Event routing mechanism in a computer system

摘要

A method and apparatus for routing an event to a human interface object in a computer system. A routing type is assigned to each event type which may be received. The event is received and the routing type assigned to the event is determined. The event is then routed based on the routing type. In embodiments of the invention, the routing type may be geometric, focus, or broadcast, but is extensible. The routing types may be added or removed from a list of routing types, at request of processes.

主权项

1. A method for routing an event to a human interface object in a computer system, said method comprising the following computer-implemented steps:
receiving an event; extracting from the event a corresponding routing type, the routing type providing an indication of the nature of the event; determining a routing mechanism for the received event based on the routing type extracted from the event; and routing the event based on the determined routing mechanism for the received event; wherein the routing type is one of an extensible plurality of routing types with new routing types added to said plurality of routing types by registering a new routing type and a routing mechanism corresponding to the new routing type, and wherein registering the new routing type and corresponding routing mechanism does not require rewriting or recompiling system code.