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US5140677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Computer user interface with window title bar mini-icons
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a computer system user interface that includes an application or object window with a mini-icon representing the application or object. The mini-icon is available for use in direct manipulation and context menu operations while the window is open.
Inventors
- 👤 S. S. Fleming
- 👤 R. J. Torres
- 👤 P. J. Keane
- 👤 A. C. C. Temple
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: displaying on said screen at least one object icon; displaying an object window on said screen in response to user selection of one of said object icons; and displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: displaying on said screen at least one object icon; displaying an object window on said screen in response to user selection of one of said object icons; and displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copy is displayed in a normally unused area of said object window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said object window overlies said object icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein another window overlies said selected object icon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: performing a direct manipulation of said copy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: performing a context menu action on said copy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object displayed in said object window is stored in memory and including the step of modifying the object displayed in the said object window without updating the stored object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, including the step of directly manipulating said copy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said directly manipulating step includes the step of fetching the object displayed in the object window whenever said displayed object is more current than said stored object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen including the steps of displaying on said screen at least one object icon, selecting an object icon, and displaying an object window on said screen in response to selecting said selected object icon, the improvement which comprises the computer-implemented step of: displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen including the steps of displaying on said screen at least one object icon, selecting an object icon, and displaying an object window on said screen in response to selecting said selected object icon, the improvement which comprises the computer-implemented step of: displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer system, which comprises: a display screen; means for displaying on said screen at least one object icon; means for selecting an object icon; means for displaying an object window on said screen in response to selecting said selected object icon; and, means for displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer system, which comprises: a display screen; means for displaying on said screen at least one object icon; means for selecting an object icon; means for displaying an object window on said screen in response to selecting said selected object icon; and, means for displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a computer system including a display screen, means for displaying on said display screen at least one object icon, means for selecting an object icon, and means for displaying an object window on said display screen in response to selecting said selected object icon, the improvement which comprises: means for displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a computer system including a display screen, means for displaying on said display screen at least one object icon, means for selecting an object icon, and means for displaying an object window on said display screen in response to selecting said selected object icon, the improvement which comprises: means for displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: displaying on said screen a first window with at least one object icon displayed therein; displaying an object window on said screen in response to user selection of one of said object icons; and, displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a computer system that includes a display screen, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: displaying on said screen a first window with at least one object icon displayed therein; displaying an object window on said screen in response to user selection of one of said object icons; and, displaying in said object window a copy of said selected object icon, said object icon copy being user selectable to perform operations associated with the object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of: closing said first window.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of scrolling said first window so that said selected object icon is no longer visible.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of resizing said first window so that said selected object icon is no longer visible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4899136A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |