US6188399B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple theme engine graphical user interface architecture
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-08
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Granted: 2001-02-13
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Expires: 2018-05-08
Abstract
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 invoked by calling a corresponding theme engine. Theme engines can be hard-coded or data-driven.
Inventors
- 👤 Ed Voas
- 👤 Arnaud Gourdol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a graphical user interface, a method for rendering objects and handling behavior of said objects comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of themes, each theme controlling an appearance and behavior of objects rendered on said graphical user interface, wherein at least one of said appearance and said behavior is controlled differently for an object when said graphical user interface is operated in accordance with one theme than when said graphical user interface is operated in accordance with another theme; providing a plurality of theme engines, each theme engine associated with a different theme type, wherein at least one of said theme engines is hard-coded and at least one of said theme engines is a data-driven, parametric engine; selecting a theme from among said plurality of themes; identifying one of said plurality of theme engines associated with said selected theme; and loading, by said identified theme engine, theme data for operating said graphical user interface in accordance with said selected theme.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a graphical user interface, a method for rendering objects and handling behavior of said objects comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of themes, each theme controlling an appearance and behavior of objects rendered on said graphical user interface, wherein at least one of said appearance and said behavior is controlled differently for an object when said graphical user interface is operated in accordance with one theme than when said graphical user interface is operated in accordance with another theme; providing a plurality of theme engines, each theme engine associated with a different theme type, wherein at least one of said theme engines is hard-coded and at least one of said theme engines is a data-driven, parametric engine; selecting a theme from among said plurality of themes; identifying one of said plurality of theme engines associated with said selected theme; and loading, by said identified theme engine, theme data for operating said graphical user interface in accordance with said selected theme.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of theme data files, each associated with a different theme and each accessible by said data-driven theme engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said hard-coded theme engine can manage only one theme.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer system comprising: a processor for performing control functions and processing data; a display for outputting data received from said processor and for receiving input from a user of said computer system via a graphical user interface; and a plurality of theme engines each capable of rendering a theme by drawing an object on said graphical user interface, wherein a selected one of said theme engines is commanded to draw said object based upon a theme selection coordinated by said processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer system comprising: a processor for performing control functions and processing data; a display for outputting data received from said processor and for receiving input from a user of said computer system via a graphical user interface; and a plurality of theme engines each capable of rendering a theme by drawing an object on said graphical user interface, wherein a selected one of said theme engines is commanded to draw said object based upon a theme selection coordinated by said processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 4 , wherein one of said plurality of theme engines is hard-coded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 5 , wherein said hard-coded theme engine has a data file associated therewith that includes only nominal data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 4 , wherein one of said plurality of theme engines is a data-driven, parametric engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of claim 7 , wherein a plurality of theme data files are stored on a computer-readable medium, each of said plurality of theme data files having a same format which is accessible by said data-driven parametric engine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for selecting themes operable to control appearance and behavior of objects rendered on a graphical user interface comprising the steps of: providing an appearance control panel; providing a plurality of theme engines, including a default theme engine and at least one other theme engine; selecting, by said appearance control panel, a theme; loading said selected theme using one of said plurality of theme engine, unless a valid theme data file cannot be retrieved for said selected theme; and otherwise, loading a default theme using said default theme engine.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for selecting themes operable to control appearance and behavior of objects rendered on a graphical user interface comprising the steps of: providing an appearance control panel; providing a plurality of theme engines, including a default theme engine and at least one other theme engine; selecting, by said appearance control panel, a theme; loading said selected theme using one of said plurality of theme engine, unless a valid theme data file cannot be retrieved for said selected theme; and otherwise, loading a default theme using said default theme engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said default theme engine is hard-coded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said default theme engine is data-driven.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable information for performing the steps of: providing a plurality of theme engines, each theme engine capable of rendering objects according to at least one theme; selecting, by one of a user and a program, a current theme; and using a theme engine associated with said current theme to render objects in a graphical user interface according to said current theme.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable information for performing the steps of: providing a plurality of theme engines, each theme engine capable of rendering objects according to at least one theme; selecting, by one of a user and a program, a current theme; and using a theme engine associated with said current theme to render objects in a graphical user interface according to said current theme.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein said theme provides information relating to object geometries and fill patterns for said objects.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein said step of providing further comprises the step of: providing a hard-coded theme engine and a data-driven theme engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein said step of selecting further comprises the step of: creating a appearance control panel on said graphical user interface; and receiving input from said user in said appearance control panel as an indication of said selected current theme.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein said step of using a theme engine associated with said current theme further comprises the steps of: loading, by said theme engine, a data table indicating said object geometries and fill patterns for said current theme; and drawing, by a graphics subsystem, objects on said graphical user interface using information in said data table.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-13 | 2004-08-14 | 2005-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-13 | 2008-08-14 | 2009-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-13 | 2012-08-14 | 2013-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |