WO2003044692A2

WO2003044692A2 - Method and device for constituting and updating multisite internet contents

Info

Publication number: WO2003044692A2
Application number: PCT/FR2002/003886
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hervé ASTIER
Original assignee: E-Mediacite Sa
Priority date: 2001-11-19
Filing date: 2002-11-14
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: FR2832525A1; WO2003044692A3; AU2002366129A1; FR2832525B1; EP1446736A2

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for constituting and updating page contents of a plurality of Internet sites comprising firstly: A/ a step of defining a content model (100) common to several sites, preserved in a database; B/ means for defining the structure of the database (110); C/ a step of defining forms common to all the sites (120); and D/ a step of constituting a hosted computer application of form distribution (130). To constitute each site, the method comprises: E/ a step of defining graphic elements for presentation of the site (140), specific to said site; F/ a step of defining page contents of said site (150), in relation to said database; G/ a first step of filling content specific to said site (160), in the database. For updating each site, the method comprises an iterative step of updating content specific to said site (170), via said computer application and at least one said form.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONSTITUTING AND UPDATING MULTI-SITE INTERNET CONTENT.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for creating and updating multi-website content. It applies, in particular, to the development of new Internet services for local authorities, including a “turnkey” solution for creating and maintaining institutional websites.

We know of site creation and maintenance services. However, each update of the published data as well as the site maintenance operations require an individual intervention which penalizes the site manager because it takes time and represents significant costs, even when the updates are of the same nature to many sites.

We note, in the area of institutional sites, that the websites of small and medium-sized structures suffer from a chronic deficit in updating information. Indeed, once the site is made, these structures do not have the technical (or budgetary) means to maintain and update their websites. A study carried out by the inventor on this subject shows that on a panel of 250 local authority sites, 90% of the sites had not been updated for more than 6 months (some sites still announcing the "next" festivities of the year past). Local authorities are not the only structures facing this problem of updating and evolving websites: all small and medium-sized businesses, businesses, service organizations, liberal professions, associations ... encounter the same difficulties.

Historically, several models of site architecture have been successively used.

1 / Sites in static pages:

The oldest Internet publishing model is to develop HTML pages using web publishing tools (frontpage, dreamweaver ...). The only way to update static pages is to re-develop the pages to be updated and to publish them again (sending the corrected pages by FTP).

Many small structures still only have sites with static pages. In this model, each site is hosted by a host and has pages, generally described in HTML language which must be edited for maintenance and updating.

The characteristics of this model are as follows:

- each website is made up of a set of HTML pages linked together by hypertext links,

- the modified HTML pages replace the old pages,

- the communication of the pages to the server of the host is carried out directly in FTP,

- this model cannot be used by non-professionals

2 / Sites in static pages generated using a toolbox.

A variant of the previous model was created with the tools that generate specialized sites. This model of sites in static pages generated using a toolbox intends to respond to the problem of updating (and creating) sites by offering a tool, on line or off line, capable of generating and edit a website with a few clicks of the mouse. These tools are based on the concept of layout models (skins) available to users to create and modify their sites.

Although practical in its approach, this approach does not seem to correspond to the spirit of web technologies where creative originality is essential. In addition, the limits of such tools (because in reality they constitute an overlay compared to professional publication languages) are too important to cope with the incessant evolution of HTMUXML standards ... and the taking into account of transaction processing.

The characteristics of this architectural model are as follows:

- each website is made up of a set of pages linked together by hypertext links,

- the customer has the possibility of regenerating pages to be updated,

- the modified pages replace the old pages,

- the possibilities are limited in terms of graphic charter, navigation mode and presentation.

3 / The model of pages hosted on specialized portal sites consists of hosting descriptive pages of similar entities within a specialized portal. This model does not allow the publication of autonomous sites with own domain name but presents a certain technological interest, the information of each entity being in this case stored in the same database.

The characteristics of this architectural model are as follows:

- the client does not have a stand-alone website,

- the descriptive pages are designed according to the same presentation model,

- a database common to the different sites is unique, - the customer can update the information on his descriptive sheets in real time. 4 / The sites in dynamic pages:

To allow a recurring update of the information they present, the pages are not developed in static HTML mode, they are said to be dynamic because they are linked to a database. Today, multiple technologies are used to create dynamic pages (Active Server Pages from microsoft, PHP, CGI, Java Server Pages ...).

