Programmable device control system and method

• US 7,278,110 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2001
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wugofski, Theodore D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu D.
• Application Number:
  US10/016,585
• Time in Patent Office: 2,171 Days
• Field of Search: 345/762, 345/804, 345/825, 345/826, 345/902, 345/744, 345/764, 345/861, 345/746, 345/760, 345/765, 709/201, 709/220, 715/762, 715/804, 715/825, 715/826, 715/902, 715/744, 715/764, 715/861, 715/746, 715/760, 715/765
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44526 Plug-ins; Add-ons
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

The present invention provides method and apparatus for defining and redefining adynamic graphical user interface, which can control multiple applications or applets with one graphical user interface. As new applications or applets are launched, the graphical user interface determines the functionality of the newly added application. Existing functions are used if they are equal to functions required of the new application or applet. New functionality is added if required.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a central processing unit; and

a machine readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions, which when read and executed by the central processing unit, cause the computer system to perform a method comprising;

defining a graphical user interface responsive to functionality of a first application loaded onto the computer system, and

redefining the graphical user interface responsive to functionality of second application loaded onto the computer system so as to control both the first and the second applications with the graphical user interface, wherein redefining further comprises adding the functionality of the second application to the graphical user interface if the functionality of the second application does not already exist in the graphical user interface.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein defining the graphical user interface further comprises:

adding each function of the first application to the graphical user interface; and

registering each function of the application for notification by the graphical user interface when a user initiates a command calling for a registered function.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein defining the graphical user interface further comprises:

retrieving the functionality of the second application.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein redefining the graphical user interface further comprises;

comparing each function of the second application with functions of the defined graphical user interface.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein redefining the graphical user interface further comprises:

registering the function of the second application with a database for notification by the graphical user interface when a user initiates a command calling for the registered function if the function of the second application is already presenting the graphical user interface.

6. The computer system of claim 4, wherein redefining the graphical user interface further comprises:

adding the function of the second application to the graphical user interface if the function of the second application is not already present in the graphical user interface.

7. The computer system of claim 4, wherein redefining the graphical user interface comprises:

registering the function of the second application for notification by the graphical user interface when a command is initiated that calls for the registered function.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface allows access to at least one electric appliance attached to the computer system.