Multi-monitor, multi-JVM java GUI infrastructure with layout via XML

• US 8,863,015 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2009
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Almonte, Nicholas A., Stubbs, William R
• Primary Examiner(s): Pesin, Boris
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEFFINGTON, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US12/589,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20100146505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 715/735, 715/761, 715/719, 715/737, 715/742, 715/746, 715/767, 715/803
• US Class Current: 715/767
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method and system are provided which allows enhanced support to graphical user interface (GUI) displays on multiple monitors. An extended markup language file provides code to configure each GUI. GUI software need not be re-compiled in order to implement changes in the layout of displays or to accommodate additional monitors. Potential display event handling delays are minimized by providing multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs) for GUIs. In one aspect, one JVM is provided for each GUI.

Claims

1. A computing system comprising:

a plurality of graphical user interfaces for a plurality of monitors;

a plurality of Java Virtual machines (JVMs), one Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for each graphical user interface;

a plurality of event queues, one event queue for each graphical user interface to allow a performance problem on one JVM to be isolated to the one JVM, wherein events are indicative of a user action on a respective graphical user interface;

a computer programmed with a file including a class that directly distributes event and configuration information to the plurality of JVMs, the file including graphical user interface display information for configuration of visual content on the plurality of monitors, wherein the file defines a role for each graphical user interface and a layout for each graphical user interface, wherein each role corresponds to a set of graphical user interface components, wherein the computer is programmed such that when a role in the file is changed to a new role, the respective graphical user interface is updated with the new role so that components common to the new role and previous role of the graphical user interface do not have to be reloaded, and wherein, when a layout in the file is changed, the change in the graphical user interface corresponding to the change in the file is configured to be implemented by re-launching the graphical user interface.

2. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the computer comprises a workstation.

3. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the computer comprises a multi-modal workstation.

8. A computing system as recited in claim 1 wherein a one-to-one correspondence exist between Java Virtual Machines and monitors.

9. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the workstation may be a multiprocessor workstation.

10. A computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the graphic user display information is parsed by a first JVM that is put into operation, and the first JVM that is put into operation controls access to the graphic user display information.

11. A computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises the exact size and location of one or more GUI panels.

12. A computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of JVMs comprises a helper class, which enables communication between other JVMs.

13. A computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the event queue is a software component.

14. A computing system as recited in claim 13, wherein the event queue is a Java Swing event queue.

15. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the XML file defines a layout of a plurality of GUIs, each GUI associated with a monitor and the GUIs being capable of operating independently from one another.

16. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the XML file is comprised of GUI layout information and is capable of being changed without the need to re-compile Multi-Monitor Multi-JVM Java GUI code in connection with GUI layout modifications to the system.

17. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the computer is programmed according to a language selected from java and C Sharp.

18. A computing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the file is an extended markup language (XML) file.

19. A computing system as recited in claim 18 wherein the XML file defines the number of JVMs to be started by the system.

4. A method of supporting multiple displays by a multi-modal computing system comprising:

providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) configuration file for a computer used in connection with a workstation providing selected graphical user displays to a plurality of monitors;

providing a plurality of JVMs for the plurality of monitors;

parsing the file in connection with providing GUIs on the monitors;

providing a plurality of event queues, one event queue for each GUI to allow a performance problem on one JVM to be isolated to the one JVM, wherein events are indicative of a user action on a respective GUI;

distributing event and configuration information directly to the plurality of JVMs, the file including graphic user display information for configuration of visual content on the plurality of monitors, wherein the file defines a role for each GUI, and wherein each role corresponds to a set of GUI components;

in response to a role in the file being changed to a new role, updating the respective GUI with the new role so that components common to the new role and the previous role do not have to be reloaded; and

in response to the graphic user display information in the file being changed, the change in the GUI corresponding to the change in the file is configured to be implemented by re-launching the GUI.

5. A method of supporting multiple displays as recited in claim 4 wherein JVMs are provided to monitors on a maximum one-to-one basis.

6. A method of supporting multiple displays as recited in claim 4 wherein the file consists of an XML file that may be parsed by a Java or C-Sharp implementation.

7. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the monitors display information according to a language of choice.