US5825358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and system for forming multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1996-10-04
•
Granted: 1998-10-20
•
Expires: 2016-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A process and system for (a) minimizing operator interaction for selecting various functions of an application using a main window thread, an intelligent worker thread and a preemptive modeless dialog box; and (b) minimizing display clutter. The intelligent worker thread is capable of reading messages sent from a designated Window function requesting the creation of a preemptive modeless dialog box, determining whether any previous preemptive modeless dialog box is active, deleting any previous preemptive modeless dialog box and creating a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box requested by the message sent from the designated Window function, and dispatching foreign keypushes back to the main window thread.
Inventors
- 👤 Therese M. Silvent
- 👤 Valentine W. Golec
- 👤 James T. Godziela
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A process for managing multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said application having a main window thread which controls said functions, the process comprising the steps of: creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A process for managing multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said application having a main window thread which controls said functions, the process comprising the steps of: creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein each said active and/or subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is managed by said intelligent worker thread, and its inputs are processed by its respective dialog box thread.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent worker thread acts on behalf of said active preemptive modeless dialog box to dispatch its inputs, as well as foreign keypushes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent worker thread comprises the steps of: checking the message queue of said intelligent worker thread for any messages; determining if said active preemptive modeless dialog box is requested from said messages; deleting said active preemptive modeless dialog box if it exists; and creating said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 4 further comprising the step of: posting messages from said intelligent worker thread to said main windows thread.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 4 further comprising the step of terminating said intelligent worker thread if said message is "QUIT".
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said main window thread determines via a Window function whether a preemptive modeless dialog box is needed in accordance with inputs from said operator; and sends a message to said intelligent worker thread to create a preemptive modeless dialog box for a designated function.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
157 words
A system capable of managing multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said system comprising: a main window thread which is capable of controlling said functions of said application; a means for creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; a means for creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and a means for creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
157 words
A system capable of managing multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said system comprising: a main window thread which is capable of controlling said functions of said application; a means for creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; a means for creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and a means for creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein each said active and/or subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is managed by said intelligent worker thread, and its inputs are processed by its respective dialog box thread.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said intelligent worker thread acts on behalf of said active preemptive modeless dialog box to dispatch its inputs, as well as foreign keypushes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said intelligent worker thread comprises: a means for checking the message queue of said intelligent worker thread for any messages; a means for determining if said active preemptive modeless dialog box is requested from said messages; a means for deleting said active preemptive modeless dialog box if it exists; and a means for creating said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 11 further comprising: a means for posting messages from said intelligent worker thread to said main windows thread.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 11 further comprising a means for terminating said intelligent worker thread if message is "QUIT".
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 11 further comprising a means for terminating said main window thread if message is "QUIT".
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said main window thread determines via a Window function whether a preemptive modeless dialog box is needed in accordance with inputs from said operator; and sends a message to said intelligent worker thread to create a preemptive modeless dialog box for a designated function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
164 words
A storage media for controlling a processor so as to manage multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said storage media comprising: a main window thread which is capable of controlling said functions of said application; a means for creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; a means for creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and a means for creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
164 words
A storage media for controlling a processor so as to manage multiple preemptive modeless dialog boxes which enables an operator to select various functions of an application without having to de-select a previous function of said application, said storage media comprising: a main window thread which is capable of controlling said functions of said application; a means for creating a preemptive modeless dialog box object which comprises an intelligent worker thread which is in communication with both said main window thread and a dialog box thread; a means for creating an active preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a first function of said application; and a means for creating at least one subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box corresponding to a second function of said application; wherein said active preemptive modeless dialog box is terminated by said intelligent worker thread whenever a subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is created such that said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box then becomes the active preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The storage media according to claim 16 wherein each said active and/or subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box is managed by said intelligent worker thread, and its inputs are processed by its respective dialog box thread.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The storage media according to claim 16 wherein said intelligent worker thread acts on behalf of said active preemptive modeless dialog box to dispatch its inputs, as well as foreign keypushes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
The storage media according to claim 16 wherein said intelligent worker thread comprises: a means for checking the message queue of said intelligent worker thread for any messages; a means for determining if said active preemptive modeless dialog box is requested from said messages; a means for deleting said active preemptive modeless dialog box if it exists; and a means for creating said subsequent preemptive modeless dialog box.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage media according to claim 19 further comprising: a means for posting messages from said intelligent worker thread to said main windows thread.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage media according to claim 19 further comprising a means for terminating said intelligent worker thread if message is "QUIT".
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage media according to claim 19 further comprising a means for terminating said main window thread if message is "QUIT".
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The storage media according to claim 16 wherein said main window thread determines via a Window function whether a preemptive modeless dialog box is needed in accordance with inputs from said operator; and sends a message to said intelligent worker thread to create a preemptive modeless dialog box for a designated function.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5546525A
Cited
EP0463250A1
Cited
US5414810A
Cited
US5613058A
Cited
US5583982A
Cited
US5675520A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |