System and method for customizing appearance and behavior of graphical user interfaces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A graphical user interface for an application, said graphical user interface comprising:
- a first set of interface objects and object parts whose individual appearances are associated with a first common theme;
a second set of interface objects and object parts, each of which correspond in function to an associated interface object or object part in said first set, but whose individual appearances are associated with a second common theme different from said first theme; and
means for selectively changing between said first theme and said second theme, whereby said graphical user interface displays interface objects using one of said first set and said second set; and
a predetermined interface object having a first outline which outline has a first shape when displayed using said first set, said interface object having a second outline with a second shape when displayed using said second set.
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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 disclosed. 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, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.
193 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A graphical user interface for an application, said graphical user interface comprising:
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a first set of interface objects and object parts whose individual appearances are associated with a first common theme; a second set of interface objects and object parts, each of which correspond in function to an associated interface object or object part in said first set, but whose individual appearances are associated with a second common theme different from said first theme; and means for selectively changing between said first theme and said second theme, whereby said graphical user interface displays interface objects using one of said first set and said second set; and a predetermined interface object having a first outline which outline has a first shape when displayed using said first set, said interface object having a second outline with a second shape when displayed using said second set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for graphically interfacing a user with an application in a computer system, said method comprising the steps of:
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displaying interface objects and parts thereof using an appearance for each associated with a first theme, definition of said first theme involving selection of appearance attributes, including a first outline which outline has a first shape, for object parts of said interface objects that project a first common impression; changing a selected theme from said first theme to a second theme, and displaying, after said changing step, said interface objects and parts thereof using an appearance for each associated with said second theme, definition of said second theme involving selection of appearance attributes, including a second outline for object parts of said interface objects that project a second common impression, at least one of said object parts associated with said second theme having said second outline which outline has a second shape that is different than said first shape defined for a corresponding part in said first theme. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification