User definable task based interface

• US 7,571,392 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bentley Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bentley Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Cortesi, Gino
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US11/429,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 715/700, 715/764, 715/765, 715/810, 715/961, 715/864, 715/968, 707/1, 707/10, 707/102, 707/104.1, 703/1
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

A system and method providing a user definable task based interface is described. A software program typically includes a number of tools. The tools may be utilized to perform operations on data, such as creating or editing a file using the software program. A user of the software program may organize the tools into tasks, based on the what the tools are used for. A task may be defined as a set of tools grouped to facilitate a particular work item. The task and associated tools are then presented together in the user interface. For example, a task may be to “draw a foundation.” The tools necessary for drawing a foundation may include measuring, drawing boundaries, etc. The tools for these steps in drawing the foundation may be grouped together into a task. The task and associated tools may then presented to a user via a user interface for the software program. For example, an icon representing the task “draw a foundation” may be presented in the user interface. The user may select the icon of the name of the task and be presented with the tools necessary to accomplish the task. Users of the software program may be given the ability to customize the user interface and define the tasks and tools presented in the user interface. The definitions may be stored in a central location and be used by multiples users and files.

Claims

1. A method of distributing data used in creating CAD design files, comprising:

receiving input from a user defining a task to be used in creating or editing a CAD design file;

storing the task as part of a user interface definition in a library having a same file format as the CAD design file at a central location;

attaching the library to the design file;

receiving input from a user selecting the design file;

retrieving the user interface definition from the library at run time;

presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying the task of the user interface definition to the user;

receiving input from the user selecting the task to obtain a selected task; and

displaying at least one tool associated with the selected task.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the ability to change the resource library via an administrator function.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising manually attaching the resource file to the design file.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically attaching the resource file to the design file.

5. A system for customizing a user interface, comprising:

means for receiving input from a user defining tasks to be used in a CAD design file;

means for storing the tasks in a library having a same file format as the CAD design file at a central location;

means for attaching the library to the design file;

receiving input from a user selecting the design file;

retrieving the user interface definition from the library at run time;

means for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) defined at least in part by the task of the user interface definition to the user;

receiving input from the user selecting the task to obtain a selected task; and

displaying at least one tool associated with the selected task.