Multi-monitor, multi-JVM Java GUI infrastructure with layout via XML

• US 20100146505A1
• Filed: 10/23/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Almonte, Nicholas A., Stubbs, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,863,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method and system are provided which allows enhanced support to graphical user interface (GUI) displays on multiple monitors. An extended markup language file provides code to configure each GUI. GUI software need not be re-compiled in order to implement changes in the layout of displays or to accommodate additional monitors. Potential display event handling delays are minimized by providing multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs) for GUIs. In one aspect, one JVM is provided for each GUI.

Claims

1. A computing system comprising:

a plurality of graphical user interfaces for a plurality of monitors;

a plurality of Java Virtual machines (JVMs), one Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for each graphical user interface;

an event queue for each graphical user interface, the event queue existing on a one-to-one basis with the graphical user interface;

a computer programmed with a file including a class that distributes event and configuration information to the JVMs said file including graphic user display information for configuration of visual content on said plurality of monitors.

2. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer comprises a workstation.

3. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer comprises a multi-modal workstation.

4. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said file is an extended markup language (XML) file.

5. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said computer is programmed according a language selected from Java and C Sharp.

6. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein a one-to-one correspondence exist between Java Virtual Machines and monitors.

7. A computing system as recited in claim 4 wherein said XML file defines a layout of a plurality of GUIs, each GUI associated with a monitor and said GUIs being capable of operating independently from one another.

8. A computing system as recited in claim 4 wherein said XML file is comprised of GUI layout information and is capable of being changed without the need to re-compile Multi-Monitor Multi-JVM Java GUI code in connection with GUI layout modifications to said system.

9. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said workstation may be a multiprocessor workstation.

10. A computing system as recited in claim 8 wherein said XML file defines the number of JVMs to be started by said system.

11. A method of supporting multiple displays by a multi-modal computing system comprising:

providing a GUI configuration file for a computer used in connection with a workstation providing selected graphical user displays to a plurality of monitors;

providing a plurality of JVMs for said plurality of monitors;

parsing said file in connection with providing GUIs on said monitors; and

providing an event queue for each GUI, the event queue existing on a one-to-one basis with the GUI.

12. A method of supporting multiple displays as recited in claim 11 wherein JVMs are provided to monitors on a maximum one-to-one basis.

13. A method of supporting multiple displays as recited in claim 11 wherein said file consists of an XML file that may be parsed by a Java or C-Sharp implementation.

14. A method of supporting multiple displays as recited in claim 11 wherein a display information is updated on said plurality of monitors in connection with business, selected from the group consisting of banking, lending, real estate and commodities trading.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said monitors display information according to a language of choice.