US6791581B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and systems for synchronizing skin properties
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-31
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Granted: 2004-09-14
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Expires: 2021-01-31
Abstract
Abstract Methods and systems for creating and rendering skins are described. In one described embodiment skins can be defined as sets of script files, art files, media files, and text files. These files can be used to create new and different skin appearances, layouts and functionalities. The files are organized for use using a hierarchical tag-based data structure, an example of which is an XML data structure. The data structure is processed to provide an object model. The object model can be a scriptable object model that enables script to execute to provide an interactive, dynamic skin that can respond to internal and external events. In one embodiment, a computer architecture used for rendering the skin includes a layout manager that processes an intermediate representation of the XML data structure to provide the scriptable object model. Various components of the scriptable object model can include a script engine for receiving and executing script, and one or more rendering elements. Each rendering element represents a different skin element and can be individually configured to respond to script via the script engine. The inventive systems and techniques can provide a robust, dynamic skin that can be rendered and re-rendered at runtime. In other embodiments, properties associated with a skin's elements can be synchronized with other skin element properties or state that is associated with a software application. Synchronization can take place through the use of keywords that can be used in connection with the XML data structure. Synchronizations can be one- or two-way synchronizations.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Novak
- 👤 David M. Nadalin
- 👤 Kipley J. Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06T; G06T11/00; G06F1/00; G06F1/02; G06F3/00; G06F8/00; G06F8/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronizing a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements, wherein said synchronizing comprises describing a synchronization between the properties using an XML data structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronizing a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements, wherein said synchronizing comprises describing a synchronization between the properties using an XML data structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said describing comprises using a keyword to establish the synchronization.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said describing comprises: associating a keyword with the property of the first element; and associating the property of the second element with the keyword.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said synchronizing comprises establishing a one-way synchronization between the properties.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said synchronizing comprises establishing a two-way synchronization between the properties such that a change in the property of the first element causes a change in the property of the second element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: provide multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronize, using an XML data structure, a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: provide multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronize, using an XML data structure, a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A skin comprising: a first skin element having at least one property; and a second skin element having at least one property, the first skin element's property being synchronized with the second element's property independent of a script-enabled, event-response paradigm comprising a part of either skin element; and further comprising an XML data structure associated with and defining a synchronization between the first and second skin element properties.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A skin comprising: a first skin element having at least one property; and a second skin element having at least one property, the first skin element's property being synchronized with the second element's property independent of a script-enabled, event-response paradigm comprising a part of either skin element; and further comprising an XML data structure associated with and defining a synchronization between the first and second skin element properties.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
A computing device embodying the skin of claim 8 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A skin comprising: a first skin element having at least one property; a second skin element having at least one property; and an XML data structure configured to establish a synchronization between the one property of the first skin element and the one property of the second skin element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A skin comprising: a first skin element having at least one property; a second skin element having at least one property; and an XML data structure configured to establish a synchronization between the one property of the first skin element and the one property of the second skin element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
A computing device embodying the skin of claim 10 .
Claim 16
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application; synchronizing a property of at least one of the skin elements with a state associated with the software application such that a change in the state of the software application causes a change in the property of the one skin element, wherein said synchronizing comprises describing a synchronization using an XML data structure.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application; synchronizing a property of at least one of the skin elements with a state associated with the software application such that a change in the state of the software application causes a change in the property of the one skin element, wherein said synchronizing comprises describing a synchronization using an XML data structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said describing comprises using a keyword to establish the synchronization.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said describing comprises: associating a keyword with the property of the one element; and associating the state of the software application with the keyword.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 12 .
Claim 22
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: associating a property of a skin element with a keyword, the property comprising one to which another property for another skin element is to be synchronized; and assigning the keyword and its associated property as a value of the property of the other skin element that is to be synchronized.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: associating a property of a skin element with a keyword, the property comprising one to which another property for another skin element is to be synchronized; and assigning the keyword and its associated property as a value of the property of the other skin element that is to be synchronized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said associating and said assigning are accomplished using an XML data structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: associate a property of a skin element with a keyword, the property comprising one to which another property for another skin element is to be synchronized; and assign the keyword and its associated property as a value of the property of the other skin element that is to be synchronized, the computer performing such assignment using an XML data structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
79 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: associate a property of a skin element with a keyword, the property comprising one to which another property for another skin element is to be synchronized; and assign the keyword and its associated property as a value of the property of the other skin element that is to be synchronized, the computer performing such assignment using an XML data structure.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: associating a state associated with a software application with a keyword, the state comprising one to which a property for a skin element associated with the software application is to be synchronized; and assigning the keyword and its associated state as a value of the property of the skin element.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: associating a state associated with a software application with a keyword, the state comprising one to which a property for a skin element associated with the software application is to be synchronized; and assigning the keyword and its associated state as a value of the property of the skin element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said associating and said assigning are accomplished using an XML data structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 20 .
Claim 31
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronizing a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements, wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface; and synchronizing a property of at least a first of the skin elements with a property of a second of the skin elements such that a change in the property of the second of the elements causes a change in the property of the first of the elements, wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said synchronizing comprises establishing a one-way synchronization between the properties.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said synchronizing comprises establishing a two-way synchronization between the properties such that a change in the property of the first element causes a change in the property of the second element.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application; synchronizing a property of at least one of the skin elements with a state associated with the software application such that a change in the state of the software application causes a change in the property of the one skin element, wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of providing a skin comprising: providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application; synchronizing a property of at least one of the skin elements with a state associated with the software application such that a change in the state of the software application causes a change in the property of the one skin element, wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.
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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) | 2007-09-14 | 2008-03-15 | 2008-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-09-14 | 2012-03-15 | 2012-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-09-14 | 2016-03-15 | 2016-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |