JP2003531418A - Clipping and manipulation of elements contained in web pages - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract The present invention provides an improved technique for clipping and manipulating elements of a web page. Elements of the web page can be selected, moved to a personalized clipping page, sized, and manipulated in various ways without affecting the integrity of the content with images and links. In a first aspect of the invention, a web page is fragmented into "clipping". Each clipping has a portion of the page that can be manipulated. The relative size of the clipping depends on the structure of the web page and the judgment of the user. Once a clip is selected, the user can magnify and select smaller elements from clipping. The structure of the web page determines the graininess of clipping.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] One aspect of the Internet that has become quite popular is researching topics of interest to users. Individual users may (1) visit websites that contain information they are interested in and (2) visit other and further websites or web pages that have relevant information in a process known as "surfing". The web client software may be manipulated to retrieve.

One problem with the prior art of internet surfing is that only a small portion of a web page may be of interest to the client. The user needs to browse the entire page and scroll through relatively uninteresting material before accessing a particular area or hyperlink of the page of interest. You cannot separate the area of interest from the rest of the web page to which it is attached.

A second problem with the prior art is that the user cannot see information from two different pages at the same time. Users need to navigate from one web server to another, web pages to another page, often experiencing annoying delays when moving from one site to another.

A third problem is that the user cannot see two different sections of a web page at the same time. The user has to scroll up and down between the two areas.

A limited solution to these problems is provided by software that allows a user to generate a "start page" from a portion of another web page. Although this solution allows the user to select personalized content with respect to the start page, it is extremely incomplete because the user has little flexibility in presenting the content on the start page. Is. Similarly, the viewer cannot select whether to read the content or to read it by artificial voice.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved techniques for navigating or surfing the Internet. This is accomplished in embodiments of the invention where a portion of the web page may be "clip", moved, sized and positioned, depending on the user's discretion. The selected parts of the page are next to each other, or
They are laid out "on top of each other" so that they can be viewed simultaneously or in sequence.

The present invention provides an effective technique for manipulating the elements contained in a web page in order to obtain new and substantial effects and performances that are not apparent from the prior art. Although the examples provided below relate to manipulating the data contained in web pages to facilitate browsing of these pages, the present invention is broadly applicable and includes any type of information available on a network. It can be used to “clip” and also display. In the preferred embodiment, the information is displayed on a user-generated web page.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides improved techniques for clipping and manipulating elements of web pages. Elements of a web page are moved, sized, and manipulated into a selected, personalized clipping page in various ways that do not affect the integrity of the content, including the images and links contained therein. Can be done.

In a first aspect of the invention, a web page has a plurality of "clipping".
) ”. Each clipping comprises a part of the page that can be manipulated. The relative size of the clipping depends on the structure of the web page and the user's judgment. Once a clip is selected, the user can expand and select smaller elements from clipping. The structure of the web page determines the granularity of clipping.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the user selects a clipping display method. For example, the user may decide to add a filter to change the size or relative ratio of clipping. Unlike related techniques, where the user's options are limited to placing information in specific columns, the user can resize (enlarge or reduce) the clipping, change the direction of the clipping, and specify clipping. You can add the effect of, change the shape of the clipping, and place the clipping anywhere on the page.

In a third aspect of the invention, a user may add one or more filters to the clipping or part of the clipping to enhance the process of identifying areas of interest. For example, a user can add a filter that highlights all text or phrases that contain a given word. Other changes are also possible. For example, the user may choose to reserve the links included in the clipping and discard the rest. Similarly, the user can retain the selected figure, a particular line of text, or the type of text and discard the rest.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, clipping remains fully interactive. Hyperlinks to other parts of the web page or to other pages are actively reserved, as are applets embedded in the page. Similarly, features such as pull-down menus and other interactive elements are functionally reserved as long as the buttons that control them are included in the clipping.

In the preferred embodiment, the software used to manipulate the web page is stored on a web server for the purpose of manipulating and moving the information contained in the web page. Individual users can access the server to manipulate the information contained in the web page or to store the manipulated page or other information.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the following description, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in terms of preferred processing steps and data structures. After reading this application, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may include one or more multi-purpose processors, or specialized
Alternatively, it may be implemented using other circuitry suitable for the particular processing steps and data structures described herein, and that the implementation of the processing steps and data structures described herein is unsuitable for experimentation or modification. It will be appreciated that no invention is required.

Related Applications The invention described herein may be used in conjunction with the inventions described in the following applications. -Ezlogin. 200 under the name of E.com (currently Ezlogin.com)
International Application No. PCT / US00 / filed on November 11, 2000, entitled "Personalized Access to Websites", and published on August 17, 2000 as Publication No. WO00 / 48110. No. 03970.

Terminology As used herein, the purpose of the following terms is related to the inventive forms described below. Clipping: As used herein, the term "clipping" refers to any part of a web page that can be disconnected and manipulated. Also, the term refers to a technique for separating and identifying a part of a web page to be operated on. -Sizing: The term "sizing" used here is clipping,
A technique for changing the size or ratio of a set of clippings, a portion of a clipping or other elements contained in a web page. • User: As used herein, the term “user” refers to gaining access to the Internet and adding, deleting, sizing, positioning, or other operations of web pages or portions thereof. In addition, any person acting as a representative of themselves or an entity to operate a client device and create a clipping page by manipulating a web page is meant to be added. Web page: As used herein, the term "web page" means a display of information that may be accessed by visiting a website. Such a page is generally (but not necessarily) one of the other parts of the page or one to another page.
It contains one or more hyperlinks. In the preferred embodiment, web pages may be selected by a user from an index of web pages. In other embodiments, the user can select a web page without browsing the index. Clipping page: As used herein, the term "clipping page" means a web page on which a user has selected or manipulated clippings. In the preferred embodiment, the clipping placed on the "clipping page" contains a hyperlink to the site that the user is interested in and uses it as the starting page or where the user begins to navigate the Internet. It is possible. Website: As used herein, the term "website" means a combination of software or devices that act as a server in a client-server environment such as the Internet, the World Wide Web and its equivalents or extensions thereof. . There is no requirement that the website be an individual device. It may be a single device, a combination of devices that cooperate with each other, or a part of the devices or a combination thereof. It also refers to the location of the World Wide Web, commercial, legal, or personal. -Navigate: The term "navigate" as used herein means that an individual user utilizes a web client to access information and from one website to another or within a web page. Is the activity of moving from one web page to another, going to and out of the internet, intranet, or other networks. Client and server: In general, “client” and “server” refer to the relationship between two devices, but not necessarily to a particular physical device, especially the relationship between a server and a client. Client device and server device: In general, the term "client device" refers to
In a client-server relationship (such as HTTP web client and web server), means the device that acts as the client. There is no requirement that the client device be an individual physical device. It may be a single device, a combination of devices that cooperate with each other, or a part of the devices or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term "server device" means a device that acts as a server in a client-server relationship. There is no requirement that the server device be an individual physical device. It may be a single device, a combination of devices that cooperate with each other, or a part of the devices or a combination thereof.

The above description of the general meanings of the terms is not limited to the above, but merely illustrative. Other and yet further applications of this application, including extensions of these terms and concepts, will be apparent to those of skill in the art after reading this application. These and other additional applications are part of the spirit and spirit of the invention and will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further invention or undue experimentation.

System Elements FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for clipping and manipulating elements contained in a web page. The system 100 includes at least one client device 110, a communication network 120, and at least one website 13 displaying a web page 135.
0, a personal data server 140 and a clipping page 150.

Each client device 110 has an input element 111 and a presentation element 112.
, Local memory 113, and software 114 assigned to communicate with the website 140. Each client device 110 is under the control of a user 115 who wishes to create a clipping page 150.

In the preferred embodiment, each client device 110 comprises a general purpose computer such as a laptop or workstation. However, the client device 110 may also be a handheld calendar (such as a "Palm Pilot" or other handheld device), a portable computer, a special purpose computer, a cell phone or other telephone device, an agent for a user. It can have a web server, or other information device (alone or in cooperation with a laptop or workstation) that acts as a. In alternative embodiments, client device 110 may also have any other device configured to perform all or some of the functionality described herein.

The communication network 120 includes the client device 110 and the personal data server 14.
It is arranged to communicate data with 0. In a preferred embodiment, communication network 120 is packet switched, such as the Internet, with an intranet, an enterprise network, an extranet, a virtual net, a virtual private network, or a virtual switching network (cooperatively or alternatively). Have a network. In another embodiment, communication network 120 may have any other set of communication links that couples client device 110 and personal data server 140.

Website 130 displays at least one web page 135. The user navigates until he / she identifies the web page 135 he / she desires to operate.

In the preferred embodiment, a user selects a web page 135 from a web page index (not shown). However, regardless of the source, the web page 135 has at least one hyperlink to another part of the web page 135, a different web page 135 or a different website 130.

