Method for exposing graphical user interface layout logic and parameters

• US 7,797,632 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Anzelde, Thomas Rudolf, Eischeid, Todd Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, CONG LAC T
• Application Number:
  US11/553,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 715/271, 715/273, 715/243, 715/700, 715/764
• US Class Current: 715/273
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

A method is disclosed for exposing graphical user interface layout logic and parameters. The method may be used with any language or tool capable of creating a graphical user interface. The equations affecting an element'"'"'s properties in the graphical user interface are exposed to the designer. The designer is able to use the equations to anticipate what value is required to make a necessary adjustment. Further, the present invention emphasizes the values adjusted by the designer as well as the results from calculating the equation, so the designer can easily see adjustments made. As the designer makes changes, the changed values may be emphasized and the corresponding affect the value had on the element may also be displayed with a corresponding emphasis. The present invention eliminates graphical user interface designer'"'"'s reliance on trial-and-error methods of element control by providing the designer with the knowledge of how the element will be affected before a value is arbitrarily applied.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer usable program code programmed for exposing graphical user interface layout logic and parameters, the operations of the computer program product comprising:

displaying an equation comprising a plurality of numerical values on a layout editor display, the equation corresponding to a position of an element on a graphical user interface display, the graphical user interface display forming part of the layout editor display;

accepting a replacement value for an existing one of the plurality of numerical values, the equation with the existing numerical value corresponding to a first value of the position of the element;

replacing the existing numerical value with the replacement value, the equation with the replacement value corresponding to a second value of the position of the element;

calculating the equation with the replacement value to produce a result; and

displaying the equation with the replacement value and the result on the layout editor display, and displaying the element in a new position associated with the second value on the graphical user interface display.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising integrating a plug-in to extend functionality.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising displaying a standardizing control, the standardizing control configured to standardize the values of the equation.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising displaying a plurality of equations and results.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising accepting and displaying a plurality of values.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising emphasizing accepted values used in the equation.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising displaying an augmenting control, the augmenting control configured to augment usability.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, the operations further comprising emphasizing how the accepted replacement value affects the position of the element.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein emphasizing how the accepted replacement value affects the position of the element comprises simultaneously displaying the element in an old position associated with the first value and the new position associated with the second value.