Hypertext based remote graphic user interface control system

• US 5,801,689 A
• Filed: 01/22/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Extended Systems Inc. (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Extended Systems Inc. (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Huntsman, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Katbab, A.
• Application Number:
  US08/599,458
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 395/335, 395/200.01, 395/200.02, 395/200.9, 395/200.17, 395/200.18, 395/200.3, 395/200.33, 395/200.34, 395/200.38, 395/200.47 , 395/200.5, 395/200.6, 345/329, 345/330, 345/331, 345/332, 345/333, 345/334, 345/335, 345/339, 345/971
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications

Abstract

A remote control system for remotely controlling a Microsoft Windows or other GUI-based first computer from a second computer over the internet using only a standard world-wide-web hypertext browser on the second computer. The second controlling computer may be dissimilar from the first controlled computer user interface, underlying operating system, and hardware architecture.

Claims

1. A GUI-screen-to-hypertext converter for converting a GUI screen to hypertext comprising:

a GUI-screen-reading means for retrieving and converting a GUI screen into screen image data,

a GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means for converting screen image data into hypertext,

the GUI-screen-reading means is software coupled to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means, allowing screen image data to pass from the GUI-screen-reading means to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means

whereby the GUI screen is retrieved and converted to hypertext.

2. A hypertext-to-GUI-response means for converting a hypertext data request to a GUI control command comprising:

a hypertext-reception means for receiving the hypertext data request,

a hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means for interpreting hypertext data requests as the GUI control command, and

a programmatic-GUI-control-execution means for executing the GUI control command,

the hypertext-reception means is software coupled to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means,

the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means is software coupled to the programmatic-GUI-control-execution means,

whereby the hypertext-reception means receives the hypertext data request and presents the hypertext data request to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means, the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means interprets the hypertext data request as the GUI control commands and executes the interpreted GUI control commands using the programmatic-GUI-control-execution means.

3. A remote control system for controlling a GUI program on a first computer with a hypertext browser program on one or more second computers comprising:

a GUI-screen-to-hypertext converter for converting a GUI screen to hypertext further comprising;

a GUI-screen-reading means for retrieving and converting a GUI screen into screen image data,

a GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means for converting screen image data into hypertext,

the GUI-screen-reading means is software coupled to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means, allowing screen image data to pass from the GUIscreen-reading means to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means

whereby the GUI screen is retrieved and converted to hypertext,

a hypertext-to-GUI-response means for converting a hypertext data request to a GUI control command further comprising;

a hypertext-reception means for receiving the hypertext data request,

a hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means for interpreting hypertext data requests as the GUI control command, and

a programmatic-GUI-control-execution means for executing the GUI control command,

the hypertext-reception means is software coupled to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means,

the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means is software coupled to the programmatic-GUI-control-execution means,

whereby the hypertext-reception means receives the hypertext data request and presents the hypertext data request to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means, the hypertext-to-GUI control-interpretation means interprets the hypertext data request as the GUI control commands and executes the interpreted GUI control commands using the programmatic-GUI-control-execution means, and

a coordinated naming convention,

whereby program on said first computer is remotely controlled by hypertext browser program of said second computer, and information contained on GUI screen of said first computer is reflected on the screen of the hypertext viewer on the second computer.

4. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said GUI-screen-reading means is the Microsoft Windows CopyScreentoDib() function.

5. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means further includes a software means to convert screen image to a set of HTML and GIF files.

6. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said hypertext-reception means further includes a software means to receive HTML data via the HTTP protocol.

7. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means is HTML further including clickable images of HTML.

8. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said programmatic GUI-control-execution means is Microsoft Windows hooks routines including JournalPlaybackFunc().

9. The remote control system of claim 3 wherein said GUI-screen-reading means is the Microsoft Windows CopyScreentoDib() function, said GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translating means further includes a software means to convert screen image to a set of HTML and GIF files, said hypertext-reception means further includes a software means to receive HTML data via the HTTP protocol, said hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpretation means is HTML further including clickable images of HTML, and said programmatic GUI-control-execution means is Microsoft Windows hooks routines including JournalPlaybackFunc().

10. A GUI-screen-to-hypertext converter, comprising:

a GUI-screen reader;

a GUI-screen-to-hypertext translator;

the GUI-screen-reader is software coupled to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator, allowing screen image data to pass from the GUI-screen-reader to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator; and

whereby the GUI screen is retrieved and converted to hypertext.

11. A hypertext-to-GUI-responder, comprising:

a hypertext-receiver;

a hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter;

a programmatic-GUI-control-executor;

the hypertext-receiver is software coupled to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter;

the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter is software coupled to the programmatic-GUI-control-executor; and

whereby the hypertext-receiver receives the hypertext data request and presents the hypertext data request to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter, the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter interprets the hypertext data request as the GUI control commands and executes the interpreted GUI control commands using the programmatic-GUI-control-executor.

12. A remote control system having a GUI program on a first computer and a hypertext browser program on at least one second computer, comprising:

a GUI-screen to hypertext converter comprising

a GUI-screen-reader,

a GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator,

the GUI-screen-reader is software coupled to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator, allowing screen image data to pass from the GUI-screen-reader to the GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator, and

whereby the GUI screen is retrieved and converted to hypertext;

a hypertext-to-GUI-responder comprising

a hypertext-receiver,

a hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter,

a programmatic-GUI-control-executor, the hypertext-receiver is software coupled to the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter,

the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter is software coupled to the programmatic-GUI-control-executor, and

whereby the hypertext-receiver receives the hypertext data request and presents the hypertext data request to the hypertext-to-GUI control-interpreter, the hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter interprets the hypertext data request as the GUI control commands and executes the interpreted GUI control commands using the programmatic-GUI-control-executor;

a coordinated naming convention; and

whereby program on said first computer is remotely controlled by hypertext browser program of said second computer, and information contained on GUI screen of said first computer is reflected on the screen of the hypertext viewer on the second computer.

13. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said GUI-screen-reader is the Microsoft Windows CopyScreentoDib() function.

14. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator converts said screen image data to a set of HTML and GIF files.

15. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said hypertext-receiver receives HTML data via the HTTP protocol.

16. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter is HTML further including clickable images of HTML.

17. The remote control system of claim 12 wherein said programmatic-GUI-control-executor is Microsoft Windows hooks routines including JournalPlaybackFunc().

18. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein:

said GUI-screen-reader is the Microsoft Windows CopyScreentoDibo function;

said GUI-screen-to-hypertext-translator converts said screen image data to a set of HTML and GIF files;

said hypertext-receiver receives HTML data via the HTTP protocol;

said hypertext-to-GUI-control-interpreter is HTML further including clickable images of HTML; and

said programmatic-GUI-control-executor is Microsoft Windows hooks routines including JournalPlaybackFunc().