Method and apparatus for implementing I/O in a frame-based computer system

• US 5,586,317 A
• Filed: 07/30/1993
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US08/099,860
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 395/275, 395/148, 395/155, 395/161, 395/650, 395/821, 395/133, 395/103, 395/148, 395/155, 395/161, 395/618
• US Class Current: 719/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/027 Frames

Abstract

A method for implementing I/O in a frame-based computer system, including the steps of: a) determining whether there is a communication pertaining to a frame-based computer system; b) determining which frame the communication is associated with, if any; and c) causing the frame to implement a script, including sequence of computer-implemented process steps which causes with input to or output from the frame-based computer system. The frame-based computer system includes a CPU, a memory system coupled to the CPU, an input system coupled to the CPU, and an output system coupled to the CPU. A frame system stored in the memory system and implemented on the CPU provides a basic data structure for the frame-based computer system. A mechanism for detecting an output request initiated within the frame-based computer system causes an associated frame to execute a sequence of computer-implemented process steps to cause the output system to make an output. A mechanism for detecting an input from the input system causes an associated frame of the frame system to implement an input script, including a sequence of computer-implemented process steps, which causes an input into the frame system.

Claims

1. A frame-based computer system implemented on a hand-held pen-based device, said computer system comprising:

computation means;

memory means coupled to said computation means;

input means implemented by a view system of said frame-based computer system, said input means coupled to said computation means;

output means implemented by said view system of said frame-based computer system, said output means coupled to said computation means;

a frame system stored in said memory means and implemented on said computation means for providing a data structure for said frame-based computer system, said frame system including frame objects, where each frame object is a logical software unit within said computer system having both data and processes which give said frame object attributes and capabilities, said frame system also including function frames arranged to contain a representation of an expression in a scripting language capable of implementing a computer process and arranged to be associated with a frame object, said frame system operable to implement the execution of input or output scripts contained within said function frames;

means for detecting an output request initiated by said frame-based computer system and for causing a frame object of said frame system to determine an associated output function frame in order to implement an output script comprising a sequence of computer-implemented process steps which causes said output means to make an output through said view system; and

means for detecting an input initiated by an external device or user from said input means and for causing a frame object of said frame system to determine an associated input function frame in order to implement an input script comprising a sequence of computer-implemented process steps which causes an input into said frame system by way of said view system.

2. A computer-implemented method for implementing input/output in a frame-based computer system of a hand-held pen-based device, said frame-based computer system operable for determining information relating to input/output communications and to frame objects, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input communication through a view system of said frame-based computer system, said input communication initiated by an external device or by a user, said frame-based computer system including a plurality of frame objects each comprising a logical software unit within said frame-based computer system associated with both data and computer processes which give said frame object attributes and capabilities, said frame-based computer system also including function frames, each function frame containing a representation of an expression in a scripting language capable of implementing a computer process and arranged to be associated with a frame object, said view system using frame objects to process input/output communications;

determining whether there is a communication message pertaining to said frame-based computer system that is responsive to said input communication;

determining a first frame object said communication message is associated with, if any;

determining a first function frame associated with said first frame object that implements said communication message;

sending said communication message corresponding to said input communication to said first frame object; and

causing said first frame object to implement a script contained in said first function frame so as to implement said communication message, said script comprising a sequence of computer-implemented process steps which causes either the processing of an input to or causes an output from said frame-based computer system utilizing said view system.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said step of determining whether there is a communication comprises the step of:

determining whether there is an output requested by said computer system.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said step of determining a first frame object comprises the steps of:

determining if the first frame object is known from the output requested by said computer system; and

finding the first frame object if the frame frame object was not known.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said step of causing said first frame object to implement a script comprises the steps of:

determining whether said first frame object should be queried for output; and

sending a message to said first frame object querying for output if said step of determining whether said first frame object should be queried is affirmative.

6. A computer-implemented method for implementing an output in a frame-based computer system of a hand-held pen-based device, said frame-based computer system operable for determining information relating to input/output communications and to frame objects, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an output request initiated by the frame-based computer system, said frame-based computer system including a plurality of frame objects each comprising a logical software unit within said frame-based computer system associated with both data and computer processes which give said frame object attributes and capabilities, said frame-based computer system also including function frames, each function frame containing a representation of an expression, in a scripting language capable of implementing a computer process and arranged to be associated with a frame object, said view system using frame objects to process input/output communications;

determining whether there is a communication message pertaining to said frame-based computer system that is responsive to said output request;

determining which frame object, if any, of said frame-based computer system is associated with said communication message;

determining if said frame object should be caused to implement a script contained in a function frame that implements said communication message, said script comprising a sequence of computer-implemented process steps;

sending said communication message corresponding to said output request to said frame object; and

causing the frame object to implement said script to cause an output portion of said computer system to provide an output through said view system, if said determination of if said frame object should be caused to implement said script is in the affirmative.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of determining which frame object comprises the steps of:

determining if the frame object is known from the output requested; and

finding the frame object if the frame object was not known.

8. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

determining whether said frame object specifies an output directly; and

executing said output if said frame object does so specify.

9. A computer-implemented method for implementing an input in a frame-based computer system of a hand-held pen-based device, said frame-based computer system operable for determining information relating to input/output communications and to frame objects, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an input communication through a view system of said frame-based computer system, said input communication initiated by an external device or by a user, said frame-based computer system including a plurality of frame objects each comprising a logical software unit within said frame-based computer system associated with both data and computer processes which give said frame object attributes and capabilities, said frame-based computer system also including function frames, each function frame containing a representation of an expression in a scripting language capable of implementing a computer process and arranged to be associated with a frame object, said view system using frame objects to process input/output communications;

determining whether there is a communication message pertaining to said frame-based computer system that is responsive to said input communication;

determining which frame object, if any, of said frame-based computer system is associated with said communication message;

determining if said frame object should be caused to implement a script contained in a function frame that implements said communication message, said script comprising a sequence of computer-implemented process steps;

sending said communication message corresponding to said input communication to said frame object; and

causing said frame object to implement said script to cause an input portion of said computer system to process an input utilizing said view system if said determination of if said frame object should be caused to implement said script is in the affirmative.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said step of determining which frame object comprises the steps of:

determining if the frame object is known from the input; and

finding the frame object if the frame object was not known.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

determining whether said frame object specifies a response directly; and

executing said response if said frame object does so specify.