Method and apparatus for attaching an informational dialog to a Java bean

• US 20040216088A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Irwin Knutson, John William Alcorn
• Original Assignee: James Irwin Knutson, John William Alcorn
• Inventors: Alcorn, John William, Knutson, James Irwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/116
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A method in a data processing system for attaching an informational dialog to a program. The program is morphed to become a dippable program. A dip is created, wherein the dip includes an informational dialog. The dip is added to the dippable program, wherein the informational dialog is attached to the dippable program. The dialog is displayed just before the dippable program is displayed.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for attaching an informational dialog to a program, the method comprising the data processing system implemented steps of:

morphing the program, wherein the program becomes a dippable program;

creating a dip for the program, wherein the dip includes an informational dialog; and

adding the dip to the dippable program, wherein the informational dialog is attached to the dippable program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is a Java bean

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is a plurality of beans.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the informational dialog is displayed prior to the dippable program displaying information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dialog is dismissed in response to a selected action.

6. A method in a data processing system for attaching an informational dialog to a bean, the method comprising the data processing system implemented steps of:

creating an informational dialog;

creating a dip using the informational dialog; and

attaching the dip to the bean.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of attaching comprises:

morphing the bean to create a dippable bean; and

attaching the dip to the dippable bean.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of creating comprises:

creating a dialog;

setting properties for the dialog.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of setting properties includes:

selecting text for the dialog.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of setting properties includes:

selecting a graphical property for the dialog.

11. A computer system for attaching an informational dialog to a program, the computer system comprising:

morphing means for morphing the program, wherein the program becomes a dippable program;

creating means for creating a dip for the program, wherein the dip includes an informational dialog; and

adding means for adding the dip to the dippable program, wherein the informational dialog is attached to the dippable program.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the program is a plurality of beans.

13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the informational dialog is displayed prior to the dippable program displaying information.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the dialog is dismissed in response to a selected action.

15. A data processing system for attaching an informational dialog to a bean, the data processing system comprising:

first creating means for creating an informational dialog;

second creating means for creating a dip using the informational dialog; and

attaching means for attaching the dip to the bean.

16. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the attaching means comprises:

morphing means for morphing the bean to create a dippable bean; and

attaching means for attaching the dip to the dippable bean.

17. The data processing system of claim 15, wherein the creating means comprises:

creating means for creating a dialog;

setting means for setting properties for the dialog.

18. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the setting properties means comprises:

selecting means for selecting text for the dialog.

19. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the setting properties means comprises:

selecting means for selecting a graphical property for the dialog.

20. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for attaching informational dialog to a program, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions for morphing the program, wherein the program becomes a dippable program;

second instructions for creating a dip for the program, wherein the dip includes an informational dialog; and

third instructions for adding the dip to the dippable program, wherein the informational dialog is attached to the dippable program.