Multi-task recorder

• US 20030023952A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: InReach, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: InReach, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Harmon, Charles Reid Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/782,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023952A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/106
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells

Abstract

A method, system, and computer-readable medium controls one or more applications in a graphical user interface type operating system. All events that occur through the graphical user interface are recorded and a script file is generated comprising instructions based on the recorded events. A compiler compiles the script file into a binary language file; and an event player executes the binary language file to control the one or more computer applications according to the instructions. In a preferred embodiment, all mouse and keyboard events that occur through a graphical user interface in a Windows, MacOS, or X-windows based operating system are recorded. The above events are created directly or indirectly by a user of the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A method for controlling one or more computer applications in a graphical user interface type operating system comprising the steps of:

generating a script file comprising instructions for controlling one or more computer applications;

compiling said script file into a binary language file;

executing said binary language file to control said one or more computer applications according to said instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

editing said script file to modify said instructions;

recompiling said edited script file into a second binary language file; and

executing said second binary language file to control said one or more computer applications according to said modified instructions.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of recording all events that occur through the graphical user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said events comprise mouse and keyboard events.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said mouse events are selected from the group consisting of:

mouse button press, mouse button release, type of mouse button, mouse position, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said keyboard events are selected from the group consisting of:

key press, key release, key name, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein said events are created directly or indirectly by a user of the graphical user interface.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein said graphical user interface type operating system is a Windows, MacOS, or X-windows based operating system.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of recording an elapsed time between sequential events and a configuration of each open window, wherein said configuration comprises size, appearance, and position information pertaining to each open window.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether said one or more applications are closed; and

based upon said determination, opening said one or more closed applications.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said script file or said binary language file in a storage medium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating said script file occurs at a first computer and said step of compiling said script file or executing said binary language file occurs at a second computer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting said script or said binary language file from said first computer to said second computer.

14. A system for controlling one or more applications in a graphical user interface type operating system comprising:

an event recorder for recording all events that occur through the graphical user interface and for generating a script file comprising instructions based on said recorded events;

a compiler for compiling said script file into a binary language file; and

an event player for executing said binary language file to control said one or more computer applications according to said instructions.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said events comprise mouse and keyboard events.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said mouse events are selected from the group consisting of:

mouse button press, mouse button release, type of mouse button, mouse position, or a combination thereof.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said keyboard events are selected from the group consisting of:

key press, key release, key name, or a combination thereof.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said events are created directly or indirectly by a user of the graphical user interface.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said graphical user interface type operating system is a Windows, MacOS, or X-windows based operating system.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said event recorder further records an elapsed time between sequential events and a configuration of each open window, wherein said configuration comprises size, appearance, and position information pertaining to each open window.

21. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for storing said script file and said binary language file in a storage medium.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for sending said script or said binary language file from a first computer to a second computer.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon for controlling one or more computer applications in a graphical user interface type operating system, the instructions comprising modules including:

a recording module for recording all events that occur through the graphical user interface and generating a script file comprising instructions based on said recorded events;

a compiling module for compiling said script file into a binary language file; and

an executing module for executing said binary language file to control said one or more computer applications according to said instructions.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein said events comprise mouse and keyboard events.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein said mouse events are selected from the group consisting of:

mouse button press, mouse button release, type of mouse button, mouse position, or a combination thereof.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein said keyboard events are selected from the group consisting of:

key press, key release, key name, or a combination thereof.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein said recording module further comprises instructions to determine whether said one or more applications are closed;

and

based upon said determination, open said one or more closed applications.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein said events are created directly or indirectly by a user of the graphical user interface.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein said graphical user interface type operating system is a Windows, MacOS, or X-windows based operating system.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said recording module records an elapsed time between sequential events and a configuration of each open window, wherein said configuration comprises size, appearance, and position information pertaining to each open window.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, further comprising instructions for storing said script file and said binary language file in a storage medium.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, further comprising instructions for sending said script or said binary language file from a first computer to a second computer.