Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-16
2001-08-28
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, C345S215000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C709S203000, C709S241000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281892
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related in general to the field of computer systems. More particularly, the invention is related to a system and method of table-driven computer interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Great advances have been made in the field of computers and other computer processor-based systems. The computers are able to process data at speeds previously unimaginable. However, one bottleneck remains—the interface between humans and the computer. Humans must enter data or commands in a form that the computer understands and can process.
For many telecommunications equipment, the interface between craft personnel and the equipment is often via command-line entries of keyword-based commands. Typically, the entry of a particular command would trigger the execution of a subroutine or program that would then perform the task indicated by the entered command. Therefore, each command would have its own corresponding program that carries out the command. Whenever there is a change, addition or deletion to any of the commands and/or associated parameters, large chunks of software code has to be modified, added or deleted. The interface program then has to be recompiled, linked, and tested. Therefore, any change to the requirements of the commands and parameters and interface formats would require time-consuming and tedious recoding or coding of the software.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method of interfacing with the computer or telecommunications equipment to reduce the time, cost and effort of maintaining and implementing changes to the commands and associated parameters.
In one aspect of the invention, a table-driven interface system to a computer application is provided. The system includes an input handler operable to receive a command entered by a user, and at least one input table indexable by the received command for determining a sequence of required input parameters associated with the received command, and the sequence of required input parameters being used to prompt the user for required input parameter values. A server handler is operable to construct a message having a predetermined format containing the required input parameter values, the server handler further operable to send the constructed message to a server. The server handler is operable to receive a reply message from the server containing at least one output parameter value. At least one output table containing display control information are indexable by the received command and required input parameters. An output handler is operable to construct a formatted display of the at least one output parameter value with the display control information contained in the at least one output table, the formatted display being displayed to the user.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a table-driven method to interface to a computer application provides for receiving a command entered by a user, indexing into at least one input table by the received command and determining at least one required input parameter associated with the received command, prompting the user to enter a value for the at least one required input parameter, putting the user-entered at least one required input parameter value in an input parameter table, constructing a message having a predetermined format containing the at least one required input parameter value contained in the input parameter table, and sending the constructed message to a destination.
A technical advantage of the present invention provides an easy and quick way to implement changes to the table-driven interface system. Any changes or additions to the command keywords, required parameters for the commands, formats, etc. would require only that appropriate changes be made in the tables. No additional coding, code modification and debugging is necessary. A change or addition to a server would only require changes to the table-driven interface system tables associated with the changed server without having to modify the table-driven interface system code.
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patent: 5708828 (1998-01-01), Coleman
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Duncan Michael W.
Haney Scott J.
Hilton Dwight C.
Long William L.
Reddy Vasundhara K.
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Nguyen Thomas T.
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