Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-08-07
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271838
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to graphical user interfaces for computer systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for manipulating the size and shape of window panes within a window in a graphical user interface.
Many modern computer systems employ graphical user interfaces that provide a separate “window” for each active task (as used herein, the term “task” includes but is not limited to both application programs and documents). Familiar examples include the Macintosh user interface from Apple Computer, Inc., and the Windows 95 user interface from Microsoft Corp. Such user interfaces facilitate computing because they provide a convenient way for a user to manage multiple tasks that are concurrently executing on the same computer.
A window can be further divided into smaller work areas or views within the window called “panes.”
FIG. 1
shows an example of a window that can be used with applications compatible with a windowing environment.
FIG. 1
shows a window with two panes
110
and
120
separated by a horizontal border or “sash”
130
. Panes allow a window to have multiple functions or multiple views visible on the screen at the same time.
FIG. 2
illustrates an example of a window with two panes that can be used with an electronic mail application such as MailView™ by Sun Microsystems, Inc. As shown in
FIG. 2
, for example, the upper pane may contain a list of incoming e-mail while the lower pane may be used to view the text of one particular e-mail simultaneously. MailView™ is an application program in the HotJava Views™ suite of application programs that provides users with e-mail, calendaring, name directory access, and Internet browsing capabilities all written in Java™ programming language. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, MailView, Hotjava Views, and Java are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Users can adjust the amount of space of each window that is devoted to each pane. Conventional methods allow users to position the mouse pointer over the sash between two panes, press and hold the mouse button, and drag the sash to a different position. The new position of the sash simultaneously enlarges one pane and reduces an adjacent pane.
There exist many drawbacks with current methods for resizing panes of a window. Existing methods, for example, do not remember the previous position of the sash once it has been moved to a new position. The user, therefore, must attempt to reestablish an earlier setting by estimating where the sash was positioned earlier and manually dragging the sash to that position. Dragging is a difficult skill for many people and locating the exact previous setting is difficult for most people. There is therefore a need for a system that allows a user to easily manipulate the size of panes in a window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for managing the display of windows in a computer system having a display for displaying the windows in connection with executing tasks comprises the operations of displaying a window containing at least two panes and a sash control; storing information reflecting a first configuration of the panes within the window; and resetting the panes to the first configuration from a second configuration within the window based on the stored information in response to activation of the sash control.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for managing the display of windows corresponding to tasks executable by a computer comprises a memory having program instructions, and a processor configured to use the program instructions to display a window containing at least two panes and a sash control; store information reflecting a first configuration of the panes within the window; and reset the panes to the first configuration from a second configuration within the window based on the stored information in response to activation of the sash control.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5712995 (1998-01-01), Cohn
patent: 5771042 (1998-06-01), Santos-Gomez
patent: 5999178 (1999-12-01), Hwang et al.
ACM Digital Library: “Simplified Applications for Network Computers”, pp. 439-446, Mar. 1997.*
HotJava Views, MailView, pp., 1-2, Apr. 1998.*
Sun Microsystems, Inc. Unveils HotJava Views-First of its Kind, HotJava Views Provides Customizable Webtop Environment for Network Computers, Oct. 1996.
Cotton Christopher
Evans John
Gentner Donald R.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Hailu Tadesse
Sun Microsystems Inc.
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