Object-oriented framework for menu definition

An object-oriented framework for menu definition in a computer system having a processor, a data store, a display screen and a command input device, comprising:

• a. a taxonomy of ancestor class objects (e.g., FIG. 3) stored in said data store, each said class object comprising a definition of at least one potential menu behavior in at least one behavior dimension,
• b. a descendant menu object (e.g., FIG. 6) stored in said data store, said descendant menu object comprising:
• reference (e.g., 605) to at least one said ancestor class object from which potential menu behaviors in a plurality of behavior dimensions are to be inherited, and a list of menu variables (e.g., 615-635);
• c. means for constructing a menu instance object (e.g., FIG. 7) from said descendant menu object, said menu instance object comprising a reference (e.g., 705) to said descendant menu object;
• and
• d. means responsive to the content of said menu instance object for displaying on said display screen a menu (e.g., FIG. 4) which includes said list of menu variables and which exhibits a plurality of inherited menu behaviors, said inherited menu behaviors corresponding to the potential memory behaviors defined in said at least one ancestor class object referenced in said descendant menu object.

A method for constructing menus in a computer system having a processor, a data store associated with said processor, a display and an input device, comprising:

• a. storing in said data store a plurality of sets of ancestor class objects (e.g., 205-210, 215-220), each ancestor class object defining a potential menu behavior in a behavior dimension and the ancestor objects of each said set collectively defining alternative potential menu behaviors in a respective one of a plurality of behavior dimensions;
• b. storing in said data store a descendant class object (e.g., 500), said descendant class object comprising (i.) a reference (e.g., 605) to at least one said ancestor class object from which potential menu behaviors in a plurality of behavior dimensions are to be inherited and (ii.) a list of menu variables (e.g., 615-635);
• c. constructing a menu instance object (e.g., FIG. 7) from said descendant menu object, said menu instance object comprising a reference (e.g., 705) to said descendant menu object;
• and
• d. displaying a menu image (e.g., FIG. 4) on said display screen in dependence upon the content of said menu instance object, such that said menu image includes said list of menu variables and exhibits a plurality of inherited menu behaviors, said inherited menu behaviors corresponding to the potential menu behaviors defined in said at least one ancestor class object referenced in said descendant class object.