Methods permitting rapid generation of platform independent software applications executed on a universal client device

• US 6,078,322 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Fontenot, Larry A., Taft, Robert L., McLintock, Brian T., Simonoff, Adam J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US08/941,932
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326, 345/329, 345/332-335, 345/339, 395/200.32, 395/200.33, 395/200.34, 395/200.35, 395/200.47, 395/200.48, 395/200.49, 395/670, 395/680, 395/682, 395/701-710, 709/100, 709/203-205, 709/217-219, 709/300, 709/302
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells

Abstract

A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Using a client-server architecture, the Universal Client receives GUIScript from the server, which commands the Universal Client to display certain graphical user interface (GUI) objects. The GUIScript also describes the behavior of the GUI objects presented by the Universal Client, thus providing a personality which defines the client application without changing the Universal Client'"'"'s software. The Universal Client can also send GUIScript to the server to cause the server to execute commands. A method for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) utilizing GUI objects and a computer architecture independent device, comprises steps for: generating a GUISCRIPT defining the GUI; scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects; parsing and interpreting the GUISCRIPT; and presenting a plurality of the GUI objects to thereby form the GUI.

Claims

1. A method for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) utilizing GUI objects presented by a computer architecture independent device, comprising:

generating a GUIScript defining said GUI;

scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of said GUI objects;

parsing and interpreting said GUIScript on the computer architecture independent device; and

presenting a plurality of said GUI objects responsive to said GUIScript to thereby form said GUI.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises selecting said GUI objects from a GUI object library.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said GUI objects in said GUI object library comprise universally operable GUI objects.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises selecting said GUI objects from a JAVA™

object library.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said GUI objects in said JAVA™

object library comprise universally operable JAVA™

objects.

6. The method for generating and displaying a GUI as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer architecture independent device comprises a Universal Client device.

7. A method for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) utilizing GUI objects presented by a computer architecture independent device, comprising:

generating scripts defining respective ones of said GUI objects;

generating a GUIScript defining said GUI;

scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of said GUI objects;

parsing and interpreting said GUIScript on the computer architecture independent device; and

presenting a plurality of said GUI objects responsive to said GUIScript to thereby form said GUI.

8. The method for generating and displaying a GUI as recited in claim 7, further comprising controlling said program responsive to operator interaction with said GUI.

9. The method for generating and displaying a GUI as recited in claim 7, wherein said computer architecture independent device comprises a Universal Client device.

10. A method for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) utilizing GUI objects presented by a computer architecture independent device, comprising steps for:

generating scripts defining respective ones of said GUI objects;

generating a GUIScript defining said GUI;

generating a first script defining behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of said GUI objects;

generating a second script defining behavior of the program unrelated to said GUI objects;

parsing and interpreting one of said scripts and said GUIScript on the computer architecture independent device;

presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form said GUI responsive to said one of said scripts and said GUIScript; and

modifying said GUI responsive to at least one of said first and second scripts.

11. The method for generating and displaying the GUI as recited in claim 10, wherein said step for generating said GUIScript further comprises generating said GUIScript from selected ones of said scripts and GUI objects included in an object library.

12. The method for generating and displaying the GUI as recited in claim 11, wherein said object library is a GUI object library.

13. The method for generating and displaying the GUI as recited in claim 11, wherein said object library is a JAVA™

object library.

14. The method for generating and displaying the GUI as recited in claim 11, wherein said computer architecture independent device comprises a Universal Client device.

15. The method for generating and displaying the GUI as recited in claim 10, wherein said computer architecture independent device comprises a Universal Client device.