Method and apparatus for implementing dynamic function groups in a data processing system
US7657870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/10
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, an apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for implementing dynamic function groups in a data processing system. An extensible framework is provided, which provides function groups to amalgamate extended sets of functionality by either vendor or purpose and allows the function groups to be dynamically enabled or disabled within a software application. A user may specify which extended sets of functionality are relevant and when to enable them. With the use of function groups, third party vendors may integrate added functionalities with existing ones in a software application, and indicate when these functionalities should be available to end-users without the need to duplicate code. The invention allows for the construction of other extensible frameworks including wizards, editors, and operations may also be extended with the use of function groups.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.