The personal data server 140, in that it also has an input element 141, a presentation element 142 and a local memory 143, the client device 11
Similar to 0. However, the personal data server 140 also includes the web server software 144, the web page operation software 145, and the database 14.
6 and software package 147.

The web server software 144 may include one or more websites 130.
To access the personal data server 140 on behalf of the user 115. The personal data server 140 operates according to the purpose of the user 115, obtains one or more desired web pages 135 for the user 115, and operates them according to the user's instructions. Personal data server 140 is configured to transmit web page 135 and clipping page 150 to at least one client device 110. The personal data server 140 can support several types of protocols, including HTTP and HTTPS.

The web page operation software 145 allows a user to operate the web page 135 obtained by the web server software 144. In the preferred embodiment, the web page manipulation software 145 uses the web page 13
5 may be fragmented and some or all of the following processes or combinations thereof may be performed. Move the clipping 136 to another area on the same web page 135. -Move clipping 136 to another area on a different web page 135. Organize sets of clippings 136 to form columns. -Change the size of the clipping 136. -Change the shape of the clipping 136. Change the relative ratio of clipping 136. -Add a hyperlink 137 to the clipping 136. -A hyperlink 137 sets the color scheme to change the color after the user 115 has viewed it. Change the frequency associated with updating or updating the information associated with the hyperlink 137. The hyperlink 137 after the user 115 viewed the last page at a glance
Set the color scheme so that you can see that has been or has been updated. Place clippings so that they are positioned one above the other so that they can be viewed in sequence.

The database 146 provides access to the security code, information for completing the registration process, a list of frequently visited websites, a set of preferences for operating the web page 135, and the website 130. It has information about the set of users 115, such as other information needed for.

In the preferred embodiment, the personal data server 140 also includes a software package 147 having software for personal information, form filling and automated login aggregation and summarization. This software package 1
47 is used to create a "library" of personalized information relating to users that can be accessed to automatically respond to requests for registration information or security codes. Such software is known in the art of data manipulation.

Similar to the client device 110, the preferred embodiment of the personal data server 140 comprises a general purpose computer such as a laptop or workstation. However, the personal data server 140 also uses ("Palm Pilot (Pa
lm Pilot) "or other handheld device, such as a handheld calendar, portable computer, special purpose computer, cell phone or other telephone device, web server acting as an agent for the user, or other information device (
Alone or in cooperation with a laptop or workstation). In another embodiment, personal data server 140 may also have any other device configured to perform all or some of the functions described herein.

Clipping page 150 has one or more 13 users 115 on it.
It has a web page where 6 can be placed. In the preferred embodiment,
The clipping page 150 can be used by the user 115 as a starting page for internet navigation. Unlike other known start pages, the user 115 can manipulate properties, present material, and clip page 1.
Greater flexibility can be provided in the layout of clipping 136 on 50. The clipping page 150 is shown in more detail in FIG.

Method of Operation FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram for a method of using a system for clipping and manipulating elements contained in a web page.

Method 200 is performed by system 100. Even though the method 200 is described serially, the steps of the method 200 may be performed in a pipelined asynchronous manner, or in another manner, with separate elements, concatenated or in parallel. Invention 200 does not have to be performed in the same order as it enumerates the recited steps, unless indicated otherwise.

At step 210, the user 115 operates the client device 110 to gain access to the communication network 120 and establish a connection with the personal data server 140.

In step 215, the personal data server 140 confirms and authenticates the user. In the preferred embodiment, the personal data server 140 uses the web client 11
This step can be performed with a cookie stored in 0. In another preferred embodiment, personal data server 140 performs this step using the login identifier provided to user 115.

In step 220, the user 115 informs the personal data server 140 to select the website 130 with which they wish to visit and operate the client device 110. The website 130 may (but not necessarily) include an index of web pages 135 that the user 115 may be interested in.

At step 225, the personal data server 140 retrieves the web page 135 from the website 130.

In step 230, the personal data server 140 parses the web page and modifies the hyperlink 137. The personal data server 140 then redirects the web page 135 to the client device 110.

In the preferred embodiment, the user 115 can access all of the desired web pages 135 without having to register or enter a security code. These intermediate steps are performed automatically by software package 147.

At step 235, the user 115 accesses the web page operation software from the personal data server 140.

At step 240, the personal data server 140 fragments the web page 135 into a set of clippings 136. Any individual clipping 136 is selectable for further manipulation.