In this diagram, the pages of the site, the database, the update forms are developed specifically for each client site: these sites are therefore costly in initial creation as in evolutionary maintenance.

The characteristics of this architectural model are as follows:

- the information on the site can be updated by customers via forms,

- each website is associated with update forms, database and dynamic pages,

- no content can be shared between the sites, even if they are hosted by the same host,

- the cost of production and maintenance of a site includes the dynamic pages, the database and the update forms.

Given the costs and the skills they require, these achievements are now reserved for large structures.

The above discussion explains the shortcomings of the sites that the inventors were able to observe by the survey given above.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. In particular, the present invention intends to propose:

- maintenance of an IT tool for managing elementary content, carried out in one go, for all customers,

- a technical and functional scalability of this tool,

- a reduced acquisition and maintenance price for a shared site,

- a contractual and shared maintenance logic for the sites ensuring the sustainability of the information system.

To this end, a person skilled in the art could think of using the model of software package publishing. However, this is not applicable to the problem of the present invention for the following two main reasons, specific to web media:

- unlike the software package, the website is not physically installed at the customer (the city in our case) nor used by him (the end user is in fact the Internet user),

- unlike the management software, the website requires an original presentation, like the institution it represents, as well as an original site map (organization of sections, sub-sections, etc.). The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of building up and updating the content of pages of a plurality of computer sites accessible via the Internet, at addresses different from one another on the Internet, characterized in that that it includes:

A / a step of defining a model of content common to several sites, this common content being kept in a database,

B / a step of defining the structure of the database,

C / a step of defining forms common to all of said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available for all sites and part of the form fields being in correspondence with content specific to each site and allowing updating of this specific content,

D / a step of constituting a computer application for distributing forms hosted at an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet, and, for each site:

E / a step of defining the graphic elements of presentation of cJudit site pages, the presentation being specific to said site,

F / a step of defining the content of pages of said site, in relation to said database,

G / a first step of filling content specific to said site, said specific content being stored in a database, the pages of said site being made up of: a) a page presentation part, specific to said site, b) a representative part of the content of field likely to be updated by using forms, and c) a representative part of the contents common to several sites, and, in an iterative way,

H / a step of updating content specific to said site, by means of said computer application and at least one said form, the specific updated content being kept in the database.

Thus, the creation of each client's site is tailor-made, as far as presentation is concerned. The creation of each website is original for each client, each site simply responding to the requirements of managing a potential content perimeter. We note that the perimeter of the published information system (content) is known a priori as soon as the field of activity is itself identified The system object of the present invention thus allows the widest dissociation between the presentation of information (pages of the website), which is specific to each site, and the management of content which is shared.

Thanks to these provisions, the contents of all the managed sites are kept in the same multimedia database and are updated by the implementation of the same forms, and the sites therefore present a unique conceptual data model. Thus, the "forms" for updating content specific to each site are unique and shared (and not developed specifically for each customer), which allows their evolution and maintenance by successive versions and the sites benefit from a common part shared.

The maintenance and correction of the pages of each site is carried out on a single server and is immediately implemented on the said site while the maintenance and correction of the common fields of the forms is immediately implemented on all the sites linked to this server and implementing the content of said form Similarly, the pages are immediately compatible with each new browser, and each new standard (html, javascript ...).

According to exemplary characteristics of the invention succinctly set out above, during the updating step, the hosted computer application for distributing forms displays to the user the list of elementary content published on its site, independently pages of the site that contain them and, when the user has selected content from said list, a content update form is automatically selected.

It is observed that the hosted computer application refers to the "Application Services Provider" model (for "application service provider"). Thanks to these provisions, the user simply accesses the update form by selecting the content he wants to update.

According to exemplary characteristics of the invention succinctly set out above, during the updating step, each form is associated with an indication representative of the pages of the updated site concerned by the updated data.

Thanks to these provisions, the user who performs the update can understand the consequences of updating the selected content on all the pages of the site that present this basic content.

According to exemplary characteristics of the invention succinctly set out above, the step of defining the content of each page includes instructions using dynamic data.

Thanks to these provisions, when the number of information of the same type contained in the database (for example the number of sports or cultural facilities) changes, the site is automatically modified to take account of this development, without the user having to carry out any programming.

