Graphical user interface (GUI) prototyping and specification tool
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of graphically specifying a graphical user interface using information in tables stored in a relational database, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An article comprising:
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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.
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21. A computer system, comprising:
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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.
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22. A method of graphically specifying and executing a graphical user interface using information stored in a relational database, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification