GUI-maker (data-centric automated GUI-generation)

• US 20070150821A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Carter, Michael, Princehouse, Lonnie, Thunemann, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/315,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20070150821A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

An apparatus and method for creating a data centric graphical user interface (GUI) having XML document, Style(s), unique functionality (if required or desired), and data pair(s). The XML document coded with the Style(s), unique functionality, and data pair(s) are compiled to generate GUIs where the data being displayed is of importance and not the overall layout of the data. Further presented is a system comprising various applications, data, and a data centric GUI. The data centric GUI is used to transfer the data between various applications and across various platforms while allowing for human intervention between applications and formatting of the data most beneficial to the user.

Claims

1. A method of creating a data-centric graphical user interface that is comprising the steps:

a. creating a data definition file that contains data definition;

b. inputting said data definition document into a graphical user interface generation tool that processes said data definition document; and

c. generating a graphical user interface that graphically displays said data definition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said data definition file includes style definitions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said data definition file includes function definitions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said data definition comprises a data set having at least one group of data items configured as triplets that include a data name, data type, and value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said data definition file comprises an XML document.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of adding unique functionality to said data definition document.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of adding unique functionality comprises inputting code into the data definition document that operatively performs said unique functionality.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface tool is an algorithm written in at least one computer language.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one computer language comprises:

a. C/C++

b. HTML forms

c. Java-Swing;

d. Servlets; and

e. Visual Basic.

10. A computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for creating a data-centric graphical user interface, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:

a. reading a data definition document;

b. processing data definition associated with data within said data definitions document; and

c. generating a GUI displaying said data, wherein said GUI has a configuration defined by the set of instructions.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said data definition document further includes style definitions associated with said data, said processing step further comprising a step of processing said style definitions and thereby modifying the appearance of the GUI.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the set of instructions for processing said data definition document and thereby generating a graphical user interface are written in at least one computer language and transferable to a plurality of platforms.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the set of instructions is in web form.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said data definition document includes functionality definitions associated with said data, said processing step further comprising a step of processing said functionality definitions and thereby modifying the functionality of widgets within the GUI.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said data to which said style definitions are associated include at least one of the following:

a. a data set;

b. a group; and

c. a data item.

16. A method for creating a graphical user interface that is data-centric comprising the steps:

a. identifying a data set including at least one group of data triplets;

b. identifying a list of style definitions;

c. creating a data definition file that comprised of said data set and said style definitions wherein said style definitions may be associated with at least one of the following, said data set, said at least one group, and said data triplets; and

d. reading said data definition file into a GUI Generation tool that processes said data set and said style definitions within said data definition document; and

e. generating a GUI that is defined by said GUI generation tool default data definition and said style definitions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said data triplets comprise:

a. a data name;

b. a data type; and

c. a data value.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said data definition file comprises an XML document.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said style definitions define the appearance of objects within said GUI.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said data definition file includes functionality definitions associated with data within said data definition file, said GUI generated is further defined by said functionality definitions that control the functionality of widgets within the GUI.