Dynamic user interface

Abstract

A method for creating a graphic user interface (GUI) for a computer application includes defining a relation that associates certain graphic elements ( 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 ) with corresponding user interface elements ( 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 ) that are linked to functions of the application. An image ( 80 ) is provided that includes one or more of the graphic elements at respective locations in the image. A user interface screen ( 140 ) is generated responsive to the image, such that the user interface elements are mapped to positions on the screen determined by the respective locations of the corresponding graphic elements in the image.

1 . A method for creating a graphic user interface (GUI) for a computer application, comprising: 
 defining a relation that associates certain graphic elements with corresponding user interface elements that are linked to functions of the application;    providing an image that includes one or more of the graphic elements at respective locations in the image; and    generating a user interface screen responsive to the image, such that the user interface elements are mapped to positions on the screen determined by the respective locations of the corresponding graphic elements in the image.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises associating graphic elements of a given color with a corresponding one of the user interface elements.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein associating the graphic elements of the given color comprises identifying a certain color with a background region of the user interface screen, and wherein generating the user interface screen comprises-displaying the background region as a transparent region.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises associating graphic elements of a given shape with a corresponding one of the user interface elements.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein providing the image comprises changing a graphic quality of one of the graphic elements in the image, and wherein generating the user interface screen comprises changing the corresponding user interface element on the screen responsive to changing the graphic quality, substantially without effect on the function to which the element is linked.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein changing the graphic quality comprises changing the location of the one of the graphic elements, and wherein changing the corresponding user interface element comprises the position of the user interface element.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein changing the graphic quality comprises changing a size characteristic of the one of the graphic elements, and wherein changing the corresponding user interface element comprises changing a corresponding size characteristic of the user interface element on the screen.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises mapping the elements in a manner that is substantially independent of an operating platform on which the application runs.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises generating a browser screen on a computer accessing the application remotely via a network.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises generating substantially the same user interface on the browser and on a local client of the application.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises defining a relation that is preserved across multiple, different applications.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein providing the image comprises providing a bitmap image, such that the user interface elements are mapped responsive to the bitmap.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises building the screen based on the graphic elements, substantially without resort to a textual description of the user interface elements.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises building the screen based on the graphic elements, substantially without affecting the functions of the application.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises associating the graphic elements with respective, predefined user interface objects and altering one of the predefined objects by inheritance thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the user interface screen comprises providing a skin including graphic representations of the user interface elements at the approximate positions to which the graphic elements are mapped.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein defining the relation comprises identifying at least one of the graphic elements with a user interface push button.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises identifying at least one of the graphic elements with an area for display of text or graphics associated with the application.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein defining the relation comprises identifying at least one of the graphic elements with a user control for selecting a value of a parameter from a range of values.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein providing the image comprises providing an input image in which the at lest one of the graphic elements includes a range of colors corresponding to the range of values of the parameter.  
   
   
       21 - 40 . (canceled)