The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 08, 1994
David R McKinnis, Bellevue, WA (US);
David L Luebbert, Bellevue, WA (US);
Eric R Berman, Redmond, WA (US);
Thomas W Saxton, Bellevue, WA (US);
Daniel H Padwa, Stony Brook, NY (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method is disclosed for integrating a plurality of discrete subprograms with a main program. The method enables the main program to integrate any discrete subprogram stored in its directory with the main program. The method includes the step of identifying each discrete subprogram stored in the directory of the main program and creating a cross reference array to enable the main program to access the plurality of subprograms. In addition to creating the cross reference array, an event reference list of the main program is updated, enabling commands of the subprogram to be given key and menu assignments, thereby further integrating the subprogram with the main program. Similarly, the subprogram can be removed from the main program simply by deleting the subprogram from the directory of the main program. Further features of the subject invention include a method for enabling the subprogram to request the main program to perform main program functions, and a method for limiting the number of subprograms loaded in the address space of the computer.