Support for custom user-interaction elements in a graphical, event-driven computer system
US5838315A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/451
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Explicit support for custom gadgets is provided, at a system software level, in a manner that is essentially application-transparent. Specific support is provided for the addition of one custom gadget per window. The custom gadget is identified by a specific numeric code in the same manner as the close and zoom boxes. An application simply tells the system software what the custom gadget for a particular window should look like. The code responsible for drawing that window's frame then knows where to find the image of the custom gadget and will render it appropriately. When a user clicks in the custom gadget, the system software notifies the application of the event by means of the numeric code associated with the custom gadget. More particularly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a custom interactive user-interface element is provided in a title bar of a window of an application program in a graphical, event-driven computer system having a computer display. The custom interactive user-interface element is provided by storing information, referring to an icon stored as part of said application program and used to visually represent the custom interactive user-inte…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.