Graphical user interface stream processor

• US 6,075,528 A
• Filed: 10/20/1997
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Curtis, Bryce Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US08/954,647
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333, 345/356, 707/513, 707/203, 709/220, 709/246
• US Class Current: 715/866
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

A method and implementing computer system is provided in which a function or applet for example may be downloaded from a network server and graphical user interface (GUI) processor interprets a data stream consisting of GUI controls and attributes, and places the controls and attributes in a presentation space. In an exemplary embodiment, a web browser program loads an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) from a GUI (Graphical User Interface) stream processor applet from a web server. The web browser then loads the GUI stream processor (GSP) from the web server and begins executing the GSP. The GSP then requests the GUI stream from the web server by opening a stream to a file, CGI (Common Gateway Interface) script or servlet on the server. The GSP then receives the GUI stream and assembles the user interface in the JAVA applet presentation space managed by the browser. The GSP may periodically update itself by repeating the last two steps.

Claims

1. In a network environment including a server device, a user terminal and means arranged to selectively connect the user terminal to the server device, a method for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI), including a plurality of GUI controls and attributes, on a display device at the user terminal, said method comprising:

downloading a document from the server device to a user network browser program, said document including GUI stream processor code;

executing said GUI stream processor code on the user terminal;

requesting a GUI data file by the GUI stream processor code from the server to the user terminal, said GUI data file including data effective to modify predetermined non-functional aspects of said controls and attributes of said GUI;

receiving said GUI data file by said user terminal; and

assembling said GUI for display on the display device, said assembling being accomplished using said GUI data stream processor code and said GUI data file, said non-functional aspects of said GUI being changeable by changing said data in said data file.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembling is accomplished in presentation memory space managed by the user network browser program at said user terminal.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said requesting is accomplished by:

opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present on the server device.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said requesting is accomplished by:

opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present in a servlet on the server device.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said requesting is accomplished by:

opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present in a GUI related common gateway interface on the server device.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

periodically repeating said requesting, receiving and said assembling steps to update said GUI.

7. A network system comprising:

a server device;

a user terminal; and

connection means arranged to selectively connect said server device to said user terminal, said user terminal further including a display device, said user terminal being selectively operable for running a network browser program, said display device being arranged to display a graphical user interface (GUI), including a plurality of GUI controls and attributes, said user terminal being selectively operable for downloading a document from the server device to the user network browser program, said document including GUI stream processor code;

said user terminal being operable for executing said GUI stream processor code and requesting a GUI data file from the server, said GUI data file including data effective to modify predetermined non-functional aspects of said controls and attributes of said GUI;

said user terminal being operable for receiving said GUI data file and assembling said GUI for display on the display device, said assembling being accomplished using said GUI data stream processor code and said GUI data file, said non-functional aspects of said GUI being changeable by changing said data in said data file.

8. The network system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said assembling is accomplished in presentation memory space managed by the user network browser program at said user terminal.

9. The network system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said requesting is accomplished by opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present on the server device.

10. The network system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said requesting is accomplished by opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present in a servlet on the server device.

11. The network system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said requesting is accomplished by opening a stream from said GUI data file to said user terminal, said GUI data file being present in a GUI related common gateway interface on the server device.

12. The network system as set forth in claim 7 and further including periodically repeating said requesting, receiving and said assembling steps to update said GUI.

13. A method for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI), including a plurality of GUI controls and attributes, on a display device at the user terminal, said method comprising:

loading a Java application including GUI stream processor code;

executing said GUI stream processor code on the user terminal;

requesting a GUI data file by the GUI stream processor code, said GUI data file including data effective to modify predetermined non-functional aspects of said controls and attributes of said GUI;

receiving said GUI data file by said user terminal; and

assembling said GUI for display on the display device, said assembling being accomplished using said GUI data stream processor code and said GUI data file, said non-functional aspects of said GUI being changeable by changing said data in said data file.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said data file is present on said user terminal.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said data file is present on an associated network server device.