Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin

Details Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin

1992-05-13

1993-09-07

Nguyen, Phu K.

395155, 395159, G06F 1562

Patent

active

052436977

ABSTRACT:
A graphical user interface method wherein a user can retain frequently used menus on the display screen in an intuitive manner. A computer system is coupled to a display for displaying graphic and other data and to a pointer control device which permits a user to selectively position a pointer on the display and signal selections with a switch. Graphical menu buttons are displayed on the screen which correspond to menus displaying further functions. When a menu button is selected by the user, a menu appears in a rectangular box containing an icon of a pushpin and a plurality of menu choices which can be selected. If the user places the pointer over the pushpin icon and then releases the pointer control device switch, the icon of the pushpin is then modified so it appears that the pushpin has "pinned" the menu to the screen. The temporary menu box is converted into a permanent window which remains on the display regardless of other display operations. The user may dismiss the menu window at any time by placing the pointer over the pushpin icon and momentarily depressing and releasing the switch on the pointer control device. The invention therefore provides an intuitive means for retaining frequently used menus on a graphical user interface screen.

REFERENCES:
patent: Re32632 (1988-03-01), Atkinson
patent: 4533910 (1985-08-01), Sukonick et al.
patent: 4555775 (1985-11-01), Pike
patent: 4622545 (1986-11-01), Atkinson
patent: 4633472 (1986-12-01), Krol
patent: 4748618 (1988-05-01), Brown et al.
patent: 4785408 (1988-11-01), Britton et al.
patent: 4812834 (1989-03-01), Wells
patent: 4847604 (1989-07-01), Doyle
patent: 4884223 (1989-11-01), Ingle et al.
patent: 4899136 (1990-02-01), Beard et al.
patent: 4901252 (1990-02-01), Fitzgerald et al.
patent: 4914732 (1990-04-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 4931783 (1990-06-01), Atkinson
patent: 4935865 (1990-06-01), Rowe et al.
patent: 4939507 (1990-07-01), Beard et al.
patent: 4985848 (1991-01-01), Pfeiffer et al.
patent: 5072412 (1991-12-01), Henderson et al.
Article entitled: Learning Considerations In User Interface Design: The Room Model; author: Patrick P. Chan; publication of the Software Portability Laboratory, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Jul. 1984.
Article entitled: Creation/Modification of the Audio Signal Processor Setup For A PC Audio Editor; publication of International Business Machines, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 30, No. 10, Mar. 1988.
Article entitled: Browsing Within Time-Driven Multimedia Documents; authors: Stavros Christodoulakis and Steven Graham; publication of the Institute for Computer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Jul. 1988.
Alexander, "Visualizing Cleared-Off Desktops", Computer World, May 6, 1991, p. 20.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for selecting button functions and retainin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-494556