US 7,609,279 B2 · Data-driven layout engine

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A method of drawing objects, in a graphical user interface of a computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a command from an application to draw an object on the user interface, wherein the object comprises a window;
translating the command into a drawing primitive which includes a pointer to data associated with the object, the data being retrievable by a layout engine to enable drawing of a part of the object on the user interface relative to boundaries and a behavior of the part, wherein the behavior is associated with a transition between different states in a state table, and specifies a change exhibited in the part;
and
sending the drawing primitive to the layout engine.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/119,723Filed 3 May 2005 · continuation

Priority

16 May 1994

Published

US 2005/0190182 A11 Sep 2005

Granted

27 Oct 2009

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G06F 9/451
Arrangements for executing specific programs: execution arrangements for user interfaces
Y10S 707/99942
Database schema or data structure: manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
G06F
Computing and data processing
Y10S
Technical subjects covered by former uspc cross-reference art collections [xracs] and digests

Family

Application08/242,963Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 16 May 1994

Application08/243,268Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 16 May 1994

Application08/243,327Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 16 May 1994

Application08/644,360Parent of this continuation · filed 10 May 1996

Application09/985,612Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Nov 2001

US 2005/0190182 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Sep 2005

US 6,909,437 B2Parent of this continuation

US 6,404,433 B1Parent of this continuation

Application08/644,360Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2002/0052721 A1Published application

US 7,609,279 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Data-driven layout engine

Life of this patent

Data-driven layout engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33