The present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a device for building up and updating the content of pages of a plurality of computer sites accessible via the Internet, at different addresses between them on the Internet, characterized in that that it includes:

A / a means of defining a content model common to several sites, this common content being stored in a database,

B / a means of defining the structure of the database,

C / a means of defining forms common to all of said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available for all sites and a part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with a content specific to each site and allowing the updating of this specific content,

D / a means of constituting a hosted computer application for distributing forms to an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet, and, for each site:

And a means of defining the graphic elements of presentation of pages of said site, the presentation being specific to said site,

F / a means of defining the content of pages of said site, in relation to said database,

G / a means of filling content specific to said site, said specific content being stored in a database, the pages of said site being made up of: a) a page presentation part, specific to said site, b) a representative part of the content of field likely to be updated by using forms, and c) a representative part of the content common to several sites; and, iteratively,

H / a means of updating content specific to said site, by means of said computer application and at least one said form, the specific content updated being kept in the database.

The present invention aims, according to a third aspect, a method of constituting and updating page contents of a plurality of computer sites accessible via a computer network, at different addresses on said computer network, characterized in that it implements: - a database comprising content common to several sites, the database having a defined structure,

- forms common to all of said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available for all sites and part of the fields of forms corresponding to content specific to each site and allowing this specific content to be updated,

- a hosted IT application for distributing forms to an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet, each site implementing:

- graphic elements of presentation of pages of said site, the presentation being specific to said site,

content of pages of said site, in relation to said database, the content specific to said site being supplied to said database, the pages of said site being made up of: a) a page presentation part, specific to said site, b ) a representative part of the field content liable to be updated by using the forms, and c) a representative part of the content common to several sites; and, iteratively, the computer application and at least one said form being iteratively implemented to update the content specific to said site, the specific updated content being kept in the database.

The advantages, aims and exemplary characteristics of the second and third aspects of the present invention being identical to those of the first aspect, they are not repeated here, for the sake of clarity.

Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which

FIG. 1 schematically represents an architecture of a particular embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 schematically represents an application for shared updating of the architecture illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 schematically represents a data model implemented in the architecture illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 represents the relational principle of site registrations, in accordance with the architecture illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3,

FIG. 5 represents a source of form for updating site content,

FIG. 6 represents an update form used by a client, FIG. 7 represents links between an update form and a page of the site implementing said update, and

- Figure 8 shows, schematically, the steps of an embodiment of the method object of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 are represented three websites 1, 2 and 3 comprising pages 4, 5 and 6, respectively, contained in a common database 7 of a server S, which also supports a shared hosted application 9 implementing update forms 8. Customers C1, C2 and C3 who manage sites 1, 2 and 3, respectively, implementing the hosted application 9 to update sites 1, 2 and 3.

The websites 1, 2 and 3 are autonomous and original in their presentations. They each have an address on a computer network, for example the Internet, in the form of a url (for "uniform resource locator"), for example of the type www.maville.fr. Sites 1, 2 and 3 are designed in dynamic pages 4, 5 and 6.

The common database 7 is common for all the sites and configured for each site (content used, site map). It is observed that the common database 7 can consist either of a single database or of synchronized databases, that is to say updated by diffusion, on a single database.

The common database 7 includes content available for all sites, each client deciding whether or not to lay out each component of the available content. This available content includes, for example, legal texts, institutional information, practical information on administrative procedures, links to third-party sites, for example national meteorology, embassies and consular organizations abroad, consumer associations, national transport services, emergency and health services.

The database 7 also stores the presentation information of each site, in a language for describing pages of computer sites (for example HTML, XML, JAVA applets), the image, sound and video files presented by each site.

The database 7 stores, for each site, the contents of form fields 8 updated by the clients using the hosted application 9.

The update forms 8 are unique, common to all the sites and are integrated into the application) hosted 9 which also manages the recognition of the characteristics of each site (links between site maps and content stored in the database 7) . Each form includes fields whose content, specific to each site, is kept in the database 7. Each form also includes information describing the content to be inserted in the fields (for example "address of the town hall") and news of relationship between the fields and pages of the site contain the contents of said fields.

The hosted application 9 has a url address different from the url addresses of sites 1, 2 and 3.

Before setting up a site, we put in database 7 the content available for all the sites, we set up the hosted application 9 and the forms 8 and we reference the url address of the site of the application hosted in dns servers (for "domain name server").

To set up a new site, we proceed as follows:

- each client is assigned an identifier for their site (for example the INSEE city code) and a secret password;

- we refer the url address of the client's site in the dns servers;

- we define the site map and the links between the pages;

- we define, for each page of the site: a) its presentation, b) the static content, c) the content which comes from the content available for all the sites in the database 7, and d) the content which comes from the content form fields.

All page descriptions and references to database 7 are kept in database 7.

To update a site, the following steps are performed:

- the client accesses the hosted application 9, via a computer terminal connected to the computer network, using a conventional browser:

- a customer home page is displayed on the terminal screen and invites the customer to provide a site identifier and a secret password;

- the client provides a site identifier (for example the INSEE city code);

- the client provides the password assigned to him;

- the hosted application 9 checks the correspondence between the password and the identifier;

- the customer visualizes a description of the elementary contents of his site, selects information that he wants to update;

- the hosted application 9 provides the form which corresponds to the information to be updated and information representative of all the pages of the client's site, the content of which depends on the content of the field or fields of said form which correspond to the information which will be updated;

- the client updates the information and validates it; - the hosted application 9 updates the database 7 with the new content of the modified fields;

- the customer's site is therefore immediately modified according to the updates made.

Furthermore, the database manager 7 updates the content of the database 7 available for all the sites and the sites are immediately modified to take this update into account.

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the site update application is a hosted application and not a system installed locally at the customer. The term “hosted application” here represents an application published on the Internet, according to the ASP model (Application Services Provider). The hosted application is provided with a "communication front end" ensuring correspondence between the pages of each site and calling up forms adapted to update the content associated with these pages.

However, the creation of each client's site is tailor-made, as regards the presentation. The creation of each website is original for each client, each site simply responding to the requirements of managing a potential content perimeter. It should be noted that the scope of the published information system (content) is known a priori as soon as the field of activity is itself identified.

The system object of the present invention allows the widest dissociation between the presentation of information (pages of the website), which is specific to each site, and the management of content which is shared.

All the content of all the managed sites is stored in the same multimedia database, thus presenting a unique conceptual data model.

The "forms" for updating the tables in the database are common (and not developed specifically for each client), which allows their evolution and maintenance by successive versions.

So :

- the database is shared between all customers thanks to a unique identifier code (here, the INSEE city code). To do this, the structure of the database is large enough to accommodate any type of information that may be published on a city official website. The database being common and linked to all areas of "user" sites, it is accessible on the Internet and therefore "hosted" (own http address).

- The object system of the present invention is based on the concept of elementary content, assimilable technically to a form of component (object model). Basic content is the finest level of publication possible. This level is defined and personalized for each client. The system makes it possible to establish the correlation, within the database, between the content to be published for a site, and the tables of the database impacted by the updating of these contents. To this end, the database includes a "dynamic site map" for each client defining the ownership of the content to be published on the different pages of the site. Content can belong to 0 to N pages, so a page can contain from 0 to N content.

- the shared update application 9 provides client cities with the interface necessary to update the content of their sites, after user authentication. The forms are linked to the shared database. The database 7 takes into account the organization of the headings of each site (site maps) and links them to the contents of the database, the vision of the customers being partial and personalized. An interface 10 (illustrated in FIG. 2) allows the client to see the modifications made to the site in real time (thanks to the link between the contents and the pages of the site).

The data model implemented corresponds to the information system that a city can publish within the framework of its official website, on the one hand, enriched with data managed by the editor intended to define the client and his attributes, on the other hand.

The data overview is illustrated in Figure 3. The data managed by the system for the personalization of each site includes:

1 / Site identification data 11: all the application tables (with the exception of the common reference tables) are linked to the customer site identifier code, defined in the T-City table during the initial creation of the site. This table includes the url address of the website as well as the passwords (or "access codes") used by the client concerned to connect to the hosted update application 9;

2 / Customer identification data 12: this data makes it possible to define the main characteristics of a customer, in particular with regard to the contacts and the modules of the application used. This table can be used for example to generate mailing lists according to certain criteria;

3 / Data from the dynamic sitemap 13 (see also Figure 4): the dynamic sitemap is managed by means of three configuration tables on which the interface of the hosted application is based to present to the client the personalized content of its website. These parameters are essential: they constitute an aspect of the invention by making it possible to link personalized content, a site map per customer, and unique update forms;

4 / Data managed by the client via the hosted application 9: here we give the list of other data from the BaseVille database. A rule of construction of the database is that the site identifier code (Insee code here) is a key to all the tables whose data are managed by the client.

