Methods and systems for generating a configurable user interface

• US 20050251788A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Henke, Andreas, Sengupta, Riuparna
• Granted Patent: US 7,577,937 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention generate a user interface for a computer system. As disclosed herein, a generating tool may be used to generate the user interface using metadata of a predetermined format. The generating tool is programmed to dynamically create the metadata of the predetermined format. Metadata of the predetermined format may be provided in the form of semi-configured screens, which define user interface container elements that are configurable by the dynamically created metadata so as to define a form/location or context.

Claims

1. A method for generating a user interface for a computer system, comprising:

providing a generating tool for generating a user interface to the computer system using metadata of a predetermined format; and

programming the generating tool to dynamically create the metadata of the predetermined format.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metadata of the predetermined format is provided in semi-configured screens, which define user interface container elements that are configurable by the dynamically created metadata so as to define a form/location or a context of the user interface container elements.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating tool is programmed by free style programming.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating tool is programmed using predetermined templates for instructing the generating tool to dynamically create the metadata.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined templates provide information as to a form/location or a context for a plurality of user interface control elements in a user interface generated by the generating tool.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined templates are stored in a repository and are retrieved when configuring the user interface.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined templates are accessible and configurable by an end-user.

8. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a generating tool configured to run on the processor for generating a user interface to the computer system;

a repository comprising metadata of a predetermined format that is used by the generating tool; and

a configuration tool for dynamically creating the metadata of the predetermined format used by the generating tool.

9. The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a client system including the user interface; and

a server system connected to the client system, which executes the generating tool.

10. The computer system according to claim 10, wherein the client system is adapted to run the configuration tool.

11. A computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing a method for generating a user interface to a computer system, the method comprising:

providing a generating tool for generating a user interface to the computer system using metadata of a predetermined format; and

programming the generating tool to dynamically create the metadata of the predetermined format.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the providing step further includes providing the metadata of the predetermined format in semi-configured screens, which define user interface container elements that are configurable by the dynamically created metadata so as to define a form/location or a context of the user interface container elements.

13. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the generating tool is programmed by free style programming.

14. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the generating tool is programmed using predetermined templates for instructing the generating tool to dynamically create the metadata.

15. The computer program product according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined templates provide information as to a form/location or a context for a plurality of user interface control elements in a user interface generated by the generating tool.

16. The computer program product according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined templates are stored in a repository and are retrieved when configuring the user interface.

17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined templates are accessible and configurable by an end-user.