Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-12-11
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C717S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330007
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a tool for designing a graphical user interface, and more particularly, to a prototyping and specification tool for designing dynamic user interaction screens including user input area, forms, pick lists, electronic receipts, and screen-labeled keys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Graphical user interfaces can be designed using a variety of software applications. The design of a graphical user interface includes prototyping or modeling the graphical user interface before the design is finalized. The design of a graphical user interface also includes a specification which is a detailed description for each of the areas displayed on the graphical user interface. A tool for designing a graphical user interface should provide three functions. The first function is graphical fidelity. For example, the graphical fidelity of a numeric key on a cash register depends on the degree of exactness with which the key is graphically displayed. The second function is the degree of interactivity. Interactivity can be considered the ability to navigate from screen-to-screen or within a single screen. The third function is to provide a complete specification for each area being displayed by the graphical user interface. A specification includes the size and font of typeface to be displayed in an area of the graphical user interface.
For example, a graphical user interface allowing navigation among a plurality of linked screens can be designed using Microsoft Word. Each of the screens would have simulated keys to simulate a keyboard, numeric pad or other controls, for example, on a cash register. Although hyperlinking capability using hypertext links is available in Microsoft Word 97 and Microsoft Word 97 enables screen navigation using simulated keys, the keys are not graphically displayed and the areas on the screen cannot be linked together interactively.
A graphical user interface can also be designed using Microsoft Powerpoint. Microsoft Powerpoint can graphically display simulated keys and has high graphical fidelity. Like Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Powerpoint also provides screen-to-screen interactivity, but no within-screen interactivity. There is no capability of providing a complete specification using Powerpoint. With Powerpoint, every specification detail must be typed in by the author into a “notes” page whose size is generally inadequate for this purpose.
Previous tools did not include specification details stored in a database. Instead nearly all design specifications had to be typed in by the author.
A need exists in the art for a tool that allows a designer to interactively design and completely specify a graphical user interface including a plurality of screens and be able to run the specified graphical user interface with high graphical fidelity and interactivity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tool for prototyping and specifying a graphical user interface using a database.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool in which graphical user interfaces can be specified using forms (dialog boxes) to collect information from the author on the specification of the graphical user interface.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a prototyping and specifying tool which requires little or no training to use and does not require the author to write code.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a prototyping and specifying tool which is interactive with the author during a design mode.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a prototyping and specifying tool which can be run following design.
The present invention is called a Dynakey Screen Generator (DSG) and is a Microsoft Windows-based tool for prototyping and specifying a graphical user interface having dynamic keys. More specifically, the present invention preferably is a Microsoft Visual Basic application and preferably uses an underlying Microsoft Access database. Advantageously, the present invention allows a user interface designer (the “author”) to enter design specifications into forms. The design specifications cover the general, visual style of the user interface being designed, the specific design of each screen, and navigation among screens. Once the specifications (stored in the Access database) have been entered, an “end user” (e.g., interface designer, developer, customer, potential end user) can immediately “run” the specification as an interactive prototype.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a method of graphically specifying a graphical user interface using information in tables stored in a relational database. A target screen is displayed having a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area, the keys, the buttons and the display area being graphically displayed. In a screen design dialog box, any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area can be selected. A set of controls is associated with the selected key, button or display area. Settings are designated by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by an article including at least one sequence of machine executable instructions on a medium bearing the executable instructions in machine readable form, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to display a target screen having a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area, the keys, the buttons and the display area being graphically displayed. Any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area is selected. A screen associated with the selected key, button or display area is graphically displayed. The file name of the bitmap is read from a table in the relational database. Settings are designated by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by a computer architecture. The computer architecture includes displaying means for displaying a target screen having a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area, the keys, the buttons and the display area being graphically displayed. Selecting means are provided for selecting any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area. Graphical displaying means are provided for graphically displaying a screen associated with the selected key, button or display area from a table in the relational database. Designating settings means are provided for designating settings by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are also achieved by a computer system including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to perform the steps of displaying a target screen having a plurality of generic keys, a plurality of screen information buttons and a display area, the keys, the buttons and the display area being graphically displayed. In a screen design dialog box, any one of the generic keys, the screen information buttons and the display area can be selected. Settings are designated by accessing one or more tables in the relational database for the selected key, button or display area, the settings being graphically displayed.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, where
Isreal Jack B.
Lee Mark D.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
NCR Corporation
Thai Cuong T.
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