Dialog system

• US 5,583,982 A
• Filed: 08/26/1994
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Object Technology Licensing Corporation
• Inventors: Matheny, John R., White, Christopher, Anderson, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Application Number:
  US08/297,432
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500, 395/600, 395/155, 395/159, 395/161
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/24 Object-oriented

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a dialog processing system is disclosed. Dialogs include variables that reflect the system'"'"'s current state. This includes status information determinative of a command'"'"'s state (enabled/disabled), its name, its associated graphic, and whether its appearance is currently valid. The invention creates a dialog including an object'"'"'s data structure containing a command sequence. The command is added to a list of commands, and a dialog box is presented to the user. Later when the dialog is processed, the appearance state is recomputed based on the system state.

Claims

1. An object-oriented dialog system for use in a computer system having a memory means, model data stored in said memory means, a plurality of objects which utilize said model data, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a dialog box display containing a control display which includes a display of said stored model data and which can be manipulated by a user to modify said stored model data, said dialog system comprising:

(a) means responsive to a first user command for generating a control object, said control object having a method for generating said control display, a method for generating said model data display, a method for generating a modify command for modifying said model data and a method for generating a data change notification;

(b) means for activating said dialog box display in response to a second user command; and

(c) means responsive to a user manipulation of said control display for executing said modify command to modify said stored model data and said model data display; and

(d) means responsive to a modification of said stored model data for executing said method for generating a data change notification, said data change notification thereupon being forwarded to said plurality of objects.

2. A dialog system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means responsive to user manipulation of said control display for generating a command object and means located in said control object and responsive to said command object for executing said modify command.

3. A dialog system as recited in claim 1, further comprising processor means responsive to said data change notification for controlling said plurality of objects to accurately reflect the current state of system information.

4. A dialog system as recited in claim 1, further comprising temporary storage means for storing model data display information.

5. A dialog system as recited in claim 4, further comprising interrupt detection means responsive to a third user command for changing said model data to said stored model data display information.

6. A dialog system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means responsive to a fourth user command for generating a second control object having a method for generating a second modify command for modifying said model data and means responsive to a fifth user command for executing said modify command and said second modify command.

7. A dialog system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means responsive to a sixth user command for generating a second control object which operates independently from said control object.

8. A dialog system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means responsive to a seventh user command for generating a second control object which operates together with said control object to perform an action.

9. A method for implementing dialog boxes in a computer system having a memory means, model data stored in said memory means, a plurality of objects which utilize said model data, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, means for generating on said visual display a dialog box display containing a control display which includes a display of said stored model data and which can be manipulated by a user to modify said stored model, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a control object in response to a first user command, said control object having a method for generating said control display, a method for generating said model data display and a method for generating a modify command for modifying said model data;

(b) activating said dialog box display in response to a second user command; and

(c) executing said modify command to modify said stored model data and said model data display in response to a user manipulation of said control display; and

(d) executing said method for generating a data change notification in response to a modification of said stored model data, said data change notification thereupon being forwarded to said plurality of objects.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (b) comprises the step of activating a dialog box display which includes control displays that display real model data.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (d) comprises the step of:

(d1) forwarding said data change notification to said plurality of objects to cause said plurality of objects to accurately reflect the current state of system information.

12. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c1) buffering command operations.

13. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c2) determining if a user has decided to execute the command operations buffered in step (c1).

14. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c3) synchronizing execution of a plurality of command operations buffered in step (c1).

15. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c4) executing a plurality of independent control actions buffered in step (c1).

16. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c5) coordinating a plurality of controls to act together to perform an action.

17. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

(e) generating a command object in response to user manipulation of said control display; and

(f) executing said modify command in response to said command object.

18. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of:

(g) controlling said plurality of objects to accurately reflect the current state of system information in response to said data change notification.

19. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the computer system comprises a temporary storage means and wherein the method further comprises the step of:

(h) for storing model data display information.

20. A method as recited in claim 19 further comprising the step of:

(i) changing said model data to said stored model data display information.

21. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

(j) generating a second control object having a method for generating a second modify command for modifying said model data means in response to a fourth user command; and

(k) executing said modify command and said second modify command in response to a fifth user command.

22. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

(l) generating a second control object which operates independently from said control object in response to a sixth user command.

23. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of:

(m) generating a second control object which operates together with said control object to perform an action in response to a seventh user command.

24. An object-oriented dialog system for use in a computer system having a memory means, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a display of model data, a dialog box display containing a first control display which can be manipulated by a user to modify said model data and a second control display which incorporates said display of model data, said dialog system comprising:

(a) means responsive to a first user command for generating a first control object, said first control object having a first method for generating said first control display, a second method for generating a parameterized modify command for modifying said model data and parameter data for said command stored in said memory means;

(b) means responsive to a second user command for generating a second control object, said second control object having a third method for generating said model data display and a fourth method for modifying said stored parameter data;

(c) means responsive to a user manipulation of said second control display for executing said fourth method to modify said stored parameter data; and

(d) means responsive to a user manipulation of said first control display for executing said parameterized modify command to modify said stored model data.

25. A dialog system as recited in claim 24 further comprising a plurality of other objects and wherein said first control object comprises means responsive to a modification of said stored model data for generating a data change notification, said data change notification thereupon being forwarded to said plurality of other objects to notify said plurality of other objects of a data change.

26. A dialog system as recited in claim 25, further comprising processor means responsive to said data change notification for controlling said plurality of other objects to accurately reflect the current state of system information.

27. A dialog system as recited in claim 24, further comprising temporary storage means for storing model data display information.

28. A dialog system as recited in claim 27, further comprising interrupt detection means responsive to a third user command for changing said model data to said stored model data display information.

29. A dialog system as recited in claim 24, further comprising means responsive to a fourth user command for generating a third control object having a method for generating a second modify command for modifying said model data and means responsive to a fifth user command for executing said modify command and said second modify command.

30. A dialog system as recited in claim 24, further comprising means responsive to a sixth user command for generating a third control object which operates independently from said first and said second control object.

31. A dialog system as recited in claim 24, further comprising means responsive to a seventh user command for generating a third control object which operates together with said first and second control objects to perform an action.

32. A method for implementing dialog boxes for use in a computer system having a memory means, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, means for generating on said visual display a dialog box display containing a display of model data, a first control display which can be manipulated by a user to modify said model data and a second control display which incorporates said display of model data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a first control object in response to a first user command, said first control object having a first method for generating said first control display, a second method for generating a parameterized modify command for modifying said model data and parameter data for said command stored in said memory means;

(b) generating a second control object in response to a second user command, said second control object having a third method for generating said model data display and a fourth method for modifying said stored parameter data;

(c) executing said fourth method to modify said stored parameter data in response to a user manipulation of said second control display; and

(d) executing said parameterized modify command to modify said stored model data in response to a user manipulation of said first control display.

33. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said computer system comprises a plurality of other objects and wherein step (d) comprise the steps of:

(d1) generating a data change notification; and

(d2) forwarding said data change notification to said plurality of other objects to notify said plurality of other objects of a data change.

34. A method as recited in claim 33 wherein step (d) further comprises the step of:

(d3) controlling said plurality of other objects in response to the data change notification to accurately reflect the current state of system information.

35. A method as recited in claim 34 wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:

(b1) temporarily storing model data display information.

36. A method as recited in claim 35 wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:

(b2) changing said model data to said model data display information stored in step (b1) in response to a third user command.

37. A method as recited in claim 32 further comprising the steps of:

(e) generating a third control object having a method for generating a second modify command for modifying said model data in response to a fourth user command;

(f) executing said modify command and said second modify command in response to a fifth user command.

38. A method as recited in claim 32 further comprising the step of:

(g) generating a third control object which operates independently from said first and said second control object in response to a sixth user command.

39. A method as recited in claim 32 further comprising the step of:

(h) means responsive to a seventh user command for generating a third control object which operates together with said first and second control objects to perform an action.

40. An object-oriented dialog system for use in a computer system having a memory means for storing model data with original values, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a dialog box display and a first control display which can be manipulated by a user to perform an operation, said dialog system comprising:

(a) means responsive to a first user command for generating a first control object, said first control object having a first method for generating said first control display, a second method for modifying said model data and a third method for restoring said model data to said original values;

(b) an undo stack stored in said memory means, said undo stack having at least one location for storing said original values;

(c) means responsive to a user manipulation of said first control display for executing said second method to modify said model data; and

(d) means responsive to a user undo command for changing said model data modified by said second method to said original values stored in said undo stack.

41. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 40 wherein said undo stack comprises a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

42. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 41 further comprising means responsive to successive user undo commands for repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data.

43. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 40 further comprising:

(e) a redo stack stored in said memory means, said redo stack having at least one location for storing modified values of said model data resulting from execution of said second method; and

(f) means responsive to a user redo command for changing said model data to said stored modified values.

44. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 43 wherein said redo stack comprises a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

45. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 44 further comprising means responsive to successive user redo commands for repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data.

46. A method for manipulating dialog box displays in a computer system having a memory means for storing model data with original values, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a dialog box display and a first control display which can be manipulated by a user to perform an operation, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a first control object in response to a first user command, said first control object having a first method for generating said first control display, a second method for modifying said model data and a third method for restoring said model data to said original values;

(b) creating an undo stack in said memory means, said undo stack having at least one location for storing said original values;

(c) executing said second method to modify said model data in response to a user manipulation of said first control display; and

(d) changing said model data modified in step (c) to said original values stored in step (b) in response to a user undo command.

47. A method as recited in claim 46 wherein step (b) comprises the step of:

(b1) creating said undo stack with a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

48. A method as recited in claim 47 further comprising the step of:

(e) repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data in response to successive user undo commands.

49. A method as recited in claim 46 further comprising the steps of:

(f) creating a redo stack in said memory means, said redo stack having at least one location for storing modified values of said model data resulting from modifications in step (c); and

(g) means responsive to a user redo command for changing said model data restored in step (d) to said modified values stored in step (e).

50. A method as recited in claim 49 wherein step (f) comprises the step of:

(f1) creating a redo stack which comprises a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

51. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 50 wherein step (g) further comprises the step of:

(g1) repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data.

52. An object-oriented dialog system for use in a computer system having a memory means for storing model data, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a dialog box display, a first control display and a second control display, each of which can be manipulated by a user to perform an operation, said dialog system comprising:

(a) means responsive to a first user command for generating a first control object, said first control object having a first method for modifying said model data from first original values to first modified values;

(b) means responsive to a second user command for generating a second control object, said second control object having a second method for modifying said model data from second original values to second modified values;

(c) an undo stack stored in said memory means, said undo stack having a plurality of locations for storing said first and said second original values;

(d) means responsive to a user manipulation of said first control display for executing said first method to modify said first original values of said model data to said first modified values and for storing said first original values in said undo stack;

(e) means responsive to a user manipulation of said second control display for executing said second method to modify said second original values of said model data to said second modified values and for storing said second original values in said undo stack;

(f) means responsive to an execution of said first method and said second method for marking said undo stack to indicate the location of said first and said second original values;

(g) means responsive to a completion of said first and said second methods for replacing in said undo stack said first and said second original values with said first original values; and

(h) means responsive to a user undo command for changing said model data modified by said second method and said fifth method to said first original values stored in said undo stack.

53. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 52 further comprising:

(i) a redo stack stored in said memory means, said redo stack having at least two locations for storing said first and said second modified values of said model data resulting from execution of said first and said second methods; and

(j) means responsive to a user redo command for changing said model data to one of said stored first and second modified values.

54. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 53 wherein said redo stack comprises a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

55. An object-oriented dialog system as recited in claim 54 further comprising means responsive to successive user redo commands for repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data.

56. A method for manipulating dialog boxes for use in a computer system having a memory means for storing model data, means for receiving user commands and a visual display, said dialog system generating on said visual display a dialog box display, a first control display and a second control display, each of which can be manipulated by a user to perform an operation, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a first control object in response to a first user command, said first control object having a first method for modifying said model data from first original values to first modified values;

(b) generating a second control object in response to a second user command, said second control object having a second method for modifying said model data from second original values to second modified values;

(c) creating an undo stack stored in said memory means, said undo stack having a plurality of locations for storing said first and said second original values;

(d) executing said first method to modify said first original values of said model data to said first modified values and for storing said first original values in said undo stack in response to a user manipulation of said first control display;

(e) executing said second method to modify said second original values of said model data to said second modified values and for storing said second original values in said undo stack in response to a user manipulation of said second control display;

(f) marking said undo stack to indicate the location of said first and said second original values in response to an execution of said first method and said second method;

(g) replacing in said undo stack said first and said second original values with said first original values at a completion of said first and said second methods; and

(h) changing said model data modified by said second method and said fifth method to said first original values stored in said undo stack in response to a user undo command.

57. A method as recited in claim 56 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c1) creating a redo stack stored in said memory means, said redo stack having at least two locations for storing said first and said second modified values of said model data resulting from execution of said first and said second methods; and

wherein step (h) comprises the step of;

(h1) changing said model data to one of said stored first and second modified values in response to a user redo command.

58. A method as recited. in claim 57 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(c2) creating a redo stack which comprises a plurality of locations for storing a plurality of sets of model data, each set of model data comprising successive modifications of said model data.

59. A method as recited in claim 58 wherein step (h) further comprises the step of:

(h2) repeatedly replacing said model data with said successive modifications of said model data in response to successive user redo commands.