Defining the visual appearance of user-interface controls

#Embodiments of the invention relate to computer user interfaces. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to defining the visual appearance of user-interface controls.

#Various subjects are discussed throughout this document in the context of a financial application program that displays platform-specific (e.g., Win32®-based) user-interface (UI) controls and UI controls on HTML pages. Principles of the invention, however, are applicable to other types of application programs and other environments and technologies, including, but not limited to Unix-based operating systems, X11/Motif, and Java applets.

#Windows® provides several predefined window classes for common controls, such as buttons, check boxes, toolbars, menus, etc. Controls belonging to these window classes are called predefined controls. An application program may create a predefined control of a particular type at run-time (via the CreateWindowEx function) or may create controls as components of a predefined dialog template from a resource file or other source.

#FIG. 1 shows various standard color schemes of User Interface (UI) control buttons.

#FIG. 2 shows a Control Panel Display applet that can used to make relatively limited changes to UI color schemes.

#FIG. 3 shows an example custom control in the form of a date-edit control with a dropdown calendar.

#I. Introduction

#An application program developed with modifiable controls, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, may advantageously: (1) provide a common way to define the visual appearance of user-interface (UI) controls displayed on an HTML page and UI controls of a platform-specific application program; and (2) reduce the time and expense required to change the visual appearance of the application. An added benefit is enabling individuals who do not have detailed knowledge of the code of the application program to highly customize the visual appearance of the application program's user interface without required recompiling of the application or developing custom code.

#By editing a text file (style sheet) and optionally providing graphics elements, including, but not limited to, bitmaps, a person can substantially change the visual appearance of the platform-specific display pages and HTML-based pages within an application program. In addition, a third-party developer, such as a financial institution, can create its own style sheet to make the application look like its own existing web site.