Systems and methods for a customizable sprite-based graphical user interface
First Claim
1. In a computer system for running program modules, a method of displaying a control item on a display screen and for graphically manipulating user controls imparted to the control item via a user input device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of control objects, each of the plurality of control objects having at least one control item associated therewith;
arranging the plurality of control objects in a hierarchy with at least one parent control object and at least one child control object associated with the parent control object;
displaying a parent control item associated with the parent control object on the display screen;
displaying a child control item associated with the child control object on the display screen;
in response to a predetermined first condition, manipulating the parent control item and the child control item to cause a first predetermined user interface effect; and
in response to the relocation under program control of the child control item from a first predetermined location to a second predetermined location in a series of successive display frames, manipulating the child control item relative to the parent control item to cause the relocation of the child control item independently of the parent control item.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An object-oriented system for generating and displaying control items that allow users of an interactive network to recognize and select control functions via a graphical user interface. The manipulation of the control items on a display screen is linked to a set-top terminal associated with the interactive network. The control items, which can be visible or audible, are associated with control objects. Control objects are arranged in a hierarchy, and can contain one or more child control objects. Attributes of a child control object are inherited from an ancestor control object. A control item can be graphically manipulated independently by drawing the control item into its own sprite, or can be manipulated by drawing the control item into the sprite of a parent. The system provides building blocks of control elements that can be composed and customized to produce versatile interfaces for applications and content.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. In a computer system for running program modules, a method of displaying a control item on a display screen and for graphically manipulating user controls imparted to the control item via a user input device, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a plurality of control objects, each of the plurality of control objects having at least one control item associated therewith; arranging the plurality of control objects in a hierarchy with at least one parent control object and at least one child control object associated with the parent control object; displaying a parent control item associated with the parent control object on the display screen; displaying a child control item associated with the child control object on the display screen; in response to a predetermined first condition, manipulating the parent control item and the child control item to cause a first predetermined user interface effect; and in response to the relocation under program control of the child control item from a first predetermined location to a second predetermined location in a series of successive display frames, manipulating the child control item relative to the parent control item to cause the relocation of the child control item independently of the parent control item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A computer system for displaying a control item on a display screen and for graphically manipulating user controls imparted to the control item via a user input device, comprising:
-
a display screen; a memory for storing a plurality of control objects, each of the plurality of control objects having at least one control item associated therewith; the plurality of control objects being arranged in a hierarchy with at least one parent control object and at least one child control object associated with the parent control object; a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the memory and the display screen operative for; displaying a parent control item associated with the parent control object on the display screen; displaying a child control item associated with the child control object on the display screen; in response to a predetermined first condition, manipulating the parent control item and the child control item to cause a first predetermined user interface effect; and in response to the relocation under program control of the child control item from a first predetermined location to a second predetermined location in a series of successive display frames, manipulating the child control item relative to the parent control item to cause the relocation of the child control item independently of the parent control item. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification