, which contains header information for the webpage, and the <body> element, which wraps the main content of the webpage for display in the navigation area of a web browser. The majority of the navigable content of the webpage is found within the <body> element of the webpage 26.

Modern webpages have vast amounts of relevant information in the html elements, given their complexity. Common elements include: those which are content specific, such as those for images, audio, or video content; style or structural information governing the overall appearance of the website, which may be fluid depending on the device used to render the webpage; script elements capable of executing code on the webpage, for instance, using JavaScript or an executable language; or link data, taking a user to another webpage location.

Html elements have individual attributes which set the properties of the element themselves, and common attributes of html elements include: id data, allowing the element to be rapidly identified and cross-referenced; location data, which provides information about how content should be displayed on a screen; and comments or descriptive information about the element itself. Information on html element attributes is widely and freely available.

The right-hand side of Figure 1 shows an indicative set of renderings of the webpage 26 for the respective first and second users 12, 18.

When the webpage-annotation system 10 is activated by the first user 12, recordings of their interactions with the webpage 26, typically in the form of clicks, will be logged in a sequential manner, and the full sequential annotated webpage journey of the first user 12 will be recorded for the second user 18 to follow. In practice, this will take the form of annotation recordings 28 made by the user, which may be displayed on the first user device 14 in real time.

The sequential annotated webpage journey here includes navigation to the starting webpage 26, adding a first annotation recording 28 to create the first annotated webpage instance 26a, adding a second annotation recording 28 to create the second annotated webpage instance 26b, navigating to another webpage 26c, and then adding a further annotation recording 28 to create the final annotated webpage instance 26d.

Once the sequential annotated webpage journey has been completed, the first user 12 can make it available to the second user 18. The second user 18 can then activate the sequential annotated webpage journey on the second user device 20, which loads display annotations 30 equating to the annotation recordings 28, and which are displayed in a sequential manner to the second user 18. The second user 18 is then able to follow the sequence at their leisure since they are provided with control over the sequential navigation.

The webpage 26' is rendered on the second user device 20, and a click will then navigate to the first annotated webpage instance 26a'. A further click then navigates to the second annotated webpage instance 26b', and a yet further click navigates to the alternative webpage 26c'. A final click brings up the final annotated webpage instance 26d'.

An indicative representation of a webpage 26 is shown in Figure 2, with a display annotation 30 shown. The display annotation here includes an element identifier portion 32, which is a bounding box around the html element linked to the annotation. This provides webpage-location-specific data; this is the reason why the present method can be treated as webpage agnostic, since the linking is performed on the html element level.

This display annotation 30 also includes a comment box 34, which has its own webpagelocation-specific data associated therewith, most likely as a relative position compared with the html element location highlighted by the element identifier portion 32.

It is anticipated that, when the first user 12 is making the selection of the positioning of their annotation, that an indicative bounding box appears over the html element of the 30 webpage which is to be linked to. This ensures that the first user 12 has complete confidence over the positioning of their annotation.

Figure 3 illustrates how the webpage-annotation method operates, indicated generally at M100.

The first user 12 activates, at step S101, the webpage-annotation recorder 16 of the webpage-annotation system 10 at the first user device 14, typically via their web browser.

It will be appreciated however that the webpage-annotation recorder could be provided as standalone installable software on the first user device 14. This initiates the recording of the sequential annotated webpage journey for the first user 12.

The webpage-annotation recorder 16 at this stage generates a webpage-journey-data storage element which is capable of storing pertinent data relating to the sequential annotated webpage journey. This includes, but is not limited to: annotation data, that is, relevant data recorded by the first user 12 which forms the annotation itself; annotation sequence data, that is, information relating to the order in which the annotations have been created; and webpage-location-specific data, that is, data related to the placement of the annotation in any rendering in due course.

Upon activation, there may be an indicator, typically a visual indicator, that recording is active. In one implementation of the invention, an overlay is displayed to the first user 12 which indicates that interaction, for example, via a click, will be recorded. Any icon associated with the webpage-annotation recorder 16 may also change in appearance, for example, by displaying a 'recording' icon. Additionally, or alternatively, any icon may be replaced with an icon which is indicative of deactivation of the recording process, which may be a viable mechanism for ending the recording process.

Once the webpage-annotation recorder 16 is activated, the first user 12 can navigate, at step S102, to a desired webpage location at which they intend to apply an annotation. This would typically be performed with a cursor on-screen, but it will be appreciated that 25 different input mechanics are available, in particular in relation to touchscreens.

The first user 12 can then, using webpage-annotation recorder 16, create, at step S103, an annotation associated with the desired webpage location. This process is denoted by a CLICK indicator. It will be apparent that this is for indicative purposes only; as described above, other user inputs could be made which generate the annotation, for instance, keyboard or touchscreen inputs.

In a most basic state, the first user 12 may click on the desired webpage location, thereby providing a visual identifier of the click in the recording. However, in most cases, it will be preferred that further annotation information be provided as part of the annotation data, and thus the first user 12 may be prompted to input a comment in the form of text which will be displayable to the second user 18 in due course.

In further embodiments of the invention, additional forms of annotation data may be enterable, for example, audio recordings, video recording, emojis or emoticons, and onward links. Customisable types of annotation may be provided as well, for example, the capability to modify the scale of a comment box for an annotation.

It may also be feasible to provide multiple input methods to assign different click behaviour. For instance, if the first user 12 is using a mouse or similar multi-button input, then a left-click might generate a standard annotation, whereas a right-click might provide the option to provide textual comment data.

It is preferred that the recorded annotation be linked to an element of the underlying html 15 of the webpage, in order to provide an anchor for the display annotations 30 during subsequent rendering, as well as for the live annotation recording 28 being displayed to the first user 12.

The generation of an annotation recording 28 by the first user 12 will send information about the webpage element, sending the information back to the service host 24 for recording in the webpage-journey-data storage element. Until the recording is stopped at the webpage-annotation recorder 16, the annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data may be only stored temporarily.

The webpage-journey-data storage element itself may be in the form of an xml or html element, or may be an alternative form of data storage.

Data stored in the webpage-journey-data storage element may include, but is not limited to: a unique identifier for each annotation recording 28; authorial information; authorisation access information; initial URL information; title information; description information; comment information, which may form the annotation data at least in part; a tag identifier for association with an element of the webpage 26, which may form part of the webpage-specific-location data positional information for the annotation recording, which may form part of the webpage-specific-location data and/or part of the annotation data; and other miscellaneous data.

The webpage-journey-data storage element may comprise an array data structure within which the annotation recordings 28 are sequentially logged. This data type may provide 5 the annotation sequence data automatically.

After the first user 12 makes their first click, they will navigate, at step 5104, to a further webpage location, which may be a different element or location on the current webpage 26, or may be a location on a different webpage. It may be that a new input type may be required in order to provide a link to a different webpage; this may prevent clicking on a new tab from creating an undesirable annotation recording 28.

The first user 12 can then create, at step S105, a further annotation recording 28 which is recorded sequentially within the webpage-journey-data storage element, indicating that it follows in sequence from the previous annotation recording 28. Again, this is denoted by a CLICK indicator.

The navigating to new locations and then creating of additional annotation recordings 28 can be repeated, at step 5106, and thus repeating steps 5104 and 5105, as many times as necessary for the first user 12 to complete the sequential annotated webpage journey that they want to present to the second user 18.

It may be desirable to provide an option to undo previous annotation recordings, perhaps 20 in the form of an undo button within the webpage-annotation recorder 16, allowing the first user 12 greater control of the sequential annotated webpage journey that is recorded.

Once the sequential annotated webpage journey is completed, the first user 12 is able to deactivate, at step S107, the webpage-annotation recorder 16, for instance, by clicking 25 a dedicated 'stop' button provided by the webpage-annotation recorder 16 within the browser.

At this point, the webpage-annotation system 10 records the webpage-journey-data storage element at the service host 24, so that the relevant information can be shared or otherwise provided to other users. Sharing of the sequential annotated webpage journey can then be performed, at step 5108, so that one or more, preferably authorised, second users 18 can access the sequential annotated webpage journey.

It will be appreciated that sequential annotated webpage journeys could be provided requiring no authorisation credentials, so that any second user can access the sequential annotated webpage journey.

The first user 12 may be able to review their previous sequential annotated webpage 5 journeys within the webpage-annotation recorder 16. This could be provided within a sidebar in the browser, if the webpage-annotation recorder 16 is provided as a browser plugin. Such a sidebar may provide brief bibliographic details to the first user 12. Authorisation control for other users may also be activable within this sidebar, for example, by providing checkboxes to make the sequential annotated webpage journey 10 public, or generate a shareable link.

This process completes the first user's 12 journey within the webpage-annotation system 10.

A second user 18 having access to the webpage-annotation system 10 and having access or authorisation to access one or more pre-recorded sequential annotated webpage journeys. Accessible sequential annotated webpage journeys may be visible within a sidebar of the webpage-annotation system 10 similar to the representation to the first user 12 for replaying their own sequential annotated webpage journeys.

If the second user 18 opens, at step S201, a sequential annotated webpage journey, they will be directed to the webpage location indicated within a starting URL associated 20 with the sequential annotated webpage journey.

As an alternative, the webpage-annotation system may identify to the second user 18 any available sequential annotated webpage journeys which can be viewed on a given starting webpage that the second user 18 is currently viewing.

On activation of the sequential annotated webpage journey, the second user is directed 25 to a starting webpage location, and a first sequential display annotation 30 is indicated, at step S202, on the webpage 26. This could be, for example, provided by highlighting the first annotated element in the sequential annotated webpage journey.

It will be apparent that the second user 18 could readily be viewing the webpage 26 on a different type of user device to that which the first user 12 had annotated. In this case, 30 the webpage-annotation system 10 will use a search mechanism to identify the correct element on the webpage 26 which corresponds to the one annotated originally. This could be extremely important for a webpage 26 having a high degree of entropy, such as a news website, and therefore a means for determining a correspondence between the webpage annotated by the first user 12 and the webpage as loaded by the second user 18. This is particularly important where there has been a significant duration between the creation of the sequential annotated webpage journey and the viewing of the display annotations 30 by the second user 18, since the layout of the webpage 26 may well have changed during that period.

In one preferred embodiment, it may be optionally possible for the original html element from the webpage 26 to be inserted or overlaid, at step S202A, if no corresponding 10 element can be found, so that the display annotation 30 can be viewed.

Different representations of the display annotations 30 could be made to reference different types of annotation. For example, yellow highlighting could be used to indicate a click by the first user 12, whereas green highlighting could be used to indicate commentary or inserted media. In this manner, indicative information can be provided by the use of presentation style.

When the second user 18 then makes a further input, such as a click and denoted by the CLICKs in Figure 3, themselves, the sequential annotated webpage journey will move forwards, at step S203, taking the second user 18 to the next display annotation 30 in sequence. The second user 18 can then continue this process at their leisure, until the full sequential annotated webpage journey has been completed.

This is a significant improvement over recording software, since the second user 18 can interact with the same webpage 26 as the first user 12 at a speed of their choosing, and is also superior to generic overlay annotations, in which there is no sequential information present.

This method is highly suited towards avid consumers of digital content providing analysis or guidance to less well-informed users regarding, for example, current pop culture trends, functionality for consumer products, or agglomeration and analysis of articles across numerous webpages, to provide education or explanation to friends, family, or followers.

There may be various quality of use upgrades which may be anticipated within the framework of the webpage-annotation system 10.

Review functionality, in which pre-finalised sequential annotated webpage journeys can be reviewed by other authorised users before publication may help to improve the workflow for the second user 18.

Testing or feedback capabilities may be present, allowing users to rapidly identify broken 5 links, for example, as well as possible improved comment functionality which allows for two-way communication between the first and second users 12, 18. This may then allow for improvements to be made to the sequential annotated webpage journeys.

It will be apparent that the invention thus far described has been specific to the annotation of webpages to define a sequential annotated webpage journey of a first user 10 to a second user.

However, it will be apparent that the same techniques could be applied to any sequential annotated digital journey, which may provide advantages in terms of workflow, particularly for staff or customer training programmes.

This can therefore be characterised as a digital-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated digital journey of a first user for a second user to follow, the digital-annotation method comprising the steps of: a] activating a digital-annotation recorder at a user device of a first user, the digital-annotation recorder comprising a digital-journeydata storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digitallocation-specific data; b] navigating to a digital location using the user device of the first user; c] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating an annotation associated with the digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; d] navigating to a further digital location using the user device of the first user; e] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating a further annotation associated with the further digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; f] repeating steps d] and e] for a desired number of further annotations associated with further digital locations; g] compiling the annotation data, and digitallocation-specific data into a sequential annotated digital journey based on the annotation sequence data; and h] providing the sequential annotated digital journey to a second user.

This method provides a variety of use cases in which demonstration of workflow for specific digital processes can be streamlined.

For instance, the method may be useful in the context of providing post-onboarding information regarding processes from a business to their clients. Equally, the method 5 may be helpful with training existing staff in a business during change management processes, particularly across large businesses.

The method can also provide prompt production of workflow demonstrations during the lifecycle of rapidly-changing or complex software products, for example, in the cryptotrading industry.

It is therefore possible to provide a method of providing information from one user to another, remote or temporally-distant, user by the use of sequential annotations which are populable on a webpage at the discretion of the second said user. This provides significant improvements over overlay-type annotation software, as well as being superior to screen recording software.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various 25 other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (24)

1. Claims 1 A webpage-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated webpage journey of a first user for a second user to follow, the webpage-annotation method comprising the steps of: a] activating a webpage-annotation recorder at a user device of a first user, the webpage-annotation recorder comprising a webpage-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data; b] navigating to a webpage location using the user device of the first user; c] using the webpage-annotation recorder, creating an annotation associated with the webpage location, the webpage-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-locationspecific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element; d] navigating to a further webpage location using the user device of the first user; e] using the webpage-annotation recorder, creating a further annotation associated with the further webpage location, the webpage-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-locationspecific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element; f] repeating steps d] and e] for a desired number of further annotations associated with further webpage locations; g] compiling the annotation data and webpage-location-specific data into a sequential annotated webpage journey based on the annotation sequence data; and h] providing the sequential annotated webpage journey for access by a second user.
2. 2. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web-annotation recorder comprises a browser plugin or extension.
3. 3. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web-annotation recorder comprises an installable software program or application.
4. 4 A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-journey-data storage element comprises an array element, the indices of the array element comprising the annotation sequence data.
5. 5 A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein during steps c] and e], the annotation data and further annotation data are generated by a user input by the first user.
6. 6. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the user input is a user click.
7. 7 A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annotation data comprises any or all of: webpage-element highlighting; text data; image data; video data; audio data; and a hyperlink.
8. 8 A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-location-specific data comprises positional and/or dimensional information relating to the annotation.
9. 9 A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-location-specific data comprises html element data associated with a location of the webpage to be annotated.
10. 10. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein during steps b] and/or d], a html element of the webpage is visually identified prior to steps c] and/or e] respectively.
11. 11. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, during step c], the annotation includes a starting URL for the sequential annotated webpage journey.
12. 12. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-journey-data storage element comprises visual annotation indicator data for indicating an annotation type to the second user.
13. 13. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of displaying to the first user previously recorded sequential annotated webpage journeys.
14. 14. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first user is able to replay the said previously recorded sequential annotated webpage journeys.
15. 15. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-annotation recorder comprises an undo button to undo previously recorded annotations.
16. 16. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webpage-annotation recorder requires authentication credentials to use.
17. 17. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, during step a], a visual representation of a recording state of the webpage-annotation recorder is presented.
18. 18. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps subsequent to step h] of: i] a second user accessing the sequential annotated webpage journey; j] directing the second user to the said webpage location associated with the said annotation, and displaying the said annotation to the second user; and k] advancing sequentially through the sequential annotated webpage journey upon a sequential inputs by the second user, displaying the or each said further annotation at the or each said further webpage location respectively.
19. 19. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 18, wherein during step k], the or each sequential input is a click by the second user.
20. 20.A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, the said annotation and/or the said further annotation are displayed to the second user by reference to a html element identifier of the webpage location or the or each further webpage location.
21. 21. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of searching for the said html element identifier at the webpage location or the or each further webpage location.
22. 22. A webpage-annotation method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of inserting the said annotation and/or the said further annotation onto the webpage in the event that the html element identifier is not found during the search.
23. 23. An annotation recording system comprising: a service host communicable with one or more user devices; and a webpage-annotation recorder comprising a webpage-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data; wherein the webpage-annotation recorder is configured to record a plurality of annotations associated with webpage locations, the webpage-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and webpage-location-specific data in the webpage-journey-data storage element for each annotation; the webpage-annotation recorder being further configured to compile the annotation data, and webpage-location-specific data into a sequential annotated webpage journey based on the annotation sequence data.
24. 24 A digital-annotation method for recording a sequential annotated digital journey of a first user for a second user to follow, the digital-annotation method comprising the steps of: a] activating a digital-annotation recorder at a user device of a first user, the digital-annotation recorder comprising a digital-journey-data storage element for storing annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-locationspecific data; b] navigating to a digital location using the user device of the first user; c] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating an annotation associated with the digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; d] navigating to a further digital location using the user device of the first user e] using the digital-annotation recorder, creating a further annotation associated with the further digital location, the digital-annotation recorder recording annotation data, annotation sequence data, and digital-location-specific data in the digital-journey-data storage element; f] repeating steps d] and e] for a desired number of further annotations associated with further digital locations; g] compiling the annotation data and digital-location-specific data into a sequential annotated digital journey based on the annotation sequence data; and h] providing the sequential annotated digital journey for access by a second user.