Method and system for embedded feedback message and graphical processing element

• US 5,736,984 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Byrne, Steve, Jellinek, Herb, Wagner, Annette
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/675,333
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 395/326-358, 434/118
• US Class Current: 715/710
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer implemented method and apparatus for processing user defined input on a graphical user interface (GUI). Initially, a first user defined input value is received in a first graphical processing element. This first graphical processing element determines if the first user defined input value is a valid input value. Typically, this is done by comparing the first user defined input value with a set of valid input values. The first graphical processing element and said feedback message are embedded in a second graphical processing element. The second graphical processing element receives a feedback message from the first graphical processing element if the first graphical processing element determines that the first user defined input value is invalid. The second graphical processing element displays the feedback message and the first graphical processing element in a GUI when the first user defined input value is invalid. The second graphical processing element uses the first graphical processing element to receive and process a second user defined input value.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for processing user defined input on a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the steps of:

receiving a first user defined input value in a first graphical processing element;

determining within said first graphical processing element if said first user defined input value is a valid input;

embedding said first graphical processing element and a feedback message in a second graphical processing element when said first user defined input value is determined to be an invalid input value; and

displaying said second graphical processing element.

2. The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a second user defined input value in said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element; and

processing said second user defined input value using said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element.

3. The method in claim 2 wherein said first graphical processing element is an object.

4. The method in claim 3 wherein said second graphical processing element is an object which reuses the first graphical processing element object.

5. The method in claim 2 wherein said second graphical processing element receives one or more parameters from said first graphical processing element which includes a location of said first graphical processing element and said feedback message.

6. The method in claim 1 wherein said first and second graphical processing elements are applets.

7. The method in claim 1 wherein said feedback message is an error message.

8. The method in claim 1 wherein said first graphical processing element receives input values on a Web page and processes the input values.

9. An apparatus for processing user defined input on a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising:

a receiver mechanism configured to receive a first user defined input value in a first graphical processing element;

a determination mechanism configured to determine within said first graphical processing element if said first user defined input value is a valid input;

an embedding mechanism configured to embed said first graphical processing element and said feedback message in said second graphical processing element; and

a display mechanism configured to display said second graphical processing element and said feedback message when said first user defined input value is determined to be an invalid input value.

10. The apparatus in claim 9 further comprising:

a receiver mechanism configured to receive a second user defined input value in said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element; and

a processor mechanism configured to process said second user defined input value in said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element.

11. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing user defined input on a graphical user interface (GUI), the computer program product comprising;

code configured to receive a first user defined input value in a first graphical processing element;

code configured to determine within said first graphical processing element if said first user defined input value is a valid input;

code configured to embed said first graphical processing element and said feedback message in said second graphical processing element; and

code configured to display a second graphical processing element which includes a feedback message when said first user defined input value is determined to be an invalid input value.

12. The computer program product in claim 11 further comprising:

code configured to receive a second user defined input value in said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element; and

code configured to process said second user defined input value in said first graphical processing element embedded in said second graphical processing element.

13. The computer program product in claim 12 wherein said first graphical processing element is an object.

14. The computer program product in claim 13 wherein said second graphical processing element is an object which reuses the first graphical processing element object.

15. The computer program product in claim 12 wherein said second graphical processing element receives one or more parameters from said first graphical processing element which includes a location of said first graphical processing element and said feedback message.

16. The computer program product in claim 11 wherein said first and second graphical processing elements are applets.

17. The computer program product in claim 11 wherein said feedback message is an error message.

18. The computer program product in claim 11 wherein said first graphical processing element receives input values on a Web page and processes the input values.