Host context framework

• US 8,019,781 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Burst, Alex, Dalfo, Ricard Roma, Abel, Todd J., Thatte, Satish R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu; Kuen S
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TUAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/706,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 707/102
• US Class Current: 707/791
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design

Abstract

Techniques for host context framework are described. An apparatus may comprise a client device having a host application program with multiple host item objects, and a host context manager to manage multiple host contexts corresponding to the host item objects. The host context manager may create a host context for each host item object, and perform operations for each host item object in accordance with the corresponding host context. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

detecting a context event for a host item object;

retrieving a host context for said host item object, wherein said host context comprises at least one object associated with said host item object;

reading behavior information for said host item object from a catalog associated with said context event and said host context, said reading of behavior information responsive to said detection of said context event, said behavior information comprising behavior operations representing a set of operations performed for said host item object for said host context and behavior definitions for said host item object, said behavior definitions representing a custom service, a data source, and a user interface element for said host item object for said host context;

translating said behavior information into object manager calls for multiple object managers; and

performing operations for said host item object in accordance with said behavior information using said object manager calls.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, comprising creating said host context by associating multiple objects with said host item object.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, comprising associating a custom service, a data source, or a user interface element with said host item object to form said host context.

4. An article comprising a storage medium containing instructions that if executed by a processor enable a system to:

detect a context event for a host item object;

retrieve a host context for said host item object, wherein said host context comprises at least one object associated with said host item object;

read behavior information for said host item object from a catalog associated with said context event and said host context, said reading of behavior information responsive to said detection of said context event, said behavior information comprising behavior operations representing a set of operations performed for said host item object for said host context and behavior definitions for said host item object, said behavior definitions representing a custom service, a data source, and a user interface element for said host item object for said host context;

translating said behavior information into object manager calls for multiple object managers; and

perform operations for said host item object in accordance with said behavior information using said object manager calls.

5. The article of claim 4, further comprising instructions that if executed enable the system to create said host context by associating multiple objects with said host item object.

6. The article of claim 4, further comprising instructions that if executed enable the system to associate a custom service, a data source, or a user interface element with said host item object to form said host context.

7. The article of claim 4, further comprising instructions that if executed enable the system to embed data in said host item object in accordance with said host context.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a client device having a processor operative to execute a host application program with multiple host item objects and a host context manager to manage multiple host contexts corresponding to said host item objects, each of said host contexts corresponding to a host item object and comprising at least one object associated with said host item object, said host context manager to create a host context for each host item object, and perform operations for each host item object in accordance with said corresponding host context;

said processor further operative to execute a catalog manager having a catalog of behavior information for each host context, said catalog manager to read behavior information for a host item object from said catalog, said reading of behavior information responsive to a detection of a context event, said behavior information comprising behavior operations representing a set of operations performed for said host item object for said host context and behavior definitions for said host item object, said behavior definitions representing a custom service, a data source, and a user interface element for said host item object for said host context;

a behavior interpreter to translate behavior information into object manager calls for multiple object managers; and

said host context manager to perform operations for a host item object in accordance with said corresponding behavior information using said object manager calls.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising a context cache to create a host context by associating a custom service, a data source, or a user interface element with a host item object to form said host context.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising a host integration manager to detect an event for a host item object, request a host context corresponding to said host item object from said host context manager, and activate said host context.