Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2003-08-19
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2142)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Miscellaneous
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06609146
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to computers either standing alone, or operated in computer networks, and more particularly to a method for enhancing the operations of a graphical user interface in a single or multi-windowed graphics environment.
Today most users interact with their personal computers via graphical user interfaces (GUIs) typified by the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Such GUIs frequently display each working program within a rectangular portion of the display screen called a “frame” or “window.”
A window can be small or fill up the whole screen. Frequently a window can be resized by the user by “point, click and drag” or by programmed software controls. Likewise, in many instances, a window can be positioned or moved by the user by “point, click and drag” or by software programming. In many instances, a window can be “minimized” which keeps the program working, but reduces the window to a mere label or button or icon and places the label or button on the status line of the display, or otherwise masks the window. Frequently, a window or frame can be minimized by the user by clicking on an icon, or by software within the window's program.
The display screen may contain more than one window, either side-by-side or overlapping. The multiple windows may be different programs, or multiple instances of the same program. In multi-tasking environments, each window may be processing information and data, locally or remotely, even if it is partly or fully covered by another window.
Even though several windows may be working at one time, one window is designated as “active” by the system and the system looks for user input through that window. The “active” window is usually fully visible, and is usually “on top” of the others. When a window first opens, it is usually considered active and usually goes on top. When a user clicks on part of a window (even if most is hidden) that window usually becomes active and usually goes on top.
Some computer processes take a discernible amount of time, including recalculating large spreadsheets, or searching long documents for phrases, producing CAD based graphics or downloading data from a remote source. In a multi-tasking computer system, the user does not have to sit idle while the processing occurs, but can work on a different program (a) by opening another window for the different program, (b) by clicking on a portion of the different program's window if previously opened or (c ) by minimizing the window of the program engaged in the lengthy processing. In some programs, the user may also use a drop down list to select among current working windows, even if hidden. In the recently released Internet Explorer 4.0 integration with the Windows 95 desktop, a user can minimize all open windows by clicking on a single icon to view the basic underlying “desktop.”
Nonetheless, many computer users do sit idle during certain long processes. Sometimes it is because they are absorbed in the current task and forget the option of working on another. Sometimes it is because they believe that in switching to another task (and program) they may get distracted from the current task at hand, and fail to return in a timely manner. (After all, one can not tell when the program in a minimized window completes its processing.) Sometimes it is because users believe the process will take only a short time, so that switching windows is wasted effort because no useful or pleasant task can be done in the expected short waiting period.
Partial remedies are found in “screen-saver” programs. If the processing time is lengthy, the lack of user input may cause the system to display a “screen-saver” program, which may contain electronic images, or electronic news bulletins (e.g., the Pointcast system). These screen-saver programs start the display after a certain preset time of user inactivity, i.e. no inputs from the user such as striking keys on a keyboard or moving a mouse; and they end the display (returning to the “active” program or underlying desktop) when user input begins again (e.g., when keys are struck or a mouse moved). But this triggering method is not useful for all processing times, particularly short ones. Most importantly, current screen-savers do not know when the computer has finished the processing task, rather the user has to guess when the process was completed and move the mouse or provide other input to manually terminate the screen-saver display. In addition, the time between when a user last provides input to the computer and the initiation of the screen saver display is selectable (variable) by the user.
Almost as importantly, to be useful for short processing times, a screen-saver would have to trigger immediately, i.e. when no user input is given for a fraction of a second. However, one does not want the screen saver launched when one is merely mulling over the proper word to insert in a letter one is writing on the word processor.
Yet even in the shortest processing wait period there is useful work or pleasing “tasks” that can be done: from reviewing the days schedule, to viewing electronic art; from answering a company survey, to perusing company bulletins; from reading e-mail (which is usually short and pithy) to entering billable time records; from viewing screensaver type newscasts (e.g., the Pointcast system), to filling out purchase orders; from viewing advertisements, to ordering merchandise to perusing the underlying “desktop.” Of course, during the waiting time one could play computer games (including continuing action games like Asteroids and card games like solitaire). Current technology allows some personal computers to function as a television or radio. Technically, one could even watch television on the computer monitor or listen to radio broadcasts during these waiting periods.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,643 (Judson), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses methods of displaying otherwise hidden information objects during an interstitial time. The term “interstitial time” herein refers to the time period from when a user clicks on a hyperlink in an Internet web page (in order to access a new Internet web page) until that new web page has finished downloading to the user's computer and has been displayed. Judson's claims relate to situations in which the information object was downloaded from the Internet along with a web page and is hidden or masked and not displayed, and then is displayed after that web page is left when the user clicks on a link to a new web page (during at least part of the interstitial time). In Judson, the information object is displayed within the Internet browser, and thus operates inside of, and dependent upon, the browser. In contrast, the present invention (the subject of this patent application) teaches a method of displaying a program which was running and may have been visible prior to the launch of the current program, by hiding the current program to reveal the previously displayed program anew. In the present invention, the two programs operate outside of, and independent of, each other. The present invention is neither restricted to Internet processes nor information downloaded with a web page nor hidden information.
The Adlet Corporation claims a patent pending method of embedding a Java program applet in a web page that will open or spawn a window at the beginning (or during) the interstitial time to show an advertisement or other information object. This window closes in a timed or contingent manner. Again this relates to displaying an information object once after a specific page, rather than accessing or redisplaying an underlying and/or ongoing program or information object(s) or information stream.
Other Internet programs (whether embedded in web sites or service provider access software) spawn windows (especially ones containing advertisements) that remain on the screen even though new pages are accessed. They may remain on the screen both during the time the pages are downloading and afte
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Powell Mark R.
Vu Thong
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