Style configuration mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9626080-B1
Application number	US-201314133774-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 19, 2013
Priority date	Dec 19, 2013
Publication date	Apr 18, 2017
Grant date	Apr 18, 2017

Abstract

Techniques for customizing a user interface are described. An application having the user interface is executed with style configuration mode enabled. A first user interface element of the user interface is selected for customization. First information is displayed regarding one or more properties of the first user interface element. The properties of the first user interface element are modifiable by specifying a new property value for the property. A visual aspect of the first user interface element is customized by specifying a first updated value for a first of the properties. An updated display is rendered that includes an updated first user interface element. The updated first user interface element is the first user interface element rendered in accordance with the first updated value for the first property. The first updated value for the first property is automatically stored in a first file including customized property values.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for customizing a user interface comprising:
executing, at a first point in time using a processor, an application having the user interface, wherein at the first point in time, the application is executing in normal execution mode with style configuration mode disabled whereby customization of the user interface is disabled;
selecting, from a display device including the user interface, a configuration mode user interface element that modifies a state of the style configuration mode from disabled to enabled whereby customization of the user interface is enabled;
selecting, from the display device, a first user interface element of the user interface for customization;
displaying, on the display device, first information regarding one or more properties of the first user interface element, wherein each of the one or more properties of the first user interface element are modifiable by specifying a new property value for said each property;
customizing a visual aspect of the first user interface element, wherein said customizing includes specifying a first updated value for a first of the one or more properties;
rendering on the display device an updated display including an updated first user interface element, wherein the updated first user interface element is the first user interface element rendered in accordance with the first updated value for the first property;
automatically storing, using a processor, the first updated value for the first property in a first file including customized property values;
storing information in memory recording a plurality of individual modifications made to customize the user interface when the style configuration mode is enabled, wherein each of the individual modifications is a modification to a single user interface element of the user interface; and
responsive to the state of the style configuration mode being enabled, displaying a first control that, when selected, undoes a most recent one of the plurality of individual modifications, and displaying a second control that, when selected, reapplies a most recent one of the plurality of individual modifications, wherein the first and the second controls are not displayed when the style configuration mode is disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first file is any of a property file and a cascading style sheet.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first file is included in a set of files forming a prioritized file chain and wherein a final value for the first property is determined in accordance with the prioritized file chain.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first updated value is a string displayed in the first user interface element.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first updated value identifies one or more font styles affecting how text is displayed in the first user interface element.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
selecting a second user interface element of the user interface for customization, wherein the second user interface element is included within the first user interface element;
displaying second information regarding one or more properties of the second user interface element, wherein each of the one or more properties of the second user interface element are modifiable by specifying a new property value for said each property;
customizing a visual aspect of the second user interface element, wherein said customizing includes specifying a second updated value for a second of the one or more properties of the second user interface element;
rendering an updated display including an updated second user interface element, wherein the updated second user interface element is the second user interface element rendered in accordance with the second updated value for the second property; and
automatically storing the second updated value for the second property in the first file including customized property values.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second updated value identifies an icon displayed in the second user interface element wherein the icon is different than an original icon identified by a second value assigned to the second property prior to performing said customizing.

8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
automatically translating the string which is in a first language to a second string in a second language; and
storing the second string in a second file including customized property values used when rendering the user interface of the application in the second language, wherein the first file includes customized property values used when rendering the user interface of the application in the first language.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first user interface element is any of a window, a menu, a menu bar, a menu item, a text box, a button, a navigation section including one or more hyperlinks, a hyperlink, a table, a drop-down list, a list box, a check box, a dialog box, a wizard, and a combo box.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first property of the first user interface element affects any of a text size, a numeric value denoting an intensity of a color, a numeric value denoting a mixture or shading of one or more colors, a physical dimension, a height, a width, and a location or placement of said first type of user interface element in connection with displaying the user interface.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first file specifies property values for user interface elements customized for use with the application related to a first combination of factors including one or more of a spoken language, a country, and a third party.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising code stored thereon that, when executed, performs a method for customizing a user interface comprising:
executing, at a first point in time, an application having the user interface, wherein at the first point in time, the application is executing in normal execution mode with style configuration mode disabled whereby customization of the user interface is disabled;
selecting a configuration mode user interface element that modifies a state of the style configuration mode from disabled to enabled whereby customization of the user interface is enabled;
selecting a first user interface element of the user interface for customization;
displaying first information regarding one or more properties of the first user interface element, wherein each of the one or more properties of the first user interface element are modifiable by specifying a new property value for said each property;
customizing a visual aspect of the first user interface element, wherein said customizing includes specifying a first updated value for a first of the one or more properties;
rendering an updated display including an updated first user interface element, wherein the updated first user interface element is the first user interface element rendered in accordance with the first updated value for the first property;
automatically storing, using a processor, the first updated value for the first property in a first file including customized property values;
storing information in memory recording a plurality of individual modifications made to customize the user interface when the style configuration mode is enabled, wherein each of the individual modifications is a modification to a single user interface element of the user interface; and
responsive to the state of the style configuration mode being enabled, displaying a first control that, when selected, undoes a most recent one of the plurality of individual modifications, and displaying a second control that, when selected,

Assignees

• Emc Corp
• Emc Ip Holding Co Llc

Inventors

• Labaj Donald E
• Cox Timothy J
• Joyce Scott E

Classifications

• G06F3/0484 Primary

  for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range · CPC title

• G06F3/00 Primary

  Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements · CPC title