Method and apparatus for physically manifesting costume objects in a flexible manner in an object-oriented computer environment
First Claim
1. A computer program product for enabling the graphical display of a costume object in a computer system having a memory component, said computer program product including a computer-useable means for storing therein computer-readable code comprising:
- program code for specifying a plurality of target classes for instantiating target objects each having an internal definition of a corresponding display image;
wherein each target object comprises a data field and a methods module;
wherein said methods module comprises said internal definition; and
wherein each target object can use said internal definition to display itself;
program code for creating a first target object from a selected target class;
program code for associating the first target object with the costume object by adding descriptive information to the costume object sufficient to permit the costume object to send messages to the first target object;
program code for sending to the costume object a first message including a request to graphically display the costume object;
program code for sending, responsive to the first message, a second message to the first target object including at least one costume object parameter value and a request to graphically display the first target object; and
program code for causing, responsive to the second message, the computer system to display the costume object by using the display image corresponding to the first target object and the at least one costume object parameter value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible system for changing the physical manifestation of an object in an object-oriented computer environment. An object to be manifested, denominated a "costume" object, is associated with a target object having a corresponding physical appearance. The costume object accepts a physical manifestation request and responds by transmitting to the target object a message requesting that the target object manifest itself. The target manifestation request message includes parameter values specifying the on-screen location and other properties of the costume object. In this fashion, the costume object can present itself wearing the appearance or "costume" of the target object.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A computer program product for enabling the graphical display of a costume object in a computer system having a memory component, said computer program product including a computer-useable means for storing therein computer-readable code comprising:
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program code for specifying a plurality of target classes for instantiating target objects each having an internal definition of a corresponding display image; wherein each target object comprises a data field and a methods module; wherein said methods module comprises said internal definition; and wherein each target object can use said internal definition to display itself; program code for creating a first target object from a selected target class; program code for associating the first target object with the costume object by adding descriptive information to the costume object sufficient to permit the costume object to send messages to the first target object; program code for sending to the costume object a first message including a request to graphically display the costume object; program code for sending, responsive to the first message, a second message to the first target object including at least one costume object parameter value and a request to graphically display the first target object; and program code for causing, responsive to the second message, the computer system to display the costume object by using the display image corresponding to the first target object and the at least one costume object parameter value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification