GENERATING USER INTERFACES
An interface generator 6 generates a user interface for a mobile communication device 2 by providing, at step S 2 , a menu of functional components to a website owner 5 and receiving an indication of which of the functional components are selected for inclusion in the user interface from the website owner, at step S 3 . When the interface generator 6 receives a request for the user interface from the mobile communication device 2 , at step S 7 , it delivers the user interface to the mobile communication device, at step S 8 , for display by the mobile communication device 2 . The generated user interface includes the selected functional components and selection of a functional component included in the displayed user interface by a user of the mobile communication device 2 causes the mobile communication device 2 to carry out a task.
1 . Apparatus for generating a user interface for a mobile communication device, the apparatus comprising a server configured to:
generate a web resource providing a menu of functional components;
receive an indication that one or more of the functional components in the menu is/are selected for inclusion in the user interface;
generate the user interface including the selected functional component(s) based on the received indication;
receive a request for the user interface from the mobile communication device; and
deliver the user interface to the mobile communication device for display by the mobile communication device,
wherein selection of a functional component included in the displayed user interface by a user of the mobile communication device causes the mobile communication device to carry out a task.
2 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the server is configured to analyse an existing web resource, and to include content from the existing web resource in the generated user interface.
3 . Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the server is configured to receive a further indication that one or more of the functional components in the menu is/are selected for inclusion in the user interface and to update the user interface to include the selected functional component(s) based on the received further indication.
4 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the server is configured to request a payment in dependence on the selected functional component(s).
5 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the task comprises initiating an application hosted by the mobile communication device.
6 . Apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the user interface is displayed by a first application hosted by the mobile communication device and the task comprises initiating a second application hosted by the mobile communication device.
7 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the task comprises initiating a telephone call.
8 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the task comprise displaying a location on a map.
9 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the task comprise creating an email.
10 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each functional component is represented by a graphical element within the user interface, each graphical element being displayed in an array.
11 . Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein each graphical element comprises an icon.
12 . A method for generating a user interface for a mobile communication device, the method comprising the server performing the steps of:
generating a menu of functional components;
receiving an indication that one or more of the functional components is/are selected for inclusion in the user interface;
generating the user interface including the selected functional component(s) based on the received indication;
receiving a request for the user interface from the mobile communication device; and
delivering the user interface to the mobile communication device for display by the mobile communication device;
wherein selection of a functional component included in the displayed user interface by a user of the mobile communication device causes the mobile communication device to carry out a task.
13 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the server performing the step of analysing an existing web resource, and wherein content from the existing web resource is included in the generated user interface.
14 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the server performing the steps of:
receiving a further indication that one or more of the functional components in the menu is/are selected for inclusion in the user interface; and
updating the user interface to include the selected functional component(s) based on the received further indication.
15 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the server performing the step of requesting a payment in dependence on the selected functional component(s).
16 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the task comprises initiating an application hosted by the mobile communication device.
17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein the user interface is displayed by a first application hosted by the mobile communication device and the task comprises initiating a second application hosted by the mobile communication device.
18 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the task comprises initiating a telephone call.
19 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the task comprises displaying a location on a map.
20 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the task comprises creating an email.
21 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein each functional component is represented by a graphical element within the user interface, each graphical element being displayed in an array.
22 . A method according to claim 21 , wherein each graphical element comprises an icon.
23 . Computer program code executed by a computer to perform the method of claim 12 .
24 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program code adapted to carry out the method of claim 12 when executed by a computer.