Systems and Methods of Providing Web Content to Multiple Browser Device Types

Abstract

Methods and systems for creating website templates are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes: receiving a user selection indicating a master website template; deriving a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; and combining web content with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions. An exemplary system includes a plurality of master website templates; a web content database; and a site builder. The site build is operative to: receive a user selection indicating a one of the master website templates; derive a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; and combine web content from the web content database with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment in which one embodiment of a system and method for providing web content to multiple browser device types is located.

FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram illustrating the process of combining a web site template with web content.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary set of web site templates.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the relationship between a master template and device-specific template versions.

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating the process of transforming a master template web page into a device-specific template web page.

FIG. 6 illustrates web content items.

FIG. 7. is a data flow diagram illustrating the process of transforming an intermediate template web page into a device-specific template web page.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process by which a web site designer creates a web site with device-specific versions.

FIG. 9 is a message diagram showing the interaction between Web server and browser device.

FIG. 10 is a message diagram showing the interaction between another embodiment of a Web server and a browser device.

FIG. 11 is a hardware block diagram of a general-purpose computer that can be used to implement the systems and methods disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of creating website templates, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a user selection indicating a master website template;deriving a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; andcombining web content with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of device characteristics.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different screen size, or different screen resolution, or different screen color capabilities.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of browser protocols or a different set of browser markup languages.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a viewing on a browser that supports a different set of content types.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving step further comprises: replacing a first set of references to the master website template with a second set of references to one of the device-specific website templates.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: publishing at least one of the device-specific website versions; andserving pages from one of the device-specific website versions to a requesting device.

8. A computer-readable medium having a computer program for creating website templates stored thereon, the computer program comprising logic for performing the steps of: receiving a user selection indicating a master website template;deriving a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; andcombining web content with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of device characteristics.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different screen size, or different screen resolution, or different screen color capabilities.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of browser protocols or a different set of browser markup languages.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a viewing on a browser that supports a different set of content types.

13. A system for creating website templates, the system comprising: a plurality of master website templates;a web content database; anda site builder that is operative to: receive a user selection indicating a one of the master website templates;derive a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; andcombine web content from the web content database with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different screen size, or different screen resolution, or different screen color capabilities.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of browser protocols or a different set of browser markup languages.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a viewing on a browser that supports a different set of content types.

17. A system of creating website templates, the system comprising: means for receiving a user selection indicating a master website template;means for deriving a plurality of device-specific template versions from the selected master website template; andmeans for combining web content with each of the plurality of template versions to provide a plurality of device-specific website versions.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different screen size, or different screen resolution, or different screen color capabilities.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a different set of browser protocols or a different set of browser markup languages.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the device-specific website versions is suitable for a viewing on a browser that supports a different set of content types.