Patent ID: 7080383
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A system for extending functionality of a class object, comprising: a processing unit; a system memory in communication with the processing unit via a system bus; a computer-readable medium in communication with the processing unit via the system bus; and an extensible object model executed from the computer-readable medium by the processing unit, wherein the extensible object model determines whether a requested functionality is inherent in the class object, and wherein the extensible object model causes the processing unit to create an extension object from an existing extension package when a requested functionality is not inherent in the class object, and wherein the extension object extends the class object to provide the requested functionality, and wherein the extensible object model further causes the processing unit to notify the extension object when the extension is deleted, and wherein the extensible object model further causes the processing unit to register the extension package in an extension database stored on the computer-readable medium, and wherein the extensible object model further causes the processing unit to store the extension object in system memory when the corresponding extension is first referenced, and wherein the extensible object model further causes the processing unit to create the extension object from the extension package by causing the processing unit to create an extension provider object and causes the processing unit to create the extension from the extension provider object.