Patent ID: 6686937
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method within a graphical user interface (GUI) development environment for providing cross-pane visual display correlation between widgets that reside on different visual display panes, said method comprising the steps of:specifying a visual display relation between an influenced widget and an influencing widget, said specifying step being performed as part of a process of developing a graphical user interface for an end user application, said graphical user interface including a plurality of display panes for presenting information to an end user of said end user application, wherein said influencing widget is displayed within a first display pane of said graphical user interface and said influenced widget is displayed within a second display pane of said graphical user interface, said visual display relation between said influenced widget and said influencing widget being independent of any relation between said first display pane and said second display pane; encoding said specified visual display relation within a GUI development description of said second display pane; defining a visual display characterization for said influencing widget within said first display pane; and determining a visual display characterization for said influenced widget within said second display pane as a function of said defined visual display characterization of said influencing widget, wherein said function includes said specified visual display relation, such that visual continuity between said influenced widget and said influencing widget is observed as said end user traverses from said first to said second display pane.