United States Patent (19)
`Brandt et al.
`
`54) COMPUTER APPARATUS AND METHOD
`FOR PROVIDING A COMMON USER
`INTERFACE FOR SOFTWARE
`APPLICATIONS ACCESSED VIA THE
`WORLD-WIDE WEB
`
`75 Inventors: Marcia Lynn Brandt; Kenneth Edgar
`Brown, both of Rochester; Pernell
`James Dykes, Byron; Erik Duane
`Lindberg; Diane Elaine Olson, both of
`Rochester, all of Minn.; Jeffrey
`Edward Selden, Jacksonville Beach,
`Fla.; Devon Daniel Snyder; James
`Orrin Walts, both of Rochester, Minn.
`73 Assignee: International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 780,015
`22 Filed:
`Dec. 23, 1996
`
`USOO5892.905A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,892,905
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`5,572,643 11/1996 Judson ............................... 395/200.48
`5,701,451 12/1997 Rogers et al..
`5,706,427
`1/1998 Tabuki ............................... 395/187.01
`Primary Examiner-Ly Hua
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Derek P. Martin
`57
`ABSTRACT
`The present invention provides the capability to easily
`access many different application programs over the WWW
`via a common user interface. By providing Standard
`procedures, routines, tools, and Software "hooks' for access
`ing software applications over the WWW, software devel
`operS can concentrate on the functionality of the application
`program and easily use HTML to provide a GUI interface for
`the application program. HTML is a well-known language
`which can be used by almost any computer System on the
`market today. In addition, since HTML is a fairly well
`controlled and Standardized language, new Software appli
`cation features can be added as they are developed and
`supported by HTML. In addition, since HTML is a widely
`adopted, non-proprietary technology, the present invention
`
`51 Int. C. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GO6F 17/00; HO4L 9/00
`
`Ca provide open CCCSS to
`
`large market for CWC very
`
`52 U.S. Cl. ............... 395/187.01; 395/186; 395/200.32;
`395/200.59
`58 Field of Search ............................... 395/186, 187.01,
`395/200.32, 200.59
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,305,456 4/1994 Boitana ................................... 395/186
`5,361,359 11/1994 Tajalli et al. ............................ 395/186
`5,553,239 9/1996 Heath et al. ....................... 395/187.01
`
`Small Software developers. Further, the present invention
`also allows Software developerS to adopt a Standard access
`protocol, which allows them to provide Support for any
`computer system which is capable of utilizing a HTML
`cognizant browser. Finally, by providing easy-to-implement,
`Standardized Solutions to the issueS of user interface,
`authentication security, and web transaction Support, the
`common user interface of the present invention overcomes
`the limitations existing in previous Solutions.
`
`32 Claims, 22 Drawing Sheets
`
`130-
`
`-100
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`332 Y
`Internet.
`Application
`Gateway
`
`342 Y
`Software
`Application
`
`18O
`
`
`
`AUX. STORAGE IFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`140
`
`
`
`
`
`150
`
`TERMINAL if
`
`WORKSTATION
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 22
`
`5,892.905
`1 OO
`
`y
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`
`
`Web Server
`
`internet/
`Application
`Gateway
`
`Software
`
`TERMINAL I/F
`
`AUX. STORAGE/F
`
`WORKSTATION
`
`18O
`
`DASD
`
`190
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`2OO
`
`210
`
`22O
`
`Client WorkStation
`
`Web
`BrOWSer
`
`212
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Web Server
`Computer System
`
`Web Server
`Application
`
`222
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`009
`
`
`
`079
`
`099
`
`OZZ
`
`0 || Z.
`
`
`
`uue?sÁS J??nduOO
`
`J?AJ?S që NA
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 4
`
`

`

`077
`
`5,892,905
`
`
`
`suue 16OJ)
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`079099
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`SOO
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet S of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`INPUT FROM BROWSER
`
`
`
`O Sl
`
`
`
`SECURITY
`CHECKING
`REQUIRED?
`
`YES
`
`- 522
`PERFORM SECURITY
`CHECK
`
`NO
`
`TEMPLATE
`SPECIFIED
`
`S32
`PERFORM TEMPLATE
`FUNCTIONS
`
`52O
`
`530
`
`540
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISCONNECT
`OR RESUME
`NEEDED
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`- 542
`ISSUE DISCONNECT API
`OR RESUME PREVIOUSLY
`SUSPENDED PROCESS
`
`550
`
`PERFORM TRANSACTION
`CORRESPONDING TO BROWSER INPUT
`560
`
`OUTPUT TO BROWSER
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`ADDITIONAL
`BROWSER
`INPUT:
`
`570
`
`NO
`
`580
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`0¢9CS
`
`Advdal]YaSn
`
`¢ddVLddV
`
`AWM3ALV9
`
`
`
`aleduioyg‘/Z9
`
`0}Aeypuegjuesn
`
`
`
`AseJqiysesn
`
`YsaANsASGam
`
`NOILVOIMIdd¥
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`SyeoUSyNy
`
`pueq|iesn
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`psomssed
`
`‘€29
`
`AYVMLAOS
`
`f&NOILVOMddV
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`eyep
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`0}FOSULOD“LE9
`
`}98100
`
`uoleodde
`
`Aemeyes)
`
`9Sls
`
`
`uoHeoueyjneLNOILVONddV
`
`uoneolddeseanleesooeaSJEMOSalJesmolgWoAey
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`JO}jsenbay
`
`BABINGY‘679puepuomssed
`
`
`
`
`
`puss“Gc9
`
`‘Leg
`
`‘|Jesn
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 7
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 22
`
`5,892.905
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`u3dO - LZZ
`
`go sseuppe
`
`~ Z99
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`998
`
`| 98
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`900
`
`APP2
`
`Database
`
`"Database
`
`userID userName|Password
`use
`usere |
`
`|
`
`|
`
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`usex
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 11 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<html>
`<title>Cars Around the World<title/>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmp5cgi.exe” METHOD="POST">
`<H3>Rental Reservation</H3>
`<HR>
`
`Enter the following information and then press submit:
`<HR>
`<p>Member number:
`<p>Name:
`Last!
`
`<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="membno" SIZE=4>
`<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="Iname" SIZE=15>
`First!
`<INPUT TYPE="tex" NAME="fname" SIZE=15>
`MI:
`<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="mi" SIZE=1>
`
`</html>
`
`<HR>
`<P>Origin City: <INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="origcity" SIZE=1 5>
`State:
`<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="origstate” SIZE=2>
`<P>Start Date (MM/DD.YY): <INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="startdate" SIZE=8>
`Numberof days <INPUT TYPE="text” NAME="days"” SIZE=3>
`<P>Select Car Preference:
`<INPUT TYPE="radio” NAME="cartype" VALUE=1> Compact
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="cartype" CHECKED VALUE=2> Mid Size
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="cartype" VALUE=3> Full Size
`<INPUT TYPE="radio” NAME="cartype” VALUE=4> Luxury
`
`<HR>
`<P><INPUT TYPE="submit” VALUE="Submit">
`<P><INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="2">
`<P><INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-api-proc-template" VALUE="www_Reservation Request">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-fmig-key" VALUE="webfmcust">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-htmI" VALUE="/exm/smp/exmp5srk.htm">
`</form>
`
`FIG. 11
`
`
`
`membno=1234&lname=Doe&fname=John&mi=E&origcity=Nevade&origstate=lA&startdate=09%2F23%
`2F96&days=4&cartype=2&wi-cgi-submit=2&wf-api-proc-template=www_Reservation_Request&wf-fmig-
`key=webfmcust&wf-cgi-html=%2Fexn%2Fsmp%2Fexnp5srk.him
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 12
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`
`
`<html>
`<title>Cars Around the Worldstitle/>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exnp5cgi.exe" METHOD="POST">
`<H3><CENTER>Customer's Reservation Number</CENTER></H3>
`<HR>
`<p> <! - - “wf-act-outmsg"- ->
`<HR>
`
`<p><INPUT TYPE="submit" VALUE="0K">
`<p><INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="13">
`</form>
`</htm|>
`
`
`FIG. 13
`
`<htmi>
`<title>Cars Around the World<title/>
`<body>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-protexmp5cgi.exe" METHOD="POST">
`<H3><CENTER>Customer's Reservation Number</CENTER></H3>
`<HR>
`<p> Your reservation numberis 4411. </p>
`<HR>
`
`</html>
`
`<p><INPUT TYPE="submit" VALUE="0K">
`<p><INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="13">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-fmig-handle" VALUE="007777775F5265736572766 174696F">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-fmig-key" VALUE="webfmcust">
`</form>
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`
`wi-cgi-submit=1 3&wt-fmig-handle=007777775F52657365727661 74696F8wf-fmig-key=webfmcust
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 13
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<html>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmpScgi.exe” METHOD="POST">
`<HEAD>
`<title>IBM Internet Connection for FlowMark home page</title>
`</HEAD>
`<BODY>
`<h3>
`IBM Internet Connection for FlowMark home page
`</h3>
`<hr>
`<h4>
`Enter key, select next screen, then press the submit button.
`</n4>
`
`<! -- Start Submit Button & hidden variables - -------------- >
`
`<hr>
`<INPUT TYPE="submit” VALUE="Submit">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="0">
`
`<!-- End Submit Button & hidden variables - - - ------------ >
`<br>
`<b>
`
`<strong>
`Key:
`</strong>
`<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="wf-fmig-key" SIZE=64>
`<br>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-html" VALUE="/exm/html/exmp5ewi.htm" CHECKED>
`<IMG SRC="/exm/icons/exmp5ewi.gif’ ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>Workwith Work Items
`<br>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-html" VALUE="/exm/htmi/exmp5epi.htm">
`<IMG SRC="/exm/icons/exmp5epi.gif' ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>Workwith Process Instances
`<br>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-html" VALUE="/exm/html/exmp5ept.htm">
`<IMG SRC="/exm/icons/exmp5ept.gif’ ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>Work with Process Templates
`
`</BODY>
`
`[ <
`
`a href="/exm/docs/exmp5d20.htm">Help |
`<a href=http:/Awww.ibm.com/">IBM home page</a>> |
`<a href=http:/Avww.software.ibm.com/ad/flowmark/exmnOmst.htm">FlowMark home page</a>
`
`] <
`
`/FORM>
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 14
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 14 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<html>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmp5cgi.exe” METHOD="POST">
`<HEAD>
`<title>FlowMark - Work Items, /titile>
`</HEAD>
`<BODY>
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5eww.gif" alt=Work with Work ltems>
`<h4>Select a work item:</h4>
`<TABLE BORDER=1>
`<tr>
`
`<th COLSPAN=2>Description
`<th>Status
`<th>Activity name
`<th>Process
`<th>Program
`<th>Received<br>date & time
`<th>Priority
`<th>Category
`<! - - "wf-cgi-rbegin”- - >
`<tr>
`
`<td>
`
`<td ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=MIDDLE><INPUT TYPE="radio"
`NAME="wf-api-item" VALUE="wf-api-item-id">
`<td> NOWRAP?><! - - "wf-api-item-descrip" - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-item-state” - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-item-name”- - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-item-procinst" - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-item-impl" - - >
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>! - - "wf-api-item-starttime”- - >
`<td ALIGN=CENTER?><! - - "wf-api-item-priority" - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-item-category”- - >
`<! - - "wf-cgi-rend” - - >
`</TABLE>
`
`<hr>
`<h4>Next, select which action you want to perform and
`<br>
`
`press the button below.
`</n4>
`
`<TABLE BORDER=0>
`<tr>
`<td>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="3" CHECKED>
`Start work item
`<tr>
`
`FIG. 18a
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc. - Ex. 1026, p. 15
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 15 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`</HTML>
`
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-submit” VALUE="0">
`Refresh list
`</TABLE>
`<! - - Start Submit Button & hidden variables - - - - - ---------- >
`<hr>
`<INPUT TYPE="submit” VALUE="Perform Action">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-html" VALUE="/exm/html/exmp5ewi.htm">
`<! -- End Submit Button & hidden variables - -- ------------ >
`<hr>
`<aref="/exn/html/exmp5ehp. htm">
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5efm.gif’ ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>
`Return to home page
`</a>
`<aref="/exn/html/exmp5d20.htm">
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5eoh.gif’ ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>
`Help
`</a>
`<hr>
`<TABLE BORDER=1>
`<tr>
`<td>FlowMark User
`<td>FlowMark Database
`<td>FlowMark Server
`<td>Date & Time
`<tr>
`<td><! - - "wf-api-fmuser”- - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-fmdb” - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-fmserver" - - >
`<td><! - - "wf-api-datetime" - - >
`</table>
`</FORM>
`</BODY>
`
`FIG. 18b
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 16
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 16 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<html>
`<FONT SIZE=3>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmp5cgi.exe” METHOD="POST">
`<HEAD>
`<title>FlowMark - Work Items</title>
`</HEAD>
`<BODY>
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5eww.gif’ alt=Work with Work Items>
`<h4>Select a work item:</h4>
`<TABLE BORDER=1>
`<tr>
`
`<th COLSPAN=2>Description
`<th>Status
`<th>Activity name
`<th>Process
`<th>Program
`<th>Received<br>date & time
`<th>Priority
`<th>Category
`<! - - "wf-cgi-rbegin"- - >
`<tr>
`
`
`
`<td ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=MIDDLE><INPUT TYPE="radio"
`NAME="wf-api-item”
`VALUE="7777775F5363686564756C655F 52657 365727661 74696F6E007777775F52657365727661
`74696F6E5F52657 1756573745F383500454D4147454E54007765626 167656E7400776562666D616
`7656E74">
`<td> NOWRAP>Schedule car
`<td>Ready
`<td>www_Schedule_Reservation
`<td>www_Reservation Request_85
`<td>Schedule_Reservation
`<td ALIGN=CENTER=>09-03-1996 02:55:11PM
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>4004128
`<td>
`
`<tr>
`
`<td>ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=MIDDLE><INPUT TYPE="radio"
`NAME="wf-api-item"
`VALUE="7777775F 5363686564756C655F 52657 365727661 74696F6E007777775F52657365727661
`74696F6E5F52657 1756573745F383500454D4147454E54007765626 167656E74007 765626660616
`7656E74">
`<td> NOWRAP>Schedule car
`<td>Ready
`<td>www_Schedule_Reservation
`<td>www_Reservation Request_84
`<td>Schedule_Reservation
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>09-03-1996 01:48:48PM
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>4004128
`<td>
`
`<td>ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=MIDDLE><INPUT TYPE="radio"
`
`FIG. 19a
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 17
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 17 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`NAME="wf-api-item”
`VALUE="7777775F5363686564 756C655F52657365727661 74696F6E007777775F 5265736572766
`174696F6E5F52657 1756573745F 383500454D4147454E54007 765626 167656E7400776562666D6
`167656E74">
`<td> NOWRAP?>Schedule car.
`<td>Ready
`<td>www_Schedule_Reservation
`<td>www_Reservation Request_86
`<td>Schedule_Reservation
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>09-03-1996 03:01:15PM
`<td ALIGN=CENTER>4004128
`<td>
`<!-- "wf-cgi-rend”- - >
`</TABLE>
`<hr>
`
`<hr>
`
`<h4>Next, select which action you want to perform and
`<br>
`pressthe button below.
`</h4>
`<TABLE BORDER=0>
`<tr>
`<td>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-submit” VALUE="3" CHECKED>
`Start work item
`<tr>
`<td>
`<INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="0">
`Refreshlist
`</TABLE>
`<!-- Start Submit Button & hidden variables - - - ------------ >
`<hr>
`<INPUT TYPE="submit" VALUE="Perform Action'">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-html' VALUE="/exm/html/exmp5ewi.htm">
`<! -- End Submit Button & hidden variables - - ------------- >
`<hr>
`<ahref="/exn/html/exmp5ehp.htm">
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5Sefm.gif* ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>
`Return to home page
`</a>
`<ahref="/exn/html/exmp5d20.htm'>
`<img src="/exm/icons/exmp5eoh.gif’ ALIGN=MIDDLE HSPACE=5>
`Help
`</a>
`
`FIG. 19b
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 18
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<TABLE BORDER=1>
`<tr>
`<td>FlowMark User
`<td>FiowMark Database
`<td>FlowMark Server
`<td>Date & Time
`<tr>
`<td>FMAGENT
`<td>WWWDB
`<td>WWWSRV
`<td>08:27:33 09/05/96
`</table>
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-fmig-key" VAULE="webfmagent">
`</FORM>
`</BODY>
`
`</HTML>
`
`FIG. 19c
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 19
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 19 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`
`
`wt-api-item="7777775F5363686564756C655F52657365727661 74696F6E007777775F52657365
`
`727661 74696F6E5F52657 1756573745F383500454D4147454E540077656261 67656E7400776562
`
`
`666D6167656E74"&wf-cgi--submit=38wf-cg-html=%2Fexn%2Fhtm!%2Fexmp5ewi.htm&wt-fmig-
`key=webfmagent
`
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 20
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`</HTML>
`
`<HTML>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmp5cgi.exe" METHOD="POST">
`<HEAD>
`<TITLE>Customer Information</TITLE>
`<B>Customer Reservation Information</B>
`<table border=1>
`<tr><td>Name</td><td>Member Number</td><td>Resv Number</td>
`<tr><td ><! - - "wf-act-name"- - ></td>
`<td align=right>"wf-act-membno"</Ad>
`<td align=right>"wi-act-resvno"</Ad>
`</table>
`<p><! - - "wf-act-outmsg"- - >
`<HR>
`<B>Move An Available Ca</B>
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars CHECKED><! - - "wf-act-car1"- - >
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars> <! - - "wf-act-car2" - - >
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars > <! - - "wf-act-car3" - - >
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio"” NAME=cars> <! - - "wf-act-car4"- - >
`<HR>
`<INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME="move" VALUE="Move Car">
`<INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME="cancel” VALUE="Cancel">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit"” VALUE="13">
`</FORM>
`
`FIG. 21
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 21
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 21 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
`<HTML>
`<FORM ACTION="/cgi-prot/exmp5Scgi.exe" METHOD="POST">
`<HEAD>
`<TITLE>Customer Information</TITLE>
`<B>Customer Reservation Information</B>
`<table border=1>
`<tr><td>Name</td><td>Member Number</td><td>Resv Number</td>
`<tr><td >John E. Doe</td>
`<td align=right>1234</Ad>
`<td align=right>4412</Ad>
`</table>
`<p>Reservation Date: <B>09/24/96</B> Days Requested:
`<B>4</B><P>Car Type Requested: <B>Luxery</B><P>Origin: <B>Nevada, IA</b>
`<HR>
`<B>Move An Available Ca</B>
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars CHECKED> XYD123
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars >Chevy Camaro 228
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars >Chewrolet Lumina
`<P><INPUT TYPE="radio" NAME=cars >Oldmobile Cutlass Supreme
`<HR>
`<INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME="move" VALUE="Move Car">
`<INPUT TYPE="submit" NAME="cancel” VALUE="Cancel">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wf-cgi-submit" VALUE="13">
`<INPUT TYPE="“hidden" NAME="wfi-fmig-handle"
`VALUE="7777775F4361 725F556E61 7661696C61626C65007777775F52657365727661 74696F6E5F
`526571756573745F3837">
`<INPUT TYPE="hidden" NAME="wfi-fmig-key" VALUE="webfmagent'>
`</FORM>
`</HTML>
`
`Pontiac Grand Am
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HPInc.- Ex. 1026, p. 22
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 22 of 22
`
`5,892,905
`
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`
`
`
`
`p?ST SICH\/ WWWWWW
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`p?ST SICH\/ WWWWWW
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 23
`
`

`

`5,892,905
`
`1
`COMPUTER APPARATUS AND METHOD
`FOR PROVIDING A COMMON USER
`INTERFACE FOR SOFTWARE
`APPLICATIONS ACCESSED VIA THE
`WORLD-WIDE WEB
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`This application is related to the following U.S. patent
`applications: “Computer Apparatus and Method for Com
`municating Between Software Applications and Computers
`on the World-Wide Web Using Universal Variable
`Handling”, Ser. No. 08/780,014, filed Dec. 23, 1996, “Com
`puter Apparatus and Method for Providing Security Check
`ing for Software Applications Accessed via the World-Wide
`Web”, Ser. No. 08/772,737, filed Dec. 23, 1996; “Computer
`Apparatus and Method Including a Disconnect Mechanism
`for Communicating Between Software Applications and
`Computers on the World-Wide Web”, Ser. No. 08/772,738,
`filed Dec. 23, 1996; and “Computer Apparatus and Method
`for Communicating Between Software Applications and
`Computers on the World-Wide Web”, Ser. No. 08/780,013,
`filed Dec. 23, 1996.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`2
`a network with a Software application running on a single
`computer System.
`One Significant computer network that has recently
`become very popular is the Internet. The Internet grew out
`of the modern proliferation of computers and networks, and
`has evolved into a sophisticated worldwide network of
`computer Systems linked together by Web pages that collec
`tively make up the “world-wide web”, or WWW. A user at
`an individual PC (i.e., workstation) that wishes to access the
`WWW typically does so using a software application known
`as a web browser. A web browser makes a connection via the
`WWW to other computers known as web servers, and
`receives information from the web servers that is displayed
`on the user's WorkStation. Information displayed to the user
`is typically organized into pages that are constructed using
`a specialized language called Hypertext Markup Language
`(HTML). Web browsers that use HTML are now available
`for almost every computer System on the market, making the
`WWW accessible to practically anyone who has access to a
`computer and a modem. Although the WWW is becoming
`increasingly popular, the rapid growth and expansion of
`computer users accessing the WWW has brought along with
`it concomitant problems. Some of these problems are iden
`tified below.
`With the growing popularity of the Internet and the
`WWW, businesses have recognized that the Internet pro
`vides a new way to boost both sales and efficiency. If a user
`with a web browser can interact directly with a company's
`Software application, a given transaction will be simplified.
`For example, let's evaluate how a person typically reserves
`a rental car. The perSon calls the rental car agency, and then
`gives his or her information (i.e., name, address, credit card
`number, etc.) to the rental car agent over the phone. The
`agent must enter the information into the car rental Software
`application to initialize the process to reserve a car. A more
`efficient car reservation system for web users would allow
`the user to interact directly with the car rental software
`application. This would eliminate many of the tasks that the
`car rental agent now performs. However, devising a car
`rental Software application that is capable of interacting
`directly with web users would require creating custom
`interface Software. Likewise, a custom user interface must
`be created for each different Software application that is to
`be accessed via the WWW. The preferred interface would be
`a graphical user interface (GUI). The process of generating
`a custom GUI for a Software application is time consuming
`and expensive, and typically results in a proprietary user
`interface that cannot be used for communicating with other
`Software applications. This means that a company has a
`Significant disincentive that would prevent them from pro
`viding access to their software applications via the WWW.
`In addition, many computer users have adopted very
`different forms of hardware/software computer platforms.
`For example, while the IBM-compatible personal computer
`is the most common type of computer System available
`today, other vendors have developed very different product
`lines with Significant numbers of computer Systems pres
`ently installed and in use. These disparate hardware Systems
`typically utilize completely different operating Systems. The
`existence of these various different hardware and Software
`Systems will typically require a completely new program
`ming and development effort to “port” or translate the
`custom GUI for a given Software application to each differ
`ent hardware platform. Many companies will only Support
`the most popular hardware/Software combinations, thereby
`limiting market share and reducing the number of users who
`have access to the Software application.
`
`1. Technical Field
`This invention generally relates to interactions on the
`World-wide web, and more specifically relates to an appa
`ratus and method for providing access to Software applica
`tions via the world-wide web.
`2. Background Art
`The development of the EDVAC computer system of
`1948 is often cited as the beginning of the computer era.
`Since that time, computer Systems have evolved into
`extremely Sophisticated devices, and computer Systems may
`be found in many different Settings. Computer Systems
`typically include a combination of hardware (e.g.,
`Semiconductors, circuit boards, etc.) and Software (e.g.,
`computer programs). AS advances in Semiconductor pro
`cessing and computer architecture push the performance of
`the computer hardware higher, more Sophisticated computer
`Software has evolved to take advantage of the higher per
`formance of the hardware, resulting in computer Systems
`today that are much more powerful than those that existed
`just a few years ago.
`Computer Systems typically include operating System
`Software that control the basic function of the computer, and
`one or more Software applications that run under the control
`of the operating System to perform desired tasks. For
`example, a typical IBM Personal Computer may run the
`OS/2 operating system, and under the control of the OS/2
`operating System, a user may execute an application
`program, Such as a word processor. AS the capabilities of
`computer Systems have increased, the Software applications
`designed for high performance computer Systems have
`become extremely powerful.
`Other changes in technology have also profoundly
`affected how we use computers. For example, the wide
`Spread proliferation of computers prompted the develop
`60
`ment of computer networks that allow computers to com
`municate with each other. With the introduction of the
`personal computer (PC), computing became accessible to
`large numbers of people. Networks for personal computers
`were developed to allow individual users to communicate
`with each other. In this manner, a large number of people
`within a company could communicate simultaneously over
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1026, p. 24
`
`

`

`3
`The problem of multiple unrelated user interfaces high
`lights yet another problem that may also prevent the rapid
`adoption of software applications via the WWW. Assuming
`a company has absorbed the cost of developing a custom
`GUI for a given Software application, the GUI developed by
`one company will most likely differ significantly from the
`GUI developed by another company for their respective
`Software applications. Typically, each Software vendor will
`create a custom GUI for each Specific Software application
`So that whenever a user accesses the Software application via
`the WWW, the user can access the specific features of the
`Software application. However, Since every product has
`different features and every vendor has differing Standards
`for application/user interaction, the result is often a vastly
`different user interface for each and every Software appli
`cation that the user encounters. The user is often forced to
`"re-learn' basic skills for interacting with each and every
`Software application they wish to access.
`The current Situation for accessing Software over the
`WWW is somewhat analogous to the early days of the
`personal computer. In the early 1980s, the IBM personal
`computer (PC) was introduced and was quickly adopted as
`the industry standard hardware platform. However, even
`though the hardware platform was relatively Standard, each
`independent Software vendor created Significantly different
`user interfaces for their respective application programs.
`This, in turn, proved to be an impediment to the rapid
`adoption of new application programs by the users of
`personal computers. Because users were unable to efficiently
`use new Software applications without extensive training,
`many new Software applications were not adopted.
`Today, however, new Standards have been developed and
`adopted for personal computer Software applications which
`dramatically reduce the amount of re-learning that must take
`place for new software applications. State-of-the-art GUI
`operating systems such as IBM's OS2 have standardized
`many common user actions and provided independent Soft
`ware developerS and vendors with the “hooks' or program
`ming tools necessary to access most Standard user interface
`components and features, thereby dramatically reducing the
`learning curve for end-users. Unfortunately, this Standard
`ization effort has not yet penetrated the WWW In fact, the
`ready availability of the WWW as a delivery system for
`Software applications has exacerbated the rapid proliferation
`of the disparate software now available over the WWW. In
`addition, Some of the most powerful Software applications
`available have non-intuitive, non-graphical user interfaces.
`The process of re-learning a new interface for each new
`application tends to be tedious, time-consuming and non
`productive. Therefore, even though many Software applica
`tions may be accessible over the WWW today, learning how
`to access these various programs can be time-consuming,
`frustrating, and intimidating for the end-user.
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`Recognizing both the importance of providing access to
`Software applications over the WWW, and the current limi
`tations of existing Solutions, the present invention provides
`the capability to easily acceSS many different application
`programs over the WWW via a standardized GUI. By
`providing Standard procedures, routines, tools, and Software
`“hooks' for accessing software applications over the WWW,
`Software developerS can concentrate on the functionality of
`the application program and easily use HTML to provide a
`GUI interface for the application program.
`AS mentioned above, HTML is a well-known language
`which can be used by almost any computer System on the
`
`4
`market today. In addition, since HTML is a fairly well
`controlled and Standardized language, new Software appli
`cation features can be added as they are developed and
`supported by HTML. In addition, since HTML is a widely
`adopted, non-proprietary technology, the present invention
`can provide open access to a large market for even very
`Small Software developers. Further, the present invention
`also allows Software developerS to adopt a Standard access
`protocol, which allows them to provide Support for any
`computer system which is capable of utilizing a HTML
`cognizant browser. Finally, by providing easy-to-implement,
`Standardized Solutions to the issueS of user interface,
`authentication/Security, and web transaction Support, the
`common user interface of the present invention overcomes
`the limitations existing in previous Solutions.
`The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
`invention will be apparent from the following more particu
`lar description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as
`illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`The preferred embodiments of the present invention will
`hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended
`drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transaction between a client
`WorkStation and a web server;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a System according to a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention that allows
`access to a software application over the World-Wide Web
`from a standard Web browser;
`FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the system of
`FIG. 3, further adapted to access FlowMark workflow
`application software over the World-Wide Web;
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with
`a preferred embodiment of the present invention that illus
`trates Some of the features of the common user interface;
`FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of the Security checking
`feature of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of the template/HTML
`variable feature of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram of the resume/disconnect
`API features of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 9 is a tabular representation of a portion of a user
`library;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention when expanded to a multi-user envi
`ronment,
`FIG. 11 is an example of HTML code used to generate a
`car rental reservation form in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is an example of a data Stream generated by a user
`request from a web browser in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is an example of HTML code used to generate a
`reservation confirmation template in accordance with a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is an example of the HTML code of FIG. 10 after
`processing by