Extensible user interface

US 20050050301A1
Filed: 08/29/2003
Published: 03/03/2005
Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
Status: Abandoned Application

First Claim

Patent Images

1. A method comprising:

providing a first program from a server to an application, wherein the first program is configured to present a first portion of a user interface for the application, the application is configured to present a second portion of the user interface, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.

View all claims

3 Assignments

Timeline View

Assignment View

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

A method, apparatus, computer system and computer program product that enable a server to provide information and control the display of the information at a client dynamically without being persistently connected to the client. Functionality of the user interface can be changed without changing a client application displaying the information, installing a new application on the client computer system, or maintaining a persistent network connection between the client computer system and the server computer system. A control program running on the client computer system is configured to operate according to instructions provided by the server. The instructions provide information such as particular modules to present within the user interface and the layout of windows that provide access to the modules. The server also provides instructions for responses to be performed upon receiving events.

313 Citations

84 Claims

1. A method comprising:
- providing a first program from a server to an application, wherein the first program is configured to present a first portion of a user interface for the application, the application is configured to present a second portion of the user interface, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a sidebar.
  - 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises a module within a sidebar.
  - 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of modules, and at least one of the plurality of modules is presented by the application.
  - 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first program is a script.
  - 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises the second portion.
  - 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of panes for presenting a respective plurality of modules.
  - 8. The method of claim 7 wherein a respective module of the respective plurality of modules can be configured to be presented within a respective pane of the plurality of panes.
  - 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first program is configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the configuration associates the object with the second portion such that the object is displayed when the second portion is presented.
  - 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the object is a window, and a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the window, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the object comprises a toolbar, a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the toolbar;
    - and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the object comprises a module, and a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the module, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the object comprises a menu, and a second instruction to display an option in the menu is generated when a determination is made that a second configuration for the menu comprises the option, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 17. The method of claim 16 wherein a third instruction is generated when a second determination is made that the option was selected, and the third instruction is provided to the first program when the second determination is made.
  - 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the second configuration is provided by the server.
  - 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the first program is configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the event comprises receiving a request to reposition the first portion, and the first program repositions the first portion in response to receiving the instruction.
  - 22. The method of claim 19 wherein the instruction comprises a script instruction.
  - 23. The method of claim 19 wherein the instruction comprises a binary instruction.
  - 24. The method of claim 19 wherein the instruction comprises a bytecode instruction.

25. An apparatus comprising:
- providing means for providing a first program from a server to an application, wherein the first program is configured to present a first portion of a user interface for the application, the application is configured to present a second portion of the user interface, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the first program is configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the first program is configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

31. A computer-readable medium comprising:
- providing instructions for providing a first program from a server to an application, wherein the first program is configured to present a first portion of a user interface for the application, the application is configured to present a second portion of the user interface, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (32, 35, 36)
- - 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31 wherein the first program is configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 35. The computer-readable medium of claim 31 wherein the first program is configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 further comprising:
- the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
- View Dependent Claims (34)
- - 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.

37. A computer system comprising:
- providing instructions for providing a first program from a server to an application, wherein the first program is configured to present a first portion of a user interface for the application, the application is configured to present a second portion of the user interface, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
- - 38. The computer system of claim 37 wherein the first program is configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 39. The computer system of claim 38 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 40. The computer system of claim 39 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 41. The computer system of claim 37 wherein the first program is configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 42. The computer system of claim 41 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

43. A method comprising:
- presenting a first portion of a user interface of an application in response to receiving a first program from a server, wherein a second portion of the user interface is presented by the application, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the presenting the first portion is performed only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
- - 44. The method of claim 43 wherein the first portion comprises a sidebar.
  - 45. The method of claim 43 wherein the second portion comprises a module within a sidebar.
  - 46. The method of claim 43 wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of modules, and at least one of the plurality of modules is presented by the application.
  - 47. The method of claim 43 wherein the first program is a script.
  - 48. The method of claim 43 wherein the first portion comprises the second portion.
  - 49. The method of claim 43 wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of panes for presenting a respective plurality of modules.
  - 50. The method of claim 49 wherein a respective module of the respective plurality of modules can be configured to be presented within a respective pane of the plurality of panes.
  - 51. The method of claim 43 wherein the first program is configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 52. The method of claim 51 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 54. The method of claim 52 wherein the configuration associates the object with the second portion such that the object is displayed when the second portion is presented.
  - 55. The method of claim 52 wherein the object is a window, and a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the window, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 56. The method of claim 52 wherein the object comprises a toolbar, a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the toolbar;
    - and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 57. The method of claim 52 wherein the object comprises a module, and a second instruction is generated when a determination is made that an event was performed with reference to the module, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 58. The method of claim 52 wherein the object comprises a menu, and a second instruction to display an option in the menu is generated when a determination is made that a second configuration for the menu comprises the option, and the second instruction is provided to the first program when the determination is made.
  - 59. The method of claim 58 wherein a third instruction is generated when a second determination is made that the option was selected, and the third instruction is provided to the first program when the second determination is made.
  - 60. The method of claim 59 wherein the second configuration is provided by the server.
  - 61. The method of claim 43 wherein the first program is configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 62. The method of claim 61 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 63. The method of claim 62 wherein the event comprises receiving a request to reposition the first portion, and the first program repositions the first portion in response to receiving the instruction.
  - 64. The method of claim 61 wherein the instruction comprises a script instruction.
  - 65. The method of claim 61 wherein the instruction comprises a binary instruction.
  - 66. The method of claim 61 wherein the instruction comprises a bytecode instruction.

67. An apparatus comprising:
- presenting means for presenting a first portion of a user interface of an application in response to receiving a first program from a server, wherein a second portion of the user interface is presented by the application, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the presenting the first portion is performed only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
- - 68. The apparatus of claim 67 further comprising:
    - displaying means for displaying an object within the first portion only in response to the first program receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 69. The apparatus of claim 68 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 71. The apparatus of claim 67 further comprising:
    - responding means for responding to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event from the first program, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

73. An computer-readable medium comprising:
- presenting instructions configured to present a first portion of a user interface of an application in response to receiving a first program from a server, wherein a second portion of the user interface is presented by the application, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77, 78)
- - 74. The computer-readable medium of claim 73 further comprising displaying instructions configured to display an object within the first portion only in response to the first program receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 75. The computer-readable medium of claim 74 further comprising:
    - the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 76. The computer-readable medium of claim 75 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 77. The computer-readable medium of claim 73 further comprising:
    - responding instructions configured to respond to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event from the first program, wherein the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 78. The computer-readable medium of claim 77 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

79. An computer system comprising:
- a processor to execute instructions; and
  
  a memory to store the instructions, wherein the instructions comprise;
  
  presenting instructions to present a first portion of a user interface of an application in response to receiving a first program from a server, wherein a second portion of the user interface is presented by the application, the second portion does not comprise the first portion, and the first portion is presented only in response to the server providing the first program to the application.
- View Dependent Claims (80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
- - 80. The computer system of claim 79 wherein the instructions further comprise:
    - displaying instructions to display an object within the first portion only in response to the first program receiving an instruction to display the object, and the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 81. The computer system of claim 80 wherein the instruction to display the object is generated in response to determining that a configuration for the first portion comprises the object, and the instruction to display the object is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.
  - 82. The computer system of claim 81 wherein the configuration is provided by the server.
  - 83. The computer system of claim 79 further comprising:
    - responding instructions for responding to an event with reference to the first portion only in response to receiving an instruction to respond to the event from the first program, wherein the server does not provide the instruction.
  - 84. The computer system of claim 83 wherein the instruction is generated only in response to determining that the event has occurred, and the instruction is provided to the first program when the instruction is generated.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Oath Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
Original Assignee
Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
Inventors
Wolford, Michael R., Biddy, James Bradford, Gue, Robert S., Dowds, Steven Allen, Seitz, Edward F., Sollicito, Vincent Louis, Bollas, James Zachary, Davis, Brockton Scott, Whittle, Derrick Wang, Vaughan, Richard George, Owens, Stephen Kent

Application Number

US10/652,379
Publication Number

US 20050050301A1
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

712/32
CPC Class Codes

G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for ...

Extensible user interface

First Claim

3 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

313 Citations

84 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links

Extensible user interface

First Claim

3 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

313 Citations

84 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links