System and method for generating user interface code

• US 7,243,334 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Epicor Software Corporation (Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings LP)
• Original Assignee: Prelude Systems, Inc. (Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings LP)
• Inventors: Turner, Larry J., Wilcox, Andrew E., Berger, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dam; Tuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUTTEN, JAMES D
• Application Number:
  US10/046,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,001 Days
• Field of Search: 717/100, 717/106, 717/108, 717/109, 717/113
• US Class Current: 717/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A system for generating user interface code is provided. The system includes a user interface class system generating a user interface class that has two or more user interface features that can be assembled into a user interface by an operator, such as field entry prompts and data display fields. The system also includes a handler class system generating one or more states for each user interface feature of the user interface class, such as to navigate through the field entry prompts and data display fields. The user interface class system, in conjunction with the handler class system, generates the user interface code that causes the selected user interface features and associated states for the user interface features to be generated.

Claims

1. A system for generating user interface code comprising:

a user interface class system generating user interface class code, wherein the user interface class code includes two or more user interface features that can be selected and assembled into a user interface by a user; and

a handler class system generating handler class code, wherein the handler class code includes one or more states for each user interface feature of the user interface class;

wherein the user interface class and the handler class cause the selected user interface features and associated states for the user interface features to be automatically generated when the user interface code is executed, and

wherein the user interface class includes an accounts payable user interface class, an accounts receivable user interface class, a general ledger user interface class, a global user interface class, an inventory control user interface class, an order common user interface class, a purchase order user interface class, a report user interface class, a shipping order user interface class, a utility user interface class, a report user interface class, a test user interface class, and a template user interface class.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface class system further comprises a developer user interface class system automatically generating a developer user interface class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code to provide modified user interface features.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the user interface class system further comprises a site-specific user interface class system generating a site-specific user interface class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code and the developer user interface class to provide site-specific user interface features.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a developer handler class system generating a developer handler class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code to automatically provide modified user interface states.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the developer handler class system further comprises a site-specific handler class system generating a site-specific handler class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code and the developer handler class to provide site-specific user interface states.

6. A system for generating user interface code comprising:

a user interface class system generating user interface class code, wherein the user interface class code includes two or more user interface features that can be selected and assembled into a user interface by a user; and

a handler class system generating handler class code, wherein the handler class code includes one or more states for each user interface feature of the user interface class;

wherein the user interface class and the handler class cause the selected user interface features and associated states for the user interface features to be automatically generated when the user interface code is executed, and

wherein the handler class includes an accounts payable handler class, an accounts receivable handler class, a general ledger handler class, a global handler class, an inventory control handler class, an order common handler class, a purchase order handler class, a report handler class, a shipping order handler class, a utility handler class, a report handler class, a test handler class, and a template handler class.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the user interface class system further comprises a developer user interface class system automatically generating a developer user interface class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code to provide modified user interface features.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the user interface class system further comprises a site-specific user interface class system generating a site-specific user interface class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code and the developer user interface class to provide site-specific user interface features.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising a developer handler class system generating a developer handler class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code to automatically provide modified user interface states.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the developer handler class system further comprises a site-specific handler class system generating a site-specific handler class that operates in conjunction with the user interface code and the developer handler class to provide site-specific user interface states.

11. A method for generating user interface code comprising:

receiving a selection of user interface feature for a user interface class;

automatically retrieving a handler associated with the user interface feature that includes one or more states;

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause a user display to be generated when executed that includes the user interface feature having the one or more states; and

wherein receiving a selection of the user interface feature from the user interface class includes receiving a selection from an account payable user interface class, an accounts receivable user interface class, a general ledger user interface class, a global user interface class, an inventory control user interface class, an order common user interface class, a purchase order user interface class, a report user interface class, a shipping order user interface class, a utility user interface class, a report user interface class, a test user interface class, and a template user interface class.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a developer user interface feature from a developer user interface class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the developer user interface feature.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a site-specific user interface feature from a site-specific user interface class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the site-specific user interface feature.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a developer user interface state from a developer handler class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the developer user interface state.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving a selection of site-specific user interface state from a site-specific handler class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the site-specific user interface state.

16. A method for generating user interface code comprising:

receiving a selection of user interface feature for a user interface class;

automatically retrieving a handler associated with the user interface feature that includes one or more states;

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause a user display to be generated when executed that includes the user interface feature having the one or more states; and

wherein retrieving the handler associated with the user interface feature that includes one or more states includes retrieving an accounts payable handler class, an accounts receivable handler class, a general ledger handler class, a global handler class, an inventory control handler class, an order common handler class, a purchase order handler class, a report handler class, a shipping order handler class, a utility handler class, a report handler class, a test handler class, and a template handler class.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a developer user interface feature from a developer user interface class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the developer user interface feature.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a site-specific user interface feature from a site-specific user interface class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the site-specific user interface feature.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving a selection of a developer user interface state from a developer handler class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the developer user interface state.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving a selection of site-specific user interface state from a site-specific handler class; and

automatically generating one or more code elements that cause the user display to be generated that includes the site-specific user interface state.