Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-22
2001-01-30
Feild, Joseph H. (Department: 2776)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C345S215000, C345S182000, C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182098
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATION
This U.S. Patent Application is related to a co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “User-Centered Push Methods and System,” Ser. No. 08/979,064, filed Nov. 26, 1997. Both Patent Applications are assigned to the International Business Machines Corporation.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to information processing systems, and more specifically, to a method for displaying information via a graphical user interface. The invention has a particular applicability to IBM® computers and computer systems (IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ticker tape displays in which information scrolls horizontally across a computer display screen are common. When a user sees a headline of interest, he moves a pointer to the headline and ‘clicks’ to retrieve a news story associated with the headline. Advertisers also use the ticker tape display to scroll advertising teasers which when ‘clicked’ will retrieve more information related to an advertised product. The advantages of the ticker display are that they attract the eye of the user, and they use only a narrow horizontal strip of the computer graphics display monitor and can be placed out of the way near the top or bottom of the screen. The disadvantages of the moving ticker tape display are that the moving information is distracting, and it is difficult for the eye to follow moving textual information. As a result such displays increase user stress and fatigue.
Displays which present information on the revolving sides of an elongated polygon are known. The technique was developed before the advent of motion pictures and television, and has been used in both of these media. But the revolving elongated polygon display has not been used to present headline type information in the manner of the ticker tape display. The inherent superiority of the revolving elongated polygon over the ticker tape scrolling display has not previously been appreciated with respect to user stress and fatigue factors.
What is needed is an improved display method for presenting headline type information to a user, a method which will relieve user stress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need, and others that will become apparent, is met by the present invention which provides an elongated polygon having headline type information presented in a static manner along its faces, each face displaying one headline. At fixed intervals, the polygon rotates slowly about its central axis and then pauses to reveal a new headline. The headlines do not scroll, so the information is easy to read and is less distracting than the ticker tape. The image of the periodically revolving elongated polygon and its headlines is typically displayed across the bottom of the computer screen.
In a specific embodiment, the user positions a pointer and double clicks on a displayed headline to activate a retrieval process for a news story associated with the headline.
In another specific embodiment, the user positions a pointer and single clicks on a displayed previous or next headline causing the selected headline to replace the currently displayed headline and to advance or retard the display with respect to a continuous headline stream. This feature is useful for Web channels which deliver a continuous stream of news headlines, stock quotations, and like information.
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“Scroller Applet User's Guide” ©1998 LodeStar Consulting, Cape Town, South Africa. Dated Jan. 27, 1998.
NewsWheel (Java®applet). ©1998 Camerata, Inc. Documentation page dated Mar. 26, 1998.
Naick, Bijoy. “VertTicker.java” webpage from http://javaboutique.internet.com, including source code dated Dec. 1997.
Meeker, Elijah Dean. “The Java-tized Homepage of Elijah Dean Meeker” including screen shots and source code dated Jan. 4, 1996 of AnimNav.java.
Buckley Robert
Feild Joseph H.
International Business Machines - Corporation
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