Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing
Reexamination Certificate
1994-08-09
2002-08-13
Ellis, Richard L. (Department: 2183)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Least weight routing
C700S086000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06434629
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to the use of an agent to compile, record, playback and monitor commands used by programs running on a computer.
In many application programs there is a facility for recording keystrokes made by a user in interacting with the application program. These keystrokes, stored in a macro file, may be later played back. This use of playback using a macro can allow a user to simply re-execute a complicated set of commands. Additionally, the user can simplify down to the running of a macro an often repeated task.
Typically, this type of use of macros has been utilized on a syntax level. What is meant herein by “syntax level” is the action a user makes, such as keystrokes or movements of a mouse, in order to interact with an application. For instance, macro files created for later playback, typically store a series of keystrokes. An application executing a macro merely replays the stored keystrokes, and executes them as if a user were typing the keystrokes on the keyboard.
To simplify the creation of macro files, an application often has a “record” mode which allows a user to interact with the application program to perform a task. The keystrokes the user uses in performing the task are recorded in a macro file. The macro file then may be played back whenever it is desired to repeat the task.
Although storing keystrokes in macro files for playback is a useful practice, it is inadequate in many respects. For example, current schemes for storing keystrokes in macro files are application dependent. They are implemented by a particular application which has its own set of standard rules. Further, such schemes operate syntactically, requiring a user to understand the syntax of a particular application in order to create a macro file which will operate correctly on that application. Additionally, there is no feedback inherent in the system to account for any differences in the location or state of objects between the time the keystrokes are recorded and the time the keystrokes are played back. Furthermore, there is typically no way to create macro files which when played back operate outside the particular application by which the macro file is created.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention a computing system is presented which includes a plurality of applications. Each application program includes an action processor which receives messages containing user syntactic actions. These actions are translated into semantic commands. The semantic commands are sent to a command processor for execution.
The preferred embodiment of the computing system additionally includes an agent engine. The agent engine may be used to perform many functions. It may be used to receive semantic commands from an application, and to record the semantic commands for later playback. It may be used to send semantic commands from a task language file to an application program for execution by the command processor. It may be used to intercept semantic commands sent from action processor to the command processor. After the command is intercepted, the agent engine may be used to allow the semantic command to be executed or to prevent the semantic command from being executed. The ability to intercept semantic commands is especially useful in computer based training.
The present invention allows great versatility in the ability of a user to interact with an application. The user may record, playback and monitor actions performed by an application at the semantic command level, rather than the user syntactic level. This and other advantages of the present invention are evident from the description of the preferred embodiment below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4692858 (1987-09-01), Redford et al.
patent: 4696003 (1987-09-01), Kerr et al.
patent: 4755808 (1988-07-01), Bullock et al.
patent: 4827404 (1989-05-01), Barstow et al.
patent: 4852047 (1989-07-01), Lavalle et al.
patent: 4866638 (1989-09-01), Cosentio et al.
patent: 4974173 (1990-11-01), Stefik et al.
patent: 5008853 (1991-04-01), Bly et al.
patent: 5117496 (1992-05-01), Stearns et al.
patent: A-0236744 (1987-02-01), None
J.L. Bennett, “Tools for Building Advanced User Interfaces”, IBM Systems Journal, vol. 25, Nos. 3-4, part 1, 1986, pp. 354-368.
E. Edmond et al., The SYNICS2 User Interface Manager, Interact '84, Human Computer Interaction, 1985, pp. 375-378.
EPO Search Report.
Robson, David, “Object-Oriented Software Systems,” Byte, 1981, pp. 74,76,78, 80, 82, and 86.*
Xerox, “The Smalltalk-80 System,” Byte, 1981, pp. 36-48.*
Tesler, Larry, “The Smalltalk Environment,” Byte, 1981, pp. 90,94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 132, 134, 138, 140, 142, 144 and 147.*
Krasner, Glenn, “The Smalltalk-80 Virtual Machine,” Byte, 1981, pp. 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316-318, and 320.*
Foster, Gregg, “Collaborative Systems and Multi-User Interfaces,” Ph.D. Thesis, Oct. 31, 1986.*
Bobrow et al., “The Loops Manual,” Xerox, 1983, p. 1-124.
Packard Barbara B.
Stearns Glenn
Watson Ralph Thomas
Ellis Richard L.
Hewlett-Packard Co.
LandOfFree
Computing system which implements recording and playback of... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computing system which implements recording and playback of..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computing system which implements recording and playback of... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2967586