Method and system for presenting structured information in an interactive multimedia environment
First Claim
1. A system for providing structured information, comprising:
- a data storage device storing data for a data storage area comprising one or more data files and content for a structured information system for a network-based application,wherein the structured information system has an organizational structure for the content, andwherein the structured information system comprises one or more navigation components which enable access to the content according to the organizational structure;
a computer readable medium storing program instructions executable to implement;
a runtime container configured to display a plurality of discrete areas,wherein the one or more data files describe or modify a composition of one or more of the plurality of discrete areas, andwherein the runtime container is a browser;
a multimedia application environment configured to support animation, video and interactive content,wherein the multimedia application environment is further configured to execute one or more interactive multimedia files to implement the structured information system within the runtime container,wherein the structured information system is compatible across a plurality of different types of browsers and a plurality of different types of platforms, andwherein the structured information system comprises;
a communication handler configured to communicate with the runtime container,wherein the communication handler is implemented by the one or more interactive multimedia files; and
a navigation handler configured to display a plurality of elements of one of the one or more navigation components in one of the plurality of discrete areas in response to communications received from the communication handler indicating selection of the one of the one or more navigation components through a user interface in another one of the plurality of discrete areas,wherein an appearance of the one or more of the navigation components is controlled by one or more of the one or more data files,wherein the appearance of the one or more of the navigation components remains consistent when displayed on each of the plurality of different types of browsers and each of the plurality of different types of platforms,wherein selection of any one of the plurality of elements of the selected one of the one or more navigation components invokes display of a corresponding portion of the content in yet another one of the plurality of discrete areas of the runtime container, andwherein the navigation handler is implemented by the one or more interactive multimedia files.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an interactive multimedia system for providing structured information systems, for example help systems for desktop and network based applications. The invention employs an interactive multimedia runtime container and rich media content and other data files for the structured system navigational components such as the Table of Contents (TOC), Index, Search, and Glossary. In another aspect, the invention provides a structured navigation interface through the use of rich media files driven by data files which allow the user or the author to create a customized appearance for the structured information system. The system is advantageously cross-browser and cross-platform compatible and ensures consistent navigation and look and feel across platforms and browsers. The system additionally provides compatibility with high security networks and firewall systems, allows authors to focus on content without concern over platform and browser compatibility issues, and brings powerful, appealing new visual options to authors.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for providing structured information, comprising:
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a data storage device storing data for a data storage area comprising one or more data files and content for a structured information system for a network-based application, wherein the structured information system has an organizational structure for the content, and wherein the structured information system comprises one or more navigation components which enable access to the content according to the organizational structure; a computer readable medium storing program instructions executable to implement; a runtime container configured to display a plurality of discrete areas, wherein the one or more data files describe or modify a composition of one or more of the plurality of discrete areas, and wherein the runtime container is a browser; a multimedia application environment configured to support animation, video and interactive content, wherein the multimedia application environment is further configured to execute one or more interactive multimedia files to implement the structured information system within the runtime container, wherein the structured information system is compatible across a plurality of different types of browsers and a plurality of different types of platforms, and wherein the structured information system comprises; a communication handler configured to communicate with the runtime container, wherein the communication handler is implemented by the one or more interactive multimedia files; and a navigation handler configured to display a plurality of elements of one of the one or more navigation components in one of the plurality of discrete areas in response to communications received from the communication handler indicating selection of the one of the one or more navigation components through a user interface in another one of the plurality of discrete areas, wherein an appearance of the one or more of the navigation components is controlled by one or more of the one or more data files, wherein the appearance of the one or more of the navigation components remains consistent when displayed on each of the plurality of different types of browsers and each of the plurality of different types of platforms, wherein selection of any one of the plurality of elements of the selected one of the one or more navigation components invokes display of a corresponding portion of the content in yet another one of the plurality of discrete areas of the runtime container, and wherein the navigation handler is implemented by the one or more interactive multimedia files. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing an application help system, comprising:
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a data storage device storing data for a data storage area comprising one or more data files and content for the application help system for a network-based application, wherein the application help system has an organizational structure for the content, and wherein the application help system comprises one or more navigation components which enable access to the content according to the organizational structure; a runtime container displaying a plurality of discrete areas, wherein the runtime container is a browser; a multimedia application environment configured to support animation, video and interactive content, wherein the multimedia application environment is further configured to execute one or more interactive multimedia files to implement the application help system within the runtime container, wherein the application help system is compatible across a plurality of different types of browsers and a plurality of different types of platforms, and wherein said implementing the application help system comprises; executing the one or more interactive multimedia files, wherein each one of a plurality of area managers is implemented by a different one of the one or more interactive multimedia files, wherein each one of the plurality of area managers controls a respective one of the plurality of discrete areas, wherein each one of the plurality of area managers accesses the one or more data files associated with the respective one of the plurality of discrete areas, and wherein each one of the one or more data files describes or modifies a composition of the respective one of the plurality of discrete areas; receiving user input indicating selection of one of the one or more navigation components for the application help information through a user interface in one of the plurality of discrete areas, wherein an appearance of the one or more of the navigation components remains consistent when displayed on each of the plurality of different types of browsers and each of the plurality of different types of platforms; in response to said receiving user input, one of the plurality of area managers displaying a plurality of elements of the selected navigation component for the application help information in another one of the plurality of discrete areas; receiving additional user input indicating selection of one of the plurality of elements of the navigation component for the application help information; and in response to said receiving the additional user input; retrieving the application help information from a data storage area, wherein the application help information corresponds to the additional user input; and invoking display of the application help information in yet another one of the plurality of discrete areas. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification