Layout System for Devices with Variable Display Screen Sizes and Orientations

Abstract

A method for operating a data processing system having a display screen on which a GUI is displayed is disclosed. The GUI has a plurality of configurations having different aspect ratios or numbers of pixels. The method includes providing a layout description and a runtime system that generates the GUI in response to the layout description and the display configuration. The layout description defines a first container having a plurality of components to be shown in the GUI within a first container space. Each component has a component layout description within the first container. The runtime system automatically allocates the first container space depending on the display configuration, and automatically divides the first container space into plurality of component spaces. Each component is shown in a corresponding one of the component spaces. The first container space and the component spaces automatically change when the display configuration changes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a data processing system having a display screen on which a GUI is displayed, said GUI having a plurality of configurations, said method comprising
 providing layout description; and   providing a runtime system that generates said GUI in response to said layout description and said display configuration,   said layout description defining a first container having a plurality of components to be shown in said GUI within a first container space, each component having a component layout description within said first container, wherein   said runtime system automatically allocates said first container space depending on said display configuration, and automatically divides said first container space into a plurality of component spaces, each component being shown in a corresponding one of said component spaces, said first container space and said component spaces automatically changing when said display configuration changes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said layout description defining said first container indicates a vertical or horizontal organization for said components and wherein said runtime system divides said first container space vertically or horizontally, respectively, assigning each component to a corresponding vertical or horizontal space. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said vertical or horizontal space assigned to each component is equal to said vertical or horizontal space, respectively, of each other component. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said layout description specifies a layout weight for one of said components in said first container and wherein said runtime system divides said vertical or horizontal space in a manner that depends on said weight. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one of said components comprises a second container. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a first one of said components comprises text to be displayed in said GUI and wherein said runtime system automatically sets a text font for that component based on a first font group specification in said layout description for that component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein a second of said components also has said first font group specification and wherein said runtime system automatically determines a font that ensures that both components have their text properly displayed, said font changing with said display configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein text for said text of said second component has a different size than said text of said first component, said size difference being determined by a text size specification in said layout description. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said runtime system positions one of said components in said first container based on a position specification in said layout description for said component.