U.S. patent number RE45,971 [Application Number 13/963,050] was granted by the patent office on 2016-04-12 for developing electronic documents providing e-commerce tools.
The grantee listed for this patent is PT 259, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas L. DiStefano, III.
United States Patent |
RE45,971 |
DiStefano, III |
April 12, 2016 |
Developing electronic documents providing E-commerce tools
Abstract
A method of assisting a website designer in establishing an
arrangement between a first website being designed by the website
designer and a second website in order to market the first website
at the second website upon the activation of the first website on
the internet is provided. The method includes, during design of the
first website, receiving information at a user interface indicating
a type of an element for marketing that is to be displayed at the
second website, and information specifying the second website at
which the element is to be displayed; saving the information at a
first database that is coupled to the user interface; obtaining the
element for marketing of the type indicated; and causing the
display of the element for marketing at the second website when the
first website is activated with respect to the internet. The
element for marketing includes at least one of a banner ad
concerning the first website and a link to the first website.
Further provided is a method of assisting a website designer in
establishing an e-commerce feature on a first website being
designed by the website designer for access by third parties upon
the activation of the first website on the internet, wherein the
e-commerce feature is at least one of a shopping cart and an
auction.
Inventors: |
DiStefano, III; Thomas L. (Boca
Raton, FL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PT 259, LLC |
Boca Raton |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
44350837 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/963,050 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
09589551 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
7996259 |
Aug 9, 2011 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/0481 (20130101); G06Q 30/00 (20130101); G06Q
30/0273 (20130101); G06F 40/143 (20200101); G06Q
30/0277 (20130101); G06Q 30/02 (20130101); G06Q
30/0641 (20130101); G06Q 30/08 (20130101); G06Q
30/0256 (20130101); G06Q 30/0207 (20130101); G06Q
30/0276 (20130101); G06F 40/134 (20200101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
30/00 (20120101) |
Field of
Search: |
;705/14.1 |
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|
Primary Examiner: Tarae; Michelle
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cuenot, Forsythe & Kim, LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of assisting a website designer in establishing an
arrangement between a first website being designed by the website
designer and a second website in order to market the first website
at the second website upon the activation of the first website on
the internet, the method comprising: during design of the first
website, receiving information at a user interface indicating a
type of an element for marketing that is to be displayed at the
second website, and information specifying the second website at
which the element is to be displayed; saving the information at a
first database that is coupled to the user interface; obtaining the
element for marketing of the type indicated; causing the display of
the element for marketing at the second website when the first
website is activated with respect to the internet, wherein the
element for marketing includes at least one of a banner ad
concerning the first website and a link to the first website;
determining whether a reciprocal site for the display of at least
one marketing element of a third party website exists in the first
website being designed; .[.and.]. creating the reciprocal site for
the display of the at least one marketing element of the third
party website when the reciprocal site does not yet exist in the
first website being designed.Iadd.; and when the element for
marketing the first website is a banner ad concerning the first
website, causing the sequential display at the reciprocal site of
the first website of a plurality banner ads respectively concerning
a plurality of third party websites, when the first website is
activated with respect to the internet.Iaddend..
.[.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when the element
for marketing the first website is a banner ad concerning the first
website, causing the sequential display at the reciprocal site of
the first website of a plurality banner ads respectively concerning
a plurality of third party websites, when the first website is
activated with respect to the internet..].
3. .[.The.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.method .[.of claim 1, further.].
.Iadd.of assisting a website designer in establishing an
arrangement between a first website being designed by the website
designer and a second website in order to market the first website
at the second website upon the activation of the first website on
the internet, the method .Iaddend.comprising: .Iadd.during design
of the first website, receiving information at a user interface
indicating a type of an element for marketing that is to be
displayed at the second website, and information specifying the
second website at which the element is to be displayed; saving the
information at a first database that is coupled to the user
interface; obtaining the element for marketing of the type
indicated; causing the display of the element for marketing at the
second website when the first website is activated with respect to
the internet, wherein the element for marketing includes at least
one of a banner ad concerning the first website and a link to the
first website; determining whether a reciprocal site for the
display of at least one marketing element of a third party website
exists in the first website being designed; creating the reciprocal
site for the display of the at least one marketing element of the
third party website when the reciprocal site does not yet exist in
the first website being designed; and .Iaddend. when the element
for marketing the first website is a link to the first website,
causing the display at the reciprocal site of the first website of
a plurality of links to the plurality of third party websites, when
the first website is activated with respect to the internet.
4. A method, within a computer hardware website implementation
system, of establishing a reciprocal arrangement between a first
website and a preexisting second website, comprising: registering
the second website with the website implementation system;
receiving, by the website implementation system, a request by a
first user to implement the first website; receiving, by the
website implementation system, a selection by the first user as to
a second functional marketing element to be activated on the second
website; establishing, by the website implementation system, a
reciprocal site in the first website for a first functional
marketing element; and upon the first website being activated with
respect to the internet, the computer website implementation system
implementing the reciprocal arrangement by causing (i) the first
website to implement the first functional marketing element, and
(ii) the second website to implement the second functional
marketing element, wherein the first functional marketing element
directs, via the internet, a second user of the first functional
marketing element to the second website, and the second functional
marketing element directs, via the internet, a third user of the
second functional marketing element to the first website.
5. A computer hardware website implementation system for
establishing a reciprocal arrangement between a first website and a
preexisting second website, comprising: at least one processor, the
at least one processor configured for registering the second
website with the website implementation system; receiving a request
by a first user to implement the first website; receiving a
selection by the first user as to a second functional marketing
element to be activated on the second website; establishing a
reciprocal site in the first website for a first functional
marketing element; and implementing, upon the first website being
activated with respect to the internet, the reciprocal arrangement
by causing (i) the first website to implement the first functional
marketing element, and (ii) the second website to implement the
second functional marketing element, wherein the first functional
marketing element directs, via the internet, a second user of the
first functional marketing element to the second website, and the
second functional marketing element directs, via the internet, a
third user of the second functional marketing element to the first
website.
6. The website implementation system of claim 5, further comprising
a database of registered websites.
7. A computer program product including a computer-readable storage
medium having stored therein computer usable program code for
establishing a reciprocal arrangement between a first website and a
preexisting second website, the computer usable program code, which
when executed by a computer hardware implementation system, causing
the computer hardware implementation system to perform: registering
the second website with the website implementation system;
receiving a request by a first user to implement the first website;
receiving a selection by the first user as to a second functional
marketing element to be activated on the second website;
establishing a reciprocal site in the first website for the first
functional marketing element; and upon the first website being
activated with respect to the internet, implementing the reciprocal
arrangement by causing (i) the first website to implement a first
functional marketing element, and (ii) the second website to
implement the second functional marketing element, wherein the
first functional marketing element directs, via the internet, a
second user of the first functional marketing element to the second
website, and the second functional marketing element directs, via
the internet, a third user of the second functional marketing
element to the first website.
.Iadd.8. A method, within a computer hardware web page
implementation system, of establishing a reciprocal arrangement
between a first web page, associated with a first user, and a
second web page, comprising: generating, by the web page
implementation system, a second functional marketing element,
associated with the first user, to be activated on the second web
page; establishing, by the web page implementation system, a
reciprocal site in the first web page for a first functional
marketing element; and implementing, by the web page implementation
system and upon the first web page being activated with respect to
the internet, the reciprocal arrangement by causing (i) the first
web page to implement the first functional marketing element, and
(ii) the second web page to implement the second functional
marketing element, wherein the first functional marketing element
directs, via the internet, a second user of the first functional
marketing element to the second web page, and the second functional
marketing element directs, via the internet, a third user of the
second functional marketing element to the first web
page..Iaddend.
.Iadd.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising including,
within the first web page, a web asset provided by a third party
separate from the computer hardware system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising causing, based
upon the web asset being included within the first web page site,
the third party to be compensated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. The method of claim 9, wherein the web asset is a
functional application..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The method of claim 8, wherein the second functional
marketing element includes an image..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving,
from the first user, the image..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. A computer hardware web page implementation system
configured to establish a reciprocal arrangement between a first
web page, associated with a first user, and a second web page,
comprising: at least one processor, wherein the at least one
processor is configured to perform: receiving a request by the
first user to implement the first web page; generating a second
functional marketing element, associated with the first user, to be
activated on the second web page; establishing a reciprocal site in
the first web page for a first functional marketing element; and
implementing the reciprocal arrangement upon the first web page
being activated with respect to the internet by causing (i) the
first web page to implement the first functional marketing element,
and (ii) the second web page to implement the second functional
marketing element, wherein the first functional marketing element
directs, via the internet, a second user of the first functional
marketing element to the second web page, and the second functional
marketing element directs, via the internet, a third user of the
second functional marketing element to the first web
page..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
processor is further configured to perform: including, within the
first web page, a web asset provided by a third party separate from
the computer hardware system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
processor is further configured to perform: causing, based upon the
web asset being included within the first web page site, the third
party to be compensated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The system of claim 15, wherein the web asset is a
functional application..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. (Twice Amended) The system of claim 14, wherein the
second functional marketing element includes an image..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one
processor is further configured to perform: receiving, from the
first user, the image..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The method of claim 8, wherein the first functional
marketing element consists of a hyperlink to the second web page,
and the second functional marketing element consists of a hyperlink
to the first web page..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The method of claim 20, wherein the reciprocal
arrangement is based upon both the first user and a user associated
with the second web page opting into the reciprocal
arrangement..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The system of claim 14, wherein the first functional
marketing element consists of a hyperlink to the second web page,
and the second functional marketing element consists of a hyperlink
to the first web page..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The system of claim 22, wherein the reciprocal
arrangement is based upon both the first user and a user associated
with the second web page opting into the reciprocal
arrangement..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The method of claim 4, wherein the first functional
marketing element consists of a hyperlink to the second website,
and the second functional marketing element consists of a hyperlink
to the first website..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the reciprocal
arrangement is based upon both the first user and a user associated
with the second website opting into the reciprocal
arrangement..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The system of claim 5, wherein the first functional
marketing element consists of a hyperlink to the second website,
and the second functional marketing element consists of a hyperlink
to the first website..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The system of claim 26, wherein the reciprocal
arrangement is based upon both the first user and a user associated
with the second website opting into the reciprocal
arrangement..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the
first functional marketing element consists of a hyperlink to the
second website, and the second functional marketing element
consists of a hyperlink to the first website..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the
reciprocal arrangement is based upon both the first user and a user
associated with the second website opting into the reciprocal
arrangement..Iaddend.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to creating and posting web
pages to the internet, and more specifically, to a method for more
easily developing web pages through the use of a graphical user
interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The World Wide Web (web) has rapidly become an invaluable tool to
individuals and businesses. Not only can an individual or business
post information on the web, but it can also use the web to
transact business. Because the public is acutely aware of the web's
business and personal benefits, millions of web pages are being
added to the web each year.
Typically, a web page is defined by a document containing HyperText
Markup Language (HTML) code. An HTML document suitable for posting
on the internet includes both "content" and "markup." The content
is information which describes a web page's text or other
information for display or playback on a computer's monitor,
speakers, etc. The markup is information which describes the web
page's behavioral characteristics, such as how the content is
displayed and how other information can be accessed via the web
page.
In order to provide web-based information and services over the
internet, the web employs "client" computers, "browser" software,
and "server" computers. A client computer is a computer used by an
individual to connect to the internet and access web pages. A
browser is a software application, located on a client computer,
which requests, via the internet, a web page from a server
computer. After receiving the web page, the browser displays the
web page on the client computer's monitor. A server computer is a
computer which stores web page information, retrieves that
information in response to a browser's request, and sends the
information, via the internet, to the client computer. Thus, after
a web page is created, the page must be "posted" to a particular
server computer which "hosts" the page, so that the page can be
accessed over the internet.
In order to have one's web page hosted by a server, the individual
must contract with an internet service provider (ISP) associated
with the server. This contract specifies, among other things, the
duration of the time that the ISP will host the page, and how much
the individual will pay for that hosting service.
Even though the idea of having one's own web page is appealing, the
average individual has little or no knowledge about how to create a
web page. Particularly, the average individual does not know how to
create an HTML document or to post that document to a server
computer. Unless that individual is willing to learn how to create
and post their own web page, that individual is faced with few
options.
The most commonly used avenue for an individual to get his web page
on the internet is to employ one of numerous companies to provide,
for a fee, web page/website development services. After contacting
such a website development company, the individual would meet with
one of the company's web page designers to explain the individual's
concept for his web page. The designer would then create the
associated HTML document. After approval by the individual, the
designer may provide the service of posting the web page to a
server. The server typically is not associated with the website
development company. Thus, the individual must separately contract
with an ISP associated with the server to host the web page.
Typically, this web page creation and posting process is time
consuming and expensive, because it requires the individual and the
designer to spend a significant amount of time together working on
a particular page design. In addition, the process is inefficient
because the individual must work separately with a website
development company and an ISP.
The difficulties and expense associated with web page creation and
design are exacerbated by the fact that many individuals who desire
to set up web pages are doing so for commercial reasons, i.e., the
individuals desire to conduct business or "e-commerce" over the
internet using their web pages. Developing a web page/website
suitable for e-commerce typically requires at least two types of
features above and beyond those required for a standard
(non-commercial) web page/website. First, an e-commerce website
typically requires marketing features. As noted, there are millions
of web pages already existing on the interest, and so the success
of an internet-based business employing a website depends
critically upon whether consumers on the internet are aware of, and
can easily access, the website.
With respect to these marketing features, a common way of marketing
a website on the internet is to have other websites display
advertising messages ("banner ads") concerning the website. A
second way of marketing a particular website on the internet is
simply to have other websites display selectable commands ("links")
which, if selected by a person accessing the other websites using
his browser, cause the browser to access the particular website.
Although the use of such banner ads and links is very common, the
setting up of such mechanisms is not always easy. In particular,
other websites typically do not display banner ads and links for a
particular website without contractual arrangements, including
payment, which can be difficult for a novice web designer to
arrange and expensive to arrange via a website development
company.
In addition to marketing features, an e-commerce website typically
also requires features that allow the conducting of sales
transactions, i.e., features for executing transactions involving
the buying and selling of goods and/or services. Such features
typically include a sales mechanism, i.e., a "shopping cart"
mechanism or an "auction." Further, such features typically include
a payment arrangement, i.e., an arrangement allowing for transfers
from a purchaser's credit card to a merchant account associated
with the e-commerce website. The setting up of such sales
mechanisms and payment arrangements also can be difficult for a
novice web designer and expensive if performed by a website
development company.
What is needed, therefore, is a method for enabling an individual
to conveniently design a web page without requiring that individual
to learn HTML or to interact extensively with a web page designer
at a website development company. What is further needed is a
streamlined method for web page/website development and, in
particular, a method of facilitating the development of e-commerce
websites having key marketing and sales transaction features.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of assisting a website
designer in establishing an arrangement between a first website
being designed by the website designer and a second website in
order to market the first website at the second website upon the
activation of the first website on the internet. The method
includes, during design of the first website, receiving information
at a user interface indicating a type of an element for marketing
that is to be displayed at the second website, and information
specifying the second website at which the element is to be
displayed. The method further includes saving the information at a
first database that is coupled to the user interface, obtaining the
element for marketing of the type indicated, and causing the
display of the element for marketing at the second website when the
first website is activated with respect to the internet. The
element for marketing includes at least one of a banner ad
concerning the first website and a link to the first website.
The present invention additionally relates to a method of assisting
a website designer in establishing an e-commerce feature on a first
website being designed by the website designer for access by third
parties upon the activation of the first website on the internet.
The method includes receiving at a user interface a selection of
the e-commerce feature that is desired to be implemented on the
first website, wherein the e-commerce feature is at least one of a
shopping cart and an auction. The method further includes receiving
at the user interface information concerning a picture of a product
desired to be sold using the e-commerce feature, receiving at the
user interface information concerning a written description of the
product, receiving at the user interface information concerning a
price of the product, and receiving at the user interface
information concerning an identification number of the product. The
method additionally includes, when the first website is activated
on the internet, displaying the e-commerce feature on the first
website. The display of the e-commerce feature includes the display
of at least some of the picture, written description, price and
identification information of the product.
The present invention further relates to a computer-readable
storage medium containing computer executable code for instructing
at least one computer to perform several steps. In particular, the
computer executable code instructs the computer to perform the step
of, during design of a first website, receiving information at a
user interface indicating a type of an element for marketing that
is to be displayed at a second website, and information specifying
the second website at which the element is to be displayed. The
steps further include saving the information at a first database
that is coupled to the user interface, obtaining an element for
marketing of the type indicated, and causing the display of the
element for marketing at the second website when the first website
is activated with respect to the internet. The element for
marketing includes at least one of a banner ad concerning the first
website and a link to the first website.
The present invention additionally relates to a computer-readable
storage medium containing computer executable code for instructing
at least one computer to perform several steps. In particular, the
computer executable code instructs the computer to perform the step
of receiving at a user interface a selection of an e-commerce
feature that is desired to be implemented on a first website,
wherein the e-commerce feature is at least one of a shopping cart
and an auction. The computer executable code further instructs the
computer to perform the steps of receiving at the user interface
information concerning a picture of a product desired to be sold
using the e-commerce feature, receiving at the user interface
information concerning a written description of the product,
receiving at the user interface information concerning a price of
the product, receiving at the user interface information concerning
an identification number of the product and, when the first website
is activated on the internet, displaying the e-commerce feature on
the first website. The display of the e-commerce feature includes
the display of at least some of the picture, written description,
price and identification information of the product.
The present invention further relates to an internet-based system
for assisting a website designer in establishing an arrangement
between a first website being designed by the website designer and
a second website in order to market the first website at the second
website upon the activation of the first website on the internet.
The system includes a server computer accessible by a plurality of
registered user computers and a plurality of unregistered computers
using the internet. The server computer receives at a user
interface displayed at one of the registered user computers
information indicating a type of an element for marketing that is
to be displayed at the second website, and information specifying
the second website at which the element is to be displayed. The
server computer additionally saves the information at a first
database that is coupled to the server computer, and obtains an
element for marketing. The server computer further hosts the second
website, activates the first website on the internet by hosting the
first website on the internet, provides a web page of the second
website to one of the unregistered computers, and displays the
element for marketing on the web page.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which the method of the present
invention can be practiced;
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface (GUT),
including a website design plate and a STICKY PAD.TM., which is
employed in performing the method of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates in greater detail the STICKY PAD.TM. of the GUI
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates searching for graphic images ("web assets" or
"fx") using the STICKY PAD.TM..TM.;
FIG. 5 illustrates searching for sounds using the STICKY
PAD.TM.;
FIG. 6 illustrates searching for colors using the STICKY
PAD.TM.;
FIG. 7 illustrates text editing using the STICKY PAD.TM.;
FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a running meter on the STICKY
PAD.TM.;
FIG. 9 illustrates the creation of a banner ad and a logo using the
STICKY PAD.TM.;
FIG. 10 illustrates the generation of a website outline using the
navigation feature of the website design plate;
FIG. 11 illustrates providing log in information and generating a
table/cell at the website design plate;
FIG. 12 illustrates the operation of STAY STICKY.TM. features,
including smart agent and MAIL WIZ.TM. features;
FIG. 13 illustrates the development of website e-commerce
mechanisms, including shopping carts and auctions, as well as the
setting-up of a merchant account, using the e-commerce feature of
the website design plate;
FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of examples and help/statistics
features (including a size meter/meter box) of the website design
plate;
FIG. 15 illustrates providing payment (including credit card)
information when attempting to save website information assembled
on the website design plate;
FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for developing a
web page of a website, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for providing
text and tables/cells into a web page of a website that is being
developed, including text editing, which can be performed as part
of the flowchart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 illustrates flowcharts with method steps for saving website
information and previewing website operation, which can be
performed as part of the flowchart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for generating a
website outline using a navigation feature, which can be performed
as part of the flowchart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performing
STAY STICKY.TM. features, including smart agent features and MAIL
WIZ.TM. features, which can be performed as part of the flowchart
of FIG. 16;
FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performing
e-commerce features, which can be performed as part of the
flowchart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 22 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performing
examples and help/statistics features, which can be performed as
part of the flowchart of FIG. 16; and
FIG. 23 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for recommencing
development of, and editing, a website that has already been
partially developed using the GUI of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed
herein is for the purpose of description, and not of limitation.
Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations as fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The
present invention is a method for developing a website through the
use of a graphical user interface. FIG. 1 is a block diagram
illustrating a generalized computer/internet system 100 in which
the method of the present invention can be practiced. Specifically,
the preferred system 100 includes a server computer 140 operably
connected to the internet 130 using standard techniques well-known
in the art, for instance the TCP/IP protocol. The method preferably
can be implemented through the use of the server computer 140 using
standard computer programming techniques well-known in the art. As
an example, the server computer 140 can preferably be programmed
using the Java.TM. programming language distributed by Sun
Microcomputer Corp. of Palo Alto, Calif.
Three types of other parties can interact with the server computer
140. First, registered users who have logged in with respect to the
server computer 140, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11, can
fully access the server computer at one or more registered users
computers 180. Second, third party potential customers who have not
yet logged in with respect to the server computer 140 can obtain
limited access to the server computer at one or more third party
potential customers computers 110. Finally, third party authors who
contribute web assets for use in web pages created by registered
users can access the server computer 140, from one or more third
party author computers 120, for the limited purpose of uploading
web assets to the server computer for distribution. Registered
users computers 180, third party potential customers computers 110
and third party authors computers 120 are home computers or other
interface devices (not necessarily complete computers) that are
capable of accessing the server computer 140 through the internet
130 using standard web-browsers, well-known in the art.
The server computer 140 preferably has or is coupled to a third
party user database 160, a web assets database 170, and a
programming database 190. The third party user database 160
preferably includes a listing of all third party users registered
to access the server computer 140. Specifically, information
provided during the log in process by registered users is included
in the third party user database 160. Also, information regarding
websites that have been or are being designed by registered users
can be saved (as discussed with reference to FIG. 15) in the third
party user database 160. Moreover, third party user database 160
preferably includes a listing of third party authors who have
uploaded web assets to the web assets database 170 for use by the
registered users in creating their websites, and who have been
authorized by the system 100 to receive payment for the use of
their web assets by the registered users. Web assets database 170
stores a catalog of web assets uploaded by third party authors. In
addition, web assets that are stored in web assets database 170 can
include web assets that are derived from other sources, such as web
assets designed by the operator of the server computer 140. System
100 automatically compensates a third party author whose uploaded
web asset has been distributed to a registered user. When system
100 posts a web page having a web asset uploaded by a third party
author on behalf of a registered user, the system 100 credits the
credit card account of the third party author in compensation for
the use of the web asset. Specifically, the server computer 140
contacts the credit card company 150 corresponding to the third
party author's credit card and submits a credit over the internet
130 to the credit card company 150.
Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention employs a graphical user
interface (GUI) to allow a registered user to easily develop a
website comprising one or more web pages. In one embodiment, all or
nearly all of the programming required to operate the GUI is stored
on programming database 190, and is accessed by potential customers
and registered users by way of their web browsers (and is viewed
via the internet 130 when needed by those potential customers and
registered users). However, in the preferred embodiment, the
programming required to operate the GUI is provided to potential
customers and registered users as software (i.e., on a floppy disk
or a CD-ROM), and is stored directly in the programming database
190. Potential customers are capable of interacting with the GUI to
perform certain website design functions by logging into computer
140. However, key functions such as searching for web assets, and
saving/submitting a fully-designed website for posting on the
internet 130, can only be performed once the potential customers
have logged into the server computer 140 and become registered
users such that they have full access to the server computer 140
via the internet 130. Hereinafter (except with respect to FIG. 11
concerning the log in process), all discussion regarding use of the
GUI will concern use of the GUI by registered users at registered
user computers 180; however, it should be understood that third
party potential customers can also perform limited functions with
respect to the GUI before logging into the system 100.
The GUI is provided on a display at the registered user computer
180 and includes a primary display screen, which is termed a STICKY
WEB.TM. website design plate 210 (or web design plate) (STICKY
WEB.TM. is a trademark of the Perfect Web Corporation, of Delray
Beach, Fla.). Website design plate 210 has a plurality of selection
buttons 212, which in the preferred embodiment include a log in
button 215, a save button 218, an edit button 220, a navigation
button 225, a preview button 230, a text button 235, an fx button
240, a color button 245, a sound button 250, a tables button 255, a
STAY STICKY.TM. button 260, an e-commerce button 265, an examples
button 270 and a help/statistics button 275. In one embodiment, a
registered user selects or actuates selection buttons 212 by
pointing at the buttons using a mouse of the registered user
computer 180, and clicking on the mouse. In alternate embodiments,
a registered user can select or actuate selection buttons 212 by
providing appropriate keystrokes on a keyboard of the registered
user computer 180, by appropriately touching a touch screen of the
registered user computer, or by providing an input signal at
another conventional type of input device known in the art.
In addition to selection buttons 212, website design plate 210
further includes a design space 214 in which can be displayed one
or more web assets 205, which together form a web page. Web assets
can include JAVA applets, scripts (including moving scripts and
scripts written in a variety of internet languages such as PERL,
CGI, SQL, JAVA, XML and HTML), stock art, clip art, digital art,
background images, textures, GIF, JPEG, TIF, BMP, chat rooms,
message boards, web objects, buttons, templates, themes, fading
color, mouse over effects, borders, buttons, shadows, icons,
internet designs, sounds, music, etc. In general, web assets are
graphic images, including text and related color, sound and
animation features, which can be displayed on a website. When
displayed for a registered user who has logged into the system 100
(as discussed with reference to FIG. 11), the web assets are
interactive, i.e., information can be exchanged between the
registered user and the system 100 via the web assets.
As shown in FIG. 2, during design of a website using the GUI, a
second display screen, termed a STICKY PAD.TM. 310, is often shown
within (or over) website design plate 210 (STICKY PAD.TM. is a
trademark of the Perfect Web Corporation, of Delray Beach, Fla.).
STICKY PAD.TM. 310 includes a design space 280 on which one or more
web assets 305 can be displayed. Web assets 305 can be manipulated
on the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, which acts as the editing platform for
the registered user and appears when it is necessary to edit or
otherwise modify web assets. STICKY PAD.TM. 310 further includes a
plurality of selection buttons 285, 295, which are selected by a
registered user in the same manner as selection buttons 212 are
selected. As shown in FIG. 3, buttons 285 include an fx button 315,
a sound button 320, a color button 325 and a search button 330, and
buttons 295 include a text editor button 345 and a running meter
button 350, in one embodiment of the invention. Buttons 285, 295
are described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4-9. STICKY
PAD.TM. 310 additionally includes, in certain embodiments, a banner
bar 290. Banner bar 290 is capable of displaying one or more banner
ads corresponding to other websites designed by other registered
users through the use of system 100, which allow for marketing of
those websites. Also, banner bar 290 is capable of displaying
banner ads corresponding to outside advertisers.
A registered user can interact with STICKY PAD.TM. 310 to perform a
variety of operations. The registered user can select (by way of a
mouse or other input device) any of the web assets 305 that are
currently shown on the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, move the web assets
relative to one another, and alter the size of the web assets.
Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the registered user also can select search
button 330 to identify and obtain new web assets and other
elements, including sound elements and color elements, which can be
added to the website that is being developed. Upon selecting search
button 330, a search menu 410 appears having selectable options 420
for fx (web assets), sound and color. As shown in FIG. 4, if the
registered user selects fx (web assets) from search menu 410, an fx
menu 430 appears. As shown in FIG. 5, if the registered user
selects sound from search menu 410, a sound menu 540 appears. As
shown in FIG. 6, if the registered user selects color from search
menu 410, a color pallet 640 appears. To streamline operation of
the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, the STICKY PAD.TM. further includes
individual fx, sound and color buttons 315, 320 and 325 which, when
selected, result in the immediate display of fx menu 430, sound
menu 540 and color pallet 640.
In the preferred embodiment, fx (web assets) menu 430 includes a
search entry field 435 in which the registered user can enter
keywords or other search criteria indicative of the type of web
assets that the registered user desires to implement within its
website. Upon receiving search criteria from the registered user,
the system 100 (particularly the server computer 140) searches the
web assets database 170 for web assets that meet the search
criteria. System 100 employs any of a number of conventional search
engines to perform the searches. Upon the commanding of a search by
the registered user, the fx menu 430 lists all available web assets
that meet the search criteria in a scroll menu, as shown in FIG. 4.
Also in the preferred embodiment, sound menu 540 includes a search
entry field 545 in which the registered user can enter keywords or
other search criteria indicative of the type of sounds that the
registered user desires to implement within its website. Upon
receiving search criteria from the registered user, the system 100
performs a search for sounds meeting the search criteria and then
lists all available sound elements that meet the search criteria in
a scroll menu, as shown in FIG. 5.
Fx menu 430 and sound menu 540 typically list available elements in
categories. For example, for fx/web assets, the categories can
include icons, scripts, chat rooms and message boards and, for
sound elements, the categories can include general sounds, noises,
music and sound effects. Although in the preferred embodiment, fx
menu 430 and sound menu 540 list web assets and sound elements that
are identified based upon searches of web assets database 170 and
meet search criteria specified in search entry fields 435, 545, in
alternate embodiments searches need not be performed. In such
embodiments, fx menu 430 and sound menu 540 directly list all
available web assets and sound elements that are available for
implementation into a website, without receiving search criteria
from the registered user. Further, with respect to color pallet
640, in the preferred embodiment the color pallet lists all
available colors without receiving search criteria from the
registered user or performing any searches to narrow down the list
of available colors. However, in alternate embodiments, color
pallet 640 can include a search entry field for receiving search
criteria from the registered user and, upon performing a search,
display colors that meet the specified search criteria.
Once fx menu 430, sound menu 540 and color pallet 640 list
available web assets, sound elements and color elements,
respectively, the registered user can select one or more of the
elements for implementation in the registered user's website (i.e.,
by selecting one or more of the elements using a mouse). The
registered user can, upon selecting a web asset, sound or color,
cause the selected element to appear within design space 280 of
STICKY PAD.TM. 310 (i.e., by double-clicking on the element using a
mouse). The registered user also can apply selected web assets,
sound elements or color elements to existing web assets or other
elements within STICKY PAD.TM. 310. The registered user applies the
selected elements to existing elements within the STICKY PAD.TM.
310 by dragging and dropping the selected elements onto the
existing elements. In the preferred embodiment, sound and color
elements can be dragged, dropped and otherwise manipulated around
the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 in the same manner as web assets; when the
registered user selects a sound or color element, the selected
sound or color element is displayed as an icon or thumbnail image
550.
For example, once a chick icon has been selected from fx menu 430
and is displayed in design space 280 as web asset 305a (as shown in
FIG. 3), the registered user can further modify the chick to make a
peep or other noise by selecting the desired noise from sound menu
540, dragging the noise to the chick, and dropping the noise onto
the chick. If the color of the chick as obtained from fx menu 430
is not the desired color, i.e., the color is white and not yellow,
the registered user can further modify the color of the chick by
selecting the color yellow from color pallet 640, dragging the
color to the chick, and dropping the color onto the chick. Although
in the preferred embodiment, sound and color elements can be
dragged and dropped in the same manner as web assets, in alternate
embodiments, a registered user can instead apply a particular sound
or color element to an existing element within the STICKY PAD.TM.
310 simply by selecting the existing element before (or immediately
after) selecting the particular sound or color element. The web
assets, sound elements and color elements displayed in fx menu 430,
sound menu 540 and color pallet 640, respectively, are provided
from server computer 140, which accesses web assets database 170.
Web assets database 170 stores web assets that are provided from a
variety of sources including internet companies, publishers, geeks,
designers, and artists. In the preferred embodiment, some of the
web assets stored on web assets database 170 are provided from
independent third party authors who access system 100 by way of
third party author computers 120. System 100 compensates the
independent third party authors when their web assets are utilized
by registered users in designing websites. Web assets can also be
provided under license from major digital and stock art publishers
(i.e., Adobe, Corel, Com Stock, etc.). Although the system 100 is
designed to allow the registered user to obtain web assets and
sound and color elements from web assets database 170, the system
also allows the registered user to obtain web assets from other
sources. For example, the registered user can upload its own web
assets from a memory device (i.e., the hard drive) of registered
user computer 180. Also, in certain embodiments, the registered
user can obtain web assets by independently accessing third party
websites via the internet, and selecting web assets displayed on
those websites.
The web assets that can be selected from fx menu 430 include web
assets that consist partly, or even entirely, of text. However,
STICKY PAD.TM. 310 further allows a registered user to enter text
directly into the STICKY PAD.TM. by typing in the desired text at a
keyboard at registered user computer 180. The text is displayed
within design space 280 of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 once the
registered user hits the "enter" key on the keyboard. In certain
embodiments, text that is desired for entry into the STICKY PAD.TM.
310 can be uploaded from a memory associated with registered user
computer 180 rather than typed in by the registered user. Once the
text is displayed within the design space 280, the text can be
selected by the registered user and moved around within design
space 280 like any other web asset. The text can also be edited if
the registered user selects the text editor button 345. As shown in
FIG. 7, upon the selection of text editor button 345, a text editor
menu 710 appears. Displayed on text editor menu 710 are a
font/style/size/color button 720 and a spell check button 730. Upon
selection of the font/style/size/color button 720, a
font/style/size/color menu 740 appears, from which the registered
user can select a plurality of fonts, styles and colors for the
text as well as select a size setting for the text.
Upon selection of the spell check button 730, a spell check is
performed using computer algorithms that are well known in the art.
In one embodiment, a spell check result box 750 appears once the
spell check has been performed in relation to the text, and
suggested changes to the text appear in the spell check result box.
In alternate embodiments, the spell check is executed without the
display of any spell check result box. For example, if a spelling
error is detected in the text, the spelling error is highlighted in
the text itself. The registered user can identify which text is to
be edited in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the registered
user must select the text (i.e., highlight the text, using a mouse)
that is to be edited, and then subsequently select text editor
button 710. In another embodiment, the registered user first
selects text editor button 710 and then subsequently selects the
text that is to be edited.
Referring to FIG. 8, STICKY PAD.TM. 310 additionally includes
running meter button 350. Upon being selected by the registered
user, running meter button 350 provides a running meter block 810
that shows an indication of the size of the web asset(s) that are
displayed on STICKY PAD.TM. 310. As shown in FIG. 8, in one
embodiment, the indication provided by running meter block 810 is
an indication (preferably displayed on a single line of text) of
the memory required for storing the web assets. In alternate
embodiments, other or additional information can be displayed by
running meter block 810, e.g., the time required to download or
execute the web assets. In the preferred embodiment, this other
information is not displayed by way of selecting running meter
button 350 of STICKY PAD.TM. 310, but is displayed by way of
help/statistics button 275 of website design plate 210, as
described below with reference to FIG. 14. Although in the present
embodiment, size information is only displayed when running meter
button 350 is selected by the registered user, in alternate
embodiments the running meter button is replaced by a running meter
display region, which always displays the total size of all web
assets currently being displayed in display region 280.
In the preferred embodiment, the web assets that are selectable by
a registered user are standardized to facilitate the registered
user's creation of a website that operates in an efficient and
user-friendly manner and, in particular, does not require too much
memory or require excessive time to be downloaded from the
internet. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, an authenticating team
reviews all web assets that are provided from third party authors
before the web assets are stored on web assets database 170 and
accessible by registered users in designing their websites. The
authenticating team only allows web assets that do not exceed a
maximum kilobytes (K) allowed per web asset and web page to be
stored on the web assets database 170. In addition to storing
information concerning the characteristics of the web assets, web
assets database 170 also stores accounting information regarding
the usage of the web assets stored on the web assets database. At
the end of each time period (i.e., month or quarter), the server
computer 140 reviews the accounting information and determines the
amount of usage of each of the web assets by each registered user.
The web asset usage is assigned a cash amount per use so that a
total amount of money owed by each registered user can be
calculated (and charged to each respective registered user).
Turning to FIG. 9, a registered user can utilize STICKY PAD.TM. 310
to design a banner ad 910 to be used to advertise the registered
user's website. The registered user can search for a desired banner
ad design by selecting search button 330 and then selecting fx from
search menu 410 (or simply by selecting fx button 315), to obtain
fx menu 430, at which a search can be requested. In the fx menu
430, all available banner ads have standard size configurations,
namely 240.times.360 pixels or 240.times.240 pixels. As with
respect to other web assets that are displayed within STICKY
PAD.TM. 310, the banner ad 910 that is being developed using the
STICKY PAD.TM. can be moved within the design space 280 and
modified through the addition of other web assets (including text),
which are obtained by selecting search button 330 (or fx button
315) and bringing up fx menu 430. Also, the banners can be modified
through the addition of sounds and colors, which are obtained by
selecting search button 330 (or by selecting sound and color
buttons 320 and 325, respectively) to bring up sound menu 540 and
color pallet 640, respectively.
Also as shown in FIG. 9, the registered user can utilize STICKY
PAD.TM. 310 to design a logo 920 for the registered user's website.
As with respect to the design of banner ads, the registered user
can search for a desired logo design in, and select the desired
logo design from, fx menu 430. Alternatively, the registered user
can upload an already-designed logo from a memory device at
registered user computer 180 (e.g., the registered user's hard
drive) into STICKY PAD.TM. 310. The selected or uploaded logo can
then be further edited and modified within the STICKY PAD.TM. 310,
for example, through the addition of other web assets (including
text), sounds and colors. Although in the present embodiment logos
and banner ads are designed using the same searching and design
procedures that are employed in the design of other website
elements, in other embodiments STICKY PADS.TM. 310 and/or website
design plate 210 have specific "logo design" and "banner design"
buttons that the registered user can select to design logos and
banner ads, respectively.
When the registered user finishes developing and modifying the web
assets in the design space 280 of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, the
registered user drags and drops (i.e., using a mouse) the web
assets into website design plate 210. In alternate embodiments, the
registered user can provide a command to the system 100 to
terminate the display of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, at which time all
of the elements being displayed in the STICKY PAD.TM. appear in the
website design plate 210. When the web assets are dropped into
website design plate 210, the web assets become interactive (as
long as the registered user has logged in to the system 100, as
discussed with reference to FIG. 11). That is, the web assets
become functional so that the registered user is able to exchange
information with respect to the web assets, i.e., interact with
system 100 through the use of the web assets. When dropped into
website design plate 210, the web assets form or are added to a
particular web page of the website being developed.
A website that is being developed typically will have more than one
web page. As shown in FIG. 10, the registered user can provide
information to the system 100 indicating the number of web pages in
the website, as well as determine the web page that is currently
being displayed by website design plate 210, by selecting
navigation button 225 on website design plate 210. Upon selecting
navigation button 225, a navigation menu 1010 appears. Navigation
menu 1010 includes a list of web pages 1 through 10. In alternate
embodiments, navigation menu 1010 can list fewer or greater than
ten web pages. Adjacent to the web page numbers are fields 1015 for
inputting names/identifiers for the respective web pages. The
registered user can input a name/identifier corresponding to each
of web pages 1-10 by selecting the respective field 1015 (i.e., by
way of a mouse) and typing in the name/identifier. The registered
user determines which web page is currently being displayed by
website design plate 210 by selecting one of the page numbers in
the list. In certain embodiments of the invention, the website
design plate 210 always displays a web page number indication
corresponding to the web page that is currently being displayed,
for example, at a corner of design space 214.
Websites that are designed using the system 100 are not limited to
ten web pages. As shown in FIG. 10, the registered user can select
an add new page, button 1020 on navigation menu 1010 to add
additional pages (and to provide names/identifiers corresponding to
those additional pages). Also, although the registered user can
type in original names/identifiers corresponding to the web pages
(e.g., in fields 1015), the registered user can also utilize
standard names/identifiers by selecting a scroll menu button 1030.
Upon selecting scroll menu button 1030, a scroll menu 1040 appears
that lists various standard web page names/identifiers such as, for
example, Company Information, Recent News, Coming Soon, About Us,
Products, and Contact Us. Navigation menu 1010 further includes a
navigation locations button 1050. Upon selecting the navigation
locations button 1050, the registered user is able to determine
where a navigation bar or website map/outline will be positioned on
one or more web pages of the website (e.g., at the top, bottom,
left or right). The navigation bar or website map/outline allows
website users to visualize the website as a whole and the various
web pages that are available for access by the website users.
As discussed, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 acts as the editing platform
for the registered user, and appears when it is necessary to edit
or otherwise modify web assets. During development of a website,
the registered user can select (by way of a mouse or other input
device) one or more of the web assets 205 that are displayed on
website design plate 210 to activate STICKY PAD.TM. 310 and allow
editing of the selected web assets, which appear in design space
280. If an item of text within the design space 214 is selected by
the registered user, both the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 and then the text
editor menu 710 appear to allow for editing of the text. STICKY
PAD.TM. 310 also appears when the registered user proceeds with a
search to obtain a desired web asset by selecting the fx button
240. Upon the selecting of the fx button 240 by the registered
user, the fx menu 430 appears, and the registered user can search
for and select a desired web asset. Once the registered user
selects a desired web asset from the fx menu 430, the STICKY
PAD.TM. 310 appears with the selected web asset being displayed in
design space 280.
Additionally, STICKY PAD.TM. 310 appears when either the color or
sound buttons 245, 250 are selected by the registered user. Upon
the selecting of the color or sound buttons 245, 250 by the
registered user, the color pallet 640 or sound menu 540 appear,
respectively. Once the registered user selects a desired color or
sound from the color pallet or sound menu, respectively, the STICKY
PAD.TM. 310 appears with a thumbnail image 550 representing the
selected color or sound being displayed in design space 280.
Further, STICKY PAD.TM. 310 appears when the text button 235 of
website design plate 210 is selected. When text button 235 is
selected, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 immediately appears and the
registered user is allowed to type in text at the keyboard of
registered user computer 180. Text editor button 345 can then be
selected by the registered user from the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 to edit
the text.
In addition to web assets (from fx menu 430), sounds, colors and
text, the GUI of system 100 is also capable of adding tables and
cells to the website being designed in order to provide depth and
perception to the website. As shown in FIG. 11, when tables button
255 is selected by the registered user, a tables menu 1110 appears.
The registered user can then select from the tables menu 1110 one
or more tables 1120 and cells 1130, and also specify the locations
of the tables/cells on a web page by selecting a locations button
1140. In one embodiment, the possible locations of tables/cells on
a web page include a top location, a bottom location, a left
location and a right location. Unlike the editing of web assets,
sounds, colors and text, in the preferred embodiment STICKY PAD.TM.
310 does not appear upon the selection of tables button 255.
Rather, once a table/cell is selected, the registered user can drag
and drop the selected table/cell directly into website design plate
210.
Upon being dropped into the website design plate 210, the
table/cell automatically aligns at an edge of the design space 214,
with the appropriate edge being determined by the location selected
by the registered user. Also upon being dropped into the website
design plate 210, the table/cell becomes interactive. The
registered user can move the table/cell from its original location,
and also can adjust the size of the table/cell by selecting the
table/cell (i.e., by way of a mouse) and stretching or contracting
the boundaries of the table/cell. Web assets and other elements can
be dragged and dropped both from STICKY PAD.TM. 310 and from other
locations on website design plate 210 into tables and cells, and
the color of tables/cells can be modified by selecting color button
245. Tables differ from cells in that cells typically form enclosed
areas within tables. Cells cannot be moved outside of (or moved to
overlap) a table boundary enclosing the cells. In alternate
embodiments, tables/cells can be created and modified by way of the
STICKY PAD.TM. 310.
Further shown in FIG. 11 is a log in menu 1150 that appears upon
the selection of log in button 215 by a potential customer. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, several features of the GUI
can be operated before completion of the log in process, such as
uploading web assets from a hard drive of a third party potential
customer computer 110 into the website design plate 210. However,
key functions such as searching for web assets, and
saving/submitting a fully-designed website for posting on the
internet can only be performed by registered users who have full
access to the server computer 140 via the internet. To obtain full
access to the server computer 140 and perform such functions, log
in information must be provided to the system 100. By requiring
this log in information, the system 100 can monitor the activity of
the registered users and bill the registered users for their usage
of the system, including their usage of web assets provided from
third party author computers 120 and saved on web assets database
170. Additionally, the information provided by registered users
during the log in process can be used by the system 100 to
determine appropriate markets for the registered users' websites.
The use of this market information is discussed further in
reference to FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the selection of log in
button 215 brings up log in menu 1150. The log in menu 1150
includes a scroll and input form with multiple fields 1160 that
must be filled in to complete the log in process. The fields 1160
can include, for example, fields for the potential customer's
(i.e., prospective registered user's) name, address, e-mail
address, telephone number, interests, hobbies and businesses. Upon
the completing of fields 1160, a desired identification name is
further provided into an identification field 1170 and a desired
password is provided into a password field 1180. The information
from fields 1160-1180 is then provided from the third party
potential customer (i.e., prospective registered user) computer 110
via the internet 130 to the server computer 140, where the
information is processed and then provided for storage on third
party user database 160. Although in the preferred embodiment, the
identification name and/or password are chosen by the potential
customer, in alternate embodiments, the identification name and
password are assigned by the system 100.
Assuming that the information provided into the fields 1160-1180 of
log in menu 1150 is not rejected by the server computer 140 (e.g.,
because information was not entered for some of the fields, or
because the e-mail address that was entered is invalid), the server
computer logs in the potential customer as a registered user and
allows the new registered user to access all of the functionality
of the system 100. Also upon successfully logging in the new
registered user, the system prompts the new registered user
regarding a web address for the registered user's website by
displaying a URL query form 1190. The web address typically
concludes with any top-level domain name, i.e., .com, .net, etc.
The query form is licensed for use on the system 100 from Internic
and/or the other five URL registrants. Further, upon successfully
logging in to the system 100, the new registered user can
thereafter bypass the full log in process when reentering the
system by simply inputting its identification name and password
into the identification and password fields 1170, 1180. Upon
reentering the system 100, the registered user selects edit button
220 on website design plate 210 to cause the registered user's
website (in its current state of development) to become
interactive. Additionally, upon selecting edit button 220, the
registered user can modify any element of the website that is shown
within design space 214 by selecting that element (i.e., by
clicking on the element using a mouse) to bring up STICKY PAD.TM.
310, and then modifying the element within the STICKY PAD.TM. as
discussed above.
Turning to FIG. 12, website design plate 210 further includes STAY
STICKY.TM. button 260, which brings up a STAY STICKY.TM. menu 1210
when selected by the registered user (STAY STICKY.TM. is a
trademark of the Perfect Web Corporation of Delray Beach, Fla.).
STAY STICKY.TM. menu 1210 lists STAY STICKY.TM. features that are
available to the registered user in designing and marketing its
website. The STAY STICKY.TM. features provide the registered user
with special information concerning, and marketing opportunities
with respect to, other registered users who have designed their
websites using the system 100. That is, the STAY STICKY.TM.
features provide special marketing benefits to registered users of
the system 100 vis-a-vis one another. Specifically, the registered
user can select from two options on the STAY STICKY.TM. menu 1210,
smart agent and MAIL WIZ.TM. (MAIL WIZ.TM. is a trademark of the
Perfect Web Corporation of Delray Beach, Fla.). Upon the selection
of the smart agent option from the STAY STICKY.TM. menu 1210, a
smart agent menu 1220 appears. The registered user can select
(e.g., by way of a mouse) from among three options on the smart
agent menu 1220, a suggested marketing locations option 1230, a
create links option 1240, and a banner ad rotations option
1250.
When the registered user selects suggested marketing locations
option 1230, the server computer 140 determines the best possible
places to market the registered user's website on the internet.
That is, the server computer 140 determines other websites on which
it would be most beneficial to display a link to, or banner
concerning, the registered user's website. The server computer 140
makes this determination based upon the information provided by the
registered user during the log in process, particularly the
information provided in fields 1160 as described with reference to
FIG. 11. Using this information, the server computer 140 searches
the information stored in third party user database 160 to identify
other websites on which it would be desirable to market the
registered user's website. Server computer 140 can utilize any one
of a number of search engines that are currently well known in the
art to identify such websites using the log in information provided
by the registered user. In alternate embodiments, server computer
140 can also access other information other than that within third
party user database 160, including information concerning websites
or other marketing locations that were not developed through the
use of the system 100. Upon determining desirable marketing
locations, the system 100 can display the identified marketing
locations to the registered user.
Upon selection by the registered user of the create links option
1240, the GUI provides a location selection menu 1260, in which the
registered user can identify addresses for websites to which the
registered user desires its website to be linked. In the preferred
embodiment, the websites can be selected from among the websites
that have been created by other registered users using the system
100. Location selection menu 1260 includes several open fields 1270
in which the registered user can specify desired websites. Further,
location selection menu 1260 lists the suggested websites that were
identified in the search performed by server computer 140 upon
selection of the suggested marketing locations option 1230. The
list includes selection boxes 1275 that the registered user can
check to indicate its selection of the various suggested websites.
If the registered user has not yet selected suggested marketing
locations option 1230, the server computer 140 performs the search
for suggested websites when it generates location selection menu
1260. Once the registered user has selected its desired marketing
locations on location selection menu 1260, the system 100 has
sufficient information to create links to the registered user's
website at other websites.
The registered user can further select the banner ad rotations
option 1250 from the smart agent menu 1220. Upon the selecting of
banner ad rotations option 1250, the system 100 determines whether
the registered user has already designed (or uploaded or otherwise
provided to the system) a banner ad, as discussed with reference to
FIG. 9. If the registered user has not already designed a banner
ad, the system displays a message indicating that it is necessary
to create a banner ad in order to participate in banner ad
rotations. The system 100 also provides banner ad design options
from which the registered user can select a desired banner design.
The design options can be obtained by the registered user by using
fx menu 430 to perform a search for banner ads. Following selection
of a desired banner ad design, STICKY PAD.TM. 310 appears, allowing
the registered user to further modify and then complete its design
of the banner ad. Once a banner ad design is completed, a location
selection menu identical to location selection menu 1260 appears
following selection of the banner ad rotations option 1250. The
location selection menu allows the registered user to specify the
websites at which the registered user desires its banner ad to
appear. Once the registered user has selected its desired locations
on the location selection menu, the system 100 has sufficient
information to create banner ads advertising the registered user's
website at other websites.
By completing these steps relating to the create links option 1240
and/or the banner ad rotations option 1250, the registered user
causes its website to participate in linking and/or banner ad
display functions with other websites that also were created using
the system 100 by registered users who opted to participate in
these linking and/or banner ad display functions. Once the design
of the new website by the registered user is completed and the new
website is posted/activated, the system 100 causes the selected
websites of other registered users (i.e., the websites selected
during the design of the new website) to display a link and/or
banner ad concerning the new website. In the preferred embodiment,
each website that is developed by a registered user who opts to
participate in the linking functions can display unlimited links to
other registered users' websites. If the number of links to be
displayed exceeds the available display space on the display
screen, links can be rotated on and off the screen. Each website
that is developed by a registered user who opts to participate in
the banner ad display functions can rotate an unlimited number of
banner ads for other registered users' websites. The banner ads can
be shown sequentially over a period of time at the registered
user's website.
System 100 will cause each website that is designed to participate
in the linking and/or banner ad functions to include, on at least
one web page of the website, a link region and/or a banner ad
region for the display of links to and/or banner ads for other
websites. The links displayed in the link region of a given website
can change as new websites are created using the system 100 by
registered users, or as old websites are deactivated. In certain
embodiments, a registered user is allowed to change its selections
of desired marketing locations after the posting of its website; in
such embodiments, it can be the case that a link displayed at a
given marketing location is removed from display because the
registered user who selected the link changed its preferences.
Likewise, the banner ads that are sequentially shown in the banner
ad rotation region of a given website can change as new websites
are created, old websites are deactivated or marketing location
preferences change. System 100 charges the registered user's
website a fee for participation in the linking and/or banner ad
functions whenever links to the registered user's website are shown
on other websites, or whenever the banner ad for the registered
user's website is shown on other websites. For the registered
user's website to participate in the linking and/or banner ad
functions, the registered user must complete the website design
process and save the selected locations for links and/or banner ads
(as well as, in the case of participation in the banner ad
functions, save the banner ad design for the registered user's
website) at the server computer 140. In some embodiments, credit
card (and payment) information must be provided by the registered
user when the registered user is setting up the linking and/or
banner ad rotation functions, i.e., after the registered user
specifies the locations at which the registered user desires links
and/or banner ads for its website to appear. The amount of payment
can depend upon the number of links and/or banner ads to be
displayed, i.e., the number of desired marketing locations.
