End user programming for a mobile device

• US 9,256,402 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Torok, Kenneth C., White, Terrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Thuy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Ziaul A
• Application Number:
  US14/025,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20150082273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A tool for creating and editing applications on a mobile device. The tool searches the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device. The tool exposes a workspace using a graphical programming language on the mobile device. The tool receives a plurality of selections in the workspace. The tool receives a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace. The tool determines, based on the configuration of the received selections in the workspace, the application is complete. The tool prompts to save the completed application.

Claims

1. A method for creating and editing hybrid applications on a mobile device, the method comprising:

searching, by one or more computer processors, one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device;

exposing, by one or more computer processors, an application-based workspace installed on the mobile device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing hybrid applications on the mobile device;

presenting, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function, wherein each of the plurality of business process model and notation symbols automate a programming process for creating and editing hybrid applications;

presenting, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of features made available by the plurality of currently installed applications;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of selections in a workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the plurality of received selections includes at least;

a business process model and notation symbol representing a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a second feature of a second application, a business process model and notation symbol automating a programming function capable of linking sequentially, or in parallel, the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application, and a business process model and notation symbol representing a configured start event, wherein an occurrence of the configured start event automates the linking of the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the configuration is a graphical representation sequence flow for automation of a developing hybrid application;

determining, by one or more computer processors, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete; and

prompting, by one or more computer processors, to save the developing hybrid application.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises, prior to searching one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device, issuing, by one or more computer processors, a prompt, the prompt including at least one of options:

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein searching one or more exposed features of the plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device, further comprises at least one of:

searching, by one or more computer processors, the mobile device for the plurality of currently installed applications prior to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application;

searching, by one or more computer processors, the mobile device for one or more features made available by the plurality of currently installed applications; and

searching, by one or more computer processors, the mobile device for the plurality of currently installed applications subsequent to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exposing the workspace, further comprises:

displaying, by one or more computer processors, the workflow canvas for receiving a plurality of selections within the workspace;

displaying, by one or more computer processors, the workflow canvas for configuring the plurality of selections within the workspace; and

displaying, by one or more computer processors, the workflow canvas for manipulating the plurality of selections within the workspace;

wherein the plurality of selections within the workspace include;

a start event, an activity, a function of the mobile device, a feature of the mobile device, the business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and an end event.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein exposing the workspace, further comprises:

presenting, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of functions available on the mobile device; and

presenting, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of settings for configuring programming operations;

wherein each of the presenting steps above includes presenting through one or more of;

a drop-down box, an organized folder, or a graphical user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete, further comprises:

determining, by one or more computer processors, the selections are configured to enable automation of the sequence flow for the developing hybrid application;

receiving, by one or more computer processors, an indication from the user that information to complete development of the developing hybrid application has been provided; and

determining, by one or more computer processors, the developing hybrid application satisfies a test device or a simulator configured to confirm the developing hybrid application performs as intended.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein prompting to save the developing hybrid application, further comprises:

creating, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of reference data for the developing hybrid application; and

prompting, by one or more computer processors, to assign one or more of;

a file name, an icon file, and a unique identifier to the developing hybrid application.

8. A computer program product for creating and editing hybrid applications on a mobile device, the computer program product comprising:

one or more computer-readable storage memory and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage memory, the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to search one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device;

program instructions to expose an application-based workspace installed on the mobile device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing hybrid applications on the mobile device;

program instructions to present, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function, wherein each of the plurality of business process model and notation symbols automate a programming process for creating and editing hybrid applications;

program instructions to present, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of features made available by the plurality of currently installed applications;

program instructions to receive a plurality of selections in a workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the plurality of received selections includes at least;

a business process model and notation symbol representing a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a second feature of a second application, a business process model and notation symbol automating a programming function capable of linking sequentially, or in parallel, the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application, and a business process model and notation symbol representing a configured start event, wherein an occurrence of the configured start event automates the linking of the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application;

program instructions to receive a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the configuration is a sequence flow for automation of a developing hybrid application;

program instructions to determine, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete; and

program instructions to prompt to save the developing hybrid application.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 further comprises, prior to searching one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device, program instructions to issue a prompt, the prompt including at least one of options:

