Dual-frame user interface on generic client software
View Patent ↗Generic client software, such as a web browser, is configured to include features conventionally found only in custom client software. In one embodiment of the present invention, generic client software is configured to have a parent frame which includes a data list frame and a data display frame. The data list frame display a set of identifier and a current data identifier marker. The data display frame displays a current data record. Commands to manipulate, such as a next command, are stored in the parent frame. Thus, both the data list frame and the data display frame can be updated simultaneously.
1. A data display system implemented by configuring generic client software to resemble a portion of a display window associated with custom client software, the data display system comprising:
a data display frame configured to display a current data record;
a data list frame configured to display a first set of data identifiers and having a current data identifier marker for indicating a current data identifier corresponding to the current data record;
a data display frame lock that indicates whether the data display frame contains a valid data page; and
a data list frame lock that indicates whether the data list frame contains a valid data page,
wherein the data display frame and the data list frame facilitate accessing server software over a wide area network, and wherein the data display frame and the data list frame are synchronized over the wide area network using the data display frame lock and the data list frame lock.
2. The data display system of claim 1 , further comprising a parent frame containing the data display frame and the data list frame.
3. The data display system of claim 2 , wherein the parent frame further comprises a plurality of command scripts.
4. The data display system of claim 3 , wherein the data display frame further comprises a next button associated with a next command script from the plurality of command scripts.
5. The data display system of claim 4 , wherein the data display frame further comprises a previous button associated with a previous command script from the plurality of command scripts.
6. The data display system of claim 4 , wherein the next command script is configured to request a new current data record.
7. The data display system of claim 6 , wherein the next command script is also configured to update the current data identifier marker.
8. The data display system of claim 6 , wherein the next command script is also configured to request a second set of data identifiers when the current data record corresponds to a last data identifier in the first set of data identifiers.
9. The data display system of claim 1 , wherein the current data identifier marker is an arrow.
10. The data display system of claim 1 , wherein the current data identifier marker is signified by highlighting the current data identifier.
11. The data display system of claim 1 , wherein the data list frame includes a set of status markers for the set of data identifiers.
12. The data display system of claim 1 , wherein the data display system is an email client.
13. The data display system of claim 1 , wherein the generic client software is a web browser.
14. A method of configuring generic client software to synchronize a first frame with a second frame, the method comprising:
creating a parent frame including the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first and second frames resemble a portion of a display window created using custom client software;
storing a plurality of commands for the first frame and the second frame in the parent frame;
storing a plurality of variables for the first frame and the second frame in the parent frame;
displaying a first set of data identifiers in the first frame;
displaying a current data record in the second frame; and
placing a current data record identifier next to a current data identifier corresponding to the current data record; and
storing indicators of lock states for the first frame and the second frame in the parent frame,
wherein storing the indicators of lock states and the plurality of commands and variables allows synchronization of the first and second frames being sent over a wide area network.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising highlighting the current data identifier corresponding to the current data record.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising displaying a set of status markers corresponding to the set of data identifiers in the first frame.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of commands includes a next command.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising requesting a new current data record when the next command is activated.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising, updating a current data identifier marker when the next command is activated.
20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising requesting a second set of data identifiers when the next command is activated and the current data record corresponds to a last data identifier in the first set of data identifiers.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first frame is configured to display a list of email headers.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second frame is configured to display an email.
23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the generic client software is a web browser.