Upon selection of the mail wiz option from the STAY STICKY.TM. menu
1210, a MAIL WIZ.TM. menu 1280 appears, which provides the
registered user with a field 1285 for entering a desired quantity
1285 of e-mail messages to be sent out, and also provides an e-mail
message field 1290 in which the registered user can input a desired
e-mail message. Once the registered user completes the design of
the website, and the website is posted/activated, the system 100
sends the specified e-mail message to other registered users (or
their websites), whose e-mail addresses are located in third party
user database 160. In certain embodiments, e-mail messages are only
sent to selected locations that are specified by the registered
user during development of the website, for example, the locations
specified by the registered user in location selection menu 1260.
In other embodiments, e-mail messages are also sent to the e-mail
addresses of parties who are not registered users. In still further
embodiments, the system 100 determines suggested e-mail addresses
based upon the log in information provided by the registered user
and the information in third party user database 160. In the
preferred embodiment, the number of e-mail messages that are sent
from the registered user's website to other e-mail addresses is
recorded in a statistic log, and the number of e-mail messages that
are received by the registered user's website is also recorded in
the statistic log. Further in the preferred embodiment, the
registered user provides payment to the system 100 for the quantity
of e-mail messages to be sent as specified on MAIL WIZ.TM. menu
1280. System 100 continues to send e-mail messages on behalf of the
registered user's website to other e-mail messages until the
specified number of e-mail messages has been sent.
Turning to FIG. 13, the registered user can select e-commerce
button 265 to add to its website various features that allow for
e-commerce (i.e., allow for the selling of goods and services over
the internet). Upon the selecting of e-commerce button 265, an
e-commerce menu 1310 appears. In the preferred embodiment, the
registered user can select from two different types of e-commerce
features, a standard e-commerce feature 1320 and an auction feature
1330. Upon selecting the standard e-commerce feature 1320, the
registered user then can select one or more shopping carts from a
shopping carts to select list 1325. Upon selecting the auction
feature 1330, the registered user can select one or more types of
auction features from an auction to select list 1335. After
determining the type of e-commerce feature to be implemented on its
website, the registered user then can upload (i.e., from a memory
device at registered user computer 180) a picture of the product to
be sold on the registered user's website, at product picture field
1340. Further, in a product description field 1345, a product price
field 1350 and a SKU field 1355, a registered user can respectively
input a description of the product to be sold at its website, the
product's price and a SKU number correlating to the product. In the
case where an auction feature has been selected, the product price
entered in product price field 1350 is a reserve price. Also, in
certain embodiments, the creation of an auction feature further
requires the input of information, by the registered user,
concerning starting and finishing times for the holding of
auctions.
Finally, the registered user must input a merchant account
identifier in a merchant account field 1360 indicating a merchant
account that will apply to sales conducted using the shopping
cart/auction of the registered user's website. If a merchant
account relationship has not yet been established such that the
registered user cannot enter a merchant account identifier, a
merchant account information form 1370 appears, at which the
registered user can enter necessary information for setting up a
merchant account relationship. This information can include, for
example, the name of the registered user's business, the address of
the business, and the business type, among other types of
information. In the preferred embodiments, the merchant account
information form 1370 is a standard form that is provided by a
credit card and/or merchant account provider. The credit card
and/or merchant account provider providing the merchant account
information form 1370 in certain embodiments pays a licensing or
other fee to the system 100 in order to display its merchant
account information form using the system. When the registered user
has completed filling out the merchant account information form
1370, the filled out form is sent to the credit card and/or
merchant account provider. The merchant account provider eventually
responds back to the registered user with follow-up information
concerning the setting up of the merchant account. The registered
user cannot activate any of the e-commerce functions (i.e.,
functions employing a shopping cart or auction) without having
completed the setting up of a merchant account with a merchant
account provider. Once the merchant account is set up, however, the
registered user enters the merchant account identification
information into field 1360 and the e-commerce functionality can be
activated.
Referring to FIG. 14, the system 100 is also capable of providing
several types of assistance to the registered user during design of
its website. The registered user can select the examples button 270
to bring up an examples menu 1410, which in the preferred
embodiment lists ten examples 1420 that can be selected by the
registered user. Each of the examples 1420, upon being selected by
the registered user, shows how a web page, banner, logo, or other
element can be designed using website design plate 210, STICKY
PAD.TM. 310, and other features of the system 100. In the preferred
embodiment, selection of an example 1420 produces a visual
demonstration of an example website being taken apart and then put
back together. While the example website is being put back
together, a tutorial program runs that instructs the registered
user on operating website design plate 210, STICKY PAD.TM. 310, and
other features of system 100 to allow for the creation, saving, and
posting/activation of a website using the system. In certain
embodiments, the system 100 will conduct contests among registered
users concerning the registered users' prowess in designing
websites.
The registered user can also select the help/statistics button 275
to bring up a help/statistics menu 1430. Help/statistics menu 1430
lists four different options that are selectable by the registered
user: a document help option 1440; a tech support option 1450, a
wizard option 1460, and a size meter option 1470. Upon the
selection of the document help option 1440, the GUI displays
written instructions concerning various features of the system 100.
For example, the GUI can display explanation messages concerning
the purposes and operation of the various buttons 215-275 when the
registered user selects any of those buttons (or, in certain
embodiments, merely positions a cursor or other selection marker
over one of those buttons). Also, for example, the GUI can display
instructions as to how a web asset can be modified if that web
asset is positioned within website design plate 210 or STICKY
PAD.TM. 310.
With respect to tech support option 1450, the registered user can
reach tech support for the system 100 by telephoning a particular
telephone number (i.e., a 900 number), or by sending an e-mail to
tech support. Then, by selecting tech support option 1450, tech
support personnel for the system 100 can view the registered user's
website online and provide the registered user with any needed
website design information or other assistance either by way of
telephone or e-mail while viewing the registered user's website
online. Upon selection of the wizard option 1460, a wizard
caricature appears that offers helpful hints and suggestions to the
registered user during different steps in the website design
process. The information provided by the wizard is similar to that
provided in connection with document help option 1440, although the
text shown is typically in a shortened form so that the text can be
provided in a caption along side the wizard caricature. In
alternate embodiments, the helpful hints and suggestions from the
wizard caricature are verbalized using speech synthesis
technology.
The registered user can further select size meter option 1470 to
obtain information regarding how well the registered user's
website, as currently designed, will perform upon posting. Upon the
selection of the size meter option 1470, a meter box 1480 appears,
in which a variety of information regarding the operability of the
current website design is provided. In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 14, the meter box 1480 includes information regarding each of
the size of the entire website currently being designed, the time
required to download the entire website via the internet (to a
computer accessing the website using a browser) the size of the
current web page that is being displayed on website design plate
210, and the time for downloading that particular web page. Further
in the preferred embodiment, each of these types of information is
provided for the website when operating on different types of
internet systems with different connectivities, such as internet
systems using a T-1 communication link, a DSL or ISDN communication
link, or modems having operation speeds of 56K, 316K or 28.8K. In
certain embodiments, the registered user has an option to select
the desired/expected connectivity of the website and to obtain
information for that connectivity only.
In certain embodiments of the invention, meter box 1480 can contain
less or more information concerning the expected operation of the
website being designed. For example, in certain embodiments, the
meter box 1480 only includes size information. In other
embodiments, meter box 1480 includes not only size information
regarding the entire website and individual web pages, but also
provides a breakdown of the sizes of each web asset or other
element on a given web page. In certain embodiments, running meter
block 810 displayed in conjunction with STICKY PAD.TM. 310 contains
the same information that is displayed in meter box 1480. Although
in one embodiment, the meter box 1480 is only displayed when the
size meter option 1470 is selected, in alternate embodiments, the
meter box 1480 (or at least some of the information displayed in
meter box 1480) is always displayed on website design plate 210. In
such embodiments, the information being displayed that corresponds
to the particular web page that is being edited varies as the
registered user changes from editing one web page to editing a
different web page using navigation button 225. The information can
be shown on multiple lines or be provided in a single-line format
to save display space. In the preferred embodiment, the information
provided in meter box 1480 changes whenever a new web asset or
other element is dropped into website design plate 210.
Further, in the preferred embodiment, the system 100 always
monitors the current sizes of the website and web pages that are
being designed, and provides a warning message whenever the website
as a whole or individual web pages have exceeded maximum limits for
size and download times (e.g., "Your site has exceeded download
time parameters."). When the website being designed exceeds maximum
size and/or download time parameters, the system 100 automatically
displays relevant help message to provide the registered user with
suggestions for reducing the size and/or download time of the
website/web page. These warning and help messages can be provided
by the wizard feature discussed above. If the registered user does
not heed the warning concerning the size and/or download time of
the website/web page, the system 100 automatically restricts the
ability of the registered user to add additional web assets and
other elements to the website/web page and thereby guarantees that
the website, when completed, will be within acceptable size and
download time guidelines.
At any time during the course of the design of a website using
website design plate 210 (assuming the log in process has been
completed, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11), the registered
user can select preview button 230 to view the operation of the
website in its current state of design. The registered user can
view the operation of the website as it would appear using a
variety of different internet browsers, e.g., the Netscape
Navigator.TM. browser or the Microsoft Internet Explorer.TM.
browser. Previewing the website does not save the website for
activation, but rather gives the registered user a "snapshot" of
the website in its current state, and allows the registered user to
view the alignment, color schemes and other features of the website
before the website is saved and activated. Further, at any time
during the design of a website (assuming the log in process has
been completed, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11), the
registered user can select save button 218 to save the website in
its present form at server computer 140 (specifically at third
party user database 160). If the website design has been completed
and the website is ready for submission and activation on the
internet, the registered user can provide such an indication (in
certain embodiments, an additional submit button is displayed on
website design plate 210 to allow the registered user to
immediately submit a completed website for activation on the
internet).
If the registered user selects the save button 218 but has not yet
provided payment information concerning the manner in which the
registered user will be paying for its use of system 100, a payment
box 1510 appears. Within payment box 1510, a message 1520 is
provided to the registered user indicating that payment information
is necessary (e.g., "Did you forget to pay?") and the registered
user is provided with an option 1530 to pay by credit card. When
the pay by credit card option 1530 is selected, a credit card
information menu 1540 appears, in which the registered user can
provided the necessary information for enabling credit card payment
to the system 100 from the registered user's credit card. In one
embodiment, the registered user must enter its name, credit card
number, and expiration date in a name field 1550, a credit card
number field 1560, and an expiration date field 1570, respectively.
Once the credit card information is received at, and approved by,
the system 100, the registered user can save its website design
information. In the preferred embodiment, the registered user
provides the same user identification and password information that
were provided during the log in process at a user identification
field 1580 and a password field 1590, respectively, for additional
security. In addition to requiring credit card information for
allowing the saving and submission of website design information by
the registered user, the system 100 also requires credit card
information to be provided before allowing the registered user to
access certain other features. For example, tech support will only
be provided when the registered user has provided credit card
information or contacts tech support via the 900 number or e-mail.
Also, the system 100 does not accept web addresses specified by the
registered user for the purpose of creating links or participating
in banner ad rotation unless the registered user has provided
credit card information.
FIGS. 16-23 provide flow charts showing exemplary steps of
operation of the system 100 as it is used by the registered user to
design a website. In particular, the flow charts concern the
operation of the GUI, i.e., website design plate 210 and STICKY
PAD.TM. 310. The flow charts of FIGS. 16-22 can be combined
together to form a larger collection of steps. Referring to FIG.
16, the operation of the GUI of the system 100 begins with the
display of the website design plate 210 on a user interface at step
1602. The user interface can be a computer monitor, a television
screen or any other input/output device that includes a display
screen that is known in the art. Next, at step 1604, a search
request is received at the user interface. At step 1606, the system
100 determines if the party accessing the system has already logged
into the system. If the registered party has not already logged in
(i.e., the party is a potential customer rather than a registered
user), the system proceeds to step 1608, in which a login form such
as that discussed with reference to FIG. 11 is displayed. At step
1610, the system 100 receives user information at the user
interface in the login form). At steps 1612 and 1614, respectively,
the user information is transmitted to and saved at a database of
the system, i.e., third party user database 160.
Upon completing the log in process (such that the potential
customer is now a registered user), or if it was determined in step
1606 that the registered user was already logged in, the system
proceeds to step 1616, at which the system accesses a database to
obtain information regarding web assets or other elements. The
information that is obtained is responsive to the search request
entered at step 1604; that is, the information concerns web assets,
if the search request was made via fx menu 430, concerns sound
elements if the search request was made via sound menu 540 and
concerns color elements if the search request was made via color
pallet 640. The information concerning the web assets or other
elements comes from web assets database 170. At step 1618, the GUI
provides a listing of the available web assets or other elements,
in fx menu 430, sound menu 540 or color pallet 640 depending upon
the type of search request that was received at step 1604. At step
1620, the system 100 receives a selection indication from the
registered user at the user interface that indicates a first web
asset or other element that the registered user desires to
implement in its website. Upon receiving this selection of a web
asset or other element, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 is displayed at the
user interface. At step 1624, any further information that is
necessary to display the selected web asset or other element is
obtained from web assets database 170, and then, at step 1626, the
selected web asset or other element is displayed on the STICKY
PAD.TM. 310. In step 1628, the size of the selected web asset or
other element is displayed on the STICKY PAD.TM. in the running
meter block 810, which in alternate embodiments can also display
the download time or other information regarding the selected web
asset or other element.
At step 1630, the system 100 receives an additional input at the
user interface from the registered user. If the additional input is
another search request (as in step 1604), the system 100 again
accesses web assets database 170 to Obtain information regarding
available web assets or other elements, at step 1632. At step 1634,
the system 100 again provides a listing of available web assets or
other elements that is responsive to the search request. At step
1636, the system 100 receives an input from the registered user
indicating which of the listed web assets or other elements is
desired for implementation in the registered user's website. Then,
in step 1638, the system 100 retrieves information concerning the
selected web asset or other element. Further, at step 1640, the
system 100 receives an additional input from the registered user
that is a command indicating where to position the newly selected
web asset or other element on the STICKY PAD.TM. 310. The input can
be a command to drag and drop the selected web asset or other
element onto the first web asset or other element that is already
positioned within the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, or can be merely a
command to display the selected web asset or other element at some
location within design space 280 of STICKY PAD.TM. 310. In response
to this input command, the displayed contents of the STICKY PAD.TM.
310 are modified to include the newly selected web asset or other
element at step 1642. Upon modifying the displayed contents of the
STICKY PAD.TM. 310, the size of the modified contents of the STICKY
PAD.TM. is displayed (i.e., updated) at the running meter block 810
of the STICKY PAD.TM., at step 1644. The program then returns to
step 1630.
The additional input received at the user interface at step 1630
can also be a command to drop the STICKY PAD.TM. contents into the
website design plate 210. If this occurs, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 is
removed from the user interface, i.e., is no longer displayed, at
step 1646. Then, at step 1648, the STICKY PAD.TM. contents are
displayed in an interactive manner on the website design plate 210.
The system 100 then is ready to receive an additional input at the
user interface, at step 1650. In certain embodiments in which the
GUI can display both website design plate 210 and STICKY PAD.TM.
310 simultaneously (e.g., on different parts of the display screen
of the user interface), the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 need not be removed
from display. Rather, the contents of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 need
only be moved or copied to the website design plate 210.
Referring to FIG. 17A, if the input received at the user interface
at step 1650 is a text input command, the system 100 immediately
displays STICKY PAD.TM. 310 again on the user interface at step
1702. The text input command is a selection of text button 235.
Once STICKY PAD.TM. 310 is displayed, the registered user can input
text by typing text at the user interface, which is received by the
system 100 at step 1704. The text that is input at the user
interface by the registered user is displayed in the STICKY PAD.TM.
310, at step 1706. Then, at step 1708, the system 100 receives an
additional command at the user interface. If the command is to
invoke the text editor, i.e., the registered user selects text
editor button 345 of STICKY PAD.TM. 310, the system 100 proceeds to
step 1710, and displays text editor options.
At step 1712, the system 100 receives a command concerning the text
editor options. If the registered user provides a command to
perform a spell check, the system 100 then executes a spell check
of the text at step 1714 and displays the spell checked text at
step 1716, before returning to step 1708 to receive an additional
command If the received command at step 1712 is to modify one of
the font, style, size or color of the text, the system 100 performs
the requested modification and then displays the modified text at
step 1718 before returning to step 1708 to receive an additional
command. The command to modify the font, style, size or color of
the text can include a selection of a change font, change style,
change size or change color button, followed by a selection of a
desired font, style, size or color to be applied to the text being
edited. At step 1708, it is also possible to receive a command to
drop the STICKY PAD.TM. contents back into the website design plate
210. If such a command is received, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 is
removed from the user interface (i.e., is no longer displayed) at
step 1720, and then the STICKY PAD.TM. contents are displayed on
the website design plate 210, at step 1722. The program then
returns to step 1650 for receipt of an additional input at the user
interface.
Referring to FIG. 17B, the additional input received at step 1650
can also be the selection of tables button 255 of the website
design plate 210 by the registered user, indicating that the
registered user wishes to generate a table or cell. Upon selection
of the tables button 255, the system 100 displays the options
concerning the creation of tables and cells, including their
location within a website (i.e., by displaying tables menu 1110),
at step 1750. At step 1752, the system 100 receives a selection
concerning the tables and cells from the registered user at the
user interface. At step 1754, the selected table or cell is
displayed on the website design plate 210. Next, at step 1756, a
command can be received to modify the position or size of the table
or cell. Upon receiving such a command, the table or cell is
appropriately adjusted in position and/or size at step 1758. The
command to modify the position or size of the table or cell at step
1756 can include a command or selection input concerning the
location of the table or cell within the website or on a web page
(i.e., by way of locations button 1140). Upon completion of the
table or cell, the system 100 returns to step 1650.
Turning to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the additional input received at the
user interface at step 1650 can be a save input or a preview input,
which the registered user can provide by selecting save button 218
or preview button 230 of the website design plate 210,
respectively. Upon receiving the save input, the system 100
determines in step 1802 whether payment has been received from the
registered user. If payment has not yet been received from the
registered user, the system 100 displays at the user interface an
inquiry as to whether payment has been forgotten at step 1804. Upon
receiving a pay by credit card input at the user interface, at step
1806, the system displays a credit card information form at step
1808 (i.e., credit card information menu 1540). In step 1810,
credit card information is received from the registered user at the
user interface and, at step 1812, the system 100 determines whether
the information provided is adequate. If the credit card
information is inadequate, the system 100 returns to step 1808 and
the credit card information form is again displayed. If the credit
card information is adequate, the system 100 proceeds to step 1814,
in which payment is received from the registered user's credit card
by way of a standard e-commerce credit card transaction. Upon
receiving payment at step 1814, or having determined that payment
was already received at step 1802, the system 100 saves all of the
website design information that is currently existing in website
design plate 210 at the server computer 140, at step 1816. The
saved website design information can then be used to post/activate
an operational website on the internet. Upon saving the
information, the system 100 returns to step 1650. With respect to
FIG. 18B, if the input at step 1650 is a preview input, the system
100 proceeds to step 1818, at which a preview of the website's
operation given its current state of development is provided. This
allows for the registered user to view a simulation of the
operation of its website, before the website is saved or activated
on the internet. After providing this preview or simulation, the
system 100 returns to step 1650.
Referring to FIG. 19, the additional input received at step 1650
can also be a navigation input, which the registered user provides
by selecting navigation button 225 of website design plate 210.
Upon receiving the navigation input, the system 100 displays a
navigation menu (i.e., navigation menu 1010), and then receives an
additional input at the user interface, at steps 1902 and 1904,
respectively. If the additional input received at the user
interface at step 1904 is a selection of a page name field
corresponding to pages 1-10 (i.e., fields 1015), the system 100
receives page name information from the registered user at step
1906 and then displays the page name information in the page name
field at step 1908, before returning to step 1904 to receive an
additional input at the user interface. If the input received at
step 1904 is an add new page command (i.e., provided by selecting
add new page button 1020), the system 100 receives page
identification information concerning the newly added page at step
1910 and displays the new page number and page identification
information on the navigation menu at step 1912 before returning to
step 1904.
If the input at step 1904 is a selection of the scroll menu (i.e.,
provided by selecting scroll menu button 1030), the system 100
displays suggested page names at step 1914, and then receives a
selection of one or more of the suggested page names from the
registered user at step 1916 before returning to step 1904. If the
input received at step 1904 is a selection of the navigation
locations menu (i.e. selection of navigation locations button
1050), the system 100 displays a list of locations within a web
page at which navigation information can be displayed, at step
1918. Upon receiving a selected location for the navigation
information from the registered user at step 1920, the system
returns to step 1904. Further, if the input received at step 1904
is a selection of one of the displayed page numbers on the
navigation menu 1010, the display of the navigation menu is ended
at step 1922, and the selected web page is displayed on the website
design plate 210 at step 1924. The system 100 then returns to step
1650.
Referring to FIG. 20, the registered user can provide a STAY
STICKY.TM. input at step 1650 by selecting STAY STICKY.TM. button
260. Upon receiving such an input, the system 100 displays STAY
STICKY.TM. menu 1210 at step 2002 and then receives a STAY
STICKY.TM. selection at step 2004. If the received selection is for
the smart agent feature, the system 100 then receives an input
concerning the smart agent feature at smart agent menu 1220, at
step 2006. If the received input is a request for suggested
marketing locations, the system 100 checks third party user
database 160 to determine whether suggested marketing locations had
previously been determined, at step 2008. If suggested marketing
locations had been previously determined, these suggested marketing
locations are then displayed at the user interface, at step 2014.
If suggested marketing locations had not been previously
determined, the system 100 accesses third party user database 160
to obtain the registered user's log in information, and then
determines suggested marketing locations based upon this log in
information, at steps 2010 and 2012, respectively. Once the
suggested marketing locations are determined, these suggested
marketing locations are then displayed at step 2014. Following
display of the suggested marketing locations at step 2014, the
system 100 returns to step 2004.
If the STAY STICKY.TM. selection received at step 2004 is to create
links, the system 100 then receives marketing location selections
at the user interface at step 2018. The marketing location
selection information can be provided by the registered user at
location selection menu 1260. Upon receiving the marketing location
selection information, the marketing location selection information
is stored at third party user database 160 at step 2020. This
stored information is later used to generate links at the selected
marketing locations (i.e., websites) when the registered user's
website is activated. The system 100 then proceeds to step 2022, at
which the system determines whether a reciprocal link site has
already been created in the registered user's website, for
displaying links to other websites. If a link site has not yet been
created, the system creates a link site on the registered user's
website, at step 2024 before returning to step 1650. Otherwise, the
system 100 immediately returns to step 1650.
If the STAY STICKY.TM. selection received at step 2004 is for
banner ad rotation, the system 100 proceeds to step 2026, at which
the system determines whether a banner ad has already been created
by the registered user. If a banner ad has not yet been created,
the system 100 proceeds to step 2028, in which the system displays
at the user interface a message indicating that a banner ad needs
to be created by the registered user in order to participate in
banner ad rotation, before returning to step 1650. A banner ad can
then be created by the registered user using the capabilities of
the website design plate 210 and the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, including
the search capabilities. If it is determined at step 2026 that a
banner ad has already been created by the registered user, the
system 100 proceeds to step 2030, at which it receives marketing
location selection information at the user interface. The marketing
location selection information can be provided at location
selection menu 1260 or a similar menu, and can include marketing
location selections that were determined by the system at step
2012.
At step 2032, the marketing location selection information provided
from the registered user is stored in third party user database
160, where it can be later accessed upon activation of the
registered user's website. The system 100 then proceeds to step
2034, at which it determines whether a reciprocal banner ad site
has already been created on the registered user's website, so that
banner ads from other websites can be displayed on the registered
user's website once it is activated. If a banner ad site has not
yet been created, the system 100 creates a banner ad site at step
2036 before returning to step 1650. Otherwise, if a banner ad site
has already been created, the system 100 immediately returns to
step 1650. Upon activation of the registered user's website, the
registered user's website can display an unlimited number of banner
ads from other websites on its reciprocal banner ad site, and the
system 100 also displays the registered user's banner ad at the
marketing locations (websites) that the registered user specified
at step 2030.
If, at step 2004, the STAY STICKY.TM. selection is for the MAIL
WIZ.TM. feature, the system 100 proceeds to step 2038 and displays
MAIL WIZ.TM. menu 1280. The system 100 then receives an input from
the registered user concerning the number of parties that the
registered user desires to be included on the registered user's
e-mail list, at step 2040. Further, at step 2042, the system 100
receives an input at the user interface concerning the registered
user's desired e-mail message. All of the received information is
then saved in third party user database 160, before the system 100
returns to step 1650. Upon activation of the registered user's
website, e-mail messages are sent to other registered user's
websites, and the number of e-mail messages sent is monitored by
the system 100. Although not shown in FIG. 20, in some embodiments
credit card information (and payment) must be received by the
system 100 in order to set up and activate the STAY STICKY.TM.
features, i.e., banner ad rotation, links creation, and MAIL
WIZ.TM.. In such embodiments, the system 100 performs steps
1808-1814 (shown with respect to FIG. 18) during or immediately
following its performance of steps 2018-2024, 2026-2036 and
2038-2044 concerning links creation, banner ad rotation and MAIL
WIZ.TM., respectively.
Referring to FIG. 21, the registered user can provide an e-commerce
input at step 1650 by selecting e-commerce button 265 from website
design plate 210. Upon receiving the e-commerce input, the system
100 displays e-commerce menu 1310, at step 2102. The system 100
then receives at step 2104 an input from the registered user
concerning the desired type of e-commerce. If the received input
indicates that the registered user desires to employ a standard
e-commerce arrangement involving a shopping cart, the system 100
displays a list of available shopping cart types at step 2106. The
system then receives a selection of a type of shopping cart from
the registered user at step 2108, before proceeding to step 2114.
If the received input at step 2104 is for an e-commerce arrangement
involving an auction, the system 100 displays a list of available
auction types at step 2110, and then receives a selection of a type
of auction from the registered user at step 2112 before proceeding
to step 2114. At step 2114, the system 100 uploads a product
picture provided from the registered user, i.e., from the hard
drive of the registered user computer 180. Then, the system 100
further receives inputs concerning the product description, the
product price and the product SKU number at the user interface, at
steps 2116, 2118, and 2119, respectively. If the e-commerce
arrangement selected by the registered user involves an auction,
the product price information received from the registered user at
step 2118 concerns a reserved price.
Next, at step 2120, the system 100 determines whether merchant
account information has already been provided from the registered
user. If merchant account information has not yet been provided,
the system 100 displays merchant account information form 1370, at
step 2122. Upon receiving merchant account information at the user
interface from the registered user at step 2124, the system 100
then sends the merchant account information to the merchant account
vendor for processing at step 2126, before returning to step 1650.
Although, because the registered user has not yet concluded its
merchant account arrangement, the system 100 cannot finalize the
registered user's e-commerce arrangement, the information provided
by the registered user in steps 2104 to 2119 can be saved and
utilized again once the registered user's merchant account
arrangement has been finalized. If, at step 2120, it is determined
that the merchant account information has already been provided by
the registered user, the system 100 receives a merchant account
identification number or other identifier at the user interface, at
step 2128, and then proceeds to display the finalized shopping cart
or auction feature at website design plate 210. The system 100 then
returns to step 1650.
Turning to FIG. 22A, the registered user can provide an examples
input by selecting examples button 270 from website design plate
210. Upon such a selection, the system 100 displays an examples
menu at the user's interface, at step 2124. The system 100 then
receives an example selection by the registered user at the user
interface, at step 2226, and then displays the selected example, at
step 2228, before returning to step 1650. With respect to FIG. 22B,
if the registered user provides a help/statistics input by
selecting help/statistics button 275 of the web design plate 210 at
step 1650, the system 100 proceeds to display help/statistics menu
1430, at step 2202. The system 100 then receives a help/statistics
selection at step 2204. If the help/statistics selection is a
document help input, the system 100 accesses programming database
190 to obtain relevant written help instructions, at step 2206, and
then displays the written help instructions at the user interface,
at step 2208, before returning to step 1650. If the received
help/statistics selection concerns tech support, the system 100
displays a message indicating that tech support can be obtained
either by sending an e-mail message or by telephone, at step 2210.
The system 100 then provides the registered user with an option to
proceed with tech support, which option must be selected by the
registered user in order for a tech support specialist to view the
current status of the registered user's GUI and provide assistance,
at step 2211. Once assistance has been provided, the system 100
returns to step 1650.
If the received help/statistics selection concerns a wizard input,
the system 100 displays the wizard caricature at the user
interface, at step 2212. The system 100 then accesses programming
database 190 to obtain any relevant wizard suggestions, at step
2214, and then displays the relevant wizard suggestions, at step
2216, before returning to step 1650. If the help/statistics
selection received at step 2204 is a size meter input, then the
system calculates size and download time parameters for the
registered user's website, as well as for the current web page
being displayed by website design plate 210, at step 2218. Then, at
step 2220, the system 100 displays at the user interface meter box
1480, which shows the size and download time parameters for the
registered user's website and the currently displayed web page,
before returning to step 1650.
Turning to FIG. 23, an additional flow chart is provided showing
operation of the system 100 when the registered user is returning
to the system to complete a website design that was previously
begun. At step 2302, website design plate 210 is provided at the
user interface. If the system 100 determines that the registered
user's website in its current state of development has more than
one web page, at step 2304, the system 100 displays navigation menu
1010 at step 2306. The system 100 then receives a selection of one
of the web page numbers displayed on navigation menu 1010, at step
2308. Upon receiving a selected web page number, the system 100
removes navigation menu 1010 from the user interface, at step 2310,
and displays the one or more web assets and other elements of the
selected web page on the website design plate 210, at step 2312.
Further, if the system 100 determines, at step 2304, that the
registered user's website in its current state of development has
only web page, the system displays the one or more web assets or
other elements of that web page on the website design plate 210, at
step 2312.
Next, at step 2314, the system 100 receives an edit command
provided by the registered user by selecting edit button 220. Upon
receiving the edit command, the system 100 causes each of the web
assets and other elements that are displayed on the website design
plate 210 to become interactive, at step 2316. The system 100 then
receives a selection of one or more of the web assets or other
elements displayed on the website design plate, at step 2318. In
response to this selection, the system 100 displays STICKY PAD.TM.
310 on the user interface, at step 2320, and further displays the
selected web asset or other element on the STICKY PAD.TM. as the
STICKY PAD.TM. contents, at step 2322. At step 2324, the system 100
receives a command to modify the selected web asset or other
element displayed within STICKY PAD.TM. 310. This command can
involve adding additional web assets, sounds or colors to the
selected web asset or to the design space 280 surrounding the
selected web asset, as well as involve moving the selected web
asset within design space 280 or resizing the selected web asset,
among other modifications.
At step 2326, the modified web asset or other element, or modified
contents of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310, are displayed within the STICKY
PAD.TM.. At step 2328, the system 100 receives a command to drop
the contents of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 into the website design
plate 210. Next, at step 2330, the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 is removed
from the user interface (i.e., is no longer displayed) and the
contents of the STICKY PAD.TM. 310 are moved onto the website
design plate 210, at step 2332. The design of the registered user's
website can continue with the receiving of additional inputs from
the registered user at the user interface, at step 2334.
While the foregoing specification illustrates and describes the
preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited to the precise construction
herein disclosed. The invention can be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims,
rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope
of the invention.
* * * * *
References