U.S. patent application number 10/830290 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for application programming interface for changing the visual style.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Amadio, Louis, Evans, Christopher, Fernandez, Roland L., Guzak, Chris J., Hanggie, Scott R., Hysom, Scott S., Schmidt, Michael A., Stoakley, Richard W..
Application Number | 20040196293 10/830290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33100746 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040196293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fernandez, Roland L. ; et
al. |
October 7, 2004 |
Application programming interface for changing the visual style
Abstract
A method of communicating between a graphical component library
and an appearance manager is provided that includes issuing a
request, that includes component defining parameters, for rendering
services by a graphical component library. The appearance manager
receives the request for rendering services and assigns appearance
characteristics to the graphical component based upon the provided
parameters. A method of rendering graphical components on the
display of a computer system is also provided that includes
rendering the requested graphical component according to the
appearance characteristics assigned by the appearance manager. A
method is also provided for communicating between a graphical
component library and an appearance manager that includes issuing a
request, that includes component defining parameters, for
information about the defined component. The appearance manager
receives the request for information and provides the requested
information to the graphical component library based upon the
provided parameters.
Inventors: |
Fernandez, Roland L.;
(Woodinville, WA) ; Stoakley, Richard W.;
(Seattle, WA) ; Guzak, Chris J.; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Hysom, Scott S.; (Bellevue, WA) ;
Hanggie, Scott R.; (Redmond, WA) ; Schmidt, Michael
A.; (Issaquah, WA) ; Amadio, Louis; (Issaquah,
WA) ; Evans, Christopher; (Redmond, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention of Homer L. Knearl
MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
33100746 |
Appl. No.: |
10/830290 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10830290 |
Apr 21, 2004 |
|
|
|
09670791 |
Sep 27, 2000 |
|
|
|
60195593 |
Apr 6, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/581 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 9/451 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/581 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of communicating between a graphical component library
and an appearance manager, comprising: issuing, by the graphical
component library, a rendering service request for a graphical
component, the request including at least one component defining
parameter; and receiving, by the appearance manager, the rendering
service request for the graphical component and assigning
appearance characteristics to the graphical component based upon
the provided parameters.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters include a part ID
and a state ID, and wherein the assigned appearance information is
based upon the part ID and state ID.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: issuing, by the
graphical component library, a request for a theme handle
corresponding to a set of appearance characteristics; receiving, by
the appearance manager, the theme handle request; identifying, by
the appearance manager, a theme handle; issuing, by the appearance
manager, the requested theme handle; and receiving, by the
graphical component library, the requested theme handle.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the theme handle is issued to the
appearance manager as one of the parameters in the rendering
service request.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: issuing, by the
appearance manager to the graphical component library, a message
that the desired appearance characteristics have changed; issuing,
by the graphical component library to the appearance characteristic
manager, a request for a new theme handle corresponding to a new
set of appearance characteristics; identifying, by the appearance
manager, a new theme handle identifier; and issuing, by the
appearance manager to the graphical control library, the requested
new theme handle.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested graphical component
is a control.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein one of the parameters of the
graphical component rendering service request is a location for the
control.
8. A computer readable medium having computer executable
instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.
9. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating
environment, the computer system operable to perform the steps
recited in claim 1.
10. A method of communicating between a graphical component library
and an appearance manager, comprising: issuing, by the graphical
component library, a request for a theme handle corresponding to a
set of appearance characteristics; receiving, by the appearance
manager, the theme handle request; identifying, by the appearance
manager, a theme handle; issuing, by the appearance manager, the
requested theme handle; and receiving, by the graphical component
library, the requested theme handle.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising issuing, by the
graphical component library, a rendering service request for a
graphical component, the request including at least one component
defining parameter and wherein the theme handle is issued by the
graphical component library as a component defining parameter.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: issuing, by the
appearance manager to the graphical component library, a message
that the desired appearance characteristics have changed; issuing,
by the graphical component library to the appearance characteristic
manager, a request for a new theme handle corresponding to a new
set of appearance characteristics; identifying, by the appearance
manager, a new theme handle identifier; and issuing, by the
appearance manager to the graphical control library, the requested
new theme handle.
13. A computer readable medium having computer executable
instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 10.
14. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating
environment, the computer system operable to perform the steps
recited in claim 10.
15. A method of rendering a graphical component on the display of a
computer system, comprising: issuing, by a graphical component
library, a rendering service request for the graphical component;
receiving, by an appearance manager, the rendering service request
for the graphical component and assigning appearance
characteristics to the graphical component; and rendering, by the
appearance manager, the requested graphical component on the
display of the computer system according to the appearance
characteristics assigned by the appearance manager.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rendering service request
includes at least one component defining parameter.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the parameters include a part
ID and a state ID.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the parameter includes a
location for the graphical component.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the parameter includes a theme
handle corresponding to a set of appearance characteristics.
20. A computer readable medium having computer executable
instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 15.
21. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating
environment, the computer system operable to perform the steps
recited in claim 15.
22. A method of communicating between a graphical component library
and an appearance manager, comprising: issuing, by the graphical
component library, an information request regarding the appearance
characteristics of a graphical component; receiving, by the
appearance manager, the information request; and issuing, by the
appearance manager to the graphical component library, the
requested information.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the information request is for
a graphical component having a plurality of parameters including a
part ID, a state ID and a property ID.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the requested information is
used to alter the graphical component.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the request is for information
about a defined set of appearance characteristics for a number of
graphical components.
26. A computer readable medium having computer executable
instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 22.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/195593, filed Apr. 6, 2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a computer system and, more
particularly, to an application programming interface that
facilitates changing the visual style of displayed graphical
components, such as controls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Computer users in both the business and home environment
have become accustomed to using a computer with a graphical
operating system. For example, many users operate computers having
a Microsoft Corporation "WINDOWS" operating system thereon. Certain
components of these graphical operating systems are known as
"controls." For example, a control may be an "OK" button, which is
generally a rectangular button with "OK" written in it. By moving
the cursor over the button and clicking on the mouse, a known
operation will begin that is associated with the control. Many
other controls exist, with examples including scroll bars, dialog
boxes and sliders. Beyond controls, the graphical operating systems
also draw, or render, other graphical components as needed on the
display of the computer, such as the frame, the minimize box and
the close box.
[0004] There are two general kinds of controls in WINDOWS: standard
and custom. Standard controls are provided by the operating system.
The code to create, draw and operate standard controls is contained
in the common control library (DLL), a part of WINDOWS. Custom
controls are all other controls. Custom controls may be created by
the manufacturer of the operating system or by third parties. The
code for custom controls is contained in a corresponding separate
library (DLL) or within an application.
[0005] Currently, when a graphical user interface component, such
as a control, is used by an application, the application requests
that an instance of the component be created. Following this, the
operating system transmits a generic message to the component,
instructing the component to render itself The application plays a
role in routing the message from the main window to the targeted
control, but the control code performs the drawing. The application
uses application programming interfaces (API's) to create and
interact with the control. An API serves as a software interface to
be used by other programs, much as the keypad serves as an
interface to a calculator. An API is a fundamental concept of
high-level programming. In high-level programming, a program often
does not execute tasks by itself. Instead, the program asks some
other program to execute these tasks. For example, programs
frequently delegate various tasks to the underlying operating
system. Continuing with the above example, an application delegates
the rendering of a control to the control's code.
[0006] In the prior art environment, when a generic rendering
message is received by a control to draw itself, the control will
draw itself using its own drawing software code. In this prior art
environment, the control knows what it is supposed to look like,
how it is supposed to behave, and can effectuate such a display on
the user interface of the computer. Thus, the application may
delegate all aspects of visual rendering to the controls, avoiding
the need to contain software code to support the visual rendering
of the control within the host application itself.
[0007] By utilizing the standard controls defined and rendered by
the operating system, all controls will have the same appearance,
regardless of the application. Users of graphical operating systems
can change only a limited number of characteristics of the
controls. In the "WINDOWS" operating system, a user can change the
color scheme used to display the various controls and components on
the monitor. The user can also select a small set of fonts to be
used by the controls and components. The user can also specify a
limited number of nonclient sizes that will control the sizing of
the nonclient areas. Thus, the colors, fonts and a limited set of
sizes of the controls and components may be changed. However, the
basic appearance of the controls and components is dictated by the
rendering software code within the control library containing the
particular graphical component or control. In the prior art
environment, to change the appearance of the controls or graphical
components, the rendering software code must be altered. For
example, if it is desired to change the appearance of the "OK"
button, the rendering software code within the operating system DLL
file containing the button control must be altered and the DLL file
reconstructed at the binary level. If it was desired to render the
button as an oval with "okay" written inside, the software code
would have to be changed accordingly. Such an approach makes it
difficult, if not impossible, for a computer user and for software
manufacturers, to easily alter the appearance of the controls and
graphical components.
[0008] In order to enhance the user experience of the computer, it
would be desirable for the user to have the ability to change the
overall "look and feel" of the graphical display by changing the
overall visual appearance or "theme" of the various graphical
components. In other words, it would be desirable if the user could
change not only the color and font of the graphical components
appearing on the monitor, but to change the appearance of those
graphical components as well. For example, it would be desirable to
be able to alter and direct the layout of the parts of a control,
and to define the shape of a control or its parts. It would also be
desirable to control all aspects of how a control or its parts are
drawn. Because the controls and graphical components existing
within the DLL file in the prior art environment are "hard coded"
with their own rendering software code, it is difficult and
cumbersome to change the appearance of all of the controls and
components. To do so would require recoding each of the controls to
achieve the desired appearance. If multiple visual styles were
required, they would each have to be predefined and each "hard
coded" into every control. Moreover, the controls must also be
recoded if a different rendering technology is to be used. For
example, if the controls are rendered using a bitmap and it is
desired to utilize a vector-based renderer, each control must be
altered.
[0009] Certain prior art approaches exist that attempt to address
the above situation. However, these solutions do not allow all of
the controls and graphical components of the entire system to be
changed. Instead, the prior art approaches address only limited
portions of the set of displayed components. This allows the
appearance of some controls and graphical components to be altered,
leaving the remainder unaltered. Such an approach leaves an
appearance that is not as coordinated as may be desired.
[0010] The prior art approaches are further limited by the
techniques they employ to implement control of the appearance
characteristics of visual elements of the graphical user interface.
Prior art appearance modifiers operate by intercepting the generic
rendering signals transmitted to the control, and, using low-level
operating system graphical APIs, substitute their own rendering
code for that of the control. However, only a portion of the visual
elements in the graphical user interface is interceptable. Because
the prior art approaches depend exclusively on the interception of
operating system signals, not only are they themselves incapable of
controlling the appearance of visual elements that do not function
according to this protocol, they are incapable of providing a
standard means for the author of the visual element to modify the
rendering code to accommodate external control.
