End user programming for a television multimedia device

• US 9,503,788 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• 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): Pendleton, Brian T
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUONG, ALAN H
• Application Number:
  US14/025,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20150082357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 725/51, 725/61, 725/37, 717/121, 717/124, 715/234, 715719-720
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47205 for manipulating displayed content, e.g. interacting with MPEG-4 objects, editing locally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications

Abstract

A tool for creating and editing applications on a television multimedia device. The tool searches the television multimedia device for a plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device. The tool exposes a workspace based on a graphical programming language on the television multimedia 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 one or more hybrid applications on a television multimedia 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 television multimedia device;

exposing, by one or more computer processors, a workspace on the television multimedia device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing the one or more hybrid applications on the television multimedia device;

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

a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and a second feature of a second application;

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

linking, by one or more computer processors, at least the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application based, at least in part, on the business process model and notation symbol representing the programming function and the configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace to customize a discrete functionality delivered by the plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device;

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 television multimedia 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 a plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device, further comprises at least one of:

searching, by one or more computer processors, the television multimedia 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;

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

searching, by one or more computer processors, the television multimedia 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.

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

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

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

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

wherein the plurality of selections within the workspace include one or more of;

a start event, an activity, a function of the television multimedia device, a feature of the television multimedia device, a 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 business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions of the graphical programming language, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include one or more of an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function;

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

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

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 properly configured in accordance with the graphical programming language;

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

determining, by one or more computer processors, the application satisfies a test device or a simulator configured to confirm the 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 applications on a television multimedia device, the computer program product comprising:

one or more non-transitory computer-readable tangible storage devices and program instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory computer-readable tangible storage devices, the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to search, by one or more computer processors, one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to expose, by one or more computer processors, a workspace on the television multimedia device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing the one or more hybrid applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to receive, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of selections in the workspace, wherein the plurality of received selections include at least;

a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and a second feature of a second application;

program instructions to receive, by one or more computer processors, a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace, wherein the configuration is a graphical representation of a developing hybrid application;

program instructions to link, by one or more computer processors, at least the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application based, at least in part, on the business process model and notation symbol representing the programming function and the configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace to customize a discrete functionality delivered by the plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to determine, by one or more computer processors, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete; and

program instructions to prompt, by one or more computer processors, 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 television multimedia device, issuing 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 the program instructions to search one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device, further comprises at least one of:

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

program instructions to search the television multimedia 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 the program instructions to expose the workspace, further comprise:

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

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

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

wherein a plurality of selections include one or more of;

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

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

program instructions to present a plurality of business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions of the graphical programming language, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include one or more of an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function;

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

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

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

wherein each of the presenting steps above includes program instructions to present 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 the program instructions to determine, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete, further comprise:

program instructions to determine the selections are properly configured in accordance with the graphical programming language;

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

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

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

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, or a unique identifier to the developing hybrid application.

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

one or more computer processors;

one or more non-transitory computer-readable tangible storage devices;

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

program instructions to search, by one or more computer processors, one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to expose, by one or more computer processors, a workspace on the television multimedia device, the workspace providing a business process model and notation graphical programming language for creating and editing the one or more hybrid applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to receive, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of selections in the workspace, wherein the plurality of received selections include at least;

a first feature of a first application, a business process model and notation symbol representing a programming function, and a second feature of a second application;

program instructions to receive, by one or more computer processors, a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace, wherein the configuration is a graphical representation of a developing hybrid application;

program instructions to link, by one or more computer processors, at least the first feature of the first application and the second feature of the second application based, at least in part, on the business process model and notation symbol representing the programming function and the configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace to customize a discrete functionality delivered by the plurality of currently installed applications on the television multimedia device;

program instructions to determine, by one or more computer processors, based on the configuration, the developing hybrid application is complete; and

program instructions to prompt, by one or more computer processors, to save the developing hybrid application.

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

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

program instructions to search the television multimedia 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 the program instructions to expose the workspace, further comprise:

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

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

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

wherein a plurality of selections include one or more of;

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

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

program instructions to present a plurality of business process model and notation symbols representing one or more programming functions of the graphical programming language, wherein the plurality of business process model and notation symbols include one or more of an activity, a sequence flow, a gateway, a parallel process, a start and an end, an event, and a looping function;

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

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

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

wherein each of the presenting steps above includes program instructions to present 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 the program instructions to determine the developing hybrid application is complete comprise:

program instructions to determine the selections are properly configured in accordance with the graphical programming language;

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

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

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

creating a plurality of reference data for the developing hybrid application; and

prompting to assign one or more of a file name, an icon file, and a unique identifier to the developing hybrid application.