Methods and systems for creating and using skins

• US 7,426,691 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 09/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Novak, Michael J., Olson, Kipley J., Nadalin, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley; David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LE V
• Application Number:
  US11/018,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 715/744
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/02 Digital function generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/06 using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation

Abstract

Systems for creating and rendering skins are described. In one described embodiment, a system is configured to provide multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application. The system synchronizes 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. In one embodiment, synchronization takes place using an XML data structure.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

means for providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application, wherein the user interface provides controls that can be engaged by the user;

means for 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 means for synchronizing comprises means for describing a synchronization using an XML data structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for describing comprises means for using a keyword to establish the synchronization.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for describing comprises:

means for associating a keyword with the property of the one element; and

means for associating the state of the software application with the keyword.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises means for using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.

5. A system comprising:

one or more computer-readable media;

one or more processors;

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed, implement a method comprising;

providing multiple skin elements that comprise part of a user interface that is executing under the influence of a software application, wherein the user interface provides controls that can be engaged by the user;

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.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said describing comprises using a keyword to establish the synchronization.

7. The system of claim 5, 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.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said synchronizing comprises using an XML name-value pair to effect the synchronization.

9. A system comprising:

means for 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, wherein the software application provides controls that can be engaged by a user; and

means for assigning the keyword and its associated state as a value of the property of the skin element.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for associating and said means for assigning comprise means for using an (Extensible Markup Language) XML data structure.