[0011] Further, it is not possible to intercept all relevant
signals transmitted by the operating system to a control in the
course of rendering. Still further, it is not always possible to
reproduce complex visual behavior implemented by a control, such as
animated sequences. Thus, the prior art approaches are prone to
functional incompatibilities, visual flaws, and performance
problems.
[0012] Moreover, the prior art techniques do not provide an
interface through which software developers can design controls to
accommodate versatility in visual appearance. The prior art
approaches do not involve an architecture that allows a control
author the flexibility to design a control that is "theme aware."
Control authors are therefore not allowed the freedom needed in
authoring controls to create controls which can easily be visually
altered.
[0013] Accordingly, there is a need for an effective system and
method for altering the visual style of controls and graphical
components that are rendered on the user interface that addresses
the above drawbacks and deficiencies. There is also a need for a
system and method for altering the visual style of controls and
components that are used by an application that can utilize
different rendering technologies without requiring modification of
the controls and components at the binary level. A need also exists
for a system and method for altering the visual style of controls
and components that are used by an application that allows a
selected theme to be applied to the controls and components without
altering the software code of the controls and components. A need
also exists for a system that allows software developers and
control authors to quickly and efficiently alter the controls and
graphical components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Generally described, a method of communicating between a
graphical component library and an appearance manager is provided.
The method includes issuing a request, that includes component
defining parameters, for rendering services by a graphical
component library. The appearance manager receives the request for
rendering services and assigns appearance characteristics to the
graphical component based upon the provided parameters. The method
allows the graphical component library to contain graphical
components defined by the parameters and allows the appearance
characteristics of the components to be contained within the
appearance manager.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a method of rendering
graphical components on the user interface of a computer system is
provided that includes issuing a request, that includes component
defining parameters, for rendering services by a graphical
component library. An appearance manager receives the request for
rendering services and assigns appearance characteristics to the
graphical component based upon the provided parameters. The
appearance manager renders the requested graphical component
according to the assigned appearance characteristics. The method
abstracts the rendering process from the graphical component
library to the appearance manager.
[0016] In a further aspect of the invention, a method is also
provided for communicating between a graphical component library
and an appearance manager. The method includes issuing a request,
that includes component defining parameters, for information about
the defined component. The appearance manager receives the request
for information and provides the requested information to the
graphical component library based upon the provided parameters. The
method allows the graphical component library to obtain appearance
characteristics information from the appearance manager.
[0017] Additional advantages and novel features of the invention
will be set forth in part in a description which follows, and in
part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture
used in the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a representation of examples of graphical
components having different themed appearances;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture
of a theme file;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating use of the present
invention by an application in requesting a graphical
component;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a suitable computing system
environment for use in implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention provides a system and method for
changing the visual style of controls and components within a
graphical operating environment. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a
suitable computing system environment 100 on which the invention
may be implemented. The computing system environment 100 is only
one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended
to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality
of the invention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be
interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any
one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary
operating environment 100.
[0025] The invention is operational with numerous other general
purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal
computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multi
processor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes,
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that
include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
[0026] The invention may be described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote computer storage media including memory storage
devices.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 5, an exemplary system for
implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing
device in the form of a computer 110. Components of computer 110
may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 120, a
system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various system
components including the system memory to the processing unit 120.
The system bus 121 may be any of several types of bus structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and
a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of
example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.
[0028] Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer
readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media
that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and
nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of
example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise
computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage
media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media
includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or
other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or
other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to store the desired information and
which can accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically
embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program
modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier
wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information
delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal
that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such
a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,
and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such
as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media
such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the
scope of computer readable media.
[0029] The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the
form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory
(ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output
system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as
during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically
contains data and/or program modules that are immediately
accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit
120. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 5 illustrates
operating system 134, application programs 135, other program
modules 136, and program data 137.
[0030] The computer 110 may also include other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media. By way of example only, FIG. 5 illustrates a hard disk drive
140 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile
magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from or writes
to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disk
drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile
optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment
include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash
memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid
state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141
is typically connected to the system bus 121 through an
non-removable memory interface such as interface 140, and magnetic
disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically connected
to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface, such as
interface 150.
[0031] The drives and their associated computer storage media
discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5, provide storage of
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules
and other data for the computer 110. In FIG. 5, for example, hard
disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing operating system 144,
application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program
data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or
different from operating system 134, application programs 135,
other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operating system
144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and
program data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate
that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter
commands and information into the computer 110 through input
devices such as a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly
referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices
(not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite
dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often
connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input interface
160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by
other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game
port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 191 or other type
of display device is also connected to the system bus 121 via an
interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to the
monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices
such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected
through a output peripheral interface 195.
[0032] The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as
a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal
computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other
common network node, and typically includes many or all of the
elements described above relative to the computer 110, although
only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 5.
The logical connections depicted in FIG. 5 include a local area
network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may also
include other networks. Such networking environments are
commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks,
intranets and the Internet.
[0033] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110
is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter
170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110
typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem
172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the
system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other
appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules
depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be
stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and
not limitation, FIG. 5 illustrates remote application programs 185
as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the
network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the computers may be
used.
[0034] Although many other internal components of the computer 110
are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that such components and the interconnection are well known.
Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal
construction of the computer 110 need not be disclosed in
connection with the present invention.
[0035] Those skilled in the art will understand that program
modules such as the operating system 134, application programs 135
and data 137 are provided to the computer 110 via one of its memory
storage devices, which may include ROM 131, RAM 132, hard disk
drive 141, magnetic disk drive 151 or optical disk drive 155.
Preferably, the hard disk drive 141 is used to store data 137 and
programs, including the operating system 134 and application
programs 135.
[0036] When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133,
which is stored in the ROM 131 instructs the processing unit 120 to
load the operating system from the hard disk drive 141 into the RAM
132. Once the operating system 144 is loaded in RAM 132, the
processing unit 120 executes the operating system code and causes
the visual elements associated with the user interface of the
operating system 134 to be displayed on the monitor 191. When an
application program 135 is opened by a user, the program code and
relevant data are read from the hard disk drive 141 and stored in
RAM 192.
[0037] In the present invention, operating system 134 is a
graphical operating system having graphically displayed controls
and components associated therewith. Controls include, but are not
limited to, such things as scroll bars, push buttons and sliders.
Other controls are within the scope of this invention, and are
known to those of skill in the art. Other graphically displayed
components are also within the scope of this invention. These
components include, but are in no way limited to, non-client
sections of the, windows in the display, such as the frame
surrounding an application display on the user interface, the
minimize box, and the close box.
[0038] An example display of graphical components having a variety
of appearances is seen in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the controls
may take the form of an OK button 200, a Cancel button 202 and an
Apply button 204. The present invention allows the appearance of
the controls and other components to be visually changed to better
suit the desire of the computer user. The invention allows the
appearance of the controls to be altered beyond color and font
selection. For example, the layout of the parts of a control can be
defined as desired. For example, a scroll bar could be rendered
with the up and down arrow buttons adjacent to each other at the
bottom of the scroll bar, instead of the up arrow and the top and
the down arrow at the bottom. Further, the shape of the control and
its parts may be defined. As shown in FIG. 2, four different
overall appearances are shown for each of the buttons 200, 202 and
204. Each different appearance setting is coordinated and is called
a "theme." Each theme is represented by one of the rows of buttons
in FIG. 2. While only four themes are shown in FIG. 2, an unlimited
variety of themes may be created for selection by the computer
user. The theme is a collection or set of appearance
characteristics relating to a particular subject or desired visual
environment. As described below, the present invention allows the
user of the computer to specify which of a number of predefined
themes is to be applied to the controls and other components of the
visual display. Moreover, the present invention allows new visual
themes to be added to the system without the need of changing the
software code of the controls and other graphical components. Still
further, the present invention allows addition of new rendering
technologies or modification of existing rendering technologies
without changing the software code of the controls and other
graphical components.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 1, the basic architecture used in the
present invention is illustrated. The architecture is illustrated
with example applications 135 that are open and running on the
computer 110. As an application 135 is running it often requires a
control or graphical component to be rendered, or displayed, on the
monitor 191 of the computer 110. For example, with reference to
FIG. 2, the display of an OK button 200 may be needed by the
application on the monitor.
[0040] In the prior art environment, application 135 requests that
an instance of button 200 be created. Following this, the operating
system transmits a generic message to the control instructing it to
draw itself. This request would be routed to the dynamic link
library (DLL) that contained the particular control. As an example,
the DLL in the WINDOWS operating environment would be called
User32.dll or ComCt132.dll(V5), shown as 208 and 210, respectively,
in FIG. 1. Libraries 208 and 210 exist within graphical operating
system 134. In the prior art environment, libraries 208 and 210 are
linked directly with applications 135. The defined control within
libraries 208 and 210 contains the drawing code needed to render
the control on the monitor. Therefore, to change the appearance of
controls within libraries 208 and 210, the software drawing code
must be changed for each control within libraries 208 and 210.
[0041] The present invention includes an additional DLL, shown as
212 in FIG. 1. In the WINDOWS operating environment, DLL 212 may be
called ComCt132.dll (V6), as indicated in FIG. 1. This DLL is
similar to library 210, in that it contains a number of predefined
controls and graphical components that may be used by application
135. Broadly, DLL 212 contains a number of components that are to
be graphically displayed. In library 212, however, the controls are
defined differently, making them "theme aware." Rather than
containing all of the software code needed to render the control,
the controls are defined with certain basic information or values
about the control, for example, the location, parts and states of
the controls.
[0042] The location is the position on the user interface where the
control is desired. Parts are the different items that make up the
control. For example, OK button 200 has a background part and a
text part. As another example; a scrollbar control has an elongated
rectangular shaft part, a smaller thumb part that slides within the
shaft part, and an arrow part at each end of the shaft part. The
state of a control describes the current appearance and functional
state. For example, a button can be active, pressed, hot (when the
mouse is over the control), disabled or inactive.
