Apple Inc.

Stephen Fisher

Michael Andrew Cleron

Timo A Bruck

Patrick A Holleran

John S Evans

David H Owens

Bruce Bartholomew Gaya

Eric Mathew Trehus

Herman Jesus Camarena

Robert G Johnston, Jr

John R Meier

Nick G Kledzik

Mark Ludwig Stern

Gursharan S Sidhu

Richard Ford

David Lawrence Evans

Cordell R Ratzlaff

Yan Arrouye

Richard J Donnelly

An extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system provides a platform for developing network navigation components that operate on a variety of hardware and software computer systems. These navigation components include key integrating components along with components configured to deliver conventional services directed to computer networks, such as Gopher-specific and Web-specific components. Communication among these components is achieved through novel application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows any existing component to be replaced, and allows new components to be added, without affecting operation of the network component system.

Extensible, replaceable network component system

An extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system provides a platform for developing networking navigation components that operate on a variety of hardware and software computer systems. These navigation components include key integrating components along with components configured to deliver conventional services directed to computer networks, such as Gopher-specific and Web-specific components. Communication among these components is achieved through novel application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a high-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows any existing component to be replaced, and allows new components to be added, without affecting operation of the network component system.

A network-oriented component system efficiently accesses information from a network resource located on a computer network by creating an encapsulated network entity that contains a reference to that resource. The encapsulated entity is preferably implemented as a network component stored on a computer remotely displaced from the referenced resource. In addition, the encapsulated entity may be manifested as a visual object on a graphical user interface of a computer screen. Such visual manifestation allows a user to easily manipulate the entity in order to display the contents of the resource on the screen or to electronically forward the entity over the network.

Encapsulated network entity reference of a network component system for integrating object oriented software components

A log component of an extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system maintains a list of locations explored by a user when navigating a computer network, in addition to organizing various 'views' of the list to provide a mental 'routing map' relationship between the explored locations. The network-oriented system includes a novel application programming interface for the log component that facilitates integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows the log component to be replaced, extended or modified by other log-type components, while ensuring that these latter components 'seamlessly' interact with existing components and component editors of the system.

Replaceable and extensible log component of a network component system

Method and apparatus for a first process operative in a computer system controlling a user interface on a computer system display under control of a second process operative in the computer system. An event handler is installed for the second process, the event handler servicing events generated for controlling the user interface display under control of the second process. The first process may then perform a first set of functions in the computer system. The first process generates events for controlling the user interface display, the events related to the functions performed by the first process. The event handler receives the events generated by the first process and updates the user interface on the computer system display according to the events generated by the first process and received by the event handler.

Message protocol for controlling a user interface from an inactive

Encapsulated network entity reference of a network component system

A method and apparatus for transferring control between application programs. A messaging means is provided which allows a first application program to indicate to the messaging means that a second application program should assume control. The messaging means receives the message and performs an orderly shutdown of the first application program and messages the second application program that it should commence operation. Upon valid and proper operation of the second application program, the first application program is caused to be suspended, and the second application program is invoked.

Method and apparatus for improved application program switching on a

A notebook component of an extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system records locations of resources coupled to a computer network. The network-oriented system includes a novel application programming interface for the notebook component that facilitates integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows the notebook component to be replaced, extended or modified by other notebook-type components, while ensuring that these latter components 'seamlessly' interact with existing components and component editors of the system.

Replaceable and extensible notebook component of a network component

A network-oriented component system facilitates development of customized user interfaces to computer networks by embedding entities that reference resources located on the networks into components of the system. The embedded entities are preferably manifested as visual objects displayed on a graphical user interface of a computer screen that a user may manipulate to effectuate the embedding process. The 'container' components are preferably compound documents having contents that include different data types and formats.

Embedding internet browser/buttons within components of a network

A method and apparatus for improved user interaction and feedback on a computer system display. Interapplication dragging upon a user interface display is provided allowing a user to select a first item in a first window and move that first item to a second window which is under control of second process. Feedback is provided in the second window under control of the second process if the second application program can accept the data. In addition, other improved user interface actions are described, such as improved selection feedback, improved navigation, and improved completion feedback.

Method and apparatus for improved feedback during manipulation of data

In a computer system, an apparatus for depicting an electronic mail address in either a field format or a string format. In a field format, the components of the electronic mail address is parsed into a plurality of fields. Each field represents a particular attribute of the electronic mail address. In a string format, the electronic mail address is comprised of a string of characters in a syntax specified by the protocol of the corresponding electronic mail system. A template having syntax information corresponding to the protocol is used to convert an electronic mail address from a field format to a string format and vice versa. Hence, a user has the option of entering an electronic mail address and having it displayed or edited in either a field format or a string format.

Apparatus and method for representing electronic mail

A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing the functions of electronic mail in a computer system which is integrated within a display or a window under control of a first application program which does not support electronic mail functionality. A set if mail routines displays a mailer on a first portion of the application program's display with application program data displayed in a second portion of the application program's display. The mail routines allow the user to modify the data in the application program via functionality of the application program and modify the mailer via the functionality of the mail routines. The mail routines further allow the user to perform electronic mail functions provided by the mail routines, wherein the electronic mail functions include using the application program data as content of mail messages processed by the mail routines. The functionality of the mail routines can be provided via an event preprocessor inserted into an event processing loop in the application program, wherein the event preprocessor determines whether events are pertinent to the mail routines. If so, the preprocessor processes the events to provide the electronic mail functionality and allows events which are pertinent to the application program to be processed by the application program.

Electronic mail information associated with native application data

A connection dialog component of an extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system enables a user to specify address information of a particular resource coupled to a computer network. The network-oriented system includes novel application programming interfaces for the connection dialog component that facilitates integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows the connection dialog component to be replaced, extended or modified by other connection dialog-type components, while ensuring that these latter components 'seamlessly' interact with existing components and component editors of the system.

Replaceable and extensible connection dialog component of a network

A method and apparatus for selecting data in an application which is not a currently active context. The method comprises a user selecting information within a window under control of a first application program and moving the information to a second window under control of an active application program. This operation is performed providing a simple select, drag-and-drop operation. The active application program can arbitrate and communicate with a handler installed for the first application program to cause data from the first application program to be provided without activating the first application program.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Stephen Fisher