Objects having usage rules that exist outside of the environment in which the object is used

Abstract

An object that is usable in a plurality of different environments comprises at least one property having an associated rule that affects the object. The object and at least one of its properties and associated rules exist outside of an environment that the object is used in. The rule associated with the at least one property is enforced in the plurality of different environments.

1 . An object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the object comprising at least one property having an associated rule that affects the object, wherein the object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments. 
   
   
       2 . The object of  claim 1  wherein the rule is an invariant. 
   
   
       3 . The object of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of different environments is a plurality of different documents. 
   
   
       4 . The object of  claim 1  wherein the rule affects the appearance of the object. 
   
   
       5 . A method of creating an object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the method comprising:
 (a) defining an object comprising at least one property having an associated rule;   (b) defining the associated rule; and   (c) storing the object for subsequent use in the plurality of different environments,   wherein the created object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the created object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the rule is an invariant. 
   
   
       7 . The object of  claim 5  wherein the rule affects the appearance of the object. 
   
   
       8 . A method of employing an object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the object comprising at least one property having an associated rule, wherein the object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments, the method comprising:
 (a) importing a copy of the object into an environment; and   (b) enforcing the rule associated with the at least one property in the environment.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the rule is an invariant. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the rule affects the appearance of the object. 
   
   
       11 . An object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the object comprising at least one property having an associated rule that affects the environment that the object is used in, wherein the object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments. 
   
   
       12 . The object of  claim 11  wherein the rule is that certain text and/or images must be used in the environment whenever the object is used in the environment. 
   
   
       13 . The object of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of different environments is a plurality of different documents. 
   
   
       14 . A method of creating an object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the method comprising:
 (a) defining an object comprising at least one property having an associated rule that affects the environment that the object is used in;   (b) defining the associated rule; and   (c) storing the object for subsequent use in the plurality of different environments,   wherein the created object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the created object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments.   
   
   
       15 . A method of employing an object that is usable in a plurality of different environments, the object comprising at least one property having an associated rule that affects the environment that the object is used in, wherein the object and the at least one property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the object is used in, the rule associated with the at least one property being enforced in the plurality of different environments, the method comprising:
 (a) importing a copy of the object into an environment; and   (b) in the environment, enforcing the rule associated with the at least one property.