INTER-APPLICATION OBJECT AND RECORD ACTIONS

• US 20130073330A1
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: McCormack, Michael J., Davydok, Dmitri, Thadani, Navin, Thomson, Nick, Shutt, David, Legler, Ian, Parker, Wayne C. III
• Application Number:
  US13/239,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20130073330A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

Architecture that facilitates support for similar user interface (UI) models and user experience of independent applications. A data mapping component is provided that maps a user record of a business-centric application to a business object of the business-centric application. When employed in combination with another independent application, such as a personal information manager (PIM), a PIM component exposes the business object via a PIM user interface in a personalized way that enables user interaction with the business object to apply PIM actions to the business object. The mapping component can be a join table between the user record and the business object that enables the setting of PIM settings and user interface actions into the business product. Additionally, a communications infrastructure is provided where the PIM client UI communicates to the data-based server system in the business environment and persists PIM-specific settings to the business object.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system, comprising:

a data-based business server system in a business environment comprising a business-centric application having a user experience;

a data mapping component that maps a user record of the business-centric application, employed by a user, to a business object of the business-centric application, for creating an object-user relationship between the user record and the business object, the business-centric application associated with a business data source of the business server system;

a personal information manager (PIM) component that initiates navigation to the business environment to expose the business object of the business-centric application to the user via a PIM user interface application, having a different user experience, in a personalized way that enables user interaction with the business object through the object-user relationship to apply PIM actions to the business object, thereby integrating the business-centric application and the PIM user interface application, for persisting PIM-specific settings to the business object; and

a processor that executes computer-executable instructions associated with at least one of the data mapping component or the PIM component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data mapping component includes a contents table of user records and business objects.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the data mapping component includes a personalization table that stores properties associated with reminder functionality, follow-up functionality, and category functionality.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the personalization table is joined with a results set of an entity type when the contents table includes a categories column, the personalization table joined to provide a complete category-type property value.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the PIM action is a reminder action.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the PIM action is a follow-up action.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the PIM action is associated with a grouping action.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the PIM component propagates a change in a PIM construct to a data change in the business object.

9. A method, comprising:

employing at least one microprocessor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to perform acts of;

implementing a business environment comprising a business-centric application having a user experience via a data-based business server system;

creating an object-user relationship between a user record of the business-centric application, employed by a user, and a business object of the business-centric application;

navigating to the business environment to expose the business object of the business-centric application to the user via a personal information manager (PIM) user interface application having a different user experience, to enable user interaction with the business object by providing integration of the business-centric application and a PIM client using the PIM user interface application;

applying PIM actions to the business object via the PIM user interface application; and

persisting PIM-specific settings to the business object via the PIM user interface application.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing the relationship of the user record and business object in at least one of a server store and a local store.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising maintaining a personalization table of personalized user data for utilization with an action.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising accessing and applying the personalization table to at least one of a reminder action, follow-up action, or a category action.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising joining the personalization table with a contents table when employing an action to create a property set.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising applying the action to a persistent folder.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising including a category column, reminder column, and follow-up column in a contents table for a business object folder.

16. A method, comprising:

employing at least one microprocessor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to perform acts of;

implementing a business environment comprising a business-centric application having a user experience via a data-based business server system;

creating an object-user relationship between a user record of the business-centric application, employed by a user, and a business object of the business-centric application;

storing the relationship of the user record and business object in at least one of a server store and a local store;

navigating to the business environment to expose the business object of the business-centric application to the user via a personal information manager (PIM) user interface application having a different user experience;

providing integration of the business-centric application and a PIM client using the PIM user interface application;

applying PIM actions to the business object by user interaction via the PIM user interface application.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising maintaining and applying a personalization table to at least one of a reminder action, follow-up action, or a category action.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising joining a personalization table with a results set of an entity type when a contents table of a business object folder includes grouping functionality.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying the action to a persistent folder.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising including at least one of a category column, reminder column, or follow-up column in a contents table for a business object folder.