Multi-window web-based application structure

• US 8,850,354 B1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Titov, Dmitry, Davidson, Michael Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Amy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Toan
• Application Number:
  US12/784,888
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 715/765, 715/781, 715/794, 715/790, 715/802, 715/764, 715/788, 715/795, 715/796, 715/797
• US Class Current: 715/804
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• 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 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/08 specially adapted for terminal emulation, e.g. Telnet

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a multi-window application to a user over a network are provided. An exemplary method includes presenting a first frame to the, the first frame containing application logic. The method further includes presenting a second frame to the user, the second frame containing user interface logic. Steps in the method create a relationship between the first frame and the second frame allowing the user interface logic of the second frame to use the application logic contained in the first frame. When an indication is received that the first frame is to be closed, and an application-specific condition is true, the application logic is transferred from the first frame to the second frame using a command, while preserving the state of the second frame. The first frame is then closed.

Claims

1. A method for providing a multi-window application to a user over a network, comprising:

presenting a first frame in the multi-window application to the user, wherein the first frame contains application logic;

presenting a second frame in the multi-window application to the user, wherein the second frame contains user interface logic;

creating a third frame in the multi-window application, wherein the third frame contains user interface logic;

creating a relationship between the first frame and the second frame, wherein the relationship allows the second frame to receive a first handle pointing to the first frame, and the first handle allows the user interface logic of the second frame to use the application logic contained in the first frame;

creating a relationship between the first frame and the third frame, wherein the relationship allows the third frame to receive a first handle pointing to the first frame, and the second handle allows the user interface logic of the third frame to use the application logic contained in the first frame;

receiving an indication that the first frame is to be closed;

selecting, using a hardware processor, either the second frame or the third frame based on frame selection criteria;

upon receiving the indication, transferring the application logic from the first frame to the selected frame while preserving a state of the selected frame; and

closing the first frame.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application logic is performed by an adoptNode command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application logic is performed by an appendChild command.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application logic is performed after an adoptNode command is used to adopt the application logic of the first frame to the selected frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application logic is performed after an appendChild command is used to append the application logic of the first frame to the selected frame.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising after the relationship is created:

storing the relationship between the first frame and the second frame using a window inheritance controller; and

wherein the transferring the application logic from the first frame to the selected frame is managed using the window inheritance controller.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising before the receiving an indication step:

generating an indication that the first frame is closing based on an event raised by the first frame.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

after transferring the application logic to the selected frame, creating a relationship between the selected frame and the non-selected frame, wherein the relationship allows the non-selected frame to receive a third handle pointing to the selected frame, and the third handle allows the user interface logic of the non-selected frame to use the transferred application logic contained in the selected frame.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame is the oldest.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame has the largest physical dimensions.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame has been displayed for the longest amount of time.

12. A system for providing a multi-window application to a user over a network, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a first frame element in the multi-window application displayed to the user, wherein the first frame element contains application logic;

a second frame element in the multi-window application displayed to the user, wherein the second frame element has a first handle to the first frame element that allows use of the application logic;

a third frame element in the multi-window application wherein the third frame element has a second handle to the first frame element that allows use of the application logic; and

a window inheritance controller configured to;

receive an indication that the first frame element is to be closed;

select, using a hardware processor, either the second frame element or the third frame element based on frame selection criteria;

transfer the application logic from the first frame element to the selected frame element while preserving a state of the selected frame element; and

close the first frame.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the window interface controller is configured to transfer the application logic using an adoptNode command.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the window interface controller is configured to transfer the application logic using an appendChild command.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the window interface controller is configured to transfer the application logic when an adoptNode command is used to adopt the application logic of the first frame element to the selected frame element.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the window interface controller is configured to transfer the application logic when an appendChild command is used to append the application logic of the first frame element to the selected frame element.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the frame elements are HTML iframe elements.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the window interface controller is configured to, after transferring the application logic, create a relationship between the selected frame and the non-selected frame, wherein the relationship allows the non-selected frame to receive a third handle pointing to the selected frame, and the third handle allows the user interface logic of the non-selected frame to use the transferred application logic contained in the selected frame.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame is the oldest.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame has the largest physical dimensions.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection criteria comprises a measure of which frame has been displayed for the longest amount of time.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform a method for providing a multi-window application to a user over a network, the method comprising:

presenting a first frame in the multi-window application to the user, wherein the first frame contains application logic;

presenting a second frame in the multi-window application to the user, wherein the second frame contains user interface logic;

creating a third frame in the multi-window application, wherein the third frame contains user interface logic;

creating a relationship between the first frame and the second frame, wherein the relationship allows the second frame to receive a first handle pointing to the first frame, and the first handle allows the user interface logic of the second frame to use the application logic contained in the first frame;

creating a relationship between the first frame and the third frame, wherein the relationship allows the third frame to receive a second handle pointing to the first frame, and the second handle allows the user interface logic of the third frame to use the application logic contained in the first frame;

receiving an indication that the first frame is to be closed;

selecting, using a hardware processor, either the second frame or the third frame based on frame selection criteria;

upon receiving the indication, transferring the application logic from the first frame to the selected frame while preserving a state of the selected frame; and

closing the first frame.