Abstract: A method of modifying a user interface for displaying structured database information in two or more ordered steps in work panes of a window. The method comprises: displaying a first work pane having a first user interface pattern associated with a first of the two or more sequential steps; displaying a second work pane after display of the first work pane, the second work pane having a second user interface pattern associated with a second of the two or more sequential steps; receiving a command from a user to display the first work pane and the second work pane simultaneously; and displaying the first work pane and the second work pane in the window.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for rendering application user interfaces. Application data is displayed in user interface elements including two or more independent elements and one or more dependent elements. One of the independent elements can have the property of being the selected element and the application data displayed in the dependent elements is made to correspond to the application data displayed in the selected element. User input is received from a user to establish a normal mode or a decoupled mode of user interface operation. Navigation input is received to navigate from one user interface element to another user interface element. In the normal mode, navigation to an independent element causes the independent element to become the selected element. In the decoupled mode, navigation to an independent element does not change which, if any, of the independent elements is the selected element.

Abstract: A user interface for displaying view sets of an object for data input. The user interface includes a first pane for receiving search criteria for a search among objects, for displaying results of the search and for receiving a selection of an object in the results. The user interface includes a second pane for selecting a view set for the object selected in the first pane. The second pane includes first and second selection mechanisms. The first selection mechanism may be used for selecting between categories of view sets. The second selection mechanism may be used for selecting one of the view sets of the category selected with the first selection mechanism. The user interface includes a third pane for displaying the view set selected in the second pane and for receiving user input of data for the selected object.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for interacting with a user entering information for a computer application. In one general aspect, the invention provides for displaying a pane as a user interface for a user to enter information in a sequence of steps. The pane includes an information entry area, an interactive first step symbol capable of initiating a first step in the sequence, and a first indicator placed after the first step symbol. The first indicator indicates that a selection of a step to follow the first step depends on information received in the first step. A second step is selected to follow the first step using information received in the first step, and the first indicator is removed. An interactive second step symbol capable of initiating the second step is placed after the first step symbol.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, a first view is displayed on the display device, where the first view has at least a first work area. In response to the receipt of a first input received by the computer system, a second view is displayed on the display device. The second view includes the first work area and a temporary communication area, or “pop-in window,” included within the first work area. The temporary communication area has a defined function associated therewith requiring input from a user. The temporary communication area may close after the user provides the necessary input and the defined function is performed.

Abstract: In a computer system for displaying a content page (250) on first and second computers (901, 902), layouts are defined in a first layout file (251) and a second layout file (252). The first and second layout files (251, 252) each are provided by a parser that reads a first markup language document and a second markup language document, respectively. Each markup language document has a first entity and a second entity in that instructions define portions of the respective layout file (251/252) by predefined information added to the respective layout file (251/252) and by parameterized values also added to the respective layout file (251/252). The parameterized values are valid for both the first entity and the second entity.

Abstract: Creating user interfaces by identifying specific tasks to be carried out by users, matching the specific tasks with generic tasks, and creating the user interface from generic user-interface components associated with the generic tasks. The generic user-interface components are specified with the details of the specific tasks. The generic user-interface components may be assembled in a generic floor plan. The specific and/or generic tasks may be identified by a reverse-engineering process including the analysis of a number of existing user interfaces.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, a first view is displayed on the display device, where the first view has a plurality of objects in a first format and a first object control mechanism. An input is received to minimize the first view, and in response thereto a second view is displayed on the display device. The second view includes a second object control mechanism and one or more objects that are a subset of the plurality of objects in a second format. The second view may include, from the objects displayed in the first view, only those objects contained in the subset of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, the invention provides for the display of a first view having a plurality of objects in a table of rows and columns on the display device. Each object is displayed as a row in the table and has a plurality of fields, where each field is in a column of the table. A blank input row corresponding to the table is displayed, having input fields corresponding to the columns of the table. An input is received in the form of a character string in a selected input field of the input row. A filter command is received, causing a filtering function to be performed on a field of the objects corresponding to the selected input field of the input row using the character string, and filtered data is displayed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing access to database objects. A first view displays first and second database access mechanisms. The first database access mechanism includes at least one database access pattern including a predefined search of the database. The second database access mechanism includes at least one selection function and an input function, for searching a selected subset of the database for objects having an input value. The second database access mechanism is also capable of adding a database access pattern to the first database access mechanism. A third database access mechanism comprises an attribute choice and an input field to search for database objects having the input value associated with a chosen attribute.