Patent ID: 6262733
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: G06F,G09G

Abstract:
In a computer system having an output device and a processor that runs an operating system having a graphical user interface and an application program that outputs a window on the output device, a method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:with the operating system, storing icons within a bitmap cache for outputting to the application program and the graphical user interface of the operating system for use as window elements;providing a function in the operating system for outputting one of the icons stored within the bitmap cache to the output device and for globally requiring said outputted one of the icons to be utiized by the application program and the graphical user interface of the operating system; andcalling the function by the application program to draw said outputted one of the icons in the window of the application program and the graphical user interface of the operating system as a window element based on the operating system's system metrics of the outputted one of the icons.