User-friendly data binding, such as drag-and-drop data binding in a workflow application

• US 20050066287A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ip Ot Sub Ulc
• Original Assignee: Ip Ot Sub Ulc
• Inventors: Tattrie, Scott I., Dinn, Trent S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,329,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A software facility allows for easy binding of a data component to a feature of a software component. Prior to the binding, a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component are displayed. In addition, an indication of an element of the data component is displayed in a display area approximately adjacent to the displayed software component. The software facility receives a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component. The user input command may include dragging the indication of an element of the data component from the data component display area to the feature of the software component and subsequently dropping it on the feature. As a result, the software facility automatically generates script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.

Claims

1. A computer system for binding a data retention resource to a feature of a software component, the system comprising:

a display component configured for displaying

a graphical indication of the software component, wherein the software component is a form or web form,

a graphical indication of the feature of the software component, wherein the feature of the software component is configured to display data or collect data when the form or web form is subsequently accessed by an end user as part of a workflow application, and

an indication of an element or node of the data retention resource in a display area adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component, wherein the data retention resource is a database or an XML data retention resource;

at least one input device configured for receiving a user input command to bind the data retention resource to the feature of the software component, wherein the user input command is generated by using the input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data retention resource from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form; and

a processor component for automatically generating a script that provides executable instructions to bind the data retention resource to the form or web form.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the feature of the form or web form is a control configured to collect information when the form or web form is subsequently accessed by an end user, and wherein the binding of the data retention resource to the control allows the data retention resource to be populated by information provided by the end user during the subsequent access.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the feature of the form or web form is a control configured to display information when the form or web form is subsequently accessed by an end user, and wherein the binding of the data retention resource to the control allows the control to be populated by information in the data retention resource during the subsequent access.

4. A method in a computer for binding a data component to a feature of a software component, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;

displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component in a data component display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component;

receiving a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data component from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the software component and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature; and

automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the software component is a form for use in a workflow application.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the software component is a web form for use in a workflow application.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the software component is a custom component for use in a workflow application.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the feature is a control associated with collecting information from an end user.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the feature is a control associated with displaying information to an end user.

10. The method of claim 4 further comprising populating the feature with information from the data component when the software component is accessed by an end user.

11. The method of claim 4 further comprising populating the data component with information entered onto the software component when an access of the software component by an end user is complete.

12. The method of claim 4 wherein the data component is an XML data component.

13. The method of claim 4 wherein the data component is a database.

14. A computer-readable medium associated with a script providing instructions for binding a feature of a software component to a data storage component, the script generated by a method comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;

displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component in a data component display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component;

receiving a user input command to bind the feature of the software component to the data component, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data component from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the software component and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature; and

based on the received input command, causing the script to be automatically generated.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the computer-readable medium is a computer memory.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the computer-readable medium is a network node.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the computer-readable medium is a disk.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the computer-readable medium is transmitted via a network communication.

19. A method in a computer for binding a feature of a software component to a data storage component, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;

displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component; and

receiving a user input command to bind the feature of the software component to the data component, wherein the user input command does not require that the user input code or script to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data source; and

after the data source and the feature of the software component are bound, displaying an icon near the graphical indication of the feature, wherein the icon indicates that the data source and the feature of the software component have been bound.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data source; and

after the data source and the feature of the software component are bound, displaying properties of the binding in a property view.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data source; and

after the data source and the feature of the software component are bound, displaying the generated script or code in a script view.

24. A computer system for binding an XML data element or node to a user interface feature for use to collect or display data in an end user application, the system comprising:

means for displaying a graphical indication of the user interface feature;

means for displaying an indication of the XML data element or node in a data display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the user interface feature;

means for receiving a user input command to bind the user XML data element or node to the interface feature, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of the XML data element or node from the data display area to the graphical indication of the user interface feature; and

means for automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the XML data element or node to the user interface feature.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

means for subsequently displaying the bound user interface feature for the purpose of collecting information from an end user; and

means for populating the bound XML data element or node by information provided by the end user during the subsequent display.

26. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

means for subsequently displaying the bound user interface feature for the purpose of providing selectable information to an end user; and

means for populating the bound user interface feature with selectable information based on the XML data element or node.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the end-user application is a workflow application.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the data display area shows a hierarchical organization of related XML elements or nodes, including the XML data element or node.

29. In a workflow application, a method for binding a database element to a user interface feature, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of the user interface feature, wherein the user interface feature is configured for later use by an end user to collect or display data in the workflow application;

displaying an indication of the database element in a data display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the user interface feature;

receiving an input command to bind the database element to the user interface feature, wherein the input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of the database element from the data display area to the graphical indication of the user interface feature; and

automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the database element to the user interface feature.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the data display area shows a hierarchical organization of a database associated with the database element.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is a text box.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is a list box.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is a combo box.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is an interactive calendar feature.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is a date and time feature.

36. The method of claim 29 wherein the user interface feature is a custom feature.