XGL and multi-platform user interface engine

• US 20030222920A1
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Evans, Christopher A., Bybee, Andrew G., Obla, Pritvinath, Yeh, Leslie S., Neff, Chad C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,213,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/788
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for transforming a wizard container into a wizard interface, comprising:

extracting a package from the wizard container, said package containing a self-described object corresponding to a component of the wizard interface;

transforming said self-described object into said corresponding component of the wizard interface according to an object template; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said object is described using XML.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wizard container is transformed into the wizard interface, independently of a type of computer platform performing said transformation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a package is not retrieved if it has already been extracted for the wizard interface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising laying out said component in the wizard interface according to a layout template.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wizard container has an indication of a specific layout template;

retrieving said layout template and utilizing the retrieved layout template for laying out said components.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising interpreting an information data structure having an element matching said self-described object and modifying said self-described object to include data stored in said element.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said data structure is retrieved from a remote location.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said data structure is retrieved from a local location.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said data structure is retrieved after a previous interaction with the wizard interface was cancelled.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein depicting a first page further comprises transmitting a formatted page to a second computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said second computing device depicts said formatted page with web client software.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said package is a live package containing live data, further comprising retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said live package is a sub-package contained in another package.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication that an additional package is needed;

retrieving a second container with said additional package.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said indication is received when a page of at said wizard interface is depicted containing a logical branch.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said logical branch is cached.

18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for transforming a wizard container into a wizard interface by:

extracting a package from the wizard container, said package containing a self-described object corresponding to a component of the wizard interface;

transforming said self-described object into said corresponding component of the wizard interface according to an object template; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the wizard container is transformed into the wizard interface, independently of a type of computer platform performing said transformation.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein a package is not retrieved if it has already been extracted for the wizard interface.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 18, further comprising laying out said component in the wizard interface according to a layout template.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 18, further comprising interpreting an information data structure having an element matching said self-described object and modifying said self-described object to include data stored in said element.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein depicting a first page further comprises transmitting a formatted page to a second computing device.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein said packages is a live package containing live data, further comprising retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 18, further comprising receiving an indication that an additional package is needed;

retrieving a second container with said additional package.

26. A computing device having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computing device operable to transform a wizard container into a wizard interface by:

extracting one or more packages from the wizard container, each package containing one or more self-described objects corresponding to components of the wizard interface;

transforming said self-described objects into said corresponding components of the wizard interface according to an object template; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

27. A computing device in communication with a server device and a client device, the computerized device operative to:

receive a wizard container;

extract one or more packages from said wizard container, each package containing one or more self-described objects corresponding to components of a wizard interface;

transforming said self-described objects into representations of said components of said wizard interface;

laying out said representations of said components into a formatted page; and

transmitting said formatted page to said client device.