Method for dynamically generating a “table of contents” view of a HTML-based information system
First Claim
1. A method for displaying a plurality of information topics that are available via an online help system for a computer, comprising the steps of:
- creating a plurality of folders that are respectively associated with said plurality of topics, and storing the folders in a memory of the computer;
storing, in a hierarchical arrangement, one or more HTML source files of information for given topics, where each file is stored in the respective folder associated with its given topic;
detecting, by the computer, the selection of one of said plurality of folders, said folder being associated with a topic of interest;
searching, by the computer, each of the files at the first hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type;
examining, by the computer, each of the identified files to locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information;
retrieving, from the computer memory, a stored HTML template file;
merging data associated with the HTML metatags into the HTML template file, by said computer, to thereby generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags; and
displaying, on a display device, an HTML page in accordance with said generated file to thereby provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method for dynamically generating an HTML-based information help system. The information help system provides a user with a table of contents of the information that is currently available on the system. The table of contents is generated by scanning specific files for meta-tag information. The gathered information is merged with pre-defined HTML template files that control the formatting and presentation of the information. The resulting table of contents which is provided to the user accurately reflects the current content of the information system. By dynamically generating the table of contents for the information help system, the present invention allows authors to add, remove, and change individual components of the system while ensuring that users are presented with an accurate and complete list of the information available for use.
48 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for displaying a plurality of information topics that are available via an online help system for a computer, comprising the steps of:
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creating a plurality of folders that are respectively associated with said plurality of topics, and storing the folders in a memory of the computer; storing, in a hierarchical arrangement, one or more HTML source files of information for given topics, where each file is stored in the respective folder associated with its given topic; detecting, by the computer, the selection of one of said plurality of folders, said folder being associated with a topic of interest; searching, by the computer, each of the files at the first hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type; examining, by the computer, each of the identified files to locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information; retrieving, from the computer memory, a stored HTML template file; merging data associated with the HTML metatags into the HTML template file, by said computer, to thereby generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags; and displaying, on a display device, an HTML page in accordance with said generated file to thereby provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An online help system, comprising:
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a memory storing a hierarchy of folders and files, wherein the folders respectively correspond to different topics of information that can be viewed within the help system, and HTML files at the first level of hierarchy within said folders contain metatags associated with data relating to the display of a table of contents for the respective topics to which said folders correspond; means responsive to the selection of a topic of interest for searching the files in the folder corresponding to said topic to identify files of a predetermined type; means for examining the identified files to locate said metatags; means for retrieving a stored HTML template file; means for merging data associated with the metatags into said HTML template file to thereby generate an HTML file containing data associated with the located metatags; and means for displaying a table of contents for the topic of interest in accordance with said generated file. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification