Structured document browser

Abstract

A structured document browser includes a constant user interface for displaying and viewing sections of a document that is organized according to a pre-defined structure. The structured document browser displays documents that have been marked with embedded codes that specify the structure of the document. The tags are mapped to correspond to a set of icons. When the icon is selected while browsing a document, the browser will display the section of the structure corresponding to the icon selected, while preserving the constant user interface.

1 . A method for displaying web information in a browser, the method comprising: 
 displaying a plurality of icons in an icon area, the plurality of icons automatically configured to correspond to respective portions of web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;    displaying a search string entry box regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;    receiving a selection of one of the plurality of icons;    displaying, in a display window and outside of the icon area, the portion of the web information that corresponds to the one of the plurality of icons; and    displaying a fly-by-help message indicating a function of an icon of the plurality of icons after a screen pointer is positioned over the icon.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 displaying at least one additional icon in response to receiving the selection of the one of the plurality of icons.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one additional icon is associated with a sub-section of the portion of the web information.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 displaying a text box to allow a user to enter a note that provides feedback regarding the portion of the web information.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of icons are displayed in a row above the display window.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of icons are chosen from a larger set of icons.  
     
     
         7 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a processor to display a plurality of icons in an icon area, the plurality of icons automatically configured to correspond to respective portions of web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;    operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to display a search string entry box regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;    operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive a selection of one of the plurality of icons;    operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to display, in a display window and outside of the icon area, the portion of the web information that corresponds to the one of the plurality of icons; and    operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to display a fly-by-help message indicating a function of an icon of the plurality of icons after a screen pointer is positioned over the icon.    
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display at least one additional icon in response to receiving the selection of the one of the plurality of icons.    
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one additional icon is associated with a sub-section of the portion of the web information.  
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a text box to allow a user to enter a note that provides feedback regarding the portion of the web information.    
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of icons are displayed in a row above the display window.  
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of icons are chosen from a larger set of icons.  
     
     
         13 . A system for displaying web information in a browser, the system comprising: 
 a processor; and    memory, in communication with the processor, that stores: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a plurality of icons in an icon area, the plurality of icons automatically configured to correspond to respective portions of web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;  
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a search string entry box regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed;  
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a selection of one of the plurality of icons;  
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display, in a display window and outside of the icon area, the portion of the web information that corresponds to the one of the plurality of icons; and  
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a fly-by-help message indicating a function of an icon of the plurality of icons after a screen pointer is positioned over the icon.  
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the memory further stores: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display at least one additional icon in response to receiving the selection of the one of the plurality of icons.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one additional icon is associated with a sub-section of the portion of the web information.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the memory further stores: 
 operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a text box to allow a user to enter a note that provides feedback regarding the portion of the web information.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of icons are displayed in a row above the display window.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of icons are chosen from a larger set of icons.