Context switching and method

• US 20070156483A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Peters, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 7,707,512 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Systems and methods for context switching within enterprise resource planning systems are contemplated, including a first and second user context. A user performing tasks in the first user context actuates an actuator in communication with a context switcher. The context switcher changes the user'"'"'s user context from the first user context to the second user context in response to an event. The user is then able to perform tasks in the second user context.

Claims

1. A context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools comprising:

a plurality of user contexts operable within an enterprise resource planning system;

a first user context in which a user performs tasks;

an actuator in communication with a context switcher;

the actuator sending data associated with the actuator to the context switcher in response to input from the user; and

the context switcher performing a context manipulation operation so that the user may perform tasks in a second user context.

2. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 1 further comprising:

a configuration program for customizing which of a plurality of context manipulation operations the context switcher performs in response to data received from the actuator.

3. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 1 further comprising:

the context switcher performing the context manipulation operation of switching from the second user context to the first user context and terminating the second user context in response to the data received from the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the first user context.

4. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 1 further comprising:

the context switcher performing the context manipulation operations of activating the second user context and switching from the first user context to the second user context in response to the data associated with the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the second user context.

5. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 1 further comprising:

the actuator is one of the members selected from the group comprising a button on a keyboard, a button on a mouse, a touchpad, an aural sensor, and a system that tracks eye movements.

6. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 1 further comprising:

the actuator is a button selected from the group comprising a “

START”

button that launches a call center application, a “

LAST NOTIFICATION”

button that displays a summary record for a caller, a “

MORE”

button that expands a summary record, and a “

DONE”

button that terminates the call center application and all child user contexts.

7. A context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools comprising:

an actuator in communication with a context switcher operable within an enterprise resource planning system;

means for performing tasks on a computing device within a first user context;

means for sending data associated with the actuator to a context switcher in response to user input;

means for the context switcher to receive data associated with the actuator; and

means for performing a context manipulation operation by the context switcher in response to the data received so that the user may perform tasks in a second user context.

8. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 7 further comprising:

means for customizing which of a plurality of context manipulation operations the context switcher performs in response to data received from the actuator.

9. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 7 further comprising:

means for performing a context manipulation operation comprises switching from the second user context to the first user context and terminating the second user context in response to the data received from the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the first user context.

10. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 7 further comprising:

means for performing a context manipulation operation comprises activating the second user context and switching from the first user context to the second user context in response to the data associated with the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the second user context.

11. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 7 further comprising:

the actuator is one of the members selected from the group comprising a button on a keyboard, a button on a mouse, a touchpad, an aural sensor, and a system that tracks eye movements.

12. The context switching system for enterprise resource planning tools of claim 7 further comprising:

the actuator is a button selected from the group comprising a “

START”

button that launches a call center application, a “

LAST NOTIFICATION”

button that displays a summary record for a caller, a “

MORE”

button that expands a summary record, and a “

DONE”

button that terminates the call center application and all child user contexts.

13. A method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools comprising:

running a first user context operable within an enterprise resource planning system;

sending data associated with an actuator in response to user input, the actuator in communication with a context switcher;

receiving the data associated with the actuator by the context switcher; and

the context switcher performing a context manipulation operation in response to the data received so that the user may perform tasks in a second user context.

14. The method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools of claim 13 further comprising:

customizing the context manipulation operation performed in response to the actuator being actuated by using a configuration program.

15. The method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools of claim 13 further comprising:

the context switcher performing the context manipulation operation of switching from the first user context to the second user context in response to the data associated with the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the second user context.

16. The method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools of claim 13 further comprising:

the context switcher performing the context manipulation operation of switching from the second user context to the first user context and terminating the second user context in response to the data received from the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the first user context.

17. The method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools of claim 13 further comprising:

the context switcher performing the context manipulation operations of activating the second user context and switching from the first user context to the second user context in response to the data associated with the actuator to allow the user to perform tasks in the second user context.

18. The method for context switching in enterprise resource planning tools of claim 13 further comprising:

the context switcher performs a context manipulation operation selected from the group comprising;

launching a call center application in response to the user pressing a “

START”

button;

displaying a summary record for a caller in response to the user pressing a “

LAST NOTIFICATION”

button;

expanding the summary record in response to the user pressing a “

MORE”

button; and

terminating the call center application and all child user contexts in response to the user pressing a “

DONE”

button.

19. A method for context switching for call center applications comprising:

running a first user context operable within an enterprise resource planning system;

sending data associated with an actuator in response to user input, the actuator in communication with a context switcher;

receiving the data associated with the actuator by the context switcher; and

the context switcher performing a context manipulation operation in response to the data received so that the user may perform tasks in a second user context, performing a context manipulation operation is selected from the group comprising;

launching a call center application in response to the user pressing a “

START”

button;

displaying a summary record for a caller in response to the user pressing a “

LAST NOTIFICATION”

button;

expanding the summary record in response to the user pressing a “

MORE”

button; and

terminating the call center application and all child user contexts in response to the user pressing a “

DONE”

button.

20. A context switching system for call center applications comprising:

a plurality of user contexts operable within an enterprise resource planning system;

a first user context in which a user performs tasks;

an actuator in communication with a context switcher;

the actuator sending data associated with the actuator to the context switcher in response to input from the user;

the context switcher performing a context manipulation operation so that the user may perform tasks in a second user context; and

the actuator is a button selected from the group comprising a “

START”

button that launches a call center application, a “

LAST NOTIFICATION”

button that displays a summary record for a caller, a “

MORE”

button that expands a summary record, and a “

DONE”

button that terminates the call center application and all child user contexts.