Switching between appearance/behavior themes in graphical user interfaces
First Claim
1. A method for switching between themes in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
- displaying a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
changing pointers from a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects; and
displaying, after the changing step, the second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set.
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Accused Products
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.
85 Citations
63 Claims
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1. A method for switching between themes in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
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displaying a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
changing pointers from a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects; and
displaying, after the changing step, the second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A method for switching between themes in a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of:
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displaying a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
changing a first set of data structures for a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of data structures for a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects; and
displaying, after the changing step, the second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set.
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22. A graphical user interface, comprising:
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a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
a second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set; and
means for changing pointers from a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A graphical user interface, comprising:
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a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
a second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set; and
means for changing a first set of data structures for a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of data structures for a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A computer readable medium, comprising:
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a first portion having stored therein a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
a second portion having stored therein a second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set; and
a third portion having stored therein an object for changing pointers from a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A computer readable medium, comprising:
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a first portion having stored therein a first set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are associated with a first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the first set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the first set;
a second portion having stored therein a second set of interface objects, wherein individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are associated with a second common theme that is different than the first common theme, and wherein the individual appearances of the interface objects of the second set are defined by appearance attributes of interface object parts that comprise the interface objects of the second set; and
a third portion having stored therein an object for changing a first set of data structures for a first set of drawing procedures for creating the first set of interface objects to a second set of data structures for a second set of drawing procedures for creating a second set of interface objects. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification