Graphical method of inputing time values

Claim 2

In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of: a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand; b) providing a first display area for user input via the pointing device to set the hour hand; c) providing a second display area, separate from the first display area, for user input via the pointing device to set the minute hand; and, d) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

Claim 3

The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: a) providing the clock face with graphical representations of said first and second display areas.

Claim 4

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a) said first display area is represented by a radially inner area of said clock face; and b) said second display area is represented by a radially outer area of said clock face.

Claim 5

The method as claimed in claim 1, including: a) providing a graphical guide to enable the user to select time inputs.

Claim 7

The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: a) selecting a point on said clock face; b) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; and, c) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point.

Claim 8

In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of: a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand; b) providing a first display area represented by a radially inner area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set one of said hands; c) providing a second display area, separate from the first display area and represented by a radially outer area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set the other of said hands; and, d) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

Claim 9

In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of: a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand; b) providing a first display area represented by a radially inner area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set one of said hands; c) providing a second display area, separate from the first display area and represented by a radially outer area of said clock face, for user input via the pointing device to set the other of said hands; and, d) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

Claim 10

The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein: a) user input with said pointing device to said first display area changes the position of said hour hand; and b) user input with said pointing device to said second display area changes the position of said minute hand.

Claim 11

The method as claimed in claim 8, including: a) providing a graphical guide to enable the user to select time inputs.

Claim 13

The method as claimed in claim 7, including the steps of: a) selecting a point on said clock face; b) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; and, c) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point.

Claim 14

In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of: a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand; b) providing a first display area on said clock face for user input via the pointing device to set the hour hand; c) providing a second display area on said clock face, separate from the first display area, for user input via the pointing device to set the minute hand; d) selecting a point on said clock face; e) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; f) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point; and, g) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.

Claim 15

In a computer system that includes a graphical user interface and a user operable pointing device for providing graphical user interface input, a method of indicating a time value and providing user input of a time value, which comprises the steps of: a) displaying the time value using a graphical representation of an analog clock including a clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand; b) providing a first display area on said clock face for user input via the pointing device to set the hour hand; c) providing a second display area on said clock face, separate from the first display area, for user input via the pointing device to set the minute hand; d) selecting a point on said clock face; e) determining whether said selected point is in said first display area or said second display area; f) calculating the time value corresponding to said selected point; and, g) automatically updating the time value and the display thereof to reflect user input.