Application control module for common user access interface
First Claim
1. A method for providing an operating environment for multiple applications using a common user access interface in a computer system, said computer system comprising a system memory and mass storage, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing graphic user interface (GUI) data structures in an application, wherein said GUI data structures comprise data for use by a control module of said operating environment for defining how data is to be presented and gathered and how user input events are to be gathered, said control module comprising code for handling user interface functions common to said multiple applications;
storing database data structures in said application, wherein said database data structures comprise data for use by said control module for defining how user data is to be read from and written to said mass storage;
storing control module data structures in said application, wherein said control module data structures comprise data for use by said control module for defining an appearance and operation of said application;
said application requesting loading of said control module into said system memory;
dynamically linking said control module to said application;
said control module initializing said control module data structures;
said control module displaying said application on a display screen of said computer system in accordance with said defined application appearance and;
said control module responding to user input events in accordance with said defined application operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An application management system for achieving a common user access (CUA) interface throughout multiple applications of a computer system is described. The system includes an operating environment having an application control module (ACM) that is run-time bound and executable by the applications. The ACM furnishes generalized procedural codes for each application. The application uses data structures to define the appearance and operation of the application to the ACM. The system also integrates the application program interfaces (API'"'"'s) of an operating environment graphic user interface (GUI) system and a database management system (DBMS) within the ACM. The invention reduces the programming required for applications and improves consistency in programming across multiple applications.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for providing an operating environment for multiple applications using a common user access interface in a computer system, said computer system comprising a system memory and mass storage, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing graphic user interface (GUI) data structures in an application, wherein said GUI data structures comprise data for use by a control module of said operating environment for defining how data is to be presented and gathered and how user input events are to be gathered, said control module comprising code for handling user interface functions common to said multiple applications; storing database data structures in said application, wherein said database data structures comprise data for use by said control module for defining how user data is to be read from and written to said mass storage; storing control module data structures in said application, wherein said control module data structures comprise data for use by said control module for defining an appearance and operation of said application; said application requesting loading of said control module into said system memory; dynamically linking said control module to said application; said control module initializing said control module data structures; said control module displaying said application on a display screen of said computer system in accordance with said defined application appearance and; said control module responding to user input events in accordance with said defined application operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification