Layout generator system and method
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating the creation of a document layout, said system comprising:
- a layout server configured to receive a connection request from a client computer;
said layout server configured to establish an HTTP session with said client computer based on said connection request;
said layout server configured to provide a module to said client computer, wherein said module includes a layout editor configured to facilitate creation of a document template within a browser application during said HTTP session at said client computer and, wherein said layout editor performs the steps of;
positioning a first container within said document template in response to interaction of said user within a visual interface of said layout editor;
setting properties for said first container based on inputs from said user;
validating said document template by ensuring that at least one of;
defined and entered properties are logically consistent, wherein said validation is performed by a layout manager of said layout editor;
generating an HTML stream based on said document template; and
transmitting said HTML stream to said layout server;
said layout server configured to receive said HTML stream from said client computer;
said layout server configured to convert said HTML stream to an XML document, wherein said XML document is stored in a data storage system;
a workflow application configured to facilitate approval of said document template, wherein said workflow application performs the steps of;
obtaining said document template from said data storage system;
selecting an approver based on an identity of said user, wherein said approver is associated with an object representing said user;
notifying said approver when said document template requires said approval; and
receiving information indicative of at least one of said approval of said document template and non-approval of said document template which facilitates returning said document template for at least one of review and revision;
said layout editor configured to generate first web page content at said layout server based on said document template, wherein said first web page content is stored in said data storage system;
a content management utility configured to retrieve said first web page content from said data storage system;
said content management utility configured to retrieve second web page content from said data storage system; and
,said content management utility configured to combine said first web page content with said second web page content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for creating and editing electronic layouts, such as layouts used to create web pages, via digital networks. An exemplary system for creating an electronic layout suitably includes a server, a network, a database and one or more user interfaces. The server may suitably provide a layout editor configured to place one or more containers, areas and/or spacers onto a layout panel in response to inputs from a user and a layout manager configured to validate properties of the layout and to generate the layout. An exemplary method for creating a document layout suitably includes displaying a layout panel; placing at least one container on the layout panel to create the layout, the container comprising a software object representing a visual element; and storing the layout in a database for future use and/or editing.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A system for facilitating the creation of a document layout, said system comprising:
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a layout server configured to receive a connection request from a client computer; said layout server configured to establish an HTTP session with said client computer based on said connection request; said layout server configured to provide a module to said client computer, wherein said module includes a layout editor configured to facilitate creation of a document template within a browser application during said HTTP session at said client computer and, wherein said layout editor performs the steps of; positioning a first container within said document template in response to interaction of said user within a visual interface of said layout editor; setting properties for said first container based on inputs from said user; validating said document template by ensuring that at least one of; defined and entered properties are logically consistent, wherein said validation is performed by a layout manager of said layout editor; generating an HTML stream based on said document template; and transmitting said HTML stream to said layout server; said layout server configured to receive said HTML stream from said client computer; said layout server configured to convert said HTML stream to an XML document, wherein said XML document is stored in a data storage system; a workflow application configured to facilitate approval of said document template, wherein said workflow application performs the steps of; obtaining said document template from said data storage system; selecting an approver based on an identity of said user, wherein said approver is associated with an object representing said user; notifying said approver when said document template requires said approval; and receiving information indicative of at least one of said approval of said document template and non-approval of said document template which facilitates returning said document template for at least one of review and revision; said layout editor configured to generate first web page content at said layout server based on said document template, wherein said first web page content is stored in said data storage system; a content management utility configured to retrieve said first web page content from said data storage system; said content management utility configured to retrieve second web page content from said data storage system; and
,said content management utility configured to combine said first web page content with said second web page content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for facilitating creation of a document layout, said method comprising:
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receiving a connection request from a client computer; establishing an HTTP session with said client computer based on said connection request; receiving a request for a document template; displaying a document template within a browser application of said client based on said request; providing a module to a client computer by way of said HTTP session, wherein said module includes an editor configured to facilitate modification of said document template within said HTTP session at said client computer; positioning a first container within said document template in response to interaction of a user within a visual interface of said browser application, wherein said first container includes a software object containing a visual element; setting properties for said first container based on inputs from said user; validating said document template by ensuring that at least one of;
defined and entered properties are logically consistent;generating an HTML stream based on said document template; receiving an HTML stream based on said document template, said first container, and said properties from said client computer; generating an XML document based on said document template, said first container, and said properties, wherein said XML document is stored in a data storage system; facilitating approval of said XML document using a workflow application, wherein said workflow application performs the steps of; obtaining said XML document from said data storage system; selecting an approver based on an identity of said user, wherein said approver is associated with an object representing said user; notifying said approver when said XML document requires said approval; and receiving information indicative of at least one of;
said approval of said XML document and non-approval of said XML document, and returning said XML document for at least one of;review and revision; generating first web page content based on said XML document, wherein said first web page content is stored in said data storage system; retrieving said first web page content from said data storage system; retrieving second web page content from said data storage system; and
,combining said first web page content with said second web page content. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for facilitating the creation of a document template via a digital network, the method including:
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logging onto a layout manager application from a client computer; establishing an HTTP session with a layout server; requesting to create said document layout; receiving a module from said layout server by way of said HTTP session, wherein said module includes a layout editor; creating said document layout within a browser application during said HTTP session at said client computer; positioning a first container within said document template in response to interaction of said user within a visual interface of said layout editor; positioning a second container in an area within said first container; inputting values into said visual interface of said layout editor, wherein said values are applied to properties relating to at least one of;
said first container and said second container;obtaining a validation of said document template by ensuring that at least one of;
defined layout parameters and entered layout parameters are logically consistent;invoking generation of an HTML stream based on said documents template; sending said HTML stream to said layout manager, wherein said layout manager converts said HTML stream to an XML document, wherein said XML document is stored in a data storage system; selecting a scope for said XML document, said scope defining a group which may access said XML document; approving said XML document using a workflow application, wherein said workflow application performs the steps of; obtaining said XML document from said data storage system; selecting an approver based on an identity of a user, wherein said approver is associated with an object representing said user; notifying said approver when said XML document requires said approval; and
,receiving information indicative of at least one of said approval of said XML document and non-approval of said XML document, and returning said XML document for at least one of review and revision; creating a web page using a layout manager utility, wherein said layout manager utility; generates first web page content based on said XML document, wherein said first web page content is stored in said data storage system; retrieves said first web page content from said data storage system; retrieves second web page content from said data storage system; and
,combines said first web page content with said second web page content to create said web page. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification