Multimedia data publishing system

Abstract

An electronic multimedia data publishing system including a server connected to a computer network and a number of host terminals connected to the computer network, the server including a database wherein are stored digital files containing descriptors of multimedia pages and a software program which manages the database and the exchanges with the host terminals, the host terminals being equipped with a random access memory to temporarily store digital files downloaded from the server database and a consultation program to visually display files in accordance with descriptors of a downloaded page, wherein selected digital files include descriptors with at least two visual display modes.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/FR01/01783, with an international filing date of Jun. 8, 2001, which is based on French PatentApplication No. 00/07358, filed Jun. 8, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an electronic multimedia data publishing system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the known art, there is the HTML and derived formats which allow multimedia pages to be edited in intranet or Internet networks. This format provides for page descriptions using descriptors recognized by a dedicated consulting software program, activating the visual display in compliance with the form defined by the creator of the page.

[0004] However, web sites have several disadvantages. First, they use consulting software installed on the host terminals, commonly called "navigators", which have relatively complex user menus, require delicate and specific settings, use a number of different screens placed indifferently one on top of the other, and finally leading to a considerable occultation of the main information from the site, by secondary technical information coming from the consulting software. The main message is, therefore, less efficient due to the design of these navigators. Furthermore, these applications are not intended to co-exist with other applications running on a permanent basis. In general, it is not possible to work on several different active applications simultaneously if one of them is a navigator.

[0005] The formats of web sites also create problems due to the lack of homogeneity of the displays from one software environment to another. The display varies according to the navigator and the operating system used, sometimes leading to dysfunctioning and graphical anomalies. Furthermore, they give rise to long waits, and the sites that respect the web formats are incompatible with protocols such as WAP or interactive television, except if translation gateways are used.

[0006] Finally, it is difficult to search for a site due to the anarchical multiplication of search engines and indexing systems, which provide no guarantee of an exhaustive search being carried out, and operating autonomously with respect the registration of the sites, which remains optional and escapes the control of the site provider. It would, therefore, be advantageous to overcome these various problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to an electronic multimedia data publishing system including a server connected to a computer network and a number of host terminals connected to the computer network, the server including a database wherein are stored digital files containing descriptors of multimedia pages and a software program which manages the database and the exchanges with the host terminals, the host terminals being equipped with a random access memory to temporarily store digital files downloaded from the server database and a consultation program to visually display files in accordance with descriptors of a downloaded page, wherein selected digital files include descriptors with at least two visual display modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] This invention will be more clearly understood by reading a description of a non-restrictive example of the invention, with reference to the appended drawing which shows a diagrammatic view of a system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The invention concerns, as most widely accepted, an electronic multimedia data publishing system comprising a server connected to a computer network and a number of terminal hosts connected to the computer network, the server including a database wherein are stored digital files containing descriptors of multimedia pages and a software program which manages the database and the exchanges with the host terminals, the host terminals being equipped with a random access memory for temporarily storing digital files downloaded from the server database and a consultation software program for visual display of files in accordance with the descriptors of a downloaded page. The invention is characterized in that some digital files include descriptors with at least two visual display modes, and preferably three distinct visual display modes.

[0010] A digital file is composed in particular of electronic documents which respect a pre-defined format and language to carry out the multimedia functions of the consultation software.

[0011] Advantageously, one of the modes corresponds to a visualization mode that creates a pages display bigger than that of a second visualization mode included in the same digital file.

[0012] According to one particular embodiment, the digital file corresponding to a page includes, among others, means for switching between the various visual display modes included in the same file. Preferably, the means of switching is formed by the detection of an activation of a key of the peripheral device when it designates an inactive zone of the display generated by the digital file.

[0013] According to one advantageous embodiment, the digital files contains descriptors of the geometrical form of the visual display area. According to another specific embodiment, the files contain descriptors for automatic loading and display of at least another page.

[0014] Preferably, the files contain descriptors for the loading and display of a number of interactive tabs displayed in a common display zone.

[0015] Turning now to the drawing, the system according to the invention includes content servers (1) linked, in the example described, to the Internet network for the exchange of http format data and respecting the TCP/ICP protocols.

[0016] The content server has a memory (2) in which the electronic documents (digital files) are stored which compose the content server. The host terminals (3) are equipped with a specific consultation software program capable of exploiting the files of the content server.

[0017] To allow internauts access to the content server and to make it visible on the network, the content server is first registered in a database (5) of a unique directory server (4). The consultation software with which the host terminal (3) is equipped displays a command window that allows the command menu to be activated. This window allows contents to be searched for and access to specific files known as "animated guides".

[0018] This page allows a content server to be searched for using text search criteria, and identification of the server address (1) where the digital components of the content server being searched for are stored.

[0019] These components are then loaded into the RAM of the host terminal (3). These components are recognized by the specific consultation software and then carry out most of the functions, without any need for the menus attached to the consultation software program.

[0020] The following description concerns an example of formatting the specific components:

[0021] a window opening flag;

[0022] a flag preceding a zone containing instructions which call on memory resources;

[0023] a flag preceding a zone containing instructions for processing the resources; and

[0024] one or more flags preceding a zone containing definitions of visual objects.

[0025] In the case of more than one flag being displayed, each flag corresponds to the definition of the objects corresponding to one of the display modes of the same contents file.

[0026] In the case of a single flag, the definitions of the objects include conditional display indicators, the indicators corresponding to the display modes.

[0027] A closure flag.

[0028] The definition of the visual objects concerns the display of texts, text blocks, images, geometrical forms, countdowns and the like. A file includes at least two and preferably three different definitions for each of the modes. Some modes only include static object definitions, others may contain dynamic object descriptors such as links to other resources or files.

Claims

1. An electronic multimedia data publishing system comprising: a server connected to a computer network and a number of host terminals connected to the computer network, the server including a database wherein are stored digital files containing descriptors of multimedia pages and a software program which manages the database and exchanges with the host terminals, the host terminals being equipped with a random access memory to temporarily store digital files downloaded from the server database and a consultation program to visually display files in accordance with descriptors of a downloaded page, wherein selected digital files include descriptors with at least two visual display modes.

2. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein one of the modes corresponds to a visual display that creates a display bigger than that of a second visualization mode included in the same digital file.

3. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein at least one digital file corresponding to a page includes means for switching between various visual display modes included in the same file.

4. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 3, wherein the means for switching is formed by detecting an activation of a key of the peripheral device when it designates an inactive zone of the display generated by the digital file.

5. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital files contains descriptors of a geometrical form of a visual display area.

6. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital files contains descriptors for automatic loading and display of at least another page.

7. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital files contains descriptors for loading and display of a number of interactive tabs displayed in a common display zone.

8. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, wherein the server includes a database wherein are stored descriptors for access to different files.

9. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 1, further comprising a contents base composed of contents files whose structure includes: a window opening flag; a flag preceding a zone containing instructions which call on memory resources; a flag preceding a zone containing instructions for processing the resources; one or more flags preceding a zone containing definitions of visual objects; and a closure flag.

10. The electronic multimedia data publishing system of claim 9, wherein each file contains a single flag defining associated visual objects, and definitions of the objects include conditional display indicators, the indicators corresponding to the display modes.