Apparatus and method for interfacing between processing computers in a computer system
AssigneeInternational Computers Limited
InventorsRoger D. Thompson, Ian Robertson, David F. McCabe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a computer system, a dialog management system (DMS) provides a bridge between a business application, based on a linear processing model, and a human-computer interface (HCI) based on an event-driven processing model. The DMS comprises a set of inventories, which are used to gather and receive application parameters and HCI information asynchronously, to allow sets of data items to be assembled.
Claims11
A computer system comprising a first processing component, a second processing component, and dialogue management means for providing an interface between the first and second components, wherein the dialogue management means comprises:
- (a) means for maintaining an inventory, comprising a plurality of items,
- (b) means for enabling said first processing component to assign values to said items in said inventory,
- (c) means for checking whether a predetermined set of said items in said inventory have all had values assigned to them, and
- (d) means for enabling said second processing component to access said items in said inventory when said checking means indicates that said predetermined set of said items in said inventory have all had values assigned to them.
A method of interfacing between first and second processing components in a computer system, the method comprising the steps:
- (a) maintaining an inventory, comprising a plurality of items,
- (b) operating said first processing component to assign values to said items in said inventory,
- (c) checking whether a predetermined set of said items in said inventory have all had values assigned to them, and
- (d) operating said second processing component to access said items in said inventory when said checking means indicates that said predetermined set of said items in said inventory have all had values assigned to them.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.