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to search one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device, further comprises at least one of:

program instructions to search the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications prior to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application;

program instructions to search the mobile device for one or more features made available by a plurality of currently installed applications; and

program instructions to search the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications subsequent to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein exposing the workspace, further comprises:

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for receiving a plurality of selections within the workspace;

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for configuring a plurality of selections within the workspace; and

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for manipulating a plurality of selections within the workspace;

wherein the plurality of selections within the workspace include;

a start event, an activity, a function of the mobile device, a feature of the mobile device, a business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and an end event.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to expose the workspace, further comprises:

program instructions to present a plurality of functions available on the mobile device; and

program instructions to present a plurality of settings for configuring programming operations;

wherein each of the presenting steps above includes presenting through one or more of;

a drop-down box, an organized folder, or a graphical user interface.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to determine, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete, further comprises:

program instructions to determine the selections are configured to enable automation of the sequence flow for the developing hybrid application

program instructions to receive an indication from the user that information to complete development of the developing hybrid application has been provided; and

program instructions to determine the application satisfies a test device or a simulator configured to confirm the developing hybrid application performs as intended.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein program instructions to prompt to save the developing hybrid application, further comprises:

program instructions to create a plurality of reference data for the developing hybrid application; and

program instructions to prompt to assign one or more of;

a file name, an icon file, and a unique identifier to the developing hybrid application.

15. A computer system for creating and editing hybrid applications on a mobile device, the system comprising:

one or more computer processors;

one or more computer-readable storage memory;

program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable storage memory for execution by at least one of the one or more computer processors, the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to search one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device;

program instructions to expose an application-based workspace installed on the mobile device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing hybrid applications on the mobile device;

program instructions to present, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function, wherein each of the plurality of business process model and notation symbols automate a programming process for creating and editing hybrid applications;

program instructions to present, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of features made available by the plurality of currently installed applications;

program instructions to receive a plurality of selections in a workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the plurality of received selections includes at least;

a business process model and notation symbol representing a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a second feature of a second application, a business process model and notation symbol automating a programming function capable of linking sequentially, or in parallel, the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application, and a business process model and notation symbol representing a configured start event, wherein an occurrence of the configured start event automates the linking of the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application;

program instructions to receive a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workflow canvas of the workspace, wherein the configuration is a graphical representation sequence flow for automation of a developing hybrid application;

program instructions to determine, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete; and

program instructions to prompt to save the developing hybrid application.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to search one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device, further comprises at least one of:

program instructions to search the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications prior to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application;

program instructions to search the mobile device for one or more features made available by a plurality of currently installed applications; and

program instructions to search the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications subsequent to receiving confirmation of at least one of options;

to create a hybrid application and to edit an existing hybrid application.

17. The computer system of claim 15, wherein exposing the workspace, further comprises:

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for receiving a plurality of selections within the workspace;

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for configuring a plurality of selections within the workspace; and

program instructions to display the workflow canvas for manipulating a plurality of selections within the workspace;

wherein the plurality of selections within the workspace include a start event, an activity, a function of the mobile device, a feature of the mobile device, a business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and an end event.

18. The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to expose the workspace, further comprises:

program instructions to present a plurality of functions available on the mobile device; and

program instructions to present a plurality of settings for configuring programming operations;

wherein each of the presenting steps above includes presenting through one or more of;

a drop-down box, an organized folder, or a graphical user interface.

19. The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to determine, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete, further comprises:

program instructions to determine the selections are configured to enable automation of the sequence flow for the developing hybrid application

program instructions to receive an indication from the user that information to complete development of the developing hybrid application has been provided; and

program instructions to determine the developing hybrid application satisfies a test device or a simulator configured to confirm the developing hybrid application performs as intended.

20. The computer system of claim 15, wherein program instructions to prompt to save the developing hybrid application, further comprises:

program instructions to create a plurality of reference data for the developing hybrid application; and

program instructions to prompt to assign one or more of;

a file name, an icon file, and a unique identifier to the developing hybrid application.