Patent EP0364178A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0364178A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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System and method for managing graphic images
Assignee: Next Computer Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A graphic user interface for a computer is provided in which representations of application programs can be placed on the display in a specified area reserved for such a purpose in which area they could not be so readily obscured and forgotten, and which includes a facility for controlling the placement of such representations within the reserved area. The graphic images are guided into specific locations, or "docks" in the reserved area, and their removal from the docks is restricted to prevent accidental withdrawal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Marie Hullot
- 👤 Steven P. Jobs
- 👤 Christopher M. Franklin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
In a computer system having a visual display on which application programs are represented by graphic images, said images being capable of being moved within boundaries of said display and of being overlaid by other images displayed on said visual display, a graphic image display control system comprising: means for moving said graphic images within said boundaries; means for providing within said boundaries a parking region for said graphic images; and means for controlling entry, responsive to movement of said graphic image by said moving means, of a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a computer system having a visual display on which application programs are represented by graphic images, said images being capable of being moved within boundaries of said display and of being overlaid by other images displayed on said visual display, a graphic image display control system comprising: means for moving said graphic images within said boundaries; means for providing within said boundaries a parking region for said graphic images; and means for controlling entry, responsive to movement of said graphic image by said moving means, of a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling entry of said graphic images into said parking region comprises: means for delineating within said parking region at least one receptacle for one of said graphic images; means for entering one of said graphic images into a nearest available one of said at least one receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 2 wherein said means for controlling entry of said graphic images into said parking region further comprises means for displaying a location of said nearest available receptacle when said graphic image, responsive to said moving means, approaches said parking region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 2 wherein said means for controlling entry of said one of said graphic images into said parking region further comprises means for automatically inserting said graphic image into said nearest available receptacle when said graphic image, responsive to said moving means, approaches said parking region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 4 further comprising: means for defining a retention field associated with said parking region; wherein: said automatic inserting means operates only when said graphic image is within said retention field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing overlying, by at least some of said other images, of one of said graphic images in said parking region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 1 further comprising means for locking a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The graphic image display control system of claim 1 further comprising means for moving said parking region at most partially out of said boundaries of said display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use in a computer system having a visual display on which application programs are represented by graphic images, said images being capable of being moved within boundaries of said display and of being overlaid by other images dis played on said visual display, a graphic image display control method comprising the steps of: moving said graphic images within said boundaries; providing within said boundaries a parking region for said graphic images; and controlling entry, responsive to said moving step, of a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use in a computer system having a visual display on which application programs are represented by graphic images, said images being capable of being moved within boundaries of said display and of being overlaid by other images dis played on said visual display, a graphic image display control method comprising the steps of: moving said graphic images within said boundaries; providing within said boundaries a parking region for said graphic images; and controlling entry, responsive to said moving step, of a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 9 wherein said step of controlling entry of said graphic images into said parking region comprises the steps of: delineating within said parking region at least one receptacle for one of said graphic images; and entering one of said graphic images into a nearest available one of said at least one receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 10 wherein said step of controlling entry of said graphic images into said parking region further comprises displaying a location of said nearest available receptacle when said graphic image approaches said parking region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 10 wherein said step of controlling entry of said one of said graphic images into said parking region further comprises automatically inserting said graphic image into said nearest available receptacle when said graphic image approaches said parking region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 12 further comprising: defining a retention field associated with said parking region; wherein: said automatic inserting step is effective only when said graphic image is within said retention field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 9 further comprising preventing overlying, by at least some of said other images, of one of said graphic images in said parking region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 9 further comprising allowing the locking of a graphic image into said parking region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The graphic image display control method of claim 9 further comprising allowing the movement of said parking region at most partially out of said boundaries of said display.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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