Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-26
2001-03-06
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral adapting
C345S172000, C345S173000, C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199125
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mechanism and method for managing the inputting of information to a computer application. More particularly, the present invention relates to an input manager displayed on a computer display and actuated from a computer keyboard or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, one of the major goals of any computer application is or at least should be to be user friendly. To that end, many computer applications have user input mechanisms that are extensively thought out and highly evolved. Unfortunately, many such input mechanisms are now so highly evolved that they are too complicated, too confusing to a user, and/or take up too much screen real estate, thereby overlapping the application viewing area to an unacceptable degree.
In but one example, a multi-layer input mechanism may have a first set of input choices that are displayed in a first dialog box, where choosing one of the input choices from the first dialog box results in the display of a second dialog box along with the first dialog box, choosing one of the input choices from the second dialog box results in the display of a third dialog box along with the first and second dialog boxes, etc. As should be appreciated, the application viewing area may fairly easily be filled up with such a plethora of dialog boxes, to the point where the underlying computer application becomes hidden from view and is relegated to the status of being merely an afterthought.
In the aforementioned dialog box scenario and in other forms of prior art input mechanisms, it is increasingly necessary to make a selection by way of a mouse-driven cursor or the like. Unfortunately, and as one who often uses a mouse will attest to, it can be frustratingly difficult to easily position the cursor by way of the mouse on an appropriate choice in a repeated manner. In particular, such mouse-cursor movement typically involves an initial movement of the mouse and cursor toward a screen target, but which results in an overshoot of the target. One or more reversing movements are then necessary until the cursor is finally positioned on the target as is desired. If, for example, it is necessary to quickly execute four such cursor inputs at four separate locations, the user can quickly become tired and/or exasperated. Moreover, even with practice, input speed is not found to be significantly improved.
Accordingly, a need exists for an input manager that is displayed in a relatively compact area on an application screen such that the input manager does not require too much screen real estate. Further, a need exists for such an input manager where mouse-cursor input can be reduced, and input speed can be significantly improved.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned needs are satisfied by an input manager operating on a computer system which includes a processor, a display, an application running on the processor and being displayed on the display and a multi-key input device for inputting information to the application. The input manager manages the inputting of at least a portion of the information to the application, and runs on the processor in conjunction with the application and is displayed on the display in conjunction with the application as an input manager display. The input manager display has a command grid having a plurality of grid boxes, where each grid box represents an input choice at any one point in time and potentially several input choices over a period of time. Each grid box is mapped to a pre-determined key on the input device regardless of which input choice such grid box currently represents. Accordingly, activation of the pre-determined key selects the input choice currently represented by the grid box.
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Bentley Systems Incorporated
Lee Thomas C.
Peyton Tammara
LandOfFree
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