In the preferred embodiment, the web page 136 may be divided into a relatively small number of clippings 136 of uniform size, or into a relatively large number of clippings 136. The user 115 focuses on a single clipping 136 and magnifies it to replace the single clipping 136 with other smaller clippings 136.
Can be fragmented into sets. The user 115 may also combine several clippings 136 and fragment a combination of clippings 136 into another smaller set of clippings 136.

At step 245, the user 115 selects the clipping 136 for manipulating it and moving it to the clipping page 150.

At step 250, the user 115 operates the clipping 136. Possible ways of manipulating the clipping 136 can include some combination of one or more of the following techniques. -Move clipping 136 to another area on clipping page 150. Move the clipping 136 to a different clipping page 150. Organize sets of clippings 136 to form columns on clipping page 150. -Change the size of the clipping 136. Change the relative ratio of clipping 136. Add hyperlink 137 to clipping 136. • Use a filter to selectively highlight, or emphasize or de-emphasize text that has a particular attribute (eg, highlight all text that contains a particular word). .Resources, images, top 5 lines or other features, or combinations thereof,
Use a filter to select a particular shape for clipping. -Enables registration of clipping pages in handheld devices using WML and XML transformations. If the clipping 136 selected by the user 115 is the hyperlink 13
If it has 7, other and further modifications are possible. One or more or a combination of several of the following techniques may be used. Use a filter to select only hyperlinks 137 associated with clipping 136. Set the color scheme so that the hyperlink 137 changes color after the user 115 views it. Change the frequency with respect to the number of times the information associated with the hyperlink 137 is updated or updated. The hyperlink 137 after the user 115 viewed the last page at a glance
Set the color scheme so that you can see that has been or has been updated.

In a preferred embodiment, this step is called “what-you-see-is-
what you get) "format. Steps 235, 240 and 245 may be repeated an indeterminate number of times until the user decides to discontinue operation of that particular web page 135.

Method 200 may continue at step 220 if user 115 decides to create second clipping page 150.

At step 255, the user 115 saves the completed operation. This step is optional. If this step is performed, the user can recall the clipping page 150, use it as a starting page for navigating the Internet, and further manipulate it.

At step 260, the web page 130 created and manipulated by the user 115 is stored in the database 146. This step is performed only if the user 115 decides to save the operated web page.

In step 265, the user 115 decides to stop operating the web page 135. User 115 communicates the decision to personal data server 140. At this point, the method 200 remains stationary until the time when the user 115 decides to operate another web page 135.

In a preferred embodiment, method 200 may be repeatedly performed by a relatively large number of users 115.

Clipping Page Example FIG. 3 shows an example of a clipping page created from a set of clipping pages.

An example of a completed clipping page 150 has, among other things, a site identifier 301, at least one clipping 136, a hyperlink 137 and a return button 306. The site identifier 301 comprises a graphical or textual representation 302 of the personal data server 140.

Each clipping 136 includes a banner 303, a main article 304, and operation buttons 3.
We have 05 sets.

The banner 303 identifies the website 130 where the clipping 136 was created.

The main article 304 has text, graphics, multimedia resources or other selected by the user 115 from the web page 135.

The set of operating buttons 305 allows the user 115 to operate the clipping 136 after it has been placed on the clipping page 150.

The return button 306 includes the heading “Add New Web Clipping”. The return button 306 can be operated by the user 115 to add a new clipping 136 to the clipping page 150.

In the preferred embodiment, the user 115 can obtain a new clipping 136 from a clipping index (not shown). Clipping indices are organized according to content-based algorithms for semantics, or positions relative to other clippings. In another preferred embodiment, the user 115 can obtain the clipping 136 directly from the website 130. In this way, the user 115 can configure the clipping page 150 to be tailored to their interests.

Outline of the Present Invention The present invention has general applicability to various fields of use, and is not limited to the creation of the start page as described above. For example, these fields of use may have one or more or a combination of several of the following:・ Creation of homepage for personal or business use.・ Creation of well-known technology that should appear on the network. Creating a page that can be distributed among users in a work environment to continuously update each other or collaborate on a job. -Improvement of automated data mining technology.

Another yet further application of the invention in its most general form is, after reading the present application,
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It does not depart from the spirit and spirit of the invention.

While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed herein, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit, spirit and spirit of the invention, and these modifications will no longer occur after reading the present application. It will be apparent to the vendor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for clipping and manipulating elements contained in a web page.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a method of using a system for clipping and manipulating elements contained in a web page.

