Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-26
2001-03-27
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, C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208340
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a method and system for data processing and, in particular, to a graphical user interface for a data processing system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a graphical user interface and method of operation in which a plurality of choices can be selected from a drop-down list in response to a single selection of the associated drop-down widget.
2. Description of the Related Art
Within data processing systems, user interface can be accomplished in a variety of ways. A now nearly universal format of user interface for personal computer systems and personal digital assistants (PDAs) is a graphical user interface (GUI), which provides a user with a graphical and intuitive display of information. Typically, the user interacts with a GUI display utilizing a graphical pointer, which a user controls utilizing a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball, glidepad, or stylus. Depending upon the actions allowed by the application or operating system software, the user can select a widget (i.e., a user-discernable feature of the graphical display such as an icon) by positioning the graphical pointer over the widget and making a selection utilizing the graphical pointing device.
The actions available to a user following selection of a widget can depend upon a number of factors, including the type of widget that was selected and the order of the selection in the current interaction scenario. For example, if the user selects a icon on the desktop or within a window with a single “click,” the user can typically relocate the icon within the graphical display utilizing the well-known drag-and-drop technique. Alternatively, if the selected widget is a menu bar choice, a pull-down menu is typically displayed, permitting the user to make a single selection from among the choices listed in the pull-down menu. In response to either the selection of a point outside of the pull-down menu (indicating that the user does not wish to select any choice listed in the pull-down menu) or the selection of a pull-down menu choice, the pull-down menu closes automatically.
It is upon the behavior of a widget following selection that the present invention improves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved data processing system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved graphical user interface for a data processing system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a graphical user interface and method of operation in which a plurality of choices can be selected from a drop-down list in response to a single selection of the associated drop-down widget.
The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. A drop-down widget is displayed within the display device of a data processing system. In response to selection of the drop-down widget, a drop-down list is displayed, which contains a plurality of choices. The user is then permitted to select multiple choices from the drop-down list in response the single selection of the drop-down widget. In one embodiment, the drop-down list includes a plurality of preferences that are each displayed in association with a respective control element, such as a radio button.
The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
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Amin Sandip
Amro Hatim Yousef
Bayerl Raymond J.
Emile Volel
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
International Business Machines - Corporation
Thai Cuong T.
LandOfFree
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