Web-based visual development environment

• US 7,496,053 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teletech Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teletech Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: James, Brian R., Jares, Joaquin, Seabaugh, Aaron W., Rosalin, Martin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam; Phirin
• Application Number:
  US11/287,548
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/54 Object oriented software
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/253 where a visual mode is used instead of a voice mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0024 Services and arrangements where telephone services are combined with data services arrangements which combine a telephonic equipment and a computer H04M7/0012

Abstract

A system and method for the rapid and visual web-based development of web-based customer service applications which render rich graphical user interfaces emulating the controls common to traditional desktop applications is disclosed. The rich user interface applications are comprised of scripting languages built with standard browser-based protocols and thus do not require the installation of any additional client-side or proprietary software applications. Not only is the user able to work on a rich user interface web application, but this application then allows the user to create, or develop, another web-based rich-thin-client application using visual programming tools.

Claims

1. A method for developing a user interface for a web-based software application, the method comprising:

maintaining in a computing environment a library of executable code modules, wherein each executable code module represents one or more user interface controls;

maintaining on the computing environment a web-based visual development environment operable to access the library to retrieve therefrom the executable code modules maintained in the library;

receiving a request from a client computer to render the web-based visual development environment thereon to create the user interface for the web-based software application;

rendering the web-based development environment on the client computer such that identifiers of the one or more user interface controls are displayed on the client computer for selection by a user for placement on the user interface for the web-based software application;

receiving selection of an identifier for a first of the one or more user interface controls as the user interacts with the web-based development environment over the network connection;

in response to the received selection, retrieving the executable code module associated with the first user interface control from the library; and

storing the executable code module associated with the first user interface control in source code embodying the web-based software application.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more user interface controls comprise a context manager control.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more user interface controls comprise a keyboard mapping control.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the rendering act comprises:

displaying a plurality of visual programming tools operable for use in manipulating the one or more displayed identifiers of the user interface controls to effectuate selection thereof.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the visual programming tools comprise drag-and-drop functionality.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving selection of an identifier for a second of the one or more user interface controls as the user interacts with the web-based development environment over the network connection;

in response to the received selection, retrieving the executable code module associated with the second user interface control from the library; and

storing the executable code module associated with the second user interface control in the source code embodying the web-based software application.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the rendering act comprises:

displaying a plurality of visual programming tools operable for use in manipulating the one or more user interface controls to effectuate selection thereof;

organizing the selected identifier for the first user interface control relative to the second user interface control using at least one visual programming tool as directed by the user; and

adapting the source code of the web-based software application to reflect placement of the first user interface control relative to the second user interface control.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one visual programming tool comprises drag-and-drop functionality.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the organizing act comprises:

visually connecting the identifier for the first user interface controls to the identifier for the second user interface control based on drag-and-drop instructions input by the user.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving a request comprises:

detecting the type of browser and the type of version being used by the client computer.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the web-based software application is under development for use as an customer service website for use in providing interaction between customers and a customer service provider.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the computing environment comprises a server.

13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein the computing environment comprises a server farm.

14. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for developing a user interface for a web-based software application, the method comprising:

maintaining in a computing environment a library of executable code modules, wherein each executable code module represents one or more user interface controls;

maintaining on the computing environment a web-based visual development environment operable to access the library to retrieve therefrom the executable code modules maintained in the library;

receiving a request from a client computer to render the web-based visual development environment thereon to create the user interface for the web-based software application;

rendering the web-based development environment on the client computer such that identifiers of the one or more user interface controls are displayed on the client computer for selection by a user for placement on the user interface for the web-based software application;

receiving selection of an identifier for a first of the one or more user interface controls as the user interacts with the web-based development environment over the network connection;

in response to the received selection, retrieving the executable code module associated with the first user interface control from the library; and

storing the executable code module associated with the first user interface control in source code embodying the web-based software application.

15. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving selection of an identifier for a second of the one or more user interface controls as the user interacts with the web-based development environment over the network connection;

in response to the received selection, retrieving the executable code module associated with the second user interface control from the library; and

storing the executable code module associated with the second user interface control in the source code embodying the web-based software application.

16. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the rendering act comprises:

displaying a plurality of visual programming tools operable for use in manipulating the one or more user interface controls to effectuate selection thereof;

organizing the selected identifier for the first user interface control relative to the second user interface control using at least one visual programming tool as directed by the user; and

adapting the source code of the web-based software application to reflect placement of the first user interface control relative to the second user interface control.

17. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one visual programming tool comprises drag-and-drop functionality.

18. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 17, wherein the organizing act comprises:

visually connecting the identifier for the first user interface controls to the identifier for the second user interface control based on drag-and-drop instructions input by the user.

19. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for developing a user interface for a web-based software application, the method comprising:

maintaining in a computing environment a library of executable code modules, wherein each executable code module represents one or more user interface controls;

maintaining on the computing environment a web-based visual development environment operable to access the library to retrieve therefrom the executable code modules maintained in the library;

receiving a request from a client computer to render the web-based visual development environment thereon to create the user interface for the web-based software application;

rendering the web-based development environment on the client computer such that identifiers of the one or more user interface controls are displayed on the client computer for selection by a user for placement on the user interface for the web-based software application;

displaying a plurality of visual programming tools operable for use in manipulating the one or more displayed identifiers of the user interface controls to effectuate selection thereof;

receiving selection of an identifier for a first of the one or more user interface controls as the user interacts with the at least one of the visual programming tools over the network connection;

in response to the received selection, retrieving the executable code module associated with the first user interface control from the library; and

storing the executable code module associated with the first user interface control in source code embodying the web-based software application.

20. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 19, wherein the visual programming tools comprise drag-and-drop functionality.