FIG. 3 is an example of a clipping page created from a set of clippings.

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Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A computer-processed clipping and communication method for a web page, the method comprising: obtaining web page operating software from a personal data server; analyzing the web page; and changing hyperlinks therein. Redirecting the web page to an individual user, fragmenting the web page into a set of clippings provided to the individual user, selecting at least one clipping, And manipulating and clipping in response to the user's judgment. 2. The step of obtaining the web page operation software comprises:
The method of claim 1, comprising the step of obtaining a personalized clipping page that the individual user has already created. 3. The fragmenting of the web page into clipping sets comprises selecting a relative size or number of clippings included in the clipping set. Method. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of fragmenting the web page comprises the step of magnifying the clipping and re-fragmenting it. 5. The steps of performing the operations include changing the size or shape of the clipping, separating text or graphics from the clipping, fragmenting the clipping into a second set of clippings, and Selectively highlighting the above clippings at the user's discretion,
Alternatively, the method of claim 1, comprising at least one of the steps of emphasizing or deemphasizing. 6. The step of performing the operation changes the frequency with respect to the number of times the information associated with the hyperlink is updated; and establishing a scheme for identifying whether the hyperlink has been updated. The method of claim 1, comprising: 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing an operation comprises the step of creating a personalized clipping page that includes at least one page operated by a user. 8. A method according to claim 7, comprising a technique for viewing the clippings in sequence (when placed on top of each other) or simultaneously (when placed next to each other). . 9. The method of claim 1 including the step of displaying the personalized clipping page in a computerized handheld aid using WML and XML transformations. 10. A device for computerized clipping and communication of web pages, which performs clipping and manipulation of web pages with a data server including a memory and a processor and redirects the web page to a set of users. A memory structure that may be executed by the processor, the data structure comprising information about a set of instructions associated with the memory and a set of user-created and personalized clipping pages created by the user, An apparatus having a database associated with the memory and a communication network coupled to the data server. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the data structure comprises personalized information that describes details of each user in the set of users. 12. A computerized hand-held aid using WML and XML transformations, comprising means for displaying at least one personalized clipping page included in said set of personalized clipping pages. 11. The device of claim 10, which is: 13. A sub-set of instructions for obtaining a web page on behalf of a user and a sub-set of instructions for parsing the web page and modifying hyperlinks contained therein on behalf of a user. A set of instructions for redirecting the web page to an individual user, a set of instructions for fragmenting the web page into a set of clippings provided to the user, and from the user A sub-set of instructions for disconnecting at least one clipping included in the set of clippings according to an input of the, and a sub-set of instructions for operating the clippings according to an input from the user. 11. The device of claim 10, which is: 14. A sub-set of instructions for fragmenting the web page into the clipping sets, and also an instruction for selecting a relative size and number of clippings to be included in the clipping set. 14. The device of claim 13, having. 15. A sub-set of instructions for fragmenting the web page into the set of clippings also includes instructions for expanding over and clipping the clippings contained in the set of clippings. 14. The device of claim 13, which is: 16. A sub-set of instructions for performing the operation includes at least one instruction for changing the size or shape of the clipping included in the clipping set and at least one instruction included in the clipping set. An instruction to separate text or graphics included in the clipping, an instruction to fragment at least one clipping included in the clipping set into a second clipping set, and, depending on the user's judgment, 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, comprising instructions for highlighting, or for highlighting or extinguishing clipping. 17. A sub-set of instructions for performing the operation, instructions for changing the frequency with respect to the number of times information associated with a hyperlink included in the clipping is updated, and the hyperlink is 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising instructions for setting a scheme that identifies whether it has been updated. 18. The sub-set of instructions for performing the operation comprises an instruction for creating a personalized clipping page that includes at least one clipping operated by a user. Equipment. 19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the set of instructions also comprises instructions for storing in the memory the at least one clipping for a user. 20. Instructions for enabling the set of instructions, and also a user included in the set of users, to sequentially view two or more clippings included in the set of clippings. , And having at least one of the instructions for allowing the user to simultaneously view two or more clippings included in the set of clippings. apparatus. 21. The data structure includes a set of fields containing information about each user in the set of users, a set of fields containing security codes associated with each user, and preferences associated with each user. 11. A set of fields that includes, a set of fields that includes an address in memory where the web page created by the user is located, and a set of relationships between the set of fields. The described device.