US6542166B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for editing a control
Assignee: National Instruments Corp
•
Filing: 1996-05-09
•
Granted: 2003-04-01
•
Expires: 2016-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A container independent method for editing a control, wherein changes may be viewed and evaluated prior to applying the changes to the control. The method comprises a user dropping a control onto a form of a container, such as Visual Basic. When the user drops the control, the container constructs the control. The control comprises a standard interface, preferably Active X, compliant portion and internal control object portions. When the container constructs the control it constructs the standard interface compliant control. Upon being constructed, the standard interface compliant control constructs a first internal control object referenced by an original pointer. The first internal control object comprises the data for the control. The standard interface compliant control provides a means of redirecting methods invoked upon the control through the standard interface to the internal control object referenced by the original pointer. Thus the control selectively redirects method invocations upon internal control objects by modifying the original pointer. When the user selects the control for an editing transaction the standard interface compliant control creates a second internal control object which is a copy of the first internal control object, creates a property page dialog, creates a preview window and displays the second control object in the preview window. The user makes changes to the control, either via the property page dialog or via direct graphical interaction with the copy of the control displayed in the preview window. These changes are reflected in the control displayed in the preview window, but not in the form window. The user edits the control as desired in the preview window and apply the changes or cancels the changes. If the user applies the changes, the standard interface compliant control creates a third internal control object which is a copy of the second internal control object, that is which reflects the user changes, and assigns the original pointer to reference the third internal control object. The standard interface compliant control then discards the first internal control object. If the user cancels the changes, the second internal control object, the preview window and property page dialog are discarded.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff D. Washington
- 👤 Paul F. Austin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/38; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; G06F9/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A computer-implemented method for editing a control in a computer system, comprising: selecting said control for an editing transaction, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produces a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A computer-implemented method for editing a control in a computer system, comprising: selecting said control for an editing transaction, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produces a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object includes displaying said first internal control object with said change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an original pointer which references said first internal control object; wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object comprises: creating a third internal control object, wherein said third internal control object is a copy of said changed second internal control object; setting said original pointer to said third internal control object; discarding said first internal control object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object further includes displaying said third internal control object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating and displaying a property page dialog in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said property page dialog.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating and displaying a preview window in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said displaying said second internal control object is performed in said preview window; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said preview window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating and displaying a preview window in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said displaying said second internal control object is performed in said preview window; wherein said displaying said changed second internal control object is performed in said preview window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: dropping said control in a container before said selecting said control for said editing transaction; creating said standard interface compliant control in response to said dropping said control in said container; creating said first internal control object in response to said creating said standard interface compliant control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: discarding said changed second internal control object if said change is not desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying said control prior to said selecting control; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said second internal control object; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said changed second internal control object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said control comprises a reusable user interface component.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said control is an OLE control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an OLE interface compliant control.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said control is an ActiveX control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an ActiveX interface compliant control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
352 words
A computer-implemented method for editing a control in a computer system, comprising: creating a standard interface compliant control, wherein said control comprises said standard interface compliant control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an original pointer referencing an internal control object and a plurality of methods which may be invoked on said standard interface compliant control; wherein said internal control object comprises a plurality of methods corresponding to said standard interface compliant control plurality of methods; wherein upon invocation of one of said standard interface compliant control plurality of methods, said standard interface compliant control invokes a corresponding one of said internal control object plurality of methods upon said internal control object referenced by said original pointer, thereby redirecting said invocation of said one of said plurality of methods from said standard interface compliant control to said internal control object referenced by said original pointer; creating a first internal control object in response to said creating said standard interface compliant control, wherein said control further comprises said first internal control object; setting said original pointer to reference said first internal control object; selecting said control for an editing transaction; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produced a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; creating a third internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object, wherein said third internal control object is a copy of said changed second internal control object; setting said original pointer to said third internal control object; discarding said first internal control object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
352 words
A computer-implemented method for editing a control in a computer system, comprising: creating a standard interface compliant control, wherein said control comprises said standard interface compliant control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an original pointer referencing an internal control object and a plurality of methods which may be invoked on said standard interface compliant control; wherein said internal control object comprises a plurality of methods corresponding to said standard interface compliant control plurality of methods; wherein upon invocation of one of said standard interface compliant control plurality of methods, said standard interface compliant control invokes a corresponding one of said internal control object plurality of methods upon said internal control object referenced by said original pointer, thereby redirecting said invocation of said one of said plurality of methods from said standard interface compliant control to said internal control object referenced by said original pointer; creating a first internal control object in response to said creating said standard interface compliant control, wherein said control further comprises said first internal control object; setting said original pointer to reference said first internal control object; selecting said control for an editing transaction; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produced a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; creating a third internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object, wherein said third internal control object is a copy of said changed second internal control object; setting said original pointer to said third internal control object; discarding said first internal control object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising displaying said third internal control object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: creating a property page dialog in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change is performed via said property page dialog.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: creating and displaying a preview window in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said displaying said second internal control object is performed in said preview window; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said preview window.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: discarding said changed second internal control object if said change is not desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: displaying said control prior to said selecting control; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said second internal control object; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said changed second internal control object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said control comprises a reusable user interface component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said control is an OLE control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an OLE interface compliant control.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said control is an ActiveX control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an ActiveX interface compliant control.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
249 words
A computer system for editing an control, comprising: a CPU; memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the memory stores said control, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; a display screen for displaying the control on said display screen; an input device operable to receive user input selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein the memory stores a computer program executable by the CPU, wherein the computer program is executable to create a second internal control object in response to a user selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to display said second internal control object on said display screen; wherein the input device is operable to receive user input indicating a desired change to the control; wherein the computer program is executable to change said second internal control object in response to said user input indicating a desired change to said control, thereby producing a changed second internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to display said changed second internal control object; wherein the input device is operable to receive user input indicating said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to apply said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
249 words
A computer system for editing an control, comprising: a CPU; memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the memory stores said control, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; a display screen for displaying the control on said display screen; an input device operable to receive user input selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein the memory stores a computer program executable by the CPU, wherein the computer program is executable to create a second internal control object in response to a user selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to display said second internal control object on said display screen; wherein the input device is operable to receive user input indicating a desired change to the control; wherein the computer program is executable to change said second internal control object in response to said user input indicating a desired change to said control, thereby producing a changed second internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to display said changed second internal control object; wherein the input device is operable to receive user input indicating said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object; wherein the computer program is executable to apply said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 23 , wherein the computer program is executable to display said first internal control object with said change.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
The computer system of claim 23 , wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an original pointer which references said first internal control object; wherein, in applying said change to said first internal control object, the computer program is executable to: create a third internal control object, wherein said third internal control object is a copy of said changed second internal control object; set said original pointer to said third internal control object; discard said first internal control object.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 25 , wherein, in applying said change to said first internal control object, the computer program is further executable to display said third internal control object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system of claim 23 , wherein the computer program is further executable to create and display a property page dialog in response to said control being selected for an editing transaction; wherein said user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said property page dialog.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer system of claim 23 , wherein the computer program is further executable to create and display a preview window in response to said control being selected for an editing transaction; wherein said second internal control object is displayed in said preview window; wherein said user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said preview window.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 23 , wherein said control comprises a reusable user interface component.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
202 words
A computer system for editing a control, comprising: a display screen; an input device; means for selecting said control for an editing transaction in response to user input received by said input device, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; means for creating a second internal control object in response to a user selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; means for displaying said second internal control object on said display screen; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; means for receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; means for changing said second internal control object in response to said first user input, thereby producing a changed second internal control object; means for displaying said changed second internal control object; means for determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; means for applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
202 words
A computer system for editing a control, comprising: a display screen; an input device; means for selecting said control for an editing transaction in response to user input received by said input device, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; means for creating a second internal control object in response to a user selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; means for displaying said second internal control object on said display screen; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; means for receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; means for changing said second internal control object in response to said first user input, thereby producing a changed second internal control object; means for displaying said changed second internal control object; means for determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; means for applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
179 words
A computer readable storage media comprising program instructions for editing a control in a computer system, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement: selecting said control for an editing transaction, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produced a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
179 words
A computer readable storage media comprising program instructions for editing a control in a computer system, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement: selecting said control for an editing transaction, wherein said control comprises a standard interface compliant control and a first internal control object; creating a second internal control object in response to said selecting said control for said editing transaction, wherein said second internal control object is a copy of said first internal control object; displaying said second internal control object after said creating said second internal control object; receiving first user input indicating a desired change to said control; changing said second internal control object in response to said receiving said first user input, wherein said changing produced a changed second internal control object; displaying said changed second internal control object; determining if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object in response to second user input; applying said change to said first internal control object if said change is desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object includes displaying said first internal control object with said change.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an original pointer which references said first internal control object; wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object comprises: creating a third internal control object, wherein said third internal control object is a copy of said changed second internal control object; setting said original pointer to said third internal control object; discarding said first internal control object.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The media of claim 33 , wherein said applying said change to said first internal control object further includes displaying said third internal control object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: creating and displaying a property page dialog in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said property page dialog.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
66 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: creating and displaying a preview window in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said displaying said second internal control object is performed in said preview window; wherein said receiving said first user input indicating said desired change to said control is performed via said preview window.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: creating and displaying a preview window in response to said selecting said control for an editing transaction; wherein said displaying said second internal control object is performed in said preview window; wherein said displaying said changed second internal control object is performed in said preview window.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: dropping said control in a container before said selecting said control for said editing transaction; creating said standard interface compliant control in response to said dropping said control in said container; creating said first internal control object in response to said creating said standard interface compliant control.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: discarding said changed second internal control object if said change is not desired to be applied to said first internal control object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
50 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement: displaying said control prior to said selecting control; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said second internal control object; wherein said control is displayed during said displaying said changed second internal control object.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein said control comprises a reusable user interface component.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The media of claim 31 , wherein said control is an OLE control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an OLE interface compliant control.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The media of claim 41 , wherein said control is an ActiveX control; wherein said standard interface compliant control comprises an ActiveX interface compliant control.
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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) | 2006-03-31 | 2006-09-30 | 2007-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | 2011-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-31 | 2014-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |