Object-oriented framework for menu definition
First Claim
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- a. a processor having an associated data store;
b. a plurality of sets of class objects stored in said data store, each class object defining a menu behavior in a behavior dimension and the class objects of each said set collectively defining alternative menu behaviors in a respective one of a plurality of behavior dimensions;
c. an individual object stored in said data store, said individual object defining a plurality of menu behaviors of a specific menu in multiple behavior dimensions by reference to class objects from which said menu behaviors are inherited, said plurality of menu behaviors comprising a menu behavior from each of a plurality of said sets of class objects; and
display means for producing a visible menu display exhibiting said plurality of menu behaviors defined in said individeual object.
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Abstract
A declarative object-oriented approach to menu construction provides a mechanism for specifying the behavior, appearance and function of menus as part of an interactive user interface. Menus are constructed from interchangeable object building blocks to obtain the characteristics wanted without the need to write new code or code and maintaining a coherent interface standard. The approach is implemented by dissecting interface menu behavior into modularized objects specifying orthogonal components of desirable menu behaviors. Once primary characteristics for orthogonal dimensions of menu behavior are identified, individual objects are constructed to provide specific alternatives for the behavior within the definitions of each dimension. Finally, specific objects from each dimension are combined to construct a menu having the desired selections of menu behaviors.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus, comprising:
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a. a processor having an associated data store; b. a plurality of sets of class objects stored in said data store, each class object defining a menu behavior in a behavior dimension and the class objects of each said set collectively defining alternative menu behaviors in a respective one of a plurality of behavior dimensions; c. an individual object stored in said data store, said individual object defining a plurality of menu behaviors of a specific menu in multiple behavior dimensions by reference to class objects from which said menu behaviors are inherited, said plurality of menu behaviors comprising a menu behavior from each of a plurality of said sets of class objects; and
display means for producing a visible menu display exhibiting said plurality of menu behaviors defined in said individeual object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An object-oriented framework for menu definition in a computer system having a processor, a data store, a display screen and a command input device, comprising:
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a. a taxonomy of ancestor class objects (e.g., FIG.
3) stored in said data store, each said class object comprising a definition of at least one potential menu behavior in at least one behavior dimension,b. a descendant menu object (e.g., FIG.
6) stored in said data store, said descendant menu object comprising;
reference (e.g.,
605) to at least one said ancestor class object from which potential menu behaviors in a plurality of behavior dimensions are to be inherited, and a list of menu variables (e.g., 615-635);c. means for constructing a menu instance object (e.g., FIG.
7) from said descendant menu object, said menu instance object comprising a reference (e.g.,
705) to said descendant menu object; andd. means responsive to the content of said menu instance object for displaying on said display screen a menu (e.g., FIG.
4) which includes said list of menu variables and which exhibits a plurality of inherited menu behaviors, said inherited menu behaviors corresponding to the potential memory behaviors defined in said at least one ancestor class object referenced in said descendant menu object. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for constructing menus in a computer system having a processor, a data store associated with said processor, a display and an input device, comprising:
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a. storing in said data store a plurality of sets of ancestor class objects (e.g., 205-210, 215-220), each ancestor class object defining a potential menu behavior in a behavior dimension and the ancestor objects of each said set collectively defining alternative potential menu behaviors in a respective one of a plurality of behavior dimensions; b. storing in said data store a descendant class object (e.g.,
500), said descendant class object comprising (i.) a reference (e.g.,
605) to at least one said ancestor class object from which potential menu behaviors in a plurality of behavior dimensions are to be inherited and (ii.) a list of menu variables (e.g., 615-635);c. constructing a menu instance object (e.g., FIG.
7) from said descendant menu object, said menu instance object comprising a reference (e.g.,
705) to said descendant menu object; andd. displaying a menu image (e.g., FIG.
4) on said display screen in dependence upon the content of said menu instance object, such that said menu image includes said list of menu variables and exhibits a plurality of inherited menu behaviors, said inherited menu behaviors corresponding to the potential menu behaviors defined in said at least one ancestor class object referenced in said descendant class object. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification