A multitasking switchboard approach to user interface management

Abstract

A Switchboard model of user input management is presented which takes advantage of opportunities afforded by a multitasking multiprocessor programming environment. This model further separates application programming from the programming of the interaction dialogues as compared with conventional user interface management systems. It also provides powerful tools for implementing parallel forms of input, is suitable for managing interaction in window-based systems, and is very flexible.The paper describes this Switchboard model and its implementation on top of the Harmony operating system, as well as discussing some of the graphics support needed for the model.