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, the method comprising:
 (a) displaying a portion of web information with a browser comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a display window, and wherein the portion of the web information is displayed in the display window;   (b) displaying a plurality of selectors in a region of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein the plurality of selectors are displayed in a row above the display window, each of the plurality of selectors configured to correspond to a different respective portion of the web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed, wherein selection of any of the plurality of selectors results in a display of a corresponding portion of the web information irrespective of a relationship between the corresponding portion of the web information and the displayed portion of the web information;   (c) displaying a menu selector in a same row as the plurality of selectors, wherein selection of the menu selector results in a display of a menu of selection choices, and wherein the menu selector is not one of the plurality of selectors;   (d) displaying a search string entry box and a next-found selector in a region of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein selection of the next-found selector results in a display of a location in the portion of the web information displayed in the display window that contains text entered in the search string entry box, and wherein the next-found selector is not one of the plurality of selectors;   (e) displaying a fly-by help message indicating a function of one of the plurality of selectors after a screen pointer is positioned over the one of the plurality of selectors;   (f) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of selectors;   (g) continuing to display the plurality of selectors after the selection is received in (f); and   (h) displaying a portion of the web information that corresponds to the selector selected in (f).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 allowing a user to enter feedback regarding the portion of the web information displayed in the display window; and   saving the compilation of feedback in a separate file.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 displaying the compilation of feedback in the user interface of the browser.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of selectors are chosen from a larger set of selectors. 
     
     
         5 . A method for displaying web information, the method comprising:
 (a) displaying a portion of web information with a browser comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a display window, and wherein the portion of the web information is displayed in the display window;   (b) displaying a plurality of selectors in a region of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein the plurality of selectors are displayed in a row above the display window, each of the plurality of selectors configured to correspond to a different respective portion of the web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed, wherein selection of any of the plurality of selectors results in a display of a corresponding portion of the web information irrespective of a relationship between the corresponding portion of the web information and the displayed portion of the web information;   (c) displaying a menu selector in a same row as the plurality of selectors, wherein selection of the menu selector results in a display of a menu of selection choices, and wherein the menu selector is not one of the plurality of selectors;   (d) displaying a fly-by help message indicating a function of one of the plurality of selectors after a screen pointer is positioned over the one of the plurality of selectors;   (e) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of selectors;   (f) continuing to display the plurality of selectors after the selection is received in (e); and   (g) displaying a portion of the web information that corresponds to the selector selected in (e).   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 displaying a search string entry box in an area of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 displaying a next-found selector in an area of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein selection of the next-found selector results in a display of a location in the portion of the web information displayed in the display window that contains text entered in the search string entry box.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 allowing a user to enter feedback regarding the portion of the web information displayed in the display window; and   saving a compilation of feedback in a separate file.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 displaying the compilation of feedback in the user interface of the browser.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of selectors are chosen from a larger set of selectors. 
     
     
         11 . A method for displaying web information, the method comprising:
 (a) displaying a portion of web information with a browser comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a display window, and wherein the portion of the web information is displayed in the display window;   (b) displaying a plurality of selectors in a region of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein the plurality of selectors are displayed in a row above the display window, each of the plurality of selectors configured to correspond to a different respective portion of the web information regardless of what portion of the web information is being displayed, wherein selection of any of the plurality of selectors results in a display of a corresponding portion of the web information irrespective of a relationship between the corresponding portion of the web information and the displayed portion of the web information, wherein the plurality of selectors are chosen from a larger set of selectors;   (c) displaying a menu selector in a same row as the plurality of selectors, wherein selection of the menu selector results in a display of a menu of selection choices, and wherein the menu selector is not one of the plurality of selectors;   (d) displaying a search string entry box in a region of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window;   (e) displaying a fly-by help message indicating a function of one of the plurality of selectors after a screen pointer is positioned over the one of the plurality of selectors;   (f) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of selectors;   (g) continuing to display the plurality of selectors after the selection is received in (f); and   (h) displaying a portion of the web information that corresponds to the selector selected in (f).   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 allowing a user to enter feedback regarding the portion of the web information displayed in the display window; and   saving the compilation of feedback in a separate file.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 displaying the compilation of feedback in the user interface of the browser.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 displaying a next-found selector in an area of the user interface of the browser outside of the display window, wherein selection of the next-found selector results in a display of a location in the portion of the web information displayed in the display window that contains text entered in the search string entry box.