This invention relates to an improved method and system for communicating information through electronic mail system and in particular a method and system of using customizable forms in an electronic mail system.
It is common in written communications to use standard forms. Examples of standard forms are credit application and phone message slips. These forms allow for the collection of certain data in a structured format. This structured format simplifies the processing of the data.
In computer systems, data is often gathered and displayed through the use of electronic forms. For example, a computer program could display a form that looks similar to the paper version of a credit application form. This similarity simplifies the entry of data into the computer and subsequent display of the data.
An electronic mail system allows mail to be collected electronically through a computer terminal and transmitted to another computer or another user of the same computer and displayed on a terminal. Typical mail systems use certain standard forms. For example, the standard send message form 100 as shown in
A few mail systems have allowed the user to add custom forms. These mail systems provide only limited customization. The customization is typically limited to the use of predefined components. For example, the forms designer could specify where to place a text field or a date field. However, the mail system predefines how the fields will operate. When a user of a form presses a key or uses a mouse button to click on a component of a form, the mail system will typically take one or more actions in response to that input. The actions taken when a button field is clicked, for example, is referred to as the “behavior” of the button. Each form component in custom forms traditionally has a single behavior or a fixed number of possible predefined behaviors.
While this limited customization allows for some degree of user-customization of electronic mail forms, the user is limited to the predefined components and behaviors.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for customizing forms in an electronic mail system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail system in which the user of the mail system can specify the field layout of a custom form and specify the behavior of the fields in the custom form.
It is another object of this invention to provide an electronic mail system that collects data through a custom form, packs the data into a mail message, and transports the mail message to the specified recipients of the mail.
It is another object of this invention to provide an electronic mail system that receives mail messages, unpacks the data from the mail message, and displays the data in a custom form.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail system with a transaction event processor to receive mail events and to call a form control procedure to implement the behavior of the custom form.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a layout for a form data structure that includes the definition of the form fields and the form control procedure.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic mail system implements user-customizable forms that allow the user to define form components and their behavior. This invention allows a user to specify the layout of a custom form and specify a form control procedure (FCP) to control the behavior of the form components. The FCP is a computer subroutine that implements user-defined processing of the form. The form is defined in a form data structure that contains the layout of the form and the FCP. The mail system interacts with the FCP to collect form data and transmit the data to a receiver. The mail system also interacts with the FCP to display the message through the custom form when it is received.
In a preferred embodiment, the mail system has a transaction event manager (TREV) that calls the FCP. The TREV creates a window for the form and displays the form in the window. When certain events occur, such as keyboard entry, for the window, the TREV calls the FCP. This calling allows the FCP to perform custom processing.
Form Data Structure
A custom form is defined in a form data structure. The form data structure describes the design and layout of the form. It describes the initial size of the form and initial placement of the form on the display. It describes the placement of predefined form components, such as buttons and text fields, and the placement and appearance of user-defined form components. The appearance of user-defined form components may be defined as an arbitrary bitmap image.
Form Header
The form header contains information describing the window in which the fields are displayed. The form data structure contains only one form header which is the first entry in the form data structure. The primary key of the form header is “FHDR” and the secondary key is 0. The following data structure, as specified in the “C” programming language, defines a preferred format of form header.
The variable formFlags specifies automatic positioning of the window and controls the appearance of the window. The variable formFlags can be set to a combination of values as described in the following. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffNoFlags to indicate that variable formCoords contains the coordinates of the window and variable formProcId contains the style of the window. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffTBCentre to indicate that the window is to be centered vertically. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffLRCentre to indicate that the window is centered horizontally. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffTBLRCentre to indicate that the window is centered both vertically and horizontally. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffAtBottom to indicate that the window is to be placed at the bottom of the screen. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffNoMailIcon to indicate that the mail icon is not to be drawn oh the title bar. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffModal to indicate that the window is modal. The variable formFlags is set to the value ffGoAway to indicate that the window has not go away box.
The variable formProcId specifies the style of window. In a preferred embodiment the style can be modeless or modal.
The variable formCoords specifies the screen position and size of the form window. This positioning information can overridden by the setting of variable formFlags.
The variable formCurField is used internally by the TREV to store what field is current.
The variable formTitle is a string that is displayed in the title bar of modeless form windows.
Field Objects
A form consists of a number of fields. Each field object describes the characteristics of a field of the form. For each field there is one field object in the form data structure. The primary key of a field object is “FFLD” and the secondary key is set to a unique identifier for that field; typically, the identifier would be a descriptive of the field. For example, an address field may have a secondary key equal to “ADDR.” The following data structure defines a preferred format of the field objects.
The variable type indicates the type of the field. The following describes some preferred standard field types. One skilled in the art would know that other standard field types can be defined. The variable type is set to the value fieldStaticText to indicate that the text in the field cannot be edited. The variable type is set to the value fieldEditText to indicate that the text in the field can be edited, for example, subject field 303. The variable type is set to the value fieldHiddenText to indicate that the text in the field can be edited but is not echoed to the display. The variable type is set to the value fieldButton to indicate that the field is a standard button, for example, button field 308. The variable type is set to the value fieldRadioButton to indicate that the field is a standard radio button, for example, radio button fields 307. The variable type is set to the value fieldCheckBox to indicate that the field is standard check box, for example, check boxes 305. The variable type is set to the value fieldButtonIcon to indicate that the field displays a button in the shape of the specified icon. The variable type is set to the value fieldOptionButton to indicate that the field displays a button with a specified title string. The variable type is set to the value fieldTime to indicate that the field displays the time of day. The variable type is set to the value fieldDate to indicate that the field displays the date. The variable type is set to the value fieldRect to indicate that a rectangle is drawn around the field. The variable type is set to the value fieldPicture to indicate that the field displays the specified picture, for example, picture 301. The variable type is set to the value fieldVariableData to indicate that the field contains data that is not displayed on the screen. The variable type is set to the value fieldUser to indicate that the field is a user-defined field.
The variable attributes specifies the appearance and behavior of the field. One skilled in the art would know that other values for the variable attributes could be defined to specify different appearances and behaviors. The variable attributes is set to the value attrCanBeCurrent to indicate that the field can be the current field. The current field is the field that receives characters entered by the user. The variable attributes is set to the value attrInform to indicate that the FCP is to be called by the TREV whenever the field is affected by a user event, such as, a mouse click or entry of a character (if the field is current). The variable attributes is set to the value attrPack to indicate that the field contents will be packed into the mail message when a send message request is detected by the mail system, for example, when the user clicks button field 308. The variable attributes is set to the value attrIdle to indicate that the FCP will be called periodically. This periodic calling allows fields, such as a time field, to be updated. The variable attributes is set to the value attrReadOnly to indicate that the field is read only. The variable attributes is set to the value attrDisabled to indicate that the field is drawn differently to indicate that it is disabled (usually grey). The variable attributes is set to the value attrGroup1, attrGroup2, attrGroup3, or attrGroup4 to indicate that the field is in an attribute group. The variable attributes is set to the value attrDependCheckState, attrDependSetState, or attrDependSetNegState to define the functioning of a group. A group of fields allows for the enabling and disabling of fields within the group based on whether other fields in the group contain data. When data is entered or deleted from a field, the TREV checks all the fields in the group that have the variable attributes set to the value attrDependCheckState set. If all these fields have data, then the TREV enables all the fields in the group that have the variable attributes set to attrDependSetState and disables all the fields in the group that have the variable attributes set to attrDependSetNegState.
The variable coords contains the coordinates of the rectangle that defines the field in the window.
The variable keyEquiv contains the keyboard equivalent for many types of fields, such as a button field.
The variable font contains the font, face, and size of the text that is displayed in the field.
The variables data and private are handles that are used at run time to store information about the field.
Form Control
The form control fields are a special class of fields that are not referenced or modified by the TREV. The field serves to store global variables for an FCP. The variables are preserved between calls to the FCP. The primary key is “FDAT” and the secondary key is a unique identifier for the field.
Form Control Procedure
The Form Control Procedure (FCP) is a computer subroutine routine that is called directly by the TREV. The FCP is written by the forms designer to implement form customization. The FCP is a block of code stored as the last entry in the form data structure. In a preferred embodiment, the FCP is written in assembly language or another programming language that is compiled into machine code. Alternatively, the FCP can be written in a scripting language or pseudo-machine language that is interpreted. The use of a scripting language or pseudo-machine language would facilitate platform independent custom forms. In a preferred embodiment, the FCP has full access to the computer resources. Alternatively, the FCP could be restricted as to the resources used. For example, the FCP could be restricted to the operating system calls available to it. The primary key of the FCP id “FFCP” and the secondary key is zero. The following defines the format of the call to the FCP.
The parameter UpCall is an address of a procedure that can be called by the FCP. This parameter provides a convenient mechanism for allowing the FCP to access the internal functions of the mail system. For example, the mail system may support a field type defined as a list, for example, to field 302. The mail system may have routines, such as an add-item-to-list routine, to manipulate lists. The FCP can access these routines through the procedure pointed to by the parameter UpCall.
The parameter callType specifies what particular action the FCP is asked to perform. The parameter callType can be set to the following values: fcpFormEvent, fcpFieldPre, fcpFieldPost, or fcpUserField.
The parameter callType is set to the value fcpFormEvent to allow the FCP to deal with form-specific events. A form-specific event would be global initialization of FCP internal variables. When the parameter callType is set to fcpFormEvent the parameter req specifies the type of form event. The parameter req is set to the value formNew to permit the FCP to initialize its global data and allocate any other data structures it may require. The FCP is called with this parameter value after the individual fields have been initialized. The parameter req is set to the value formDispose to permit the FCP to dispose of any memory manager data structures that have been allocated. The FCP is called with this parameter value before the individual fields have their associated dispose functions performed. The parameter req is set to the value formIdle to permit the FCP to perform idle processing, such as updating a time field. The FCP is called with this parameter value before the idle messages are sent to the individual fields. The parameter req is set to the value formPack to notify the FCP that the individual fields have been packed into the mail message. The FCP can change the packed data or add additional data to the mail message. The parameter req is set to the value formUnpack to notify the FCP that the individual fields have been unpacked. The FCP can modify the unpacked data.
The parameter callType is set to the value fcpFieldPre to allow the FCP to perform customization before the TREV performs its standard functions for an event, such as keyboard entry. When the FCP returns to the TREV, the FCP can set the result code to the value TErrDealtWith to indicate that the TREV is to skip its standard processing for this event.
The parameter callType is set to the value fcpFieldPost to allow the FCP to perform customization after the FCP performs it standard functions for an event.
The parameter callType is set to the value fcpUserField to allow the FCP to perform customization for a user-defined field.
The parameter win contains a pointer to the window in which the form is displayed.
The parameter ident contains the identification of the field, which in a preferred embodiment is the secondary key from the form data structure.
The parameter req contains information on the type of event for which the FCP is being called. One skilled in art would know that other event types, such as list processing events, could be defined. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqCreate once for each field after a form is created. This allows the FCP to perform initialization associated with the field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqDelete once for each field just before the form is disposed of. This allows the FCP to perform clean up for the field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqUpdate for each field that needs to have its contents updated on the display. This allows the FCP to redisplay data after the window has been uncovered. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqIdle periodically for each field with the variable attributes set to the value attrIdle. This allows the FCP to update fields, such as a time field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqCurrent for a field that has been tabbed to or clicked upon. This allows the FCP to customize a field when it becomes current. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqNotCurrent when the current field changes. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqEnable to indicate that the field has become enabled. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqDisable to indicate that the field has become disabled. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqKey to indicated that a key has been entered into the field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqChosen to indicate that the defined equivalent key as stored in variable keyEquiv for the field has been entered. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqMouse whenever a mouse down event (click) occurs. The FCP is also passed the location of the cursor. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqEdit to indicates that an edit function, such as undo, cut, copy, paste, or clear, is requested for the field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqHasData so that the FCP can return a value of true if the field has data and false otherwise. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqGetData so that the FCP can return the value of the data in the field. The FCP is called with the parameter req set to the value reqSetData so that the FCP can change the data in the field.
The parameter arg stores request-specific data.
Transaction Event Manager
The Transaction Event Manager (TREV) is the portion of the mail system that manages the events associated with a form.
In blocks 504 through 519, the routine waits for an event to occur, determines the event type, and calls the appropriate routines to process the event. In block 504, the routine waits until an event occurs. In block 505, if the event type is idle, then the routine continues at block 506 to process the idle event, else the routine continues at block 508. In block 506, the routine calls subroutine FCP with the values fcpFormEvent and formIdle to indicate that an idle event occurred. In block 507, the routine calls subroutine FCPrequest with the value reqIdle once for each field in the form data structure that has its attribute set to attrIdle. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 508, if the event type is mouse, then the routine continues at block 509, else the routine continues at block 510. In block 509, the routine calls subroutine MouseEvent to process the mouse event. Subroutine MouseEvent is described in detail below. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 510, if the event type is keyboard, then the routine continues at block 511, else the routine continues at block 512. In block 511, the routine calls subroutine KeyboardEvent to process the keyboard event. Subroutine KeyboardEvent is described in detail below. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 512, if the event type is update, then the routine continues at block 513, else the routine continues at block 514. In block 513, the routine calls subroutine FCPrequest with the value reqUpdate once for each field in the form data structure. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 514, if the event type is pack or unpack, then the routine continues at block 515 to process the pack or unpack, else the routine continues at block 517. In block 515, the routine calls subroutine PackEvent to pack or unpack a mail message. Subroutine PackEvent is described in detail below. In block 516, the routine calls subroutine FCP with value fcpFormEvent and value formPack or formUnpack, depending on the event type, to allow the FCP to modify the mail message data. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 517, if the event type is edit, then the routine continues at block 518 to process the event, else the routine continues at block 519. In block 518, the routine calls subroutine FCPrequest with values formCurField from the form data structure and reqEdit. The routine then loops to block 504 to wait for the next event.
In block 519, if the event type is dispose, then the routine continues at block 520, else the routine loops to block 504 to wait for the next event. In block 520, the routine calls subroutine FCP with values fcpFormEvent and formDispose. In block 520, the routine calls subroutine FCPrequest with the value reqDispose once for each field in the form data structure. The routine then returns.
Form Control Procedure
In block 1406, if the variable winner is set, then the routine continues at block 1407, else the routine continues at block 1408. In block 1407, the routine sets the result code to the value TErrDealtWith to indicate that the TREV will not need to perform its standard processing for this event. The routine then returns.
In block 1408, if the value of parameter req is reqCurrent, then the routine continues at block 1409, else the routine returns. In block 1409, if data is in the field, then the routine returns because an X or an O is already in the field, else the routine continues at block 1410. In block 1410, if there are an even number of fields with data, then it is X's turn and the routine continues at block 1412, else it is O's turn and the routine continues at block 1411. In block 1411, the routine draws an O in the field and sets the field data value to indicate an O. In block 1412, the routine draws an X in the field and sets the field data value to indicate an X.
In block 1413, the routine determines if there is a winner and if so, then the routine continues at block 1414, else the routine continues at block 1415. In block 1414, the routine draws a line through the grid to indicate the winning fields and set the variable winner. In block 1415, the routine sets the result code to the value TErrDealtWith to indicate that the TREV will not need to perform its standard processing for this event. The routine then returns.
In a preferred embodiment, each user of the electronic mail system has access to the custom forms. In a local area network, the data structure for a form could be stored on a file server. Each user who sends and receives messages using a custom form would download the form from the file server to create or view the message. The mail message that is sent would specify the custom form associated with the message. Alternatively, the custom form could be sent to the recipient as part of the mail message. In a preferred embodiment, each custom form has an associated icon. The mail system would display the icon to indicate that the custom form is available to the user.
It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/334,616, filed Nov. 3, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,723, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/207,231, filed Mar. 7, 1994 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/621,444, filed Nov. 30, 1990 now abandoned.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 08334616 | Nov 1994 | US |
Child | 08938468 | US | |
Parent | 08207231 | Mar 1994 | US |
Child | 08334616 | US | |
Parent | 07621444 | Nov 1990 | US |
Child | 08207231 | US |