Flexible and extensible combination user interfaces
First Claim
1. A system for providing a flexible and extensible metadata-driven user interface that combines deductive and task-based interfaces, comprising:
- a metadata database for storing metadata, the metadata identifying user interface elements and indicating properties relating to the user interface elements, the metadata database enabling flexibility and extensibility through additions and modifications of the metadata;
a task database for storing a state of tasks of a user; and
a component that, when requested, provides a user interface that enables the user to complete a task, the user interface generated from the metadata database based on an indicated task and the state of the task for the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flexible and extensible combination user interfaces are described. Combination user interfaces combine task-based and deductive user interfaces in such a manner that complex user interactions can be facilitated using a more meaningful and intuitive user interface than would have been possible using task-based or deductive user interfaces exclusively. The described combination user interfaces are flexible and extensible. They are flexible in that users can work on multiple tasks or switch between tasks without first needing to complete another task. They are extensible in that they can be extended to add, modify, or remove tasks or portions of tasks. User interfaces can be extended by manipulating metadata associated with the user interfaces. The combination user interface can be combined with an Inbox concept to facilitate saving and assigning tasks. The Inbox represents a work queue for a user.
74 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for providing a flexible and extensible metadata-driven user interface that combines deductive and task-based interfaces, comprising:
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a metadata database for storing metadata, the metadata identifying user interface elements and indicating properties relating to the user interface elements, the metadata database enabling flexibility and extensibility through additions and modifications of the metadata;
a task database for storing a state of tasks of a user; and
a component that, when requested, provides a user interface that enables the user to complete a task, the user interface generated from the metadata database based on an indicated task and the state of the task for the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method performed by a computing system for providing a flexible and extensible metadata-driven combination user interface, the combination user interface combining deductive and task-based interfaces, comprising:
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retrieving metadata, the metadata identifying user interface elements and indicating properties relating to the user interface elements, the metadata enabling flexibility and extensibility through additions and modifications of the metadata; and
providing a user interface that enables a user to complete a task, the user interface generated from the retrieved metadata based on an indicated task. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. One or more propagated data signals collectively conveying data that causes a computing system to perform a method for providing a flexible and extensible metadata-driven combination user interface, the combination user interface combining deductive and task-based interfaces, the method comprising:
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retrieving metadata, the metadata identifying user interface elements and indicating properties relating to the user interface elements, the metadata enabling flexibility and extensibility through additions and modifications of the metadata; and
providing a user interface that enables a user to complete a task, the user interface generated from the retrieved metadata based on an indicated task.
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21. One or more propagated data signals collectively conveying metadata, the metadata comprising:
indications of user interface elements and properties relating to the user interface elements, the user interface elements for providing at least a portion of a flexible and extensible metadata-driven combination user interface.
Specification