[0043] As stated above, in the prior art environment, libraries 208
and 210 are linked directly with applications 135. In the present
invention, libraries 208, 210 and 212 are linked to the
applications 135 through a fusion process 214. Fusion 214 enables
the theming of controls in applications without needing to change
the applications themselves to request the themable version of the
controls. Fusion 214 enables each application 135 to load the
specific version of the DLL 208, 210 or 212 at run time through the
use of a manifest. The fusion manifest specifies the environment in
which an application will run, which allows multiples versions of a
DLL to exist on one machine. Thus, fusion 214 will map the request
for OK button 200 so that it is rendered as a themable element in
DLL 212 instead of a non-themable element from DLL 208. This allows
an existing application to be themed without changing code of the
application. Fusion 214 also allows the new themable controls to be
placed in a different DLL from the existing DLL, which simplifies
implementation and minimizes compatibility risks.
[0044] Controls existing within DLL 212 are therefore used if they
are available. As seen above, the controls within DLL 212 are
defined as a series of parts and states. The controls within DLL
212 also contain the drawing code needed to render the controls if
no themes are selected, as well as the theme-aware paths through
the code. DLL 212 requests rendering or drawing services from a
theme manager DLL 216. Theme manager 216 provides the requested
rendering services and draws the control on the display at the
indicated location, with the indicated parts in the indicated
states.
[0045] Theme manager 216 contains a series of APIs that allow
library 212 to interact and communicate with the theme manager. The
APIs allow a control author to define a control within DLL 212 as a
series of parts and states without the need for software rendering
code. These APIs are generally divided into three types: drawing
APIs 218, information APIs 220 and utility APIs 222. Drawing APIs
218 are generally used to render and assist in the layout of the
needed control parts and other components. Information APIs 220 are
generally used to obtain information about the current defined
appearance of the controls to allow controls to be individually
customized. Utility APIs 222 are those APIs used by parts of the
operating system other than the controls, to control theme
selection. Utility APIs 222 include functions that can be used to
enumerate an installed theme and load it.
[0046] Drawing APIs 218 are a collection of theme-aware drawing
services. Each individual API within the set of drawing APIs 218 is
used to perform a different drawing service. Generally, each API
requires a specified part and state of the graphical component at
hand. An API called "DrawThemeBackground" is provided that draws
the theme-specified border and fill for the specified part and
state at the desired location. Similarly, an API called
"DrawThemeText" is provided that draws the specified text using the
theme-specified color and font for the specified part and
state.
[0047] As an example, if an OK button 200 was requested by an
application 135, the control within DLL 212 would pass the part,
state and location information to drawing APIs 218 through a
function call, such as DrawThemeBackground, or DrawThemeText. As is
more fully described below, this part and state information is
matched with appearance characteristics and theme manager 216 draws
the control on the monitor. Drawing APIs 218 further include an API
called "GetThemeBackgroundContent- Rect." This API allows the
control to obtain the size of the content for the theme-defined
background. Usually, this is the area inside the borders or
margins. By using this API a control can determine the available
area within the background in which items may be placed. When using
this API, the control within DLL 212 is requesting information
regarding a graphical component with a specified part and state.
This information is obtained by the theme manager 216 and returned
to the control. A similar API called "GetThemeBackgroundExtent" is
provided that calculates the size and location of the
theme-specified background for the specified part and state given a
content rectangle. This API may be used when the content is known,
and based upon that content, the outer boundary for the theme
background needs to be determined. Another API called
"GetThemePartSize" is provided to retrieve the theme author
specified minimum and normal sizes of a control part.
[0048] Drawing APIs 218 further include an API entitled
"GetThemeTextExtent." This API is used to calculate the size of a
specified text when rendered in the theme font. This API can
therefore be used to determine the width and height of a given text
string. The control author can thus specify a part and state having
text associated therewith and use this API to obtain information
from theme manager 216 regarding the size of the text string.
Similarly, another API entitled "GetThemeTextMetrics" is available
that can be used to obtain size information about the font being
used. Therefore, this API may be used to obtain information such as
the width of an average font character. In other words, this API is
used to obtain from theme manager 216 information that the control
needs regarding the size of a theme-specified font.
[0049] An API entitled "GetThemeBackgroundRegion" is also provided
within drawing APIs 218. Within some operating systems, a region is
a way to describe a non-rectangular shape. A region can also be
thought of as an image with transparent parts. This API is used to
compute the region for a regular or partially transparent
theme-specified background. In other words, this API may be used to
determine what is transparent and what is opaque within the framed
background for a specified part and state. Thus, this API supports
the definition of non-rectangular shapes of controls and parts.
Similarly, an API entitled "HitTestThemeBackground" is provided.
This API is used to determine whether the point within the
background for the specified part being clicked is in a transparent
or an opaque area. This API is used by a control within DLL 212 to
obtain information from the theme manager 216. If the click is
within a transparent area, no action may be needed. Conversely if
the click is within an opaque area, an action may be required.
[0050] Another API contained within drawing APIs 218 is entitled
"DrawThemeLine." This API allows a theme to define a generic style
of a line. This generic style may be accessed and used for a
specified part by calling the "DrawThemeLine" API. Similarly, an
API entitled "DrawThemeBorder" is provided that allows a
theme-defined border to be specified. The theme-border may be drawn
for a specified part utilizing this API.
[0051] An API entitled "DrawThemeIcon" is provided that allows a
theme-defined icon to be rendered that may include theme-specified
special effects. For example, a theme-icon may have a different
appearance when the mouse is directly over the icon, such as a
glowing appearance.
[0052] Drawing APIs 218 also contain an API entitled
"IsThemePartDefined" that may be used to determine if the theme has
defined parameters for the specified part and state. If the part is
not defined within the theme the control can draw this part itself.
If the part is theme defined, theme manager 216 will render the
part according to the theme defined information. Another API is
provided entitled "IsThemeBackgroundPartially- Transparent." This
API is used to determine whether or not the background is a
rectangle or region that has a transparent part. This API may be
used to simplify the control code. If there is no transparency
within the background, then there is no need to conduct any hit
testing through the use of the "HitTestThemeBackground" API.
[0053] Importantly, drawing APIs 218 further include an API
entitled "OpenThemeData." This API is used to obtain the handle for
a list of class names. A class name list identifies a set of
graphical components, and may be divided into parent class names
and one or more child class names. For examiner, a parent class
name might be button. A child class name for that parent class
might be "start button." A handle is a reference to an internal
structure detailing various information and properties of the
object. Theme manager 216 will search for each class name in the
list and use the first matching theme information found. For
example, if the class names included both start button and button,
the start button theme information would be used if it existed. If
start button theme information did not exist, the theme information
for a button would be used. If no value is found the old code will
be used to render the control. If any non-0 value is returned, a
valid theme handle is established. This theme handle will be
returned to DLL 212 and used for all of the theme drawings.
[0054] Similarly, another API provided is entitled
"CloseThemeData." This API is used when the control is closed, such
as a button no longer being needed, or when the theme is changed,
as is more fully described below.
[0055] Another API provided is entitled "IsThemeActive." This API
allows a control within DLL 212 to obtain a true or false answer as
to whether there is a current theme in effect. This API can thus be
used to determine whether to call the "OpenThemeData" API or merely
use the existing drawing code where the controls will render
themselves.
[0056] As described above, theme manager 216 also contains a set of
information APIs 220. These information APIs 220 allow controls to
be individually customized. In other words, these APIs are utilized
in only certain instances and may be used to obtain information
about specific controls. These information APIs are used to query
theme manager 216 for defined theme information regarding specified
properties of the theme. Each API 220 thus requests information,
which is provided by theme manager 216.
[0057] Within information APIs 220 is an API entitled
"GetThemeColor." This API utilizes the specified part and specified
state along with a specified color property identifier to obtain
information about the theme color. The property identifier is the
color property number that is desired. In other words, the color
API is used to ask for the color value corresponding to the
property desired, such as the background color. Another API called
"GetThemeMetric" is provided that requests and receives a size
value for a specified property identifier. This size value will be
an integer. An API entitled "GetThemeString" is also provided
within information APIs 220. This API is used to obtain the string
for a specified property identifier. The string will include
information regarding the number of characters in the string and
where the string is terminated.
[0058] Another API is provided within information APIs 220 entitled
"GetThemeBool" that will return an integer that is either 0 or 1
for a given part, state and property. The 0 and 1 correspond to a
false or true state for that part, state and property. Another API
provided is entitled "GetThemeInt." That will return an integer
value for a specified part, in a specified state with a specified
property identifier. Similarly, an API is provided entitled
"GetThemeEnumValue" that will return the theme-enum for the
specified part, state and property identifiers. An enum is merely a
variable that holds numeric values which correspond to symbolic
information. For example, an enum for alignment might be left,
middle, right corresponding to the numbers 0, 1, 2.
[0059] Another API entitled "GetThemePosition" is provided that
will return two integer values, corresponding to an x-location and
a y-location for a specified part in a specified state with a
specified property identifier. Another API provided within
information APIs 220 is entitled "GetThemeFont." This API is used
to obtain a logical description of the font theme used, given a
specified part, state and property identifier.
[0060] Yet another API provided within information APIs 220 is
entitled "GetThemeRect." This API will return four integers
representing the left, right, top and bottom of the specified part,
state and property identifier. Similarly, an API entitled
"GetThemeMargins" is provided that will return four integers
representing a left space, right space, top space and bottom space
given a specified part, state and property identified. There is
also an API entitled "GetThemeIntist" which returns the value of a
specified property whose type is a list of integer values. Finally,
an information API entitled "GetPropertyOrigin" is provided that
returns the location from which the property originated. This API
allows the control author to obtain information for the property
origin. In other words, the API allows the control author to
determine whether the property was specified on the state, part,
class, global or was the property not found. This is needed because
theme properties are specified by the theme author in a
hierarchical fashion. For example, if a property is not specified
at the "state" level, the theme manager will search the "part"
level, "class" level, and finally the "globals" level for the
property. Sometimes it is important for the control to know if a
property was explicitly defined for the part/state it is
processing. There is also an API entitled "GetThemeFilename" which
returns the string value of the specified filename property.
[0061] Another API provided within information APIs 220 is entitled
"SetWindowTheme." This API allows a control author to redirect a
control window to use a different set of theme information than its
class would normally use. In other words, this API allows a control
to be used while giving the control a special look other than the
standard look defined by the theme for that class. This API may use
additional parameters to identify a particular application and
class name. This allows a theme author to use the specified class
but to change the appearance of that class. For example, a button
may be defined that has a given button appearance. Utilizing this
API, this button can be redirected to a different class name. For
example, "OkayButton" may be specified. The theme author will then
be able to use a class called "OkayButton" and the "OkayButton"
will have a different appearance from the standard button
appearance.
[0062] There is also a subset of theme metrics APIs within the
information API group that parallel the WINDOWS system metrics, but
which are specific to a theme. Unlike normal control-based
properties, these properties are available to and shared by all
controls. "GetThemeSysColor" returns the theme-specified color
value of the specified system color index. "GetThemeSysColorBrush"
returns a handle to a drawing brush that is the color of the
specified system color index. "GetThemeSysSize" returns the integer
size of the specified theme size index. "GetThemeSysBool" returns a
boolean (0 or 1) value for the specified theme boolean index.
"GetThemeSysFont" returns a logical font structure for the
specified theme font index. "GetThemeSysString" returns a string
value of the specified theme string index.
[0063] There are also some application-oriented API's within the
information API group 220. "IsAppThemed" returns a boolean (0 or 1)
value indicating if the application is being themed by the
operating system. "GetWindowTheme" returns the most recent theme
handle, if any, opened for the specified window.
"GetThemeAppProperties" returns the flags that control which parts
and types of windows are themeable within the application.
"SetThemeAppProperties" allows the application to set these same
flags.
[0064] Finally, there are information API's 220 for error handling.
"GetThemeLastErrorContext" returns the error context (including
error code, error code parameters, filename and source line)
associated with the last reported theme error on the current thread
of execution. "FormatThemeMessage" returns the error string for the
specified error context in the specified language.
[0065] Theme manager 216 includes not only drawing APIs 218 and
information APIs 220, but also a set of utility APIs 222. These
APIs may be used to achieve a variety of results.
[0066] Drawing APIs 218 and information APIs 220 allow the author
or creator of controls within DLL 212 to define the controls as a
series of parts and states. The defined control is therefore
abstracted from the rendering process of theme manager 216 and is
also abstracted from the theme-defined appearance information or
characteristics, as is more fully described below. Using APIs 218
and 220 the control author can create controls that are
"theme-aware" and that are equipped to communicate with theme
manager 216. This communication involves passing basic information
or values to theme manager 216 that allow the theme manager to
render the desired control, having the needed parts in the desired
states.
[0067] Theme manager 216 also contains the renderers needed to
execute the drawing instructions. For example, a border-fill
renderer 221 could be used that allows different color themes to be
applied to the controls. As another example, a bitmap renderer 223
could be used that defines the control parts as images. Other
examples of renderers include using a vector definition language,
portable network graphics (PNG) files, or portable document format
files (PDF). It should be understood that the present invention is
not limited to a particular rendering technology. If a different
renderer is desired or needed, the drawing code of theme manager
216 is revised to add the renderer to theme manager 216. The
controls within DLL 212 are therefore isolated or abstracted from
the rendering technology within theme manager 216. This allows
different renderers to be added to theme manager 216 without having
to revise the controls within DLL 212, as is more fully explained
below.
[0068] The renderer within theme manager 216 renders the requested
control according to an appearance theme that has been selected by
the user of the computer. For example, appearance themes 224 and
226 are shown in FIG. 1. As shown, theme 224 may be a consumer
theme and theme 226 may be a business theme. It should be
understood, however, that other themes could be used and that the
invention is in no way limited to the particular theme. For
example, other themes could include a cartoon theme, a children's
theme or a golf theme. As seen in FIG. 1, business theme 226 has
been selected by the user, as represented by the solid line 228.
Consumer theme 224 is available for selection, as represented by
the broken line 230.
[0069] Each theme 224 and 226 has similar architecture. As seen in
FIG. 3, business theme 226 includes a series of image files 232.
Image files 232 are the image files that will be used by the
particular theme. In this case, image files 232 are the image files
that will be used by business theme 226. Business theme 226 also
includes a themes.ini file 234. File 234 is a text file and can be
created in either ANSI or UNICODE character sets. File 234
specifies the available color schemes and sizes available for the
theme. In the case of theme 226, file 234 specifies the available
color schemes and sizes available for business theme 226. File 234
therefore represents all of the variations of the theme to which it
applies.
[0070] Theme file 234 consists of one or more sections. The
sections within theme file 234 include a documentation section 236,
a size section 238, a color scheme section 240 and a file section
242. Documentation section 236 is optional and may contain any
property name. Size section 238 specifies the size name, such as
"default size," "very small" or "very large." Color scheme section
240 is used to specify a simple color scheme name and an optional
color scheme transformation associated with the color scheme name.
File section 242 is used to specify a unique name for the class
data file. The file section 242 will include a file name, a color
scheme (from color scheme section 240) for that file name, and the
sizes (from the size section 238) that the file will support.
[0071] Theme 226 includes a second .ini file labeled 244 in FIG. 3.
File 244 is a class data file that contains the theme data for a
specific size and color theme. File 244 may also contain defining
sections. For example, file 244 may contain a globals section that
defines the properties of the particular class of control. File 244
may also contain a section that allows the system metrics to be
obtained and used. Finally, file 244 may contain a group of class
sections. Each class section name contains a class name, an
optional part name, and an optional state name. Within the section
are the property/value pairs that define the appearance of the
specified part or control. For example, a class name would be
"slider" for the slider control. A part specified for the slider
would be "track." States defined for the track part would be
"normal," "disabled," and "hot." The class section name can also
include an application (or "group") name, which specifies that the
section only applies to a specific application (or "group" name, as
specified by the SetWindowTheme API).