A / Descriptive data 14:

he - The town hall and its annexes: contact details, timetables, photos, geographic location,

- The municipal council: the mayor, elected officials, personal or collective photos, offices, municipal commissions, ...

- Municipal services: directory of services, contact details, photos, timetables, descriptions, ...

- Presentation of the city: descriptions, photos, access map, history of the city, ...

- The regulations: all the regulations specific to the city (bulky items, household waste, public order, environment, ...)

- Sports facilities: contact details, hours, photos, geographic location, prices, ...

- Coordinated cultural facilities, timetables, photos, geographic location, prices, ...

- Coordinated school facilities, timetables, photos, geographic location, prices, ...

- Social facilities: contact details, hours, photos, geographic location, prices, ...

- Heritage: contact details, timetables, photos, geographic location, prices, ... of all elements,

- Remarkable places: contact details, hours, photos, geographic location, prices, ... of all places,

- Places or leisure facilities: contact details, timetables, photos, geographic location, prices, description of all leisure places ...

- Places of worship: contact details, hours, photos, geographic location, prices, ... of all places of worship,

B / Local Directories:

- Emergencies: contact details, contacts, geographic location, descriptions, ...

- Health: contact details, contacts, geographic location, descriptions, ...

- Practical Directories: contact details, contacts, geographic location, descriptions,

- Merchants coordinates, contacts, geographic location, description sheets, ...

- Companies: contact details, contacts, geographic location, description sheets, job offers ...

- Associations: contact details, contacts, geographic location, description sheets, types of associations, news ...

C / Event data: - City news: title, date of publication, summary, article detail, photo, date of event, links ...

- Association News (portal option only): title, date of publication, summary, article detail, photo, date of event, links ...

- Editorial: title, summary, detail, photo, archives ...

- Events: title, date of publication, summary, article detail, photo, date of event, links ...

- Documents to download: all documents to be proposed for downloads (deliberations, newspaper ...): title, summary, date, address ...

D / References to external content:

- Parameterized links: local weather, SNCF timetable, administrative procedures, ...

- Specific links: all free links classified by theme ...

- Information channels: external sources of continuous information to enhance the site (local information, news, etc.)

The dynamic pages 4, 5 and 6 of the sites 1, 2 and 3 of the different clients are connected to the multi-client database 7 (directly in SQL or via components). The pages are developed on the basis of a navigation mode and a custom made graphic charter. The site map is also personalized for each client.

The construction of the site respects rules:

- for a given client site, all the database record sets must present a filter on the client identification code (insee code in our case) to select only the client elements (since the database is multi-client)

- the design of the pages, even if it is original for each client, must only integrate the content defined in the data model of the database (it is however possible to manage changes in version of the database),

- the menus which call on data corresponding to several occurrences of the base must take this into account and be "expandable". For example, a menu presenting the city's cultural facilities should not be treated "static" but generated by calling up the different names of the records (cultural center, library, MJC.) From the cultural facilities table. This allows the customer to add (or delete) occurrences himself without the menu (and the page which presents it) being modified.

- identification numbers are not used in the pages to specifically display a given record. Indeed, the records can be deleted by the client and the corresponding pages would no longer work. However, the identification numbers can be passed as a parameter from lists or dynamic menus. To manage the problem of items displayed by default on opening of a section (example the cultural center in the section cultural facilities), the tables contain an indicator "cover page section" set to "true" when the record must appear by default. This also allows the customer to change, if desired, without any programming, the record which must appear on the cover page by modifying the value of this indicator.

Once these few rules have been observed, the designer of the pages is free to present the information and the navigation mode.

In particular embodiments, the application 9 is hosted on the same server S as the multi-client database 7. The clients can access it by an address "url", then they can connect to the application of update 9 of their respective sites by identifying themselves. The database 7 is however designed to also allow the recognition of several users per client city (in larger structures, updates can be entrusted to several interlocutors depending on the sectors).

We observe that the update forms 8 (see also Figure 5) are defined only once since they are common to all the cities connected to the hosted application 9. A table of forms is used in the context of the update interface 10 to call the url of the form to be used to update the desired content. The update forms 8 are dynamic pages of the hosted application 9 which make it possible to modify the data of the tables of the database. For example, a Shift_CityDescription form is used to update the T-CityDescription table. In the context of the use of the hosted application 9, the client identifier code (Insee code) is passed as a session parameter so that the form only allows the records of the client concerned to be updated;

The site map (see also Figure 4): for each client city (ie for each Insee code) we define the published content and the site map. The sitemap is a set of published pages. It describes itself as an organization chart: it is a tree on which the pages of the website are positioned according to their level in the tree structure (father-son). The sitemap table has two uses:

- it allows, at the level of the resulting website itself, to dynamically present to the Internet user the map of the website, according to several search criteria;

- it also allows, at the level of the database, to reference for each of the pages, the contents which compose it. A page can have from 0 to N contents. For example, the description page of the town hall can present both the coordinates of the town hall (first content), the list of municipal services (second content), the list of elected officials (third content). For another city, this page may only present the coordinates of the town hall (unique content). For each client, a content table lists all of the content published, regardless of the pages of the site. Content refers to an update form. Several contents can point to the same update form. For example, the contents [Nursery school X] and [Primary school Y] point for a given client on the same form for updating school equipment (Maj_EqScolaires). To work on the desired school, during the update, the content has as attribute a form parameter. The relational principle is shown schematically in Figure 4 in which each client and each site is the subject of recordings of pages, 20 to 25, referring to recordings of content, 26 to 29, themselves referring to recordings of forms 30 to 32.

As previously described, the hosted application 9 has two main functions: it acts as a "communication front end" between content and the client site, on the one hand, and brings together a set of update forms day 8, on the other hand.

The "communication front end" uses the dynamic sitemap of the database 7 to automatically select, depending on the client, the content that the website of this client publishes. We observe that these are not the pages of the site but rather the elementary contents.

For some sites, the list of contents is more provided (site richer in information) than for other sites and certain occurrences (ex: "stadium" belonging to sports equipment) are identified as elementary contents (because they are the subject of occurrences in the menus of the website).

Regarding the link between content and forms 8, the hosted application 9 links this content to forms 8 of the database 7 allowing the corresponding data to be updated. For example, in the context of the relational model previously exposed in Figure 4, this link is represented by the following SQL query:

<SELECT ContentId, ContentContent, ParamUrIFormulaire, T_Formulaires.ldFormulaire, T_Formulaires.NomFormulaire

FROM T_Contenus INNER JOIN T_Formulaires ON T_Contenus.ldFormulaire = T_Formulaires.ldFormulaire

WHERE Codelnsee = MM_ColParam>.

Update 8 forms are similar to those of a traditional dynamic website. The hosted application 9 contains, in the particular embodiment described here, about two hundred forms 8 for inserting, deleting, updating and lists of records from the database. As with the rest of the application, the specificity of forms 8 is to systematically filter the data by the session parameter of the connected client. When a customer accesses the hosted application 9, he sees a page which describes the current content of the site which concerns him. This content is represented, for example, by a list of subjects to which the said site refers, in alphabetical order:

- general associations news,

- general city news,

- health directory,

- directory of craftsmen,

- directory of associations,

- merchants directory,

- practical directory,

- emergency directory,

- teen clubs,

- composition of the municipal council,

- contact details of the town hall,

- contact mail,

- deliberations of the municipal council,

- periodic editorial,

- cultural facilities: library

- cultural equipment: counter cultural,

By selecting one of these contents, for example here "coordinates of the town hall", the client reaches a form of the hosted application 9, the form of which the source is represented in FIG. 5, and preferably comprises three sets of recording:

a “client” record set 40 which makes it possible to filter the records of the database on the client code,

- a record set of the table (or tables) to be updated 41 (in this example it is the table T_Mairie) and

- A “site map” registration set 42 which makes it possible to display the pages of the sites concerned by the content initially selected by the client to access the update form.

In use by the customer, the form 8 takes the form illustrated in Figure 6 and includes:

- the name of the town concerned 50,

- the city identifier code 51,

- the date of the last update 52,

- a description of the subject of the form 53 (here "update town hall description")

- descriptions of contents of fields 54, - fields 55, taking the form of a window possibly provided with scrollbar (or elevators),

- a list 56 of pages 57 and 58 of the client's site concerned by the content of the fields of the form 8 (that is to say the pages containing at least one content from one of the fields of the said form),

- links 59 to components not completely represented on the form, for example photos,

- a validation button 60 for updating the registration. Concerning the link between the form 8 illustrated in figure 6, and a page of the resulting site, illustrated in figure 7, the content to update selected by the customer (in the list of contents) can belong to several pages of the site (by example: the latest sports news can be found in the sports section and in the news section of the site).

To allow the customer to see directly the impact of the modifications on all the pages of the site concerned, the form screen presents the list 56 of pages 57 and 58 with direct access to the site via a link pointing to the url address of the page.

The link between the forms and the pages of the site is made using the dynamic site map, according to the relational model (site map / content / forms) presented above.

The implementation of the present invention is not limited to institutional sites. On the contrary, it is reproducible and, in terms of use, the invention provides a solution for future service providers specializing in different trades by allowing them to industrialize their production and maintenance services and to distribute their "product" to '' targeted customers.

The hosted application illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, a multi-site Internet solution intended for local authority sites, is one illustration of the application of the invention to a particular sector. The method of the invention can be implemented for all trades, relying on a database of potential content for these trades.

Some examples of applicable fields are given below:

- SMEs, SMIs (possibly by type of activity),

- Liberal professions (possibly by type of activity),

- Shops,

- Associations,

- Insurance,

- Banks,

- Hospitals, - Clinics,

- Laboratories,

In general, all the particular fields of activity lend themselves a priori to the implementation of the present invention.

In technical terms, the implementation of the invention in other fields of activity than that of local authority sites is easy. Two tables are shown below showing, on the one hand, the rules for implementing the method and, on the other hand, the possible variants in terms of tools for producing the solution.

A / Implementation rules:

hosted multi-site database update, that the service provider including the multi-site Internet solution interface must communicate with the customer site and make them evolve over time (evolution of technological update forms, correction anomalies, evolution of the content perimeter.) laughing technological:

(Microsoft, Java, ASP, JSP, SQL, JB, EJB, COM / DCOM, Oracle and Sybase are registered trademarks)

The advantages of implementing the present invention are numerous, both for the end customer and for the Internet provider.

For the customer (a local authority in the multi-site Internet solution described in Figures 1 to 7):

- the reduced cost of creating a dynamic site: the hosted application and the database already being set up, the only burden to be borne by the client for his site is the creation of the original model of his site. In a traditional offer, the customer should pay for the creation of the database associated with his site as well as the update forms linked to this database.

- content completeness: the application is based on the principle "who can do more can do less". With the hosted application exposed in the description, a small town will therefore benefit from a very significant publication potential, comparable to that of a large local authority, even if it only uses part of the possible content.

- the deadline for completion: the potential content being pre-determined, the deadline for completion is very shortened because the client chooses its contents and its site map. The study phase is very largely reduced. Developments of the database and forms are already done.

- simplicity of updating: the hosted application offers the intrinsic possibility of modifying / adding / deleting all the content published on the site, within the framework of a user interface (no web development). The user interface evolves with technologies.

- the cost of maintenance and the evolution of the site: the customer only pays a minimal share of the cost of maintenance of the solution since it is common to several customers. It is also assured (up to the lifetime of its service provider!) Of an evolution of the system (new versions).

For the publisher of the multi-site Internet solution:

- the competitive advantage: on its market, the publisher of a multi-site Internet solution will benefit from the competitive advantage brought by the customer advantages described above, in particular the cost, the completeness and the durability of the offer .

- the industrialization of production and the software model: it is currently almost impossible to industrialize the production and maintenance of original websites. Also, web agencies intervene at cost by cost, on estimate, when requested by their customers. With our solution, the database and the hosted application are only created once. The production and maintenance model of software package edition can therefore be fully applied. The business model is based here on the recurring monthly rental income of the hosted application.

- the possibility of providing content in addition to the "container": since client sites are linked to the same database, it is possible to provide content simultaneously to all or part of the sites, in agreement with content providers .

FIG. 8 schematically represents the steps of an embodiment of the method which is the subject of the present invention. This embodiment of the method can be implemented on a computer or a server in order to produce an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention.

The process illustrated in FIG. 8 allows the creation and updating of page contents of a plurality of computer sites accessible via the Internet, at different addresses between them on the Internet, all the sites belonging to the same domain. activity.

The process illustrated in Figure 8 includes:

a step 100 of defining a model of content common to several sites, this common content being stored in a database,

a step 110 of defining the structure of the database, said structure making it possible to access, in read or write, all the data contained in the database,

a step 120 of defining forms common to all of said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available for all sites and part of the form fields being in correspondence with content specific to each site and allowing the updating of this specific content, and

a step 130 of constituting a computer application for distributing the forms hosted at an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet.

To constitute each site, the process includes:

a step 140 of defining the graphic elements for presenting pages of said site, the presentation being specific to said site,

a step 150 of defining the content of pages of said site, in relation to said database (Preferably, the step of defining the content 150 of each page includes instructions using dynamic data and / or includes instructions making call for references in the database), and

a first step 160 of filling in content specific to said site, said specific content being stored in the database.

Thus, the pages of said site are made up of: a) a page presentation part, specific to said site, b) a representative part of the field content liable to be updated by using the forms, and c) a representative part of the contents common to several sites.

To successively update the site, its administrator performs, iteratively, a step 170 of updating content specific to said site, by means of said computer application and at least one said form, the specific content put being kept in the database.

In an exemplary embodiment, during the updating step 170, the hosted computer application for distributing forms displays to the user the list of elementary content published on its site, step 175, independently of the pages of the site that contains them and, when the user has selected a content from said list, step 180, displays a content update form is automatically selected, step 185.

Preferably, during the updating step 170, each form is associated with an indication representative of the pages of the updated site concerned by the updated data.

Claims

1 - Method for setting up and updating the content of pages of a plurality of computer sites accessible via the Internet, at addresses different from one another on the Internet, characterized in that it comprises:

A / a step (100) of defining a model of content common to several sites, this common content being stored in a database,

B / a step (110) of defining the structure of the database,

C / a step (120) of defining forms common to all of said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available to all the sites and part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content specific to each site and allowing the updating of this specific content,

D / a step (130) of constituting a computer application for distributing the forms hosted at an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet, and, for each site:

E / a step (140) of defining the graphic elements for presenting pages of said site, the presentation being specific to said site,

F / a step (150) of defining the content of pages of said site, in relation to said database,

G / a first step (160) of filling in content specific to said site, said specific content being stored in a database, the pages of said site being made up of: a) a presentation of pages, specific to said site, b) a part representative of the field content liable to be updated by using the forms, and c) a representative part of the content common to several sites; and, iteratively,

H / a step (170) of updating content specific to said site, by means of said computer application and at least one said form, the specific updated content being kept in the database.

2 - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the updating step (170), the hosted computer application for distributing forms displays to the user the list of elementary content published on its site (175), regardless of pages of the site that contain them and, when the user has selected content from said list (180), a content update form is automatically selected (185).

3 - Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, during the updating step (170), each form is associated with an indication representative of the pages of the updated site concerned by the updated data.

4 - Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the step of defining the content (150) of each page includes instructions using dynamic data.

5 - Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the step of defining the content (150) of each page includes instructions calling for references in the database.

6 - Device for constituting and updating the content of pages of a plurality of computer sites (1, 2, 3) accessible via the Internet, at different addresses on the Internet, characterized in that it comprises :

- a structured database (7) keeping content common to several sites,

a means of memorizing a plurality of forms (8) common to all said sites, each form comprising fields with reference to the database, part of the fields of the forms being in correspondence with content of the database available for all sites and part of the form fields being in correspondence with content specific to each site and allowing the updating of this specific content,

a means of implementing a hosted computer application for distributing forms (9) to an address on the Internet independent of the addresses of said sites on the Internet, and, for each site of the plurality of site pages (4, 5, 6) made up of: a) a page presentation part, specific to said site, b) a representative part of the field content liable to be updated by using forms, and c) a representative part of the content common to several sites ; the means of implementing the hosted computer application being adapted to update the content specific to said site, by implementing at least one said form, the updated specific content being kept in the database.

7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for implementing the computer application (9) is adapted to display to the user the list of elementary content published on its site, independently of the pages of the site which contain them and, when the user has selected a content from said list, a form (8) for updating the content is automatically selected. 8 - Device according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the means of implementing the computer application (9) is adapted so that each form (8) is displayed with an indication representative of the pages of the updated site affected by the updated data.

9 - Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the description of pages includes instructions using dynamic data.

10 - Device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the description of pages includes instructions using references in the database.