Method and system for navigating between program modules

A computer system with navigation capability between programs, comprising:

• a processing unit;
• a memory storage device;
• a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying data;
• and
• a program module, stored in said memory storage device for providing instructions to said processing unit;
• a first state index comprising a first adjustable counter provided in an originating program, said first adjustable counter tracking a state of the originating program as the state changes among a plurality of different states of the originating program;
• a second state index comprising a second adjustable counter provided in a target program;
• said processing unit responsive to said instructions of said program module, operable for:
• in response to a navigation request, saving current state data of the originating program;
• adjusting the first state index stored in the originating program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by the first adjustable counter;
• generating a safe mode image for the originating program;
• permitting removal of a storage medium containing display information for the originating program;
• displaying the safe mode image while the storage medium is removed;
• generating a message identifying one of the target program and the originating program;
• forwarding the message to the target program;
• adjusting the second state index stored in the target program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by the second adjustable counter;
• and
• generating a display based upon one of saved state data of the target program and data contained within the message, whereby navigation between the originating program and target program is substantially seamless while programming for the navigation is substantially minimized.

A method for navigating between programs and within a single program comprising the steps of:

• providing a first state index comprising a first adjustable counter in the single program, said first adjustable counter tracking a state of the originating program as the state changes among a plurality of different states of the originating program;
• in response to a single program navigation request,
• saving current state data of an originating program;
• adjusting a second state index stored in the originating program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by a second adjustable counter;
• in response to an internal link navigation request, generating a first message containing target data;
• generating a display based upon one of saved state data of the originating program and said target data contained within the message;
• in response to a cross program application navigation request,
• saving current state data of the originating program;
• adjusting the second state index stored in the originating program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by the second adjustable counter;
• generating a second message identifying one of a target program and the originating program;
• forwarding the message to the target program;
• adjusting a third state index stored in the target program to an appropriate value corresponding to the navigation request, wherein the appropriate value is indicated by a third adjustable counter;
• and
• generating a display based upon one of saved state data of the target program and data contained within the message, whereby navigation within a single program and between the originating program and target program is substantially seamless while programming for the navigation is substantially minimized.