WO2006126999A1

WO2006126999A1 - Website development tool

Info

Publication number: WO2006126999A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/018182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Hubert; Arik Ziv; Moshe Cohen; Doron Solomon; Michael Chudnow; Jason George
Original assignee: Newsnet International 2004 Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-05-20
Filing date: 2005-05-23
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Abstract

The present invention is a website development tool including a main screen where the user can begin creating a website. A help screen is shown which provides the user with information about the current screen and how to use that portion of the tool. Icons represent links to the different modules that can be used to develop a website. Included in the different modules is dynamic content, blogs, and static content. In addition, other modules can be added a desired. The user can continue to manage and edit their website using the website developing tool.

Description

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT TOOL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a tool for developing websites. Particularly a website providing tools that can develop a website in a user friendly manner.

[0002] Software for website development can be complicated and requires a certain level of computer knowledge. Because of that websites offering to help users develop their own website can be difficult and intimidating to use for novice computer user.

[0003] In addition, website design sites often offer only a limited variety of content management tools. The limited variety of content management tools prevents the users from creating a website without using multiple tools and requiring a higher level of computer knowledge. [0004] Because the Internet is available worldwide, users from many countries, who speak many different languages, all want to develop websites.

[0005] A website development tool which allowed a user to select from among a variety of languages and which is user friendly while offering a broad assortment of content management tools is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is a website development tool. The user can select to register to use the website development tool. If the user selects to register a registration form will appear. The user is directed to a page where they can enter and use the website development tool.

[0007] The website development tool has a main screen where the user can begin creating a website. A help screen is shown which provides the user with information about the current screen and how to use that portion of the tool. Users can close the help screen when it is not needed. Buttons across the top portion of the main screen can be used to navigate the website development tool. Icons on the main screen represent links to the different modules that can be used to develop a website.

[0008] Included in the different modules is a dynamic content screen. The dynamic content screen allows the user to add dynamic content to the website display, such as new articles, stories, etc. The dynamic content can be divided into different categories created by the user, that correspond to the type of website being created. The categories act as the main heading for the articles to be added to the page. The categories can then be sorted in the order that the user desires them to appear.

[0009] The dynamic content screen also has a sub categories link the user can select. Once the categories and sub categories have been set up the user can add articles to the desired area. Once the article has been added the user can then edit the article to add pictures or other changes to the article.

[00010] Other screens are available through use of the icons on the main screen. The other screens allow the user to create blogs on the website, add static content, create surveys for the web surfers, update the website with breaking news, display links to other websites on the website being created, and create a members club for the website. In addition, other screens can be added a desired. The user can continue to manage and edit their website using the website developing tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00011] The present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings:

[00012] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing a method of registering to use the website development tool of the present invention; [00013] Figure 2 is a screenshot of the website page for registering to use the development tool;

[00014] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the organization of the website development tool of the present invention;

[00015] Figure 4 is a screenshot of the main screen of the website development tool;

[00016] Figure 5 shows a screenshot of the main screen with the help screen closed.

[00017] Figure 6 is a screenshot view of the my account screen;

[00018] Figure 7 shows screenshot of information regarding the properties of the account and website to be displayed;

[00019] Figure 8 is a screenshot of the homepage screen;

[00020] Figure 9 shows a screenshot of the lock screen;

[00021] Figure 10 is a screenshot of the dynamic content screen with the help screen; [00022] Figure 1 Ia is a screenshot of the dynamic content screen;

[00023] Figure 1 Ib is a screenshot of the add article screen;

[00024] Figure 12 is a screenshot of a static content screen;

[00025] Figure 13 shows a blog screen; [00026] Figure 14 shows a file archive screen; and

[00027] Figure 15 shows a banner manager screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00028] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing a method of registering to use the website development tool 10. A box 110 represents the user entering the website offering the website development tool 10. A user can the select to register 112 to use the website development tool 10. If the user elects to not register the system will exit

114 from the registration process. If the user selects to register a registration form will appear 116. The user must fill out 118 the registration form. The user must also read and agree 120 to the activation agreement. If the user does not agree the registration process will end 122. If the user agrees the system will activate the agreement and generate 124 a blank webpage. The user is directed 126 to a page where they can enter and use the website development tool.

[00029] Figure 2 is a screenshot of the website page 11 for registering to use the development tool 10. The website page 11 has at least one registration button 13 for initiating the registration sequence. The website page 11 may have different pictures and themes as desired.

[00030] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the organization of the website development tool 10. Figure 4 is a screenshot of the main screen 12 of the website development tool 10 where the user can begin creating a website. A help screen 14 is shown which provides the user with information about the current screen and how to use that portion of the tool 10.

[00031] Figure 5 shows a screenshot of the main screen with the help screen 14 closed. Users can selectively close the help screen 14 to view the portions of the screen located behind the window. The help screen 14 will open again when the view of the main screen 12 changes. Buttons 16 across the top portion of the main screen

12 can be viewed at all times.