[0072] Image files 232, theme file 234, including file 244 are
broadly grouped together to make up theme directory 246. Theme
directory 246 and a system schema file located within the theme
manager 216 are used to load business theme 226. The system schema
file is the file that defines property numbers for all of the
properties involved in a particular theme and is basically a master
definition file that allows the themed properties to be assigned a
number corresponding to a defined appearance.
[0073] Theme directory 246 thus contains a theme.ini file 234, a
class data file 244 and all of the image files 232 used by the
theme. The contents of theme directory 246 can be packaged into a
DLL file by packthem tool 250. Packthem tool 250 processes the
theme.ini file by parsing it against the schema file for syntax
errors and adding the .ini file to the package being built.
Recognized properties from documentation section 236 are written to
a package string table. Color scheme information from color scheme
section 240 and size information from size section 238 is also
written to a package string table. Each class data file 244 is also
processed. As the class data file is processed, the file is parsed
against the schema file for syntax errors. The class data file is
also added to the package being built.
[0074] The DLL file produced by packthem tool 250 is business theme
file 226. File 226 contains the theme data and this theme data is
isolated from control library 212. This allows different themes to
be created and selected without changing the controls defined
within library 212. Thus, control authors can create and define
controls independently of the appearance or theme data. File 226 is
in binary format and is passed into a shared theme data file 252
when business theme 226 is selected by the computer user, as best
seen in FIG. 1. File 252 is a shared memory map file that can be
accessed by all processes. Thus, when a theme is selected by the
computer user, theme manager 216 will read the information for a
defined theme file, such as file 226, and will place that
information in a binary format in file 252 where all running
processes have access to the binary information.
[0075] As best seen in FIG. 1, a theme-switching control panel 254
is provided that is in communication with theme manager 216. Panel
254 cooperates with a user interface that displays the available
themes from which the user can select. As shown in FIG. 1, control
panel 254 would allow a user to select business theme 226 or
consumer theme 224. If, as has been discussed above, business theme
226 is selected and the user of the computer switches to select
consumer theme 224, theme 224 will be loaded into shared memory map
file 252 as binary data. Theme manager 216 also sends a message to
each theme-aware control within DLL file 212 that the theme has
changed. Each theme-aware control knows how to respond to this
message.
[0076] When the theme-aware control receives a message that the
theme has changed, the control will close the current theme handle
that was received via the OpenThemeData API. The control will then
attempt to open a new theme handle, again using the OpenThemeData
API. If a new theme handle cannot be opened, the control knows that
the theme has been switched off for that control and that the old
drawing code is to be used by the control to draw itself If a new
theme handle is opened, theme manager 216 will look at the theme
binary data and will start a new drawing routine so that all of the
theme-aware controls are redrawn utilizing the newly selected
theme, such as consumer theme 224. Any information that was cached
regarding the previously selected theme is invalidated and that
information must be recalculated.
[0077] In operation, as is best seen in FIG. 4, an application 135
will request a graphic, such as a control, to be rendered on the
user interface, as represented at 256. This graphical request is
routed through fusion 214. As represented by 258, the fusion
process will determine if the requested control is a theme-aware
control. If the control requested is not theme-aware, the old code
is used and the control will draw itself using a control from DLL
208 or 210, as represented by 260 in FIG. 4. If the control is
theme aware, the graphical request is processed in DLL 212, as is
represented by 262. The controls within DLL 212 will pass basic
information for the graphical request, such as the part, state and
location for the requested control to the theme manager 216 in a
request for rendering services, using APIs 218, 220 and 222. Thus,
the graphical request is processed in DLL 212 without application
of the appearance characteristics that are found by theme manager
216. Theme manager 216 will then determine or apply the
theme-specific appearance characteristics for the given control
part and state, as shown by 264. This appearance data is retrieved
from the shared memory map data file 252. Using the retrieved
appearance data, for the requested control part and state, along
with the location, the theme manager will render the control on the
display of the computer, as represented by 266.
[0078] In addition to isolation of controls from rendering
technologies, the present invention also provides for isolation of
controls from individual themes. Allowing a user to pick from a
variety of different themes that may be pleasing to the user and
enhances the user's computing experience. The APIs and architecture
described above allows ease in switching from one theme to another,
again without having to modify the control functionality. The
architecture including a theme manager API, making controls theme
aware and the extent of control in the theme authoring results in
higher performance, better quality drawing with less bugs, more
complete control and window theming and easier to author
themes.
[0079] The present invention has numerous advantages over prior art
approaches. In particular, as discussed above, the present
invention allows an author of controls within DLL file 212 to
define the controls using only basic information, such as the part
and state of the control. The provided APIs allow the controls
defined within DLL 212 to communicate with theme manager 216.
Through the APIs, theme manager 216 can provide information and
rendering services to the controls within DLL 212. The APIs thus
allow the rendering services to be isolated, or abstracted, from
the controls within DLL 212. This allows flexibility in the use of
additional rendering technologies, and modification of existing
rendering technologies. This flexibility enhances the situation
where future rendering technologies are developed. These rendering
technologies can easily be added to theme manager 216, without
making any other modifications to the operating system. Therefore,
the isolation of each control from the rendering technology
provides a computer architecture that is flexible, easy to revise,
and easy to build upon for future expansion of rendering
technologies.
[0080] Additionally, the present invention mitigates application
compatibility risks and is faster than previous approaches.
[0081] Alternative embodiments of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon
review of the specification, including the drawing figures.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims rather than the foregoing description.
* * * * *