Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-27
2001-10-16
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2184)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C705S016000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system comprising plural common objects that can be shared by plural application programs. The present invention relates specifically to a control system that can be customized using the common objects, to a programming method for the control system, and to a peripheral devices control system applying the control system and programming method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers are used today to execute a wide range of processes, and use a variety of peripheral equipment that can be connected to computers. It is therefore necessary to build and provide flexible computerized systems that can be customized to a user's working environment and objectives (needs). For example, it is possible today to connect different types of printers, displays, bar code readers, and other input/output devices using a common standard bus. When the software needed to control these I/O devices is installed in the computer, the control system must be able to appropriately control each of these many devices. It is also easy to build a networked computing environment in which plural computers are connected to a common network. This makes it desirable to be able to control the processes and procedures executed by each computer on the network.
One method of constructing this type of flexible system executed in a computer is to create plural common objects that can be shared, and write the operating system and application programs using these common objects. An example of such a system is the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology developed by Microsoft, and the related OLE Automation or OLE custom controls (OCX), interfaces for OLE programming.
One problem with such conventional programming methods, however, is that when one common object uses another common object, the functions of both common objects cannot be sufficiently realized. Using the custom controls OCX described above, for example, a client OCX can access properties and methods from a server OCX, but the client OCX cannot receive events generated by the server OCX.
This means that if the first OCX is an object for controlling the functions of a peripheral device such as a printer, and the second OCX is a driver for the type of peripheral device controlled by the first OCX, the first OCX can control the functions of the peripheral device via the second OCX, but cannot receive peripheral device status information through the second OCX.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is therefore to resolve this problem by providing a method and system for easily constructing a variety of operating systems and application programs using plural common objects that can be shared by plural application programs. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and system that improve the interface between common objects, and enable each common object to fully utilize the functions of other common objects.
In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide a system whereby when one common object is the client or controller and another common object is the server, events generated by the server object can be recognized by the client or controller object, and to provide a method for constructing such systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically applies to a system comprising plural control objects used as common objects each comprising a first function for serving properties including attribute values or methods for calling implemented functions to an application program, another control object; and a second function for posting events including asynchronously occurring actions.
When a control system executable by a computer is constructed by means of this system, at least one second control object is created by a first control object with the first control object controlling the second object. In this type of control system, the present invention provides an interface object having a function for communicating properties or methods between the first control object and the second object, and a function for communicating events from the second object to the first control object.
It is therefore possible by means of the present invention for a first control object and a second common object to communicate all properties, methods, and events therebetween by means of a two-way communications interface object. It is therefore simple to construct a control system capable of fully utilizing functions made available as control objects.
With the control system of the present invention the first control object can receive events generated by a second control object, execute processes appropriate to the received event, and rapidly communicate the event to another control object, application program, or operating system using the first control object. The present invention is therefore able to build a control system that fully utilizes the functions of all common objects.
A control system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention provides a second interface for receiving events to a control object comprising the functionality of a common object, i.e., a control object comprising a function for informing an application program or other control object of specific properties, including attribute values, or methods for calling implemented functions, and a first interface for issuing events including asynchronous actions, and constructs a control system using a plurality of the control objects.
In a control system according to the present invention a first control object thus comprises a second interface for receiving events, and events occurring asynchronously in a second control object can be immediately communicated through the first interface and second interface to the first control object, or to higher level application programs. It is therefore possible to easily construct a variety of control systems by means of a first control object creating a second control object, and appropriately controlling the first control object and the second control object, and thereby achieving a high speed, multiple function control system.
Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hisamatsu Yutaka
Kimura Yoshihiro
Baderman Scott
Beausoleil Robert
Gabrik Michael T.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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