Patent Publication Number: US-9430222-B2

Title: Controlling a running application for live scene graph editing

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Modern computer applications may be stored on computers in geographically remote locations, or on multiple computers around the world, in order to provide end users with convenient access to the applications. In addition, such applications may be heavily relied upon by end users such that an interruption in access to such applications may cause considerable social and financial frustrations. 
     Typical computer applications are made unavailable to end users for a period of time when a new version of the application is deployed. Further, changes made to typical computer applications may only be viewed once the application has been redeployed after the changes have been made. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a computer readable medium including software instructions for performing a method, the method including receiving, by a content server, a first request from a client for an application content file, wherein the application content file is associated with a first Java network launch protocol (JNLP) file, providing, in response to the first request, the application content file; receiving, from the client, a second request to edit the application content file, providing, in response to the second request, an application designer tool to the client; receiving, from the client, an altered application content file generated using the application designer tool, generating a second JNLP file associated with the altered application content file, and providing, to a webserver, the second JNLP file. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system. The system includes a content server which includes a processor, an application content file, and a memory configured to store instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the content server to receive a first request from a client for the application content file, wherein the application content file is associated with a first Java network launch protocol (JNLP) file, provide, in response to the first request, the application content file, receive, from the client, a second request to edit the application content file, provide, in response to the second request, an application designer tool to the client; receive, from the client, an altered application content file generated using the application designer tool, generate a second JNLP file associated with the altered application content file, and provide, to a webserver, the second JNLP file. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a computer readable medium including software instructions for performing a method, the method including sending, by a client, a first request to a webserver for an application content file, wherein the application content file is associated with a Java network launch protocol (JNLP) file, receiving, from the webserver in response to the first request, the JNLP file, sending a second request to a content server, wherein the second request comprises at least a portion of the JNLP file, receiving, from the content server in response to the second request, the application content file, sending, to the content server, a second request to edit the application content file, receiving, from the content server in response to the third request, an application designer tool to the client, editing the application content file using the application designer tool to obtain an altered content file, sending, to the content server, a fourth request comprising the altered content file. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an example in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a computer system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like items in the drawings are shown with the same reference numbers. 
     In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. 
     In general, embodiments of the invention relate to controlling a running JavaFX application for live scene graph editing. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate a method and system for editing the content and behavior of a deployed (i.e., accessible by an end-user) JavaFX application without interrupting user access to the application. (Java® and JavaFX® are registered trademarks owned by Sun Microsystems, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.) 
       FIG. 1  shows a system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system includes a User Browser ( 100 ), a Webserver ( 102 ), and a Content Server ( 104 ). The User Browser ( 100 ) includes a Web Start applet ( 106 ), an FX designer runtime instance ( 108 ), a JavaFX Application instance ( 110 ), and an FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 ). The Webserver ( 102 ) includes a Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP) file ( 114 ). The Content Server ( 104 ) includes FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 ), JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 ), and FX Designer Tool files ( 120 ). Each of these components is discussed in detail below. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the User Browser ( 100 ) is an application executing on a user computer system (not shown) used for interacting with internet content. The User Browser may be any internet browser known in the art capable of executing a Web Start applet ( 106 ), examples of which may include Internet Explorer® browser (Internet Explorer® is a registered trademark owned by Microsoft Corp.), Firefox® browser (Firefox® is a registered trademark owned by the Mozilla Foundation), Safari® browser (Safari® is a registered trademark owned by Apple Computer, Inc.), and Google Chrome™ browser (Google Chrome™ is a trademark owned by Google, Inc.). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the User Browser ( 100 ), under the control of a user, may navigate to a webpage intended to host a JavaFX application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the webpage includes a reference to the JNLP file ( 114 ) associated with the embedded JavaFX application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the User Browser ( 100 ) is configured to request the JNLP file ( 114 ) from the Webserver ( 102 ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the Webserver ( 102 ) is configured to respond to a request by the User Browser ( 100 ) for a JavaFX application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )) by providing, to the User Browser ( 100 ), a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) associated with the JavaFX application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the Webserver ( 102 ) is an application executing on a computer system (not shown), configured to respond to requests sent over a network (e.g., a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, etc.). In one embodiment of the invention, the Webserver ( 102 ) may store more than one JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )). Further, each JNLP file may be associated with a different application, and multiple JNLP files (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) may be associated with different versions of the same application. In one embodiment of the invention, the User Browser ( 100 ) is configured to instantiate a Web Start applet (e.g., Web Start applet ( 106 )) in response to receiving a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) from a webserver (e.g., Webserver ( 102 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the User Browser ( 100 ) may provide a received JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) directly to the Web Start applet ( 106 ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the Web Start applet ( 106 ) creates a platform within the User Browser ( 100 ) capable of initializing Java application software (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )) using an associated JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )). More specifically, in one embodiment of the invention, the Web Start applet ( 106 ) includes functionality for retrieving and executing a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )) capable of executing the Java application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )) associated with the JNLP file ( 114 ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the JNLP file ( 114 ) includes all necessary information for retrieving and executing the JavaFX Application instance ( 110 ). The information may include the network locations of the FX Designer Runtime files ( 114 ), the application content files ( 116 ), and the FX designer tool files ( 118 ). The information may further include the version number, configuration, and network location of the JRE (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )) necessary to execute the Java application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). Further, the information may specify the version number, configuration, and network location of the JRE for a given computer configuration. For example, a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) may provide information regarding separate versions, configurations, and network locations based on a computer&#39;s hardware specifications, software specifications, or rate of network communication. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other information may be included in the JNLP file ( 114 ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the Web Start applet ( 106 ) uses a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) to determine the location and configuration of a FX Designer Runtime (e.g., FX Designer Runtime ( 108 )). The Web Start applet ( 106 ) also may include functionality to request, from a content server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )), files associated with the FX Designer runtime (e.g., FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 )). The FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 ) may be used by a Web Start applet (e.g., Web Start applet ( 106 )) to instantiate a FX Designer Runtime instance (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )). Further, the Web Start applet ( 106 ) may include functionality to provide a FX Designer Runtime instance (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )) with a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) provided by a user browser (e.g., User Browser ( 100 )). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ) is a JRE which includes functionality to use the contents of a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) to retrieve and execute the Java application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )) associated with the JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )). The JRE (or more specifically, instances of JREs (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ))) provides a layer of software between the operating system and the application running within the JRE instance. The JRE instance includes functionality to allow the application to be agnostic with regard to the underlying operating system and hardware of the host machine. Said another way, an application with the ability to execute within a JRE instance may be executed on any machine capable of executing a compatible JRE instance. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ) requests content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) from a content server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ) uses the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) to launch the application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 ) include all files necessary for instantiating an application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). The JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 ) may include, for example, program code (e.g., Java classes, Java Archives, etc.), graphic files, audio files, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 ) may be distributed across more than one Content Server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )). In one embodiment of the invention, some JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 ) may be retrieved only when they are required by the executing application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) is a computing system which may include content management software (e.g., Mercurial, Concurrent Versions System (CVS)). In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) stores all files necessary to execute the application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )), including the FX Designer Runtime files (e.g., FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 )) and the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )). In addition, the Content Server ( 104 ) may also maintain a record of changes made to hosted filed (e.g., FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 ), JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) includes the functionality to generate a JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 )) associated with FX Designer Runtime files (e.g., FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 )) and content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) automatically generates an updated JNLP file (e.g. JNLP file ( 114 )) when FX Designer Runtime files (e.g., FX Designer Runtime files ( 116 )) or the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) are altered. In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) also includes functionality to transmit the updated JNLP file (e.g., JNLP file ( 114 ) to a webserver (e.g., Webserver ( 102 )). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ) may receive a request to edit a JavaFX Application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the request is received via the instance of the application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the request is received via an FX Designer Runtime instance (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the request may be a combination of user inputs known only to the author of the application to allow only the author to edit the application (e.g., a text password, an ordered series of mouse clicks, etc.). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server ( 104 ) responds to a request to edit an application by providing FX Designer Tool files (e.g., FX Designer Tool files ( 120 )) to the requesting FX Designer Runtime instance (e.g., FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime instance ( 108 ) uses the FX Designer Tool files (e.g., FX Designer Tool files ( 120 )) to create an FX Designer Tool instance (e.g., FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 ) includes functionality to alter the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )). More specifically, the FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 ) may include the functionality to alter a copy of the content files (not shown) which exist on a user&#39;s computer system (e.g., the computer system executing User Browser ( 100 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 ) includes the functionality to alter a copy of the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) contemporaneously with the execution of the application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). In addition, changes made to the JavaFX Application Content files may be immediately incorporated into the application instance (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )) executing on the user&#39;s computer. Further, in one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Tool instance ( 112 ) includes the functionality to send the altered content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) to the content server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )). In one embodiment of the invention, the altered JavaFX Application Content files are only available on the author&#39;s computer (e.g., the computer executing the User Browser ( 100 )) at least until the altered content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) are sent to the content server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, more than one user may concurrently execute instances of the JavaFX Application (e.g., JavaFX Application instance ( 110 )). Further, in one embodiment of the invention, a first user may request the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )) from the content server (e.g., Content Server ( 104 )) contemporarily while a second user alters the content files (e.g., JavaFX Application Content files ( 118 )). 