[00032] The first button 16a provides a quick link to return to the main screen

12 when viewing another screen. The second button 16b provides a link to information regarding setup of the user account. The third button 16c provides a link to open and view the website that is being developed. A user can thus view changes on the website, as will be viewed by the public, without having to log out of the administrative portion of the website. The fourth button 16d provides a listing of the system tools. This list corresponds to icons 18 on the main screen 12 in Figure 5. The icons 18 represent links to the different modules that can be used to develop a website. By providing the list of system tools under the fourth button 16d the user is able to switch between different modules without having to return to the main screen 12. The fifth button 16e represents a list of shortcuts available to the user for obtaining help should it be needed. The sixth button 16f provides a link to allow the user to upgrade the account, providing more space and display options. The seventh button 16g provides a link to log out of the development portion of the website. Other button providing shortcuts and links may be added as desired.

[00033] Figure 6 is a screenshot view of the My account screen 20. The my account screen 20 has links 22 to various types of account information. For example, by selecting link 22a the user is taken to a properties screen 24 shown in Figure 7. The properties screen 24 includes information regarding the properties of the account and website to be displayed. The user can change the preferences of the account properties from this screen, including the language format desired for the website. The help screen 14 is activated to assist the user in editing and selecting the desired property information.

[00034] Figure 8 is a screenshot of the homepage screen 26. The homepage screen allows the user to select the type of information to be displayed on the website homepage. In addition, the user can create a message to be displayed on the website homepage. Again the help screen 14 is activated to assist the user is selecting and editing the desired information.

[00035] Figure 9 shows the lock screen 28. The lock screen allows the user to prevent web surfers from viewing the website.

[00036] Figure 10 is a screenshot of the dynamic content screen 30 with the help screen 14. The dynamic content screen 30 allows the user to add dynamic content to the website display, such as new articles, stories, etc.

[00037] Figure 11a is a screenshot of the dynamic content screen 30 without the help screen 14. The dynamic content screen 30 has a categories link 31a. The categories button is used to divide the dynamic content into different categories created by the user, that correspond to the type of website being created. For example, a sports website can be subdivided into different types of sports. Dynamic content relating to the different sports can be added to the appropriate areas. The categories act as the main heading for the articles to be added to the page. A list of common categories is provided, or a new category may be added. The categories can then be sorted in the order that the user desires them to appear.

[00038] The dynamic content screen 30 also has a sub categories link 31b. In a similar manner to the categories the user can select sub categories for different types of content or create a new sub category. The sub categories can be sorted into a desired order for display under each category heading.

[00039] Once the categories and sub categories have been set up the user can add articles to the desired area. A list of previously saved articles 32 is shown for the user to select from or the add button 34 allows the user to add a new article to the dynamic content. Figure lib is a screenshot of the add article screen 36. A text box 38 allows the user to add a new article. Once the article has been added the user can then edit the article to add pictures or other changes to the article. The edit button 40 (Figure 11) allows the user to edit existing articles. The dynamic content screen 30 also allows the user to provide a method for web surfers to provide feedback to the articles. [00040] Figure 12 is a screenshot of a static content screen 42. The static content screen 42 allows the user to edit and select the static content shown on the website. That is, the user can select the overall look of the website to be viewed by the public.

[00041] Fig 13 shows a blog screen 44. The blog screen 44 allows the user to edit and maintain a web log, or diary, to be displayed on the website for web surfers to view and/or contribute to.

[00042] Figure 14 shows a file archive screen 46. The file archive screen 46 allows the user to archive downloaded files such as articles that appear in the dynamic content area. [00043] Figure 15 shows a banner manager screen 48. The banner manager allows the user to edit and maintain a banner to be displayed on the website. In addition, the banner manager screen 48 allows the user to select account upgrades and increase account storage area. [00044] Other screens are available through use of the icons 18 on the main screen 12. The other screens allow the user to create forums on the website, create surveys for the web surfers, update the website with breaking news, display links to other websites on the website being created, and create a members club for the website. Other screens can be added a desired. One skilled in the art would know other types of content to add. The website developed using the website developing tool 10 is also hosted by the website developing tool 10. The user can continue to manage and edit their website using the website developing tool 10.

[00045] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A website development tool comprising; a first website having a plurality of modules for creating a second website content; a plurality of properties associated with the second website; and a user guide associated with the first website to assist in creating the second website.

2. The website development tool of claim 1, wherein said plurality of modules includes a dynamic content module.

3. The website development tool of claim 2, wherein said dynamic content module includes a text input screen.

4. The website development tool of claim 3, wherein said text input screen has a plurality of options for editing said text.

5. The website development tool of claim 1, wherein said first website has a registration allowing a user to access said plurality of modules.

6. The website development tool of claim 1, wherein said user guide has information associated with each of said plurality of modules.

7. A method of using a website development tool comprising: a) registering to use a website development tool; b) selecting from among a plurality of modules; c) editing options associated with the selected module; and d) inputting information into the selected module.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step c) includes selecting the options from a drop-down menu.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said step b) includes selecting a dynamic content module.

10. The method of claim 7, further including: e) editing the information in the selected module.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said steps b-e) are repeated for another of the plurality of modules.