Method and apparatus for generating a hypertext-based content menu using an open hierarchical data structure

• US 6,243,700 B1
• Filed: 05/16/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Zellweger
• Original Assignee: Paul Zellweger
• Inventors: Zellweger, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): RONES, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US09/080,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,116 Days
• Field of Search: 707/4, 707/103, 707/203, 707/102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A menu authoring system is disclosed that uses an open hierarchical data structure to generate source code for hypertext list menus that constitute a content menu on a Web site. The authoring system allows developers to select how and when these menu files are generated and the optimum output file size. The authoring system can generate menu files at runtime or prior to a general release; it can also generate one or more list menus to the same hypertext file. This enables the Web developer to generate menu files that can be optimized for use in a client-server network, or used to track end-user navigation.

Claims

1. A menu authoring system on a computer processor consisting of,

an interactive software means to build and maintain a collection of menu data using an open hierarchical data structure to organize said collection of menu data into a plurality of lists and a plurality of paths to said plurality of lists;

a software means to merge a subset of said collection of menu data with hypertext source code in order to generate a block of source code that can produce a subset of list menus in a content menu on an end-user client computer that correspond to a subset of said plurality of lists and said plurality of paths in said open hierarchical data structure;

a software means to assign hypertext links in said block of source code to locations within the same said block of source code that links a list item in one list menu to another list menu located within the same said block of source code;

a software means to generate a hypertext file that includes said block of source code that produces said subset of list menus on said end-user client computer in a client server network;

a software means to generate a plurality of said hypertext file where each said hypertext file represents a subset of paths and lists in said open hierarchical data structure;

a software means to assign links in said block of source code to locations outside said hypertext file;

a software means that enables a menu developer to control the size of said hypertext file generated by said authoring system that represents said subset of said collection of menu data organized by said open hierarchical data structure.

2. Said menu authoring system of claim 1 is implemented in at least one computer language that runs on at least one operating system on said computer processor.

3. Said open hierarchical data structure in said menu authoring system of claim 1 is stored on memory accessed by said computer in a predetermined file format recognized by at least one file storage and retrieval means on said computer processor.

4. Said block of source code in said hypertext file in claim 1 generated by said menu authoring system is implemented in at least one hypertext language recognized by a browser software system.

5. Said means to generate said hypertext file in said menu authoring system of claim 1 further includes the means to include a code that identifies a list item selected by said end-user in said list menu of said content menu on said client computer.

6. Said menu authoring system of claim 1 further includes the means to enable said menu developer to compile a complete set of said hypertext file known as a distribution release that represents all possible lists and paths in said open hierarchical data structure.

7. Said menu authoring system of claim 1 further includes a script file on a server computer that is implemented in at least one scripting language that communicates with a browser software on said client computer in said client server network.

8. Said script file of claim 7 of said menu authoring system further includes the software means to receive from said browser software said code used to identify said list item selected by said end-user in said list menu of said content menu on said client computer in said client server network.

9. Said script file of claim 7 of said menu authoring system further includes the software means to generate said hypertext file at runtime from said collection of menu data organized by said open hierarchical data structure.

10. Said script file of claim 7 of said menu authoring system further includes the software means to generate a time stamp and include said time stamp value in said hypertext file generated at runtime.

11. A menu authoring system on a computer processor consisting of,

building and maintaining a collection of menu data using an open hierarchical data structure to organize said collection of menu data into a plurality of lists and a plurality of paths to said plurality of lists;

merging a subset of said collection of menu data with hypertext source code in order to generate a block of source code that can produce a subset of list menus in a content menu on an end-user client computer that correspond to a subset of said plurality of lists and said plurality of paths in said open hierarchical data structure;

assigning hypertext links in said block of source code to locations within the same said block of source code that links a list item in one list menu to another list menu located within the same said block of source code;

generating a hypertext file that includes said block of source code that produces said subset of list menus on said end-user client computer in a client server network;

generating a plurality of said hypertext file where each said hypertext file represents a subset of paths and lists in said open hierarchical data structure;

assigning links in said block of source code to locations outside said hypertext file;

controlling the size of said hypertext file generated by said authoring system that represents said subset of said collection of menu data organized by said open hierarchical data structure.

12. Said menu authoring system of claim 11 is implemented in at least one computer language that runs on at least one operating system on said computer processor.

13. Said open hierarchical data structure of menu authoring system of claim 11 is stored on memory accessed by said computer in a predetermined file format recognized by at least one file storage and retrieval means on said computer processor.

14. Said block of source code in said hypertext generated by said menu authoring system of claim 11 is implemented in at least one hypertext language recognized by a browser software system.

15. Said hypertext file generated by said menu authoring system of claim 11 further includes a code that identifies a list item selected by said end-user in said content menu on said client computer.

16. Said menu authoring system of claim 11 further includes compiling a complete set of said hypertext file known as a distribution release that represents all possible lists and paths in said open hierarchical data structure.

17. Said menu authoring system of claim 11 further includes executing a script file on a server computer in said client-server network that is implemented in at least one scripting language and that communicates with said browser software system on said client computer in said client server network.

18. Said script file of claim 17 on said server computer in said client-server network further includes receiving from said browser software system said code used to identify said list item selected made by said end-user in said list menu of said content menu on said client computer.

19. Said script file of claim 17 on said server computer in said client-server network further includes generating said hypertext file at runtime from said collection of menu data managed by said open hierarchical data structure.

20. Said script file of claim 17 on said server computer in said client-server network further includes adding a time stamp field to said hypertext file generated at runtime.