Method and apparatus for writing a windows application in HTML

• US 6,662,341 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chavez, Roderick A., Cooper, Phillip R., Kohnfelder, Loren M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US09/315,858
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: 707/513, 707/501.1, 709/230, 709/310-311, 709/320, 709/328-329, 717/106, 717/110, 717/112, 717/114-119, 715/513, 715/501.1
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for authoring and executing HTML application files is disclosed. An HTML application file is basically a standard HTML file that runs in its own window outside of the browser, and is thus not bound by the security restrictions of the browser. The author of an HTML application file can take advantage of the relaxed security. The author of the HTML application file designates the file as an HTML application file by doing one or more of the following: defining the MIME type as an HTML application MIME type; or using an HTML application file extension for the file. When a browser, such as the Internet Explorer, encounters one of the above, it processes the file as an HTML application file rather than a standard HTML file by creating a main window independent of the browser, and rendering the HTML in the main window.

Claims

1. A method for running an HTML application file, the method comprising:

(a) in response to a request to run a file, deternining if the file is an HTML application file by;

(i) examining the file to determine if the file appears to be an HTML file type;

(ii) if the file does not appear to be an HTML file type, setting the file type to another file type; and

(iii) if the file appears to be an HTML file;

(aa) checking the extension of the file;

(bb) if the extension of the file is an HTML application file extension, setting the file type to an HTML application file type;

(cc) if the extension of the file is not an HTML application file extension, examining the MIME type; and

(dd) if the MIME type is an HTML application MIME type, setting the file type to an HTML application file type; and

(b) if the file is an HTML application file;

(i) displaying an HTML application window;

(ii) parsing the HTML application file into a plurality of HTML rendering instructions;

(iii) filling the HTML application window with contents determined by the HTML rendering instructions; and

(iv) allowing the HTML application file to read from a local computer and write to a local computer when said HTML application file is executed on a local computer.

4. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claims 1.

2. A method for running an HTML application file, the method comprising:

(a) in response to a request to run a file, determining if the file is an HTML file and if the HTML application file should be run wherein determining if the HTML application file should run comprises;

(i) if the run file request is a request to run a locally stored HTML application file, running the locally stored HTML application file;

(by (ii) if the run file request is not a request to run a locally stored HTML application file;

(aa) prompting a user for a run method response;

(bb) in response to receiving a run method response to store the HTML application file locally;

(1) prompting the user for a location to store the HTML application file; and

(2) in response to receiving a location to store the HTML application file, storing the HTML application file at the location specified; and

(cc) in response to receiving a run method response to run the HTML application file, running the HTML application file; and

(b) if the file is an HTML application file;

(i) displaying an HTML application window;

(ii) parsing the HTML application file into a plurality of HTML rendering instructions;

(iii) filling the HTML application window with contents determined by the HTML rendering instructions; and

(iv) allowing the HTML application file to read from a local computer and write to a local computer when said HTML application file is executed on a local computer.

3. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 2.

5. An apparatus for running an HTML application file comprising:

(a) in response to a request to run a file, deternining if the file is an HTML application file by;

(i) examining the file to determine if the file appears to be an HTML file type;

(ii) if the file does not appear to be an HTML file type, setting the file type to another file type; and

(iii) if the file appears to be an HTML file;

(aa) checking the extension of the file;

(bb) if the extension of the file is an HTML application file extension, setting the file type to an HTML application file type;

(cc) if the extension of the file is not an HTML application file extension, examining the MIME type; and

(dd) if the MIME type is an HTML application MIME type, setting the file type to HTML application file type; and

(b) if the file is an HTML application file;

(i) displaying an HTML application window;

(ii) parsing the HTML application file into a plurality of HTML rendering instructions;

(iii) filling the HTML application window with contents determined by the HTML rendering instructions; and

(iv) allowing the HTML application file to read from a local computer and write to a local computer when said HTML application file is executed on a local computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein determining if the HTML file should be run further comprises reading data from a local computer.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein determining if the HTML file should be run further comprises writing data to a local computer.

6. An apparatus for running an HTML application file, comprising:

(a) in response to a request to run a file, determining if the file is an HTML file and if the HTML application file should be run wherein determining if the HTML application file should be run comprises;

(i) if the run file request is a request to run a locally stored HTML application file, running the locally stored HTML application file;

(ii) if the run file request is not a request to run a locally stored HTML application file;

(aa) prompting a user for a run method response;

(bb) in response to receiving a run method response to store the HTML application file locally;

(1) prompting the user for a location to store the HTML application file; and

(2) in response to receiving a location to store the HTML application file, storing the HTML application file at the location specified; and

(cc) in response to receiving a run method response to run the HTML application file, running the HTML application file; and

(b) if the file is an HTML application file;

(i) displaying an HTML application window;

(ii) parsing the HTML application file into a plurality of HTML rendering instructions;

(iii) filling the HTML application window with contents determined by the HTML rendering instructions; and

(iv) allowing the HTML application file to read from a local computer and write to a local computer when said HTML application file is executed on a local computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein if the HTML file should be run further comprises reading data from a remote computer.