Automatic batching of gui-based tasks

Abstract

Described herein are techniques for automatically batching GUI-based (Graphical User Interface) tasks. The described techniques include automatically determining whether a user is performing batchable tasks in a GUI-based environment. Once detected, the described techniques include predicting the next tasks of a batch based upon those detected batchable tasks. With the described techniques, the user may be asked to verify and/or correct the predicted next tasks. Furthermore, the described techniques may include performing a batch and doing so without user interaction.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 producing a batch of GUI-based tasks; and   performing the batch of the GUI-based tasks.   
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , the batch of GUI-based tasks including GUI-based tasks from at least two GUI-based applications. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  in a GUI-based operating system environment. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising prompting for verification to include additional tasks in the batch of the GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising determining a parameter value for a particular GUI-based task within the batch of the GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the determining the parameter value is based at least in part on input from a user. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the determining the parameter value is based at least in part on parameters of previously recorded GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising recording GUI-based tasks performed within a context of a GUI-based environment. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising locating a target element of a particular GUI-based task within the batch of the GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 generating a sequence of GUI-based tasks for future execution; and   executing the sequence of GUI-based tasks.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the GUI-based tasks in the sequence of GUI-based tasks include a first GUI-based task from a first application and a second GUI-based task from a second application. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising prompting for verification that the generated sequence of GUI-based tasks for future execution represents additional tasks that a user intends be performed. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising determining a parameter value for a particular GUI-based task within the sequence of the GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising recording GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising configuring a GUI-based environment for execution of the GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising locating a target element of a particular GUI-based task within the sequence of the GUI-based tasks for future execution. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a batch module configured to be executed at least in part by the processor to:
 produce a batch of GUI-based tasks; and 
 perform the batch of the GUI-based tasks. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the batch module is configured for automatically batching GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the batch module is configured to record GUI-based tasks. 
     
     
         21 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the GUI-based tasks include a first GUI-based task from a first application and a second GUI-based task from a second application.