Method and system for a digital device menu editor

• US 20060174215A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yan, Xin, Amos, Keira
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/825
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

A method of creating a menu for a handheld digital device in a development environment includes selecting a target device which has an associated operating system available to the development environment. An editor is called for creation of the menu. The editor uses the constraints of the associated target device operating system so that actual behavior of the target device can be viewed as the development occurs. The developer defines functionality for the menu and can verify its operation. The menu editor can be customized for new digital devices with new operating system. Code may be generated as a result of completing the development process and saving the design. The resulting code is assured to run properly on the target device operating system.

Claims

1. A method of creating an application control for a digital device in a development environment, the method comprising:

selecting a first target device, the selected target device having an associated operating system available to the development environment;

accessing an editor for creation of the application control, the editor using constraints of the associated operating system;

displaying an image form of the selected target device such that a representation of the graphical interface of the selected target device displays the application control;

defining functionality for the application control being displayed on the graphical interface; and

generating object code indicative of the application control, wherein the object code is compliant with the constraints of the associated operating system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a first target device comprises selecting a first target device from a plurality of different target devices, each one of the plurality having an associated operating system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target device is a digital device having a custom operating system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a second target device after defining functionality for the application control and before generating object code, wherein the object code generated is indicative of the application control of the second target device instead of the first target device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing an editor for creation of the application control comprises instantiating a user interface for creation of a menu function on the first target device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first target device is one of a pocket personal computer, a smart phone and a personal digital assistant.

7. A computer system for the development of an application control for a digital device, the system comprising:

a display for viewing a target device application control;

a memory store, having at least one target device operating system;

a processor, having access to computer memory having instructions, the instructions, when executed, performing a method comprising;

selecting a first target device, the selected target device having an associated target device operating system;

accessing an editor for creation of the application control, the editor using constraints of the target device associated operating system;

displaying an image form of the selected target device such that a representation of the graphical interface of the selected target device displays the application control;

defining functionality for the application control; and

generating object code indicative of the application control, wherein the object code is compliant with the constraints of the associated operating system.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the display renders a depiction of the selected first target device and the application control as seen by a user of the first target device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the memory store comprises one or more of multiple target operating systems for digital devices and a custom digital device target operating system.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the associated operating system is distinct from the development operating system.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for a method of creating an application control for a digital device in a development environment, the method comprising:

selecting a first target device, the selected target device having an associated operating system available to the development environment;

accessing an editor for creation of the application control, the editor using constraints of the associated operating system;

displaying an image form of the selected target device such that a representation of the graphical interface of the selected target device displays the application control;

defining functionality for the application control; and

generating object code indicative of the application control, wherein the object code is compliant with the constraints of the associated operating system.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the step of selecting a first target device comprises selecting a target device from one of a plurality of different target devices, each one of the plurality having an associated operating system.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

selecting a second target device after defining functionality for the application control and before generating object code, wherein the object code generated is indicative of the application control of the second target device instead of the first target device.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the step of accessing an editor for creation of the application control comprises instantiating a user interface for creation of a menu function on the first target device.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the first target device is one of a pocket personal computer, a smart phone and a personal digital assistant.