Abstract: A method and system are provided for efficient development of software application programs with user interfaces. Customarily, several specialists, including designers and developers, cooperate during the development stage of an application program. The invention teaches a strategy for making resource files external to the other compiled executable files in an application such that the information from the resource file may be obtained at runtime as needed without the need for compilation. Furthermore, the external resource file may be edited at runtime to allow designers to modify the look and feel for an application's interface without having to depend on developers to implement changes in the interface.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for developing a software application program with user interfaces that make resource files external to the other compiled executable files such that the information from the resource file may be obtained at runtime as needed without the need for compilation. The external resource file may be edited at runtime to allow designers to modify the application's interface without having to depend on developers implement changes in the interface. This is achieved by providing resources in a markup language and routines that locate and parse the markup language text on the fly as an application executes. Compartmentalization of the effort in developing and porting an application is facilitated for protection of source code and better management of designers and developers working on different aspects of a software application due to the externalization of the resource files needed primarily by the designers.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for providing timed profile changes to a mobile device. The mobile device initiates a timed profile change in response to the user or an event associated with the mobile device. The mobile device monitors the profile period and provides a user with information regarding the length of the profile period remaining, as well as other information. When the period of the selected timed profile expires, the mobile device returns to a previous profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing access to emergency data. Emergency data is collected from various sources and maintained such that it can be efficiently recalled in an emergency. In one implementation, the data is maintained in XML documents. An emergency application program provides a page and/or sub-pages via which a user interacts to obtain the data. The data is typed according to types of emergencies to facilitate user access to the appropriate data when needed. The emergency data may be automatically loaded from a remote source, such as a .NET service, or provided by a retailer. Actions may be associated with emergency data, such as to provide an easy or automated way to send an alert, email message, and the like in the event of an emergency.

Abstract: Elements of a graphical user interface that are switchably translucent and opaque are disclosed. In one embodiment, such an element is initially set to a default, first mode in which the element is translucent when the pointer is not positioned over the element. When the pointer has been moved such that it is positioned over the element, the element becomes opaque. Various heuristics are also disclosed that are applicable to the opaque-to-translucent and the translucent-to-opaque transformations. For example, when the pointer is moved over the element, there may be a delay prior to the element becoming opaque. As another example, when the pointer remains over the element for a predetermined amount of time, the element may revert back to translucency from opacity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for building context-based user interfaces are provided. According to the present invention, a contextual engine residing on a host computer system provides a user interface based on a predefined set of user interface (UI) elements that are selected on the basis of a set of prescribed conditions being satisfied. The computer system includes a data store having a plurality of contexts, wherein each context is defined by a set of prescribed conditions and is associated with a predefined set of UI elements. The contextual engine determines, for each context, whether the set of prescribed conditions that defines the context is satisfied, and, if so, provides a user interface based on the predefined set of UI elements associated with the context. The contextual engine provides the user interface by identifying for an application program residing on the host computer system, the predefined set of UI elements associated with the context.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing user interfaces that include content selected based on when the user interface is being provided are disclosed. A temporal engine residing on a host computer system provides a user interface that includes content selected based on when the user interface is being provided. The computer system includes a data store having one or more predefined time periods, each of which is defined, at least in part, by a span of time or by a set of conditions being satisfied, and is associated with a predefined set of user interface elements. The temporal engine determines, for each predefined time period, whether the set of conditions that defines the time period is satisfied. If so, the temporal engine causes a user interface to be provided that is based on the set of user interface elements associated with the time period.

Abstract: Property linking for object-oriented computing environments. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method including first linking a second property of a second object to a first property of a first object, according to a predetermined criteria. When an event occurs regarding a change in the first property, the change is examined in relation to the predetermined criteria, to determine whether the change in this property necessitates a change in the second property. If it does, then the second property is changed in accordance with the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An operating system program allows dialogue boxes, defined without any explicit resizing parameters, to be resized appropriately to the types of controls contained within them. The approach is to “walk-through” the dimensional definitions for the controls, their sizes and positions, and the dimensions of the dialogue box itself. With this information, rows and columns are defined and identified as resizable. When the dialogue box dimensions are changed, the additional length is distributed among the resizable rows and columns. According to the method, only rows, only columns, both rows and columns, and neither rows nor columns are identified as resizable. The method involves making a set of specifications about the resizing behavior of the various types of controls. The operating system essays the resource file for the dialogue, or a memory image derived from it, to define columns and rows partitioning the various controls. One set of columns and rows corresponds to borders.

Abstract: Dynamic data caching for object-oriented environments. In one embodiment, a system having a container and external objects, the container having a data object, a data cache object, internal objects and a controller object. The data object has static properties. The data cache object provides for access to the data object, and temporarily stores dynamic properties for the data object. The controller object provides for access to the data cache object.

Abstract: Hosting windowed objects in a non-windowing environment is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system includes a non-windowing environment, such as that provided by Java, and a windowed object, such as an ActiveX control. The windowed object is hosted in the non-windowing environment, via, for example, an off-screen parent window such as a Win32 window.