Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-29
2001-02-27
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195094
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to the display of windows for application programs in a computer environment. More particularly, the invention relates to the opening and closing of a pane in a multi-pane window application in a computer environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Computer application programs display multiple content screens to users by splitting a window of information into several panes. Each pane in a window is separated by a splitter bar which simply acts as a border between panes. Splitters come in different forms, each application controls the way a pane appears and disappears. Some applications allow the user to add, remove, or resize panes.
For example, referring to
FIG. 1
, spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel, split the window
101
into panes
102
a
/
102
b
. In the upper right corner above the scroll bar up arrow
103
, there is a small horizontal bar
104
that the user points the mouse to. The user then presses the mouse button and the splitter appears as a thin, black horizontal line. The splitter can be dragged to create, delete, and enlarge or reduce the size of the two panes. When the user drags the splitter to the top or bottom of the window, the splitter and the second pane
102
b
disappear. However, the pane is not easily restored. The user must search through toolbars and menus to properly add the pane to the form and he must also re-enter all of the information that was in the pane before it was closed. Other spreadsheets have a similar mechanism.
Buttons residing on scroll bars and toolbars are also used. One approach has a button that resides on the lower scroll bar which the user clicks on to make the splitter bar and pane go away. It does not offer the user an intuitive indication that a pane has been closed or one can be reopened.
Another approach uses a toggle button that the user adds to the application's toolbar. The user presses the toggle button and a folder pane appears. When the user presses the button again, the folder pane disappears. However, the user cannot drag the splitter bar to close the pane and no button exists inside the pane that does this.
With respect to
FIG. 2
, some Internet browsers use a frame or pane that the user calls up by pressing a search button or several buttons on the toolbar that the user presses to call up a pane. There is a close box
202
in the top right corner of the frame
201
with an X in it that, when pressed, closes the frame. However, it completely closes the frame and the user has to know how to go back up to the main toolbar and press a button to get the pane back.
It would be advantageous to provide a window splitter bar system that intuitively gives the user the ability to open, close, and resize panes. It would further be advantageous to provide a window splitter bar system that utilizes the screen space on the splitter bar, thereby reducing the screen and toolbar real estate requirements which are at a premium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a window splitter bar system. The invention uses an intuitive and easily manipulated splitter bar system that allows a user to open, close, and resize a pane in a multi-pane application in a computer environment. In addition, the invention utilizes a splitter bar that efficiently uses the screen space required to indicate to the user that a pane can be closed or a closed pane exists.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a control button in the splitter bar between two panes. The control button is used to open and close the pane. The control button is clicked to close the pane when the pane is open. The splitter bar stays visible when the pane is collapsed, appearing stuck next to the window's outer edge with the control button remaining visible. This gives the user a reminder that a pane has been collapsed and provides an intuitive method to restore the pane. The control button is then clicked again to open the pane in the same manner that the user used to close the pane.
The splitter bar can also be dragged in order to resize the pane. The system stores the location of all of the splitter bars on the screen for restoring a closed pane back to its open state.
The user can also drag the splitter bar to open and close the pane. This allows users that are used to dragging items off windows to be consistent. The choice of dragging or clicking gives the user a good shot at figuring out how to operate the mechanism.
When a pane is closed and the user drags an item over the splitter bar, the pane automatically expands so the user can drop the item into the pane. Once the item has been deposited in the pane, it automatically closes. This is enhanced with spring loaded folders where, not only does the pane itself open, the hierarchy of a folder that the user wants to drop the item in expands. The user does not have to release the mouse button to open up several folders. The user simply drags the item over the collapsed folder and presses the space bar or numerical keypad plus key to expand the folder, without needing to release the mouse button. If the folder is above or below the current view in the pane, the user simply points the item to the upper or lower border of the pane and the pane will automatically scroll up or down, respectively.
A tool tip is also available. The user sets the preferences for whether automatic tool tips are displayed. When the mouse rolls over the button or splitter bar, and the user is not clicking on the button or anything else, the tool tip comes up to explain to the user what he can do with that area.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in combination with the accompanying drawings, illustrating, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5680562 (1997-10-01), Conrad et al.
patent: 5714971 (1998-02-01), Shalit et al.
patent: 5771042 (1998-06-01), Santos-Gomez
patent: 6008809 (1999-12-01), Brooks
Bayerl Raymond J.
Glenn Michael A.
Luu Sy D.
Netscape Communications Corporation
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