Programming interface for enabling 'assistive technology' programs to obtain information from, and to control graphical user interface objects

摘要

An object in a computer's user interface has an application programming interface ("APE") for facilitating transfer of information between an assistive technology program (i.e. assisting disabled, e.g. sight-impaired, users) and the object. The API includes arrangements for enabling the object to provide information in response to calls of a plurality of types including at least: (A) a name call type, in response to which the object provides information in text form that is useful to an operator; (B) a description call type, in response to which the object provides information in text form that describes at least one operation performed by the object; (C) a role call type, in response to which the object provides information identifying its role in the user interface; and (D) a state call type, in response to which the object provides information identifying its current state. The API further includes arrangements for enabling the object to respond to other types of calls, including indicating (i) whether the object can perform one of more actions, (ii) whether the object has a graphical representation that can be rendered by a video display device, (iii) whether the object, allows its children in the graphical user interface hierarchy to be selected, and, if so, which one(s) is (are) currently selected, (iv) whether the object presents editable textual information on the video display device, and (v) whether the object supports a numerical value; and, if so, whether controlling each of these matters.