Dynamic software control interface and method

An information processing apparatus in a client-server environment comprising a presentation layer program to display a plurality of icons comprising the steps of:

• a) continuously accessing a provider using state information to retrieve content a associated with displayed icons, wherein said state information is maintained by the provider and said state information indicates content associated with the currently displayed icons in the presentation layer which the server wishes to transmit to the client presentation layer;
• b) generating at least one instruction to update the display of the icon based on content obtained from the provider in step (a);
• c) receiving at least one command request via user input enabling the transmission of information to the provider that includes the unique identification of an icon associated with the user input and the type of command;
• and
• d) transmitting said information associated with a user command request to the provider;

A software interface installable on a processor for interfacing with a user comprising:

• a) a means for displaying at least one of a plurality of icon;
• b) a means for communicating with a server program on either a timed interval or immediately when user input is detected wherein such communication is transmitted by the hypertext transfer protocol;
• c) a means for displaying a new icon without user input when a communication from the server program contains information to display new icons;
• d) a means for changing the content or display of an icon when information associated with that icon is received from the server program;
• and
• e) means of transactional integrity to insure that the latest state information associated with the displayed icons from the server is not replaced by earlier information;