Abstract: A system and method that provides for a graphical user interface which is dynamically configurable and includes a container area. The user may access individual software applications through a graphical user interface or desktop. The application may appear in a graphical application window, whose position, size and shape may be altered with respect to the desktop. The invention monitors a graphical application window, and if it detects an attempt by the application to extend beyond the container area, the system causes the graphical application window to be automatically moved, resized, or reshaped so as to be bounded by the container area.

Abstract: A system and method that provides for presenting a dynamically configurable graphical user environment. The invention as embodied defines both an interface, and an interface engine. The look, layout and to some extent the behavior of a graphical desktop produced with the invention is defined by a configuration file called a “skin”. The skin is passed by an interface engine at runtime, which is communication with a library of graphical elements, produces the visual display. This methodology allows changes to the desktop to be made quickly without any changes to the interface engine itself. Thus, the system is highly customizable and may be adapted for particular users or environments.

Abstract: A software application system and method for facilitating the communication in a distributed computer environment among different processes active on the same or different computing platforms. In an embodiment of the invention, a server process running on a first computer system communicates with an application process running on the same computer via an application agent. The agent is designed specifically to work with a particular application, and translates or otherwise relays requests from the server process to the application process, and vice versa. The method is advantageous in that changes to the application process may be compensated for by updating the application agent only—no changes are required at the server process level. This allows rapid deployment of new or updated application throughout the enterprise.

Abstract: A distributed application interface and authentication system and method where the application interface accepts information identifying a particular user and the information is authenticated before granting access to a distributed computing network. The invention provides a method of linking two distinct applications operating in distinct environments so their collective information may be used for a common cause. A user attempting to login interacts with the web-based application. The system uses information from a web-based application as an input to a client-based application. Alternatively, the client-based application may contain information which can be used collectively by both applications to successfully authenticate or authorize a user.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a graphical user interface environment with a notification device. In a computer system having a graphical user environment, it is desired to have a mechanism for an application to notify a user that a process requires attention. This may be, for example, that an operation has finished, that a scheduled event has occurred, or that an application requires user intervention. In one embodiment of the invention, this notification mechanism is in the form of a notification window on the graphical environment desktop. The notification window may take the form of a ticker tape that is associated with a series of notify icons. A notify icon is an object in the graphical user desktop that is associated with an application.

Abstract: An operating system having a multitude of subsystems is provided where each subsystem performs a distinct function and may register with other subsystems to receive notification (or callbacks) upon the ocurrence of certain events. Moreover, the subsystems are programmed in such a manner where in the event of a fault (or exception) they can be instructed to cease the calling of other subsystems, thereby allowing each of the subsystems to complete its distinctive task without commencing further additional activities. When all of the activities have ceased, the state of the system as indicated by the parameters at the various registers and addresses are saved. At this time, the system can initiate a service call for an attendant through one of the provided mechanisms or routine calls.