Method for managing states within activex controls simplifying CTI enabled application development

• US 6,275,230 B1
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Ingrassia, Michael I. Jr., Shelton, James A., Rios, Alexander, Yaggie, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US08/916,620
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333-334, 345/347-349, 345/352, 345/354, 345/967, 345/969, 345/970, 379/267, 379/223, 379/93.23, 379/100.14
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/543 User-generated data transfer, e.g. clipboards, dynamic data exchange [DDE], object linking and embedding [OLE]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

Described is a method of creating intelligent command objects for controlling a telephony system by selecting reusable image symbol to an application container, without requiring an application developer to write any programming code. After being embedded into CTI, these command objects are able to automatically monitor the operation status and enable and disable themselves according to the changes of the operation status of the telephony hardware system. To control the operation of the telephony system, a user simply activates (i.e. clicks) a respective command object when it is enabled.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a communication system, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating a plurality of object image symbols which are representative of different commands each of which is displayed on a visual interface for controlling and responding to the communication system;

(b) selecting a predetermined behavior for each said created object image symbol;

(c) based on said selected behavior, dynamically enabling and disabling said object image symbol in response to changes in operational status of the communication system;

(d) a control over the communication system thereby being initiated by selectively activating said object symbol when said object is enabled, wherein said plurality of symbols are commonly displayed in a visually observable window and activated or deactivated while remaining in said widow; and

comprising the further step of;

(e) by utilizing a call center session control automatically linking said object image symbol with a pre-existing section code of a program based on said behavior defined, said section code for dynamically setting said object symbol in said active or inactive state, whereby all complex program codes required to properly connect individual said controls in telephony controls to a CTI environment is solely processed by said call center session control.

2. The method of claim 1, said step (d) answering an incoming call by activating said object image symbol.

3. The method of claim 1, said step (d) dropping a call by activating said object image symbol.

4. The method of claim 1, said step (d) holding a call by activating said object image symbol.

5. The method of claim 1, said step (d) reconnecting an on-hold call by activating said object image symbol.

6. The method of claim 1, said step (d) completing a call by activating said object image symbol.

7. The method of claim 1, said step (d) transferring a call by activating said object image symbol.

8. The method of claim 1, said step (d) conferencing a call by activating said object image symbol.

9. The method of claim 1, said step (d) making a call via the communication system by activating said object image symbol.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said window occupies an entire screen of a visual display.

11. A method for controlling a communication system, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating an object image symbol for controlling and responding to the communication system;

(b) defining a behavior for said created object image symbol; and

(c) based on said defined behavior, initiating a control over the communication system by creating a capability of activating said object image symbol without removing said image symbol from a visual display window occupying an entire screen of the display.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

(d) automatically linking said object image symbol with a preexisting section code of a program for performing a control over the communication system.

13. The method of claim 11, said step (c) answering an incoming call by activating said object image symbol.

14. The method of claim 11, said step (c) dropping a call by activating said object image symbol.

15. The method of claim 11, said step (c) holding a call by activating said object image symbol.

16. The method of claim 11, said step (c) reconnecting an on-hold call by activating said object image symbol.

17. The method of claim 11, said step (c) completing a call by activating said object image symbol.

18. The method of claim 11, said step (c) transferring a call by activating said object image symbol.

19. The method of claim 11, said step (c) conferencing a call by activating said object image symbol.

20. The method of claim 11, said step (c) making a call via the communication system by activating said object image symbol.