IP Library Granted Patent US 7,213,212
Granted Patent B2
US 7,213,212 · App. 10/161,895 · Granted May 1, 2007

XGL and multi-platform user interface engine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,213,212
App. No.
10/161,895
Granted
May 1, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method for transforming a wizard container into a wizard interface, comprising:

extracting a XGL (experience generation language) package from the wizard container, said package containing a self-described object corresponding to a component of the wizard interface, said package being a live XGL package containing live data, said live XGL package being a XGL sub-package contained in another XGL package;

retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location;

transforming said self-described object into said corresponding component of the wizard interface according to an object template, independent of a type of computer platform performing the transformation; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said object is described using XML.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the XGL package is not retrieved if it has already been extracted for the wizard interface.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising laying out said component in the wizard interface according to a layout template.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wizard container has an indication of a specific layout template; retrieving said layout template and utilizing the retrieved layout template for laying out said components.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising interpreting an information data structure having an element matching said self-described object and modifying said self-described object to include data stored in said element.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said data structure is retrieved from a remote location.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said data structure is retrieved from a local location.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said data structure is retrieved after a previous interaction with the wizard interface was cancelled.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein depicting a first page further comprises transmitting a formatted page to a second computing device.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said second computing device depicts said formatted page with web client software.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication that an additional XGL package is needed; retrieving a second container with said additional XGL package.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said indication is received when a page at said wizard interface is depicted containing a logical branch.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said logical branch is cached.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having storable computer-executable instructions for transforming a wizard container into a wizard interface by:

extracting a XGL(experience generation language) package from the wizard container, said package containing a self-described object corresponding to a component of the wizard interface, said package being a live XGL package containing live data;

retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location;

transforming said self-described object into said corresponding component of the wizard interface according to an object template, independent of a type of computer platform performing the transformation; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the XGL package is not retrieved if it has already been extracted for the wizard interface.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising laying out said component in the wizard interface according to a layout template.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising interpreting an information data structure having an element matching said self-described object and modifying said self-described object to include data stored in said element.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein depicting a first page further comprises transmitting a formatted page to a second computing device.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising receiving an indication that an additional XGL package is needed;

retrieving a second container with said additional XGL package.

21. A computing device having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computing device operable to transform a wizard container into a wizard interface by:

extracting one or more XGL (experience generation language) packages from the wizard container, each XGL package containing one or more self-described objects corresponding to components of the wizard interface, said one or more packages including a live XGL package containing live data;

retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location;

transforming said self-described objects into said corresponding components of the wizard interface according to an object template, independent of a type of computer platform performing the transformation; and

depicting a first page of said wizard interface.

22. A computing device in communication with a server device and a client device, the computing device operative to:

receiving a wizard container;

extracting one or more XGL (experience generation language) packages from said wizard container, each XGL package containing one or more self-described objects corresponding to components of a wizard interface said one or more packages including a live XGL package containing live data;

retrieving one or more live objects embodying said live data from a remote location;

transforming said self-described objects into representations of said components of said wizard interface, independent of a type of computer platform performing the transformation;

laying out said representations of said components into a formatted page; and

transmitting said formatted page to said client device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034541/0477 →