Method and system for providing an extensible user interface
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for displaying a user interface, comprising the steps of:
- creating a custom user interface for a program module by modifying a default user interface for the program module, the default user interface including structure definition information specifying layout for content items, content display information for each content item that specifies display content for the content item, and content definition information mapping content items to content display information for the content items, wherein the modifying includes modifying information of the default user interface;
in response to start-up of the program module, determining whether the program module is configured to display the custom user interface rather than the default user interface; and
displaying the custom user interface in response to a determination that the program module is configured to display the custom user interface by;
displaying content items in the layout specified by the structure definition information; and
in response to selection of a displayed content item,identifying from the content definition information the content display information for the selected content item; and
displaying the display content as defined by the identified content display information.
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Abstract
Displaying a custom user interface in response to a determination that the application program is configured to display the custom user interface. To create the custom user interface, the end user can customize one or more default user interface files to create custom user interface files. The default user interface files can comprise one or more of a structure definition file, a content definition file, and a content display file. Additionally, the custom user interface can be associated with a program module function that can execute in connection with displaying the custom user interface.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for displaying a user interface, comprising the steps of:
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creating a custom user interface for a program module by modifying a default user interface for the program module, the default user interface including structure definition information specifying layout for content items, content display information for each content item that specifies display content for the content item, and content definition information mapping content items to content display information for the content items, wherein the modifying includes modifying information of the default user interface; in response to start-up of the program module, determining whether the program module is configured to display the custom user interface rather than the default user interface; and displaying the custom user interface in response to a determination that the program module is configured to display the custom user interface by; displaying content items in the layout specified by the structure definition information; and in response to selection of a displayed content item, identifying from the content definition information the content display information for the selected content item; and displaying the display content as defined by the identified content display information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for displaying a user interface, comprising:
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a monitor that displays the user interface; and a processor executing a program module operable to present the user interface for display on the monitor by performing the steps comprising; reading a structure definition file that references content items for display in the user interface, the structure definition file specifying layout for the content items; reading a content definition file defining content items referenced in the structure definition file, the content definition file specifying a content display file for each content item, each content display file specifying display content for a content item; and displaying the user interface comprising the content items on the monitor by; displaying content items in the layout specified by the structure definition file; and in response to selection of a displayed content item, identifying from the content definition file the content display file for the selected content item; and displaying the display content as defined by the identified content display file, wherein at least one of the structure definition file, the content definition file, and a content display file comprise information modified by an end user of the program module.
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Specification