System for changing user interfaces based on display data content

• US 5,818,446 A
• Filed: 11/18/1996
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bertram, Randal Lee, Brittenham, Peter James, Brozowski, Mathew James
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/751,831
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326-358
• US Class Current: 715/746
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

The computer is enhanced to include software processes for detecting the contents of data to be displayed and, responsive thereto, for changing the user interface selected for display and use. These processes determine which of a plurality of possible user interfaces shall be loaded into the computer memory for employment on the display for user interaction therewith so that, for example, functionally rich user interfaces will be employed for adult use of a given data load, but simplified user interfaces may be employed for the same data when a child desires to use the system. The entire user interface is changed based on data type or content as compared with a register of desired user interfaces for differing types or contents of data to be displayed.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising a processor, a memory, a display and input/output or interface means, together with interconnecting communication means for connecting said processor, memory, display and input/output means, and further comprising:

means for detecting that a user interface presentation format change is desired and, responsive to said detecting,

means for determining if a new one of a plurality of user interface presentation formats is desired; and

responsive to said determining,

means for loading said desired user interface presentation format into said memory for use by said processor in displaying said desired interface on said display registry means for holding specified criteria for comparison to content received for presentation on said display means and, responsive to said comparison, for selecting a predefined user interface presentation.

2. A computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for determining further comprises:

means responsive to a received user request for an identified desired user interface format change, for determining if said user request identifies a new user interface format that requires loading into said memory, and if not, resuming operation with the user interface in use once said user request was received.

3. A computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

4. A computer system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

5. A computer system as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein:

incoming data for display is analyzed to determine if it identifies a previously activated user interface presentation control format, and, if it does, resuming operation of said previously activated user interface presentation control format.

6. A computer system as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, and further including a network browser application loaded into said memory and being executed by said processor, wherein said browser further comprises:

means for detecting that a user interface presentation format change is desired and, responsive to said detecting,

means for determining if a new one of a plurality of user interface presentation control formats is desired; and

responsive to said determining,

means for loading said desired user interface presentation format into said memory for use by said processor in displaying said desired interface on said display.

7. A computer system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for detecting a desired user interface format change further comprises:

registry means for holding specified criteria for comparison to content received for presentation on said display means and, responsive to said comparison, for selecting a predefined user interface presentation control format.

8. A computer system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for determining further comprises:

means responsive to a received user request for an identified desired user interface format change, for determining if said user request identifies a new user interface format that requires loading into said memory, and if not, resuming operation with the user interface in use once said user request was received.

9. A computer system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for determining further comprises:

means responsive to a received user request for an identified desired user interface format change, for determining if said user request identifies a new user interface format that requires loading into said memory, and if not, resuming operation with the user interface in use once said user request was received.

10. A computer system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

11. A computer system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

12. A computer system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

13. A computer system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said means for determining further comprises means for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type.

14. A user interface presentation control facility for use in a computer system having at least a processor and a memory and a display in communication with said processor, said control facility comprising a machine readable medium bearing processor instructions, comprising steps executable by said processor for:

detecting that a user interface presentation format change is desired and, responsive to said detecting;

determining if a new one of a plurality of user interface presentation formats is desired; and

responsive to said determining,

loading said desired user interface presentation control format into said memory for use by said processor in displaying said desired interface controls on said display comparing specified criteria to content received for presentation on said display and, responsive to said comparing, selecting a predefined user interface presentation format for use.

15. A user interface presentation control facility as claimed in claim 14, wherein said determining step further comprises:

determining if said user request identifies a new user interface format that requires loading into memory and, if not, resuming operation with the user interface in use when the said user request was received.

16. A user interface presentation control facility as claimed in claim 14, further comprising steps for:

monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said determining step further comprises steps for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type exists.

17. A user interface presentation control facility as claimed in claim 15, further comprising steps for:

monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

said determining step further comprises steps for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type exists.

18. A presentation control facility as claimed in any one of claims 14, 15, and 16, further comprising steps executable in said processor for:

analyzing incoming data to determine if it identifies a previously activated user interface presentation format, and if it does, resuming operation of said previously actuated user interface presentation format.

19. In a computer system, a method of controlling a user interface format display comprising steps of:

detecting that a user interface presentation format change is desired and, responsive to said detecting, determining if a new one of a plurality of user interface presentation formats is desired; and

responsive to said determining,

loading said desired user interface presentation format into said memory for use by said processor in displaying said desired interface on said display holding specified criteria for comparison to content received for presentation on said display and, responsive to said comparison, selecting a predefined user interface presentation format.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said determining further comprises determining if said user request identifies a new user interface format that requires loading into memory and if not, resuming operation with the user interface in use when said user request was received.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising steps for:

monitoring incoming data for presentation on said display; and

determining by steps comprising steps for analyzing said incoming data for the presence of an URL data format identifier of any of the source file name, content type, source file extension, or data object type exists.