Data processing system and method for sharing user interface devices of a provider assistive technology application with disparate user assistive technology applications

• US 6,546,431 B1
• Filed: 03/12/1999
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Schwerdtfeger, Richard S., Weiss, Lawrence Frank, Brown, Frances C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLINTON, GREGORY L
• Application Number:
  US09/268,087
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 710/36, 710/37, 710/38, 710/67, 713/100, 717/166, 709/313, 709/315, 709/319, 709/321, 709/324
• US Class Current: 719/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/544 Buffers; Shared memory; Pipes

Abstract

A data processing system and method providing for the sharing of inputs and outputs between a first assistive technology application and a second assistive technology application. An input/output manager in the first application is used to manage inputs to and outputs from the second application. An input method in the first application sends input to the second application. An output method in the first application receives output from the second application. A channel is formed between the input/output manager and the input and output methods to pass input and output that allows assistive technology applications to share user interface devices.

Claims

1. A data processing system for providing input and output between a first assistive technology application and a second assistive technology application, comprising:

an input/output manager in the first assistive technology application to manage inputs to and outputs from the second assistive technology application;

an input method in the second assistive technology application to receive input from the first assistive technology application;

an output method in the second assistive technology application to send outputs to the first assistive technology application; and

a channel between the input/output manager and the input and the output methods to pass input and output, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system and the second assistive technology application is running in a virtual machine within the operating system.

2. The data processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine.

3. The data processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the channel between the input/output manager of the first assistive technology application and the input and output methods of the second assistive technology application provide input/output of a special purpose for accessibility to a handicapped user.

4. The data processing system as recited in claim 3, wherein the system further comprises alternative means for communication between the first and second applications for input and/or output.

5. A data processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system, wherein the channel between the input/output manager and the input and output methods is for accessibility to a handicapped user, and wherein the system further comprises alternative means for communication between the first and second assistive technology applications for input and/or output.

6. A method of using a data processor having a first assistive technology application and a second assistive technology application, comprising the steps:

creating an input/output method in the first application to manage inputs to and outputs from the second application;

establishing an input method in the second application to receive input from the first application;

establishing an output method in the second application to send outputs to the first application; and

forming a channel between the input/output manager and the input and the output method to pass input and output, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system and the second assistive technology application is running in a virtual machine within the operating system.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the channel between the input/output manager of the first assistive technology application and the input and output methods of the second assistive technology application provide input/output of a special purpose for accessibility to a handicapped user.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the system further comprises alternative means for communication between the first and second applications for input/output.

10. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system, wherein the channel between the input/output manager and the input and output methods is for accessibility to a handicapped user, and wherein the system further comprise alternative means for communication between the first and second assistive technology applications for input/output.

11. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for providing input and output between a first assistive technology application and a second assistive technology application, comprising:

means for creating an input/output method in the first application to manage inputs to and outputs from the second application;

means for establishing an input method in the second assistive technology application to receive input from the first assistive technology application;

means for establishing an output method in the second assistive technology application to send outputs to the first assistive technology application; and

means for forming a channel between the input/output manager and the input and the output method to pass input and output, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system and the second assistive technology application is running in a virtual machine within the operating system.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the channel between the input/output manager of the first assistive technology application and the input and output methods of the second assistive technology application provide input/output of special purpose accessibility to a handicapped user.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 13, wherein the system further comprises alternative means for communication between the first and second applications for input/output.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the second assistive technology application is a Java application running in a Java virtual machine, wherein the first assistive technology application is running natively in an operating system, wherein the channel between the input/output manager and the input and output methods is for accessibility to a handicapped user, and wherein the system further comprises alternative means for communication between the first and second assistive technology applications for input/output.