Non-programming method and apparatus for creating wizards with a script

• US 5,859,637 A
• Filed: 02/13/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Tidwell, Leonard Douglas II
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/800,002
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326-350, 434/118, 395/682
• US Class Current: 715/708
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided whereby a person not familiar with programming or programming languages can create a wizard to interface between an application program and the user to guide the user through the interaction with the application program. This allows non-programmers to create intuitive and sensible user interfaces without the requirement of learning how to write software.

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for enabling a user to perform a task by a SmartGuide providing direction to an application program, the application program receiving commands from the SmartGuide to execute specific tasks, the method including the steps of:

invoking a SmartGuide Script, said SmartGuide Script created using a discrete number of English-readable commands to present information to the user;

said SmartGuide Script instantiating a SmartGuide Driver for interacting with said application program;

said SmartGuide Driver presenting a graphical user interface to the user based on instructions within the SmartGuide Script;

the SmartGuide Driver invoking the application program by converting the discrete number of English-readable commands to a programmed command;

said SmartGuide Driver, receiving instruction from said SmartGuide Script, passing information within the programmed command to the application program for instructing the application program on proceeding; and

,

the SmartGuide providing responses to the user for completion of the task.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said SmartGuide Script is portable across multiple operating systems.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said user can modify said SmartGuide Script using a conventional editor.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein a programmed exit routine interacts with said SmartGuide Driver to transfer information to said application program.

5. A computer system having one or more processors, a display device supporting a graphical user interface and one or more input devices comprising:

one or more application programs designed to complete predetermined tasks;

one or more SmartGuides, said SmartGuides providing an interface between a user and the one or more applications programs, said SmartGuides comprising a programmed SmartGuide Driver and a SmartGuide Script interpreted by said SmartGuide Driver;

programmable means for said SmartGuides to prompt said user for input;

programmable means responsive to said user input for said SmartGuides to transform said user input into information usable by said applications program;

programmable means for transferring said information to said applications program from said SmartGuides;

programmable means for enabling feedback to said SmartGuides from said applications program; and

,

means for said SmartGuide to transform said received information into a user readable format and presents said information to said user;

wherein said one or more SmartGuide Scripts comprise a discrete, predefined set of human-readable commands to instruct said wizards.

6. A computer system as in claim 5 wherein said SmartGuide Script is portable across multiple operating systems.

7. A computer system as in claim 5 wherein said user can modify said SmartGuide Script using a text editor.

8. A computer system as in claim 5 wherein a programmed exit routine interacts with said SmartGuide Driver and transfers information to said application program.