Target context aware object-based navigation

• US 20070156629A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Fischer, Iija
• Application Number:
  US11/319,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for allowing object-based navigation between business objects and applications where the displayed view of a target application is specific to the use context in which the user selects a navigation element. Context criteria on which the target view depends include the source business object, the user'"'"'s role, and the source application.

Claims

1. A method for providing context-based user navigation, comprising:

in response to a user selection of a navigation element in a source business object displayed in a source application, comparing at least one of the user'"'"'s role, the source application, and the source business object to a set of relationships between applications, user roles, and business objects specifying target application views;

if a relationship matching at least one the user'"'"'s role, the source application, or the source business object specifies a target application view, opening the target application and displaying the target view.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationships are stored in metadata of business objects.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationships are defined by a user.

4. A method for providing context-based navigation, comprising:

in response to a user operation in a source application interface, comparing at least one of the user'"'"'s role, the source application, and a source business object to a set of relationships specifying target application views;

if a relationship matching at least one of the user'"'"'s role, the source application, and the source business object specifies a target application view, constructing the target application view; and

transmitting the target application view to the user.

5. A machine-readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a processor, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform:

in response to a user selection of a navigation element in a source business object displayed in a source application, comparing at least one of the user'"'"'s role, the source application, and the source business object to a set of relationships between applications, user roles, and business objects specifying target application views;

if a relationship matching at least one of the user'"'"'s role, the source application, or the source business object specifies a target application view, opening the target application and displaying the target view.

6. The machine-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the relationships are defined by a user.

7. The machine-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the relationships are stored in metadata of business objects.

8. A system comprising:

storage for a plurality of business objects;

a source application to display navigation elements and an instance of at least one of the plurality of business objects;

a target application having multiple views;

storage for data representing a plurality of user roles maintained for the system; and

storage for a set of relationships, each relationship defining a view of a target application for a combination of a source application, a business object, and a user role.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the relationships are stored in metadata of the business objects.

10. A context aware navigation method for portal sessions, comprising, at a server:

receiving a resource request from a client representing user interactivity with a navigation element of a rendered page of information within a portal session,

determining a use context of the portal session,

generating a new portal page having a target application view based on the selected navigation element and the use context, and

transmitting the page to the client.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the resource request explicitly defines the use context.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the resource request is generic across different use contexts and use context data is maintained by the server from prior interaction with the client.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the use context represents a user role defined for portal sessions.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the use context represents a source application executing on the server for which the portal session is active.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the use context represents a business object currently active within the portal session.