       FIG. 2  shows a flow chart for launching an application in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In one or more embodiments of the invention, one or more of the steps shown in  FIG. 2  may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a different order than that shown in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, the specific arrangement of steps shown in  FIG. 2  should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     In Step  210 , the client requests an Application from the Webserver. In one embodiment of the invention, the client is a user browser under the control of a user. In one embodiment of the invention, the client sends a request to the Webserver for a JavaFX application without specifically requesting a JNLP file. In Step  212 , the Webserver provides the JNLP file associated with the Application to the Client. In Step  214 , the Client loads the JNLP file into the Web Start applet. In Step  216 , the Web Start applet requests the FX Designer Runtime files associated with the JNLP file from the Content Server. In one embodiment of the invention, the FX Designer Runtime files are used to create a FX Designer Runtime instance. In Step  218 , the Web Start applet requests the Application Content files from the Content Server. In one embodiment of the invention, the request is initiated by the FX Designer Runtime. In one embodiment of the invention, only files necessary to launch the program are requested. In one embodiment of the invention, the Application Content files include a Java Archive file. In Step  220 , the FX Designer Runtime loads the Application Content files and launches the Application. In one embodiment of the invention, the Application Content files include one or more files which describe the behavior of the Application (e.g., Java classes). In one embodiment of the invention, the Application is launched using a subset of all Application Content files. In one embodiment of the invention, Application Content files are requested from the Content Server as needed by the Application instance. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flow chart for launching and editing an application in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In one or more embodiments of the invention, one or more of the steps shown in  FIG. 3  may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a different order than that shown in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the specific arrangement of steps shown in  FIG. 3  should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     In Step  310 , the Client sends a request to the Webserver, via the Web Start applet, to edit the Application. In one embodiment of the invention, Step  310  may be performed following the steps described with reference to  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment of the invention, the Content Server responds by sending, to the Web Start applet, the FX Designer Tool files. In Step  312 , the Web Start applet loads the FX Designer Tools associated with the Application to create an FX Designer Tool instance. In Step  314 , the Client alters the Application Content files using the FX Designer Tool instance. In one embodiment of the invention, altering the Application Content Files may include making changes to a graphic or audio file. In one embodiment of the invention, altering the Application Content files may include editing code, which dictates the behavior of the elements in the Application. In one embodiment of the invention, the Application Content files are edited using the FX Designer Tools. In Step  316 , the Client sends a request to commit the changes to the Application Content files. In Step  318 , the new Application Content files are saved on the Content Server. In Step  320 , the Webserver updates the JNLP file with references to the new Application Content files. In one embodiment of the invention, a new JNLP file is generated with references to the altered Application Content files. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary communication timeline in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The exemplary timeline is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Further, some elements unnecessary for the purposes of the exemplary figure may have been omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the exemplary communication timeline includes requests and responses over a period of time between the Content Server ( 400 ), Client A ( 402 ), the Webserver ( 404 ), and Client B. 
     In Step  410 , Client A ( 402 ) requests the Application from the Webserver ( 404 ). In Step  412 , the Webserver ( 404 ) responds to the request by providing the JNLP file associated with the Application. In Step  414 , Client A ( 402 ) uses the JNLP file to locate the files necessary to execute the Application, and requests those files from the Content Server ( 400 ). In Step  416 , the Content Server ( 400 ) provides the FX Designer Runtime files associated with the Application to Client A ( 402 ). In Step  418 , Client A ( 402 ) requests the Application Content files associated with the Application. In Step  420 , the Content Server ( 400 ) provides the Application Content files to Client A ( 402 ). In Step  422 , Client A ( 402 ) executes the Application. 
     Continuing with the discussion of exemplary  FIG. 4 , in Step  424 , Client B ( 406 ) requests the Application from the Webserver ( 404 ). In Step  426 , the Webserver ( 404 ) responds to the request by providing the JNLP file associated with the Application to Client B ( 406 ). In Step  428 , Client B ( 406 ) uses the JNLP file to locate the files necessary to execute the Application, and requests those files from the Content Server ( 400 ). In Step  430 , the Content Server ( 400 ) provides the FX Designer Runtime files and the Application Content files associated with the Application to Client B ( 406 ). In Step  432 , Client B ( 406 ) executes the Application. At Step  432 , both Client A ( 402 ) and Client B ( 406 ) are executing the same version of the Application. 
     In Step  434 , Client A ( 402 ) sends a request to edit the Application to the Content Server ( 400 ). In Step  436 , the Content Server ( 400 ) responds by providing, to Client A ( 402 ), the FX Designer Tool files. At Step  438 , Client A ( 402 ) loads the FX Designer Tool, and edits the Application Content files. At Step  440 , Client A ( 402 ) indicates to the Content Server ( 400 ) that the Application Content files have been altered, and the updated Application Content files are sent to the Content Server ( 400 ). Before Step  442 , Client A ( 402 ) is executing a new version of the Application. Contemporaneously, Client B ( 406 ) is executing the original Application lacking the updates sent to the Content Server in Step  440 . In Step  442 , the Content Server ( 400 ) notifies the Webserver ( 404 ) that the Application has been updated. In one embodiment of the invention, a new JNLP is generated by the Content Server ( 400 ) and transmitted to the Webserver ( 404 ). In one embodiment of the invention, the Webserver ( 404 ) generates the new JNLP file using information provided by the Content Server ( 400 ). 
     Continuing with the discussion of exemplary  FIG. 4 , at Step  444 , Client B ( 406 ) terminates the instance of the Application instantiated in Step  432 . In Step  446 , Client B ( 406 ) requests the Application from the Webserver ( 404 ). In Step  448 , the Webserver ( 404 ) responds to the request by providing, to Client B ( 406 ), the new JNLP file associated with the updated Application. In Step  450 , Client B ( 406 ) uses the new JNLP file to locate the updated files necessary to execute the updated Application, and requests those files from the Content Server ( 400 ). In Step  452 , the Content Server ( 400 ) provides the FX Designer Runtime files and the Application Content files associated with the updated Application to Client B ( 406 ). In Step  454 , Client B ( 406 ) executes the updated Application. At Step  454 , both Client A ( 402 ) and Client B ( 406 ) are executing the updated version of the Application. 
     An embodiment of the invention may be implemented on virtually any type of computer regardless of the platform being used. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a networked computer system ( 500 ) includes a processor ( 502 ), associated memory ( 504 ), a storage device ( 506 ), and numerous other elements and functionalities typical of today&#39;s computers (not shown). The networked computer system ( 500 ) may also include input means, such as a keyboard ( 508 ) and a mouse ( 510 ), and output means, such as a monitor ( 512 ). The networked computer system ( 500 ) is connected to a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network via a network interface connection (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these input and output means may take other forms. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more elements of the aforementioned computer ( 500 ) may be remotely located and connected to the other elements over a network. Further, software instructions to perform embodiments of the invention may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a compact disc (CD), a diskette, a tape, or any other physical computer readable storage device. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.