US5163130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for configuring a graphic interface
Assignee: Next Software Inc
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Filing: 1992-05-05
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2012-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A graphic interface configuration system is allows a user to create a graphic interface for a computer program in which graphic elements in the interface are linked to variables or functions in any one of a number of programming elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Marie Hullot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a computer system having a visual display on which an application program is represented by a graphic image, said application program having at least one program routine having variables and action portions, said application program being executed through a graphical program interface that provides a program window on said display, said program window containing graphic elements representing user inputs and outputs, said graphic image and graphic elements being capable of being moved on said display by a suer, a graphical program interface configuration system for allowing a programmer to define said graphical program interface, said system comprising: programmer-controllable graphical definition means for allowing a programmer to define said program window; programmer-controllable graphical placement means for for allowing a programmer to place at least one of said graphic elements in said program window; programmer-controllable graphical connection means for allowing a programmer to logically designate any of said at least one graphic element as an input/output element for any one of said at least one program routine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a computer system having a visual display on which an application program is represented by a graphic image, said application program having at least one program routine having variables and action portions, said application program being executed through a graphical program interface that provides a program window on said display, said program window containing graphic elements representing user inputs and outputs, said graphic image and graphic elements being capable of being moved on said display by a suer, a graphical program interface configuration system for allowing a programmer to define said graphical program interface, said system comprising: programmer-controllable graphical definition means for allowing a programmer to define said program window; programmer-controllable graphical placement means for for allowing a programmer to place at least one of said graphic elements in said program window; programmer-controllable graphical connection means for allowing a programmer to logically designate any of said at least one graphic element as an input/output element for any one of said at least one program routine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 1 wherein said at least one graphic element represents an input field for a variable, and said programmer-controllable graphical connection means is for logically designating said graphic element as an input/output element for a variable in said program routine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 1 wherein said at least one graphic element represents an action for selection by a user, and said programmer-controllable graphic connection means is for logically designating said graphic element as an input element for an action portion in said program routine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 1 wherein said programmer-controllable graphical connection means comprises means for graphically displaying a logical designation established between said graphic element and said program routine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 4, wherein said programmer-controllable graphical connection means further comprises means for graphically highlighting said graphic element and said program routine while said logical designation is displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 4, wherein said graphical connection means further comprises means for graphically displaying said variables and said action portions for which said graphical element can be designated as an input/output element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 6, wherein said graphical variable and action portion display means comprises means for indicting if any one of said variables and action portions has a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 6 wherein said graphical variable and action portion display means comprises means for selecting one of said displayed variables and action portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 8 wherein said graphical variable and action portion display means comprises actuation means for (a) if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions does not have a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor, logically designating said graphic element as an input/output element for said selected one of said displayed variables and action portions, and (b) if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions has a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor, cancelling logical designation of said graphic element as an input/output element for said selected one of said displayed variables and action portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 9 wherein said programmer-invocable actuation means changes its appearance according to whether or not said selected one of said displayed variables and action portions has a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
The graphical program interface configuration system of claim 8 wherein said programmer-controllable graphical connection means comprises means for, if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions is subject to a pre-existing logical designation of a second graphic element in said program window as an input/output element therefor, terminating the graphical display of an attempted logical designation established between said graphic element and said one of said variables and action portions and graphically displaying said pre-existing logical designation between said second graphic element and said one of said variables and action portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
For use in a computer system having a visual display on which an application program is represented by a graphic image, said application program having at least one program routine having variables and action portions, said application program being executed through a graphical program interface that provides a program window on said display, said program window containing graphic elements representing user inputs and outputs, said graphic image and graphic elements being capable of being moved on said display by a user, a graphical program interface configuration method for allowing a programmer to define said graphical program interface, said method comprising the steps of: allowing a programmer to graphically define said window; allowing a programmer to graphically place at least one of said graphic elements in said window; allowing a programmer to graphically logically designate any of said at least one graphic element as an input/output element for any one of said at least one program routine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
156 words
For use in a computer system having a visual display on which an application program is represented by a graphic image, said application program having at least one program routine having variables and action portions, said application program being executed through a graphical program interface that provides a program window on said display, said program window containing graphic elements representing user inputs and outputs, said graphic image and graphic elements being capable of being moved on said display by a user, a graphical program interface configuration method for allowing a programmer to define said graphical program interface, said method comprising the steps of: allowing a programmer to graphically define said window; allowing a programmer to graphically place at least one of said graphic elements in said window; allowing a programmer to graphically logically designate any of said at least one graphic element as an input/output element for any one of said at least one program routine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 12 wherein said at least one graphic element represents an input field for a variable, and said graphical logical designation step is for logically designating said graphic element as an input/output element for a variable in said program routine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 12 wherein said at least one graphic element represents an action for selection by a user, and said graphical logical designation step is for logically designating said graphic element as an input element for an action portion in said program routine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 12 wherein said graphical designation step comprises graphically displaying a logical designation established between said graphic element and said program routine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 15, wherein said graphical designation step further comprises graphically highlighting said graphic element and said program routine while said logical designation is displayed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 15, wherein said graphical designation step further comprises graphically displaying said variables and said action portions for which said graphical element could be designated as an input/output element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 17, wherein said graphical variable and action portion displaying step comprises indicating if any one of said variables and action portions has a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 17 wherein said graphical variable and action portion displaying step comprises selecting one of said displayed variables and action portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
114 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 19 wherein said graphical variable and action portion displaying step comprises an actuation step of (a) if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions does not have a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor, logically designating said graphic element as an input/output element for said selected one of said displayed variables and action portions, and (b) if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions has a graphic element logically designated as an input/output element therefor, cancelling logical designation of said graphic element as an input/output element for said selected one of said displayed variables and action portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
The graphical program interface configuration method of claim 19 wherein said graphical designation step comprises, if a selected one of said displayed variables and action portions is subject to a pre-existing logical designation of a second graphic element in said program window as an input/output element therefor, terminating the graphical display of an attempted logical designation established between said graphic element and said one of said variables and action portions and graphically displaying said pre-existing logical designation between said second graphic element and said one of said variables and action portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |