×

Process of designing user's interfaces for application programs

  • US 5,327,529 A
  • Filed: 09/09/1992
  • Issued: 07/05/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for invoking a user interface for use with an application operating in a computer system comprising the steps of:

  • providing in the computer system a generic object class that corresponds to a class of function performed with the user interface;

    specifying in the application instance data in the form of a generic object specification that corresponds to the generic object class, the instance data including attribute criteria, which are criteria that must be met by a specific user interface implementation that is selected using the instance data, and hint criteria, which are criteria that are permitted but not required to be specified in the instance data, and if specified, are permitted but not required to be met by a specific user interface implementation that is selected using the instance data;

    providing in the computer system a specific use interface toolbox and controller that operates in the computer system to provide a selection of possible specific user interface implementations for use in performing the class of function; and

    providing in the computer system an interpreter for the specific user interface toolbox and controller, the interpreter operating in the computer system to select a specific user interface implementation from the selection of possible specific user interface implementations, such that a selected specific user interface implementation satisfies both the attribute criteria and hint criteria specified for the generic object class, except if no specific user interface implementation satisfies both the attribute criteria and hint criteria specified for the generic object class then the interpreter being operable to select another specific user interface implementation that satisfies the attribute criteria but not all of the hint criteria that have been specified for the generic object class.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×