Patent US5276797A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5276797A
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Dynamically extending selection choices
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-05-24
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2011-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An extended selection field for use in selecting one or more choices from a list on an information system display. The extended selection field exhibits the behavior and appearance of a standard single choice field, with the additional capability to switch into a multiple choice mode to override the single choice restriction. A single choice is selected using the standard technique of moving the selection bar to the desired choice and pressing the Enter key. However, the single choice restriction may be overridden by using the standard multiple choice selection technique of moving the selection bar to a first desired choice and pressing (instead of the Enter key) a choice selection key such as the space bar. The field then exhibits the behavior and appearance of a standard multiple choice field. The single choice selection bar immediately changes to a multiple choice indicator and the operator receives immediate visual feedback that the system is enabled to accept multiple choices. At the conclusion of the multiple choices, the Enter key is depressed to submit all of the selected choices for processing. The single choice mode can be reestablished by deselecting all of the selected choices.
Inventors
- 👤 Rhonald M. Bateman
- 👤 Richard E. Berry
- 👤 Ronald J. Lisle
- 👤 Charles A. Schafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: displaying a selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first appearance indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; operating said system, with said selection cursor having said first appearance in said single choice mode in response to an entry input from said input device; and displaying said selection cursor with a second appearance indicating a change of system operation to said multiple choice mode in response to a selection input from said input device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: displaying a selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first appearance indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; operating said system, with said selection cursor having said first appearance in said single choice mode in response to an entry input from said input device; and displaying said selection cursor with a second appearance indicating a change of system operation to said multiple choice mode in response to a selection input from said input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said selection input marks said one of said items as an operator selection in addition to causing said change of system operation to said multiple choice mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising continuing system operation in said multiple choice mode in response to repeated selection inputs from said input device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising processing the first of one or more operator selected items on said list in response to a last selection input followed by an entry input from said input device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said input device is a keyboard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said entry input is the operator depression of a function key on said keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said function key on said keyboard is an Enter key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said selection input is the operator depression of an alphanumeric key on said keyboard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said alphanumeric key is a space bar on said keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said input device is a pointing device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said pointing device is a mouse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said entry and selection inputs are operator depressions of one or more buttons on said mouse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first appearance comprises a shaded bar superimposed over said one of said items.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said shaded bar is a reverse video bar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein shaded bar is a color bar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said second appearance comprises an outline box surrounding said one of said items.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: displaying a list of items to said operator from which one or more of the items are to be selected by said operator for processing; displaying an input device movable, selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first visual characteristic indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; immediately responding in said single choice mode to an entry input from said input device, which entry input occurs in the absence of a preceding choice selection input, by causing immediate processing of a single operator selected item in said list identified by said selection cursor having said first visual characteristic; displaying a selection cursor having a second visual characteristic responsive to said choice selection input from said input device, said second visual characteristic indicating said multiple choice mode; and responding in said multiple choice mode to an entry input from said input device, which entry input succeeds said choice selection input, by causing immediate processing of the first of one or more operator selected items in said list, each of said items having been operator selected by making one or more choice selection inputs with said input device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: displaying a list of items to said operator from which one or more of the items are to be selected by said operator for processing; displaying an input device movable, selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first visual characteristic indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; immediately responding in said single choice mode to an entry input from said input device, which entry input occurs in the absence of a preceding choice selection input, by causing immediate processing of a single operator selected item in said list identified by said selection cursor having said first visual characteristic; displaying a selection cursor having a second visual characteristic responsive to said choice selection input from said input device, said second visual characteristic indicating said multiple choice mode; and responding in said multiple choice mode to an entry input from said input device, which entry input succeeds said choice selection input, by causing immediate processing of the first of one or more operator selected items in said list, each of said items having been operator selected by making one or more choice selection inputs with said input device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: means for displaying a selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first appearance indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; means for operating said system in said single choice mode, with said selection cursor having said first appearance, in response to an entry input from said input device; and means for displaying said selection cursor with a second appearance indicating a change of system operation to said multiple choice mode in response to a selection input from said input device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for providing operator selection of one or more items in a list of items displayed to an operator on a computer system having a display and an input device comprising: means for displaying a selection cursor identifying one of said items and having a first appearance indicating an extended selection field that allows the operator to select said items in at least two different selection modes including a single choice mode and a multiple choice mode; means for operating said system in said single choice mode, with said selection cursor having said first appearance, in response to an entry input from said input device; and means for displaying said selection cursor with a second appearance indicating a change of system operation to said multiple choice mode in response to a selection input from said input device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 18 further comprising means for continuing system operation in said multiple choice mode in response to repeated selection inputs from said input device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising means for processing the first of one or more operator selected items on said list in response to a last selection input followed by an entry input from said input device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said input device is a keyboard.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said input device is a mouse.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said first appearance comprises a shaded bar which overlies said one of said items.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said second appearance comprises an outline box surrounding said one of said items.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |