Method and system for customizing a user interface to an on-demand database service

• US 8,332,436 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2011
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Ballard, Alan, Chasman, Doug, Bezar, Eric, Scotton, Mary
• Primary Examiner(s): Radtke, Mark Andrew X
• Application Number:
  US13/293,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20120054632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 707/795
• US Class Current: 707/795
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24573 using data annotations, e.g. user-defined metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range

Abstract

In embodiments, methods and systems for customizing a user interface to an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for customizing a user interface to an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to provide a user interface designed by a tenant of the on-demand database service. The customization can include including third party content into the customized user interface, overriding a standard object, and providing content inline at a specified location.

Claims

1. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first of a plurality of tenants, one or more definitions of a customization of a user interface, wherein at least one of the definitions is associated with content not stored utilizing an on-demand database that includes information stored therein;

associating the definitions with the first tenant;

storing the definitions in the on-demand database;

receiving, from a user associated with the first tenant, a request; and

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the definitions, such that a customized user interface is displayed to the user which includes a combined utilization of the content and the information;

wherein a first one of the definitions is for a language translation and is associated with web content of one or more third parties that is not stored utilizing the on-demand database, such that in response to a first request from the user for the web content of the one of the third parties specified by a URL of the one of the third parties;

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the first one of the definitions including the language translation of the web content of the one of the third parties specified by the URL of the one of the third parties.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the first tenant, how the definitions are to be applied, wherein which content is associated with each of the definitions depends on at least one of the definition or a selection of how the definition is to be applied.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving the content; and

combining the content and the information to form the modified user interface.

4. The computer program product of claim 3, wherein the combination of the content and the information is created by a client application of the user.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the user has access to the information, wherein only the information to which the user has access is sent in the modified user interface.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the definitions includes custom content that is hosted by the on-demand database service but executed by a client application of the user.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the definitions includes a reference to instructions for controlling an aspect of how the customized user interface is displayed, and further comprising receiving, from the first tenant, one or more other definitions of a customization of the user interface, wherein a reference to the instructions also appear in at least one of the other definitions received from the first tenant.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the instructions are stored at a server of the first tenant.

9. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein a modification from at least one of the definitions is displayed inline on a detail page when the customized user interface is displayed.

10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the definitions includes an addition of a custom button, tab, or link in the user interface.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the definitions includes an override of one or more standard buttons, tabs, or links in the user interface.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the modified user interface is generated in response to the request from the user by program code interacting with the definitions.

13. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein a second one of the definitions references a place of business and is associated with a map of the place of business provided by another one of the third parties, such that in response to a second request from the user:

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the second one of the definitions by including the map of the place of business in the user interface.

14. A method, comprising;

receiving, from a first of a plurality of tenants, one or more definitions of a customization of a user interface, wherein at least one of the definitions is associated with content not stored utilizing an on-demand database that includes information stored therein;

associating the definitions with the first tenant;

storing the definitions in the on-demand database;

receiving, from a user associated with the first tenant, a request; and

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the definitions, utilizing a processor, such that a customized user interface is displayed to the user which includes a combined utilization of the content and the information;

wherein a first one of the definitions is for a language translation and is associated with web content of one or more third parties that is not stored utilizing the on-demand database, such that in response to a first request from the user for the web content of the one of the third parties specified by a URL of the one of the third parties;

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the first one of the definitions including the language translation of the web content of the one of the third parties specified by the URL of the one of the third parties.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving, from the first tenant, how the definitions are to be applied, wherein which content is associated with each of the definitions depends on at least one of the definition or a selection of how the definition is to be applied.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

retrieving the content; and

combining the content and the information to form the modified user interface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the combination of the content and the information is created by a client application of the user.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor for;

receiving, from a first of a plurality of tenants, one or more definitions of a customization of a user interface, wherein at least one of the definitions is associated with content not stored utilizing an on-demand database that includes information stored therein;

associating the definitions with the first tenant;

storing the definitions in the on-demand database;

receiving, from a user associated with the first tenant, a request; and

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to one or more the definitions, such that a customized user interface is displayed to the user which includes a combined utilization of the content and the information;

wherein a first one of the definitions is for a language translation and is associated with web content of one or more third parties that is not stored utilizing the on-demand database, such that in response to a first request from the user for the web content of the one of the third parties specified by a URL of the one of the third parties;

sending, to the user, the user interface modified according to the first one of the definitions including the language translation of the web content of the one of the third parties specified by the URL of the one of the third parties.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor is further for receiving, from the first tenant, how the definitions are to be applied, wherein which content is associated with each of the definitions depends on at least one of the definition or a selection of how the definition is to be applied.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor is further for:

retrieving the content; and

combining the content and the information to form the modified user interface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the combination of the content and the information is created by a client application of the user.