US5712993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for creating graphical user interfaces using changeable models for constituent parts
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-17
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Granted: 1998-01-27
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Expires: 2015-05-17
Abstract
Abstract In a graphical user interface (GUI) creation system, a GUI creator creates a form of a GUI interactively on a display screen. A control manager reads a control definition file from a control definition file storage, interprets the same and manages a control resulting from the interpretation. A control definition file creator creates a control definition file and records the same in the control definition file storage. A form manager manages forms recorded in a form storage and constituent parts recorded in a part storage. Through this arrangement the contents of the control definition file storage are rendered variable so that device information and definitions of a control may be readily changed. Constituent parts created are recorded in the part storage, and this enables the reuse of the constituent parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Takehiko Ichikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in an information processing system, said information processing system including the following information sub-units: (1) at least one information processing device; (2) at least one GUI for use in said at least one information processing device; and (3) a plurality of constituent parts for use in said at least one GUI, said constituent parts each including a control which specifies the function of said constituent part and a visual representation of said control, said control being defined in a control definition file which specifies the information processing device in which said GUI being developed is to be used and the function performed by said constituent part in response to user input, said method for developing a GUI comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving a desired control definition file corresponding to a constituent part to be created; (b) interpreting said desired control definition file to obtain information on the function of said constituent part to be created and a description of the information processing device in which the GUI being created is to be used; (c) creating said constituent part from the function and device information obtained by interpreting said control definition file; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for each constituent part of the GUI being developed; said step (c) utilizing control definition files wherein at least a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different image processing sub-units.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in an information processing system, said information processing system including the following information sub-units: (1) at least one information processing device; (2) at least one GUI for use in said at least one information processing device; and (3) a plurality of constituent parts for use in said at least one GUI, said constituent parts each including a control which specifies the function of said constituent part and a visual representation of said control, said control being defined in a control definition file which specifies the information processing device in which said GUI being developed is to be used and the function performed by said constituent part in response to user input, said method for developing a GUI comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving a desired control definition file corresponding to a constituent part to be created; (b) interpreting said desired control definition file to obtain information on the function of said constituent part to be created and a description of the information processing device in which the GUI being created is to be used; (c) creating said constituent part from the function and device information obtained by interpreting said control definition file; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for each constituent part of the GUI being developed; said step (c) utilizing control definition files wherein at least a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different image processing sub-units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 1, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different constituent parts such that multiple constituent parts are created from a single control definition file.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 2, wherein, by describing different functions in a single definition file, information which is the same for multiple constituent parts is not repeated for each constituent part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 2, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 1, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different information processing devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 5, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface (GUI) as described in claim 1, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different GUIs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 7, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 1, wherein created constituent parts are stored separately from created GUIs such that a constituent part created for use in a specific GUI is shared or reused in another GUI.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 9, wherein a plurality of created GUIs are simultaneously changed by editing a single constituent part.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
260 words
A system for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in an information processing system, said information processing system including the following information processing sub-units: (1) at least one information processing device; (2) at least one GUI for use in said at least one information processing device; and (3) a plurality of constituent parts for use in said at least one GUI, said constituent parts each including a control which specifies the function of said constituent part and a visual representation of said control, said control being defined in a control definition file which describes the information processing device in which said GUI being created is to be used and the function performed by said constituent part in response to user input, said system for developing a GUI comprising: (a) a control definition storage for storing a plurality of control definition files; and (b) a GUI creator for retrieving a desired control definition file corresponding to a constituent part to be created, interpreting said desired control definition file to obtain information on the function of said constituent part to be created and a description of the information processing device in which the GUI being created is to be used, creating said constituent part from the function and device information obtained by interpreting said control definition file, and repeating the functions of retrieving, interpreting, and creating for each constituent part of the GUI being developed; said GUI creator utilizing control definition files wherein at least a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different image processing sub-units.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
260 words
A system for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in an information processing system, said information processing system including the following information processing sub-units: (1) at least one information processing device; (2) at least one GUI for use in said at least one information processing device; and (3) a plurality of constituent parts for use in said at least one GUI, said constituent parts each including a control which specifies the function of said constituent part and a visual representation of said control, said control being defined in a control definition file which describes the information processing device in which said GUI being created is to be used and the function performed by said constituent part in response to user input, said system for developing a GUI comprising: (a) a control definition storage for storing a plurality of control definition files; and (b) a GUI creator for retrieving a desired control definition file corresponding to a constituent part to be created, interpreting said desired control definition file to obtain information on the function of said constituent part to be created and a description of the information processing device in which the GUI being created is to be used, creating said constituent part from the function and device information obtained by interpreting said control definition file, and repeating the functions of retrieving, interpreting, and creating for each constituent part of the GUI being developed; said GUI creator utilizing control definition files wherein at least a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different image processing sub-units.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 11, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different constituent parts such that multiple constituent parts are created from a single control definition file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 12, wherein, by describing different functions in a single definition file, information which is the same for multiple constituent parts is not repeated for each constituent part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 12, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 11, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different information processing devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 15, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface (GUI) as described in claim 11, wherein a single control definition file describes different functions respectively adapted for different GUIs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 17, wherein a conditional branch in said single control definition file describes said different functions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 11, further comprising a part storage device for storing created constituent parts separately from created GUIs such that a constituent part created for use in a specific GUI is shared or reused in another GUI.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system for creating a graphical user interface as described in claim 19, wherein a plurality of created GUIs are simultaneously changed by editing a single constituent part.
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) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |