Method and data structure for user interface customization

Abstract

A method for changing visual attributes presented by a graphical user interface of a device such as a mobile electronic device by loading onto the device a file containing information for changing selected visual attributes of the interface. A method or compiler for generating or compiling a file that contains information used by a device to change the user interface presented by the device.

1 . An automated method of providing a user interface customization file for use by a device to customize a user interface of the device, including:
 receiving an instruction file including: an instruction set defining custom visual attributes of elements of the user interface, the visual attributes including at least two color attributes;   performing relational error checking on at least some of the visual attributes defined in the instruction set to determine if the colors of at least two of the color attributes are sufficiently different; and   if the colors attributes are sufficiently different:
 generating, in dependence on the instruction set in the received instruction file, the user interface customization file; and 
 sending the user interface customization file to the device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The automated method of  claim 1 , wherein the relational error checking determines if the colors of at least two of the color attributes are sufficiently different by consulting predetermined color relationship tables. 
     
     
         3 . The automated method of  claim 1 , wherein the visual attributes specified for at least some of the elements of the user interface include a foreground and background color, and wherein the relational error checking includes comparing the foreground and background colors specified for at least some of the elements to determine if the foreground and background colors are sufficiently different according to predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         4 . The automated method of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction file further includes: an identification of custom graphic image files each defining an image for presentation by the device. 
     
     
         5 . The automated method of  claim 4 , further comprising, prior to generating the user interface customization file, retrieving the identified custom graphic image files and, automatically scaling at least some of the custom graphic images specified in the list of custom graphic image files to produce scaled graphic images, as required by the instruction file. 
     
     
         6 . The automated method of  claim 5 , wherein the user interface customization file is generated in dependence on the scaled graphic images. 
     
     
         7 . The automated method of  claim 6 , wherein automatically scaling includes creating scaled graphic images which are smaller in size than the custom graphic images. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the color attributes including at least one of: foreground color; background color; focus foreground color; selection foreground color; and selection background color. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction set is a style sheet and wherein the color attributes are specified in the style sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the custom graphic image files include files define icons for presentation in the user interface, and the instruction set includes a hierarchy list defining a presentation layout for at least some of the icons. 
     
     
         11 . A user interface theme compiler for generating, in dependence on an instruction file, a user interface customization file for use by a device to customize a user interface thereof, the instruction file including an instruction set defining custom visual attributes of element of the user interface, the visual attributes including at least two color attributes:
 an error checker for performing relational error checking on at least some of the visual attributes defined in the instruction set to determine if the colors of at least two of the color attributes are sufficiently different;   a file assembler for producing, in dependence on the instruction set in the instruction file, a user interface customization file; and   a communication subsystem for sending the user interface customization file to the device.   
     
     
         12 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 11 , wherein the error checker is configured to determine if the colors of at least two of the color attributes are sufficiently different by consulting predetermined color relationship tables. 
     
     
         13 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 11 , wherein the visual attributes specified for at least some of the elements of the user interface include a foreground and background color, and wherein the error checker is configured to perform the relational error checking by comparing the foreground and background colors specified for at least some of the elements to determine if the foreground and background colors are sufficiently different according to predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         14 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 11 , wherein the instruction file further includes: an identification of custom graphic image files each defining an image for presentation by the device. 
     
     
         15 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an auto-scaler which is configured to: retrieving the identified custom graphic image files and automatically scale at least some of the custom graphic images specified in the list of custom graphic image files to produce scaled graphic images, as required by the instruction file.   
     
     
         16 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 15 , wherein the file assembler is configured to produce the user interface customization file in dependence on the scaled graphic images. 
     
     
         17 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 16 , wherein the auto-scaler is configured to automatically scale by creating scaled graphic images which are smaller in size than the custom graphic images. 
     
     
         18 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 17 , wherein the color attributes include at least one of: foreground color; background color; focus foreground color; selection foreground color; and selection background color. 
     
     
         19 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 11 , wherein the instruction set is a style sheet and wherein the color attributes are specified in the style sheet. 
     
     
         20 . The user interface theme compiler of  claim 14  wherein the custom graphic image files include files define icons for presentation in the user interface, and the instruction set includes a hierarchy list defining a presentation layout for at least some of the icons.