Graphical user interface (GUI) prototyping and specification tool

• US 6,330,007 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1998
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Mark D., Isreal, Jack B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thai, Cuong T.
• Application Number:
  US09/215,136
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 345/334, 345/333, 345/335, 345/339, 345/356, 345/357, 707/104, 707/501, 707/513, 717/1, 717/4
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

A Dynakey Screen Generator (DSG) is disclosed which is a graphical user interface prototyping and specification tool. DSG is a Microsoft Windows-based tool for prototyping and specifying a graphical user interface having dynamic keys. More specifically, the present invention preferably is a Microsoft Visual Basic application and preferably uses an underlying Microsoft Access database. Advantageously, the present invention allows a user interface designer (the “author”) to enter design specifications into forms. The design specifications cover the general, visual style of the user interface being designed, as well as the specific design of each screen. Once the specifications (stored in the Access database) have been entered, an “end user” (e.g., interface designer, developer, customer, potential end user) can immediately “run” the specification as an interactive prototype.

Claims

1. A method of graphically specifying a graphical user interface using information in tables stored in a relational database, comprising:

displaying a target screen being divided into a title and input area, a receipt and status area, a dynamic key area and a static key area in which a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area are graphically displayed;

selecting any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area;

graphically displaying a screen associated with the selected key, button or display area from a table in the relational database; and

designating settings by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising opening an existing relational database and designating locations of bitmap directory folders.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of generic keys are dynamic keys, and said designating settings step includes, for each dynamic key, providing a label.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after said designating settings step has been completed for desired keys, buttons and display area, navigating to a different screen display or to the display area on the target screen using one of said dynamic keys.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the settings for each of said dynamic keys are designated so that the selection of the dynamic key will navigate to a screen identifier, to a previously viewed screen, perform no action, display a check box, display a radio button, navigate to a saved screen identifier, or toggle a check box in the display area.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after said designating settings step has been completed for desired keys, buttons and display area, running the graphical user interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the designated settings in the relational database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the display area is configured to display one of a form, a pick list, an electronic receipt, a notification, an alert, a help display and a freeform display.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising entering user input in the display area using at least one of an alphanumeric keyboard and static keys representing a numeric keypad, the user input varying depending on whether the form, the pick list, the electronic receipt, the notification, the alert, the help display or the freeform display is currently being displayed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of generic keys includes a numeric keypad graphically displayed in the static key area.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the generic keys include dynamic keys and static keys and comprising for a selected dynamic key, designating a selectable background graphic, a label, and a selected foreground graphic.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising deleting a current screen from the relational database and navigational links from other screens to the deleted screen.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of generic keys arc static keys, and further comprising selecting one of the static keys and either navigating to a different screen, performing a backspace in a user input area in the display area, performing an enter function or entering a quantity.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a different target screen for display.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selecting a different screen step is performed using a dialog box.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising naming each screen and storing the screen names in a searchable list and searching the list for a stored screen name.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing a screen identifier for a current screen.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of generic keys are static keys, and each of the static keys displays a label previously assigned to the static key.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of generic keys includes up/down scroll keys graphically displayed in the static key area.

20. An article comprising:

at least one sequence of machine executable instructions;

a medium bearing the executable instructions in machine readable form, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to;

display a target screen being divided into a title and input area, a receipt and status area, a dynamic key area and a static key area in which a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area are graphically displayed;

select any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area;

graphically display a screen associated with the selected key, button or display area from a table in the relational database; and

designate settings by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.

21. A computer system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions, which, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to perform the steps of;

displaying a target screen being divided into a title and input area, a receipt and status area, a dynamic key area and a static key area in which a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area are graphically displayed;

selecting any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area;

graphically displaying a screen associated with the selected key, button or display area from a table in the relational database; and

designating settings by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.

22. A method of graphically specifying and executing a graphical user interface using information stored in a relational database, comprising:

graphically generating a plurality of screens, each being associated with at least one table in the relational database and having a plurality of keys and a display area, said graphically generating comprising the steps of;

graphically displaying the keys and display area of a current screen of said plurality of screens from at least one associated table;

selecting any one of the keys and display area of the current screen;

graphically displaying settings for the selected key or display area from said at least one associated table; and

designating the settings, by accessing said at least one associated table or one or more other tables in the relational database, for the selected key or display area; and

executing the graphical user interface;

wherein said graphically generating and said executing are performed without compiling the graphical user interface into a standalone executable program.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the settings for at least one of the keys are designated so that, during said execution of the graphical user interface, selection of said at least one of the keys will either navigate to another screen of said plurality of screens or perform an action in the display area of the current screen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the settings for at least one of the keys are designated so that, during said execution of the graphical user interface, said at least one of the keys is disable.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said graphically generating further comprises storing the designated settings in said at least one associated table of the current screen.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said graphically generating further comprises assigning a unique identifier for each of said plurality of screens, and storing the identifiers in a searchable hierarchical list.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said graphically generating and said executing are performed in a single computing environment.