'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
''' <summary>
''' Finds all automation elements that satisfy 
''' the specified condition(s).
''' </summary>
''' <param name="targetApp">
''' The automation element from which to start searching.
''' </param>
''' <returns>
''' A collection of automation elements satisfying 
''' the specified condition(s).
''' </returns>
'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
Private Function FindAutomationElement( _
ByVal targetApp As AutomationElement) As AutomationElementCollection
    If targetApp Is Nothing Then
        Throw New ArgumentException("Root element cannot be null.")
    End If

    Dim conditionSupportsDock As New PropertyCondition( _
    AutomationElement.IsDockPatternAvailableProperty, True)

    Return targetApp.FindAll( _
    TreeScope.Descendants, conditionSupportsDock)

End Function 'FindAutomationElement

'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
''' <summary>
''' Gets the current DockPosition of a target.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="dockControl">
''' The automation element of interest.
''' </param>
''' <returns>
''' The current dock position.
''' </returns>
'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
Private Overloads Function GetCurrentDockPosition( _
ByVal dockControl As AutomationElement) As DockPosition
    If dockControl Is Nothing Then
        Throw New ArgumentNullException( _
        "AutomationElement parameter must not be null.")
    End If

    Return CType(dockControl.GetCurrentPropertyValue( _
    DockPattern.DockPositionProperty), DockPosition)

End Function 'GetCurrentDockPosition