Command user interface for displaying selectable functionality controls in a database application
First Claim
1. A computer readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for providing functionality from a database application via an improved user interface, the method executed by the computer executable instructions comprising:
- providing a plurality of functionalities available from the database application;
organizing the plurality of functionalities according to a plurality of tasks;
providing user interface tabs for each of the plurality of tasks, each of the user interface tabs being operative to deploy, upon selection, layouts of logically grouped functionality controls;
receiving an indication of a selection of a database object within the database application; and
deploying, in response to the received indication, a database user interface tab comprising a layout of logically grouped functionality controls having a plurality of selectable controls associated with editing a selected data object, wherein deploying the database user interface comprises replacing at least one previously displayed selectable control with the plurality of selectable controls associated with editing the selected data object, wherein the plurality of selectable controls comprise;
a first control for retrieving external data,a second control for exporting database application data to an external database, anda third control for handling server-based data via electronic transmission.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls of a database application. When a task-based functionality tab is selected from the user interface, selectable functionality controls provided by the associated database application for performing aspects of a task related to the selected tab are presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above a workspace in which a user is entering or editing data. Upon selection of a different task-based functionality tab, the presentation of functionality controls associated with the first task is removed, and selectable functionality controls associated with the second selected task-based functionality tab are presented in the user interface. The selectable functionality controls presented in the user interface are grouped into logical groupings for more efficient utilization. An extensibility model is provided for allowing users to develop and use customized user interfaces and to allow utilization of legacy user interfaces.
514 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for providing functionality from a database application via an improved user interface, the method executed by the computer executable instructions comprising:
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providing a plurality of functionalities available from the database application; organizing the plurality of functionalities according to a plurality of tasks; providing user interface tabs for each of the plurality of tasks, each of the user interface tabs being operative to deploy, upon selection, layouts of logically grouped functionality controls; receiving an indication of a selection of a database object within the database application; and deploying, in response to the received indication, a database user interface tab comprising a layout of logically grouped functionality controls having a plurality of selectable controls associated with editing a selected data object, wherein deploying the database user interface comprises replacing at least one previously displayed selectable control with the plurality of selectable controls associated with editing the selected data object, wherein the plurality of selectable controls comprise; a first control for retrieving external data, a second control for exporting database application data to an external database, and a third control for handling server-based data via electronic transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for providing an improved user interface operative to provide functionality from a database application, the system comprising:
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a memory storage; and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, the processing unit being operative to; dispose a plurality of tabs in an upper row of the user interface, each of the plurality tabs being operative, upon selection, to deploy, in a lower row of the user interface underneath the disposition of the plurality of tabs, a layout of a plurality of selectable functionality controls corresponding to database tools, receive a selection of a database object for editing, determine a mode of operation for editing the database object, wherein each mode of operation is associated with a plurality of selectable controls; and dispose the plurality of selectable functionality controls in the lower row, wherein the processing unit being configured to dispose the plurality of selectable functionality controls comprises the processing unit being configured to replace at least one previously deployed selectable functionality control with the plurality of selectable functionality controls, each of the plurality of selectable functionality controls corresponding to the determined mode of operation associated with the selected database object, the determined mode of operation allowing for the following; retrieval of external data, exportation of internal data, and managing, via electronic transmission, server-based data.
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15. A method for providing functionality from a database application via an improved user interface, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of functionalities available from the database application; organizing the plurality of functionalities according to a plurality of tasks; providing user interface tabs for each of the plurality of tasks, each of the user interface tabs being operative to deploy, upon selection, layouts of logically grouped functionality controls; receiving an indication of a selection of a database object; and upon receiving an indication of the selection of the database object, deploying a layout of logically grouped functionality controls for editing in the selected database object, wherein deploying the layout of the logically grouped functionality controls comprises replacing a previously deployed set of functionality controls, the deployed logically grouped functionality controls being associated with database tools for; retrieving external data, exporting database application data to an external database, and handling server-based data via electronic transmission. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification