US5325481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for creating dynamic user panels in an iconic programming system
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-12
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Granted: 1994-06-28
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Expires: 2011-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A system that allows a programmer or user to dynamically create a user panel, including selecting the icons, for an iconic network program, or part of an iconic network program, within an iconic programming environment. The programmer or user may select a show-on-execute option for the panel which causes the panel to be displayed when any one of the icons within the panel is processed by the iconic programming system. The panel may also be secured by removing all panel options that would allow any change to the panel or the iconic network program.
Inventors
- 👤 William I. Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In an iconic programming system process executing in an operating environment, wherein said iconic programming system process contains an existing network of connected icons, a computer implemented method for dynamically creating a user panel, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting input from a user of said iconic programming system process to request creation for a user panel, wherein said user panel contains a subset of icons from said network of connected icons; (b) if said user panel has been previously created, continuing with step (d); (c) selecting an area of a graphics display device connected to said iconic programming system process for use as said user panel; (d) accepting user input to arbitrarily select at least one icon from said existing network of connected icons; (e) placing copies of said at least one icon selected in step (d) on said user panel, while retaining any connections between said at least one icon and other icons within said existing network of connected icons; and (f) displaying said user panel in said area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In an iconic programming system process executing in an operating environment, wherein said iconic programming system process contains an existing network of connected icons, a computer implemented method for dynamically creating a user panel, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting input from a user of said iconic programming system process to request creation for a user panel, wherein said user panel contains a subset of icons from said network of connected icons; (b) if said user panel has been previously created, continuing with step (d); (c) selecting an area of a graphics display device connected to said iconic programming system process for use as said user panel; (d) accepting user input to arbitrarily select at least one icon from said existing network of connected icons; (e) placing copies of said at least one icon selected in step (d) on said user panel, while retaining any connections between said at least one icon and other icons within said existing network of connected icons; and (f) displaying said user panel in said area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) if said at least one icon is not completely visible within boundaries of said user panel, programmatically moving said at least one icon until said at least one icon is completely visible within said boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) allowing a user of said iconic programming system to move said at least one icon within boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) allowing a user of said iconic programming system to adjust a size of said at least one icon within boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (g) if said user panel is connected to a user object, accepting user input to set a show-on-execut flag for said user panel; and (h) when processing said iconic network, displaying said user panel only if said show-on-exec flag is set and an icon within said user object is processed by performing data processing functions represented by said icon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (g) if a user select an option to secure a user panel, removing all means from said user panel that would allow said user panel or said existing network of connected icons to be modified.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (g) if said user panel is connected to a user object, accepting user input to programmatically connect said user panel to a panel containing said user object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an iconic programming system process executing in an operating environment, wherein said iconic programming system process contains an existing network of connected icons, a computer implemented method for dynamically creating a user panel, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting input from a user of said iconic programming system process to request creation of a user panel, wherein said user panel contains a subset of icons from said network of connected icons; (b) if said user panel has been previously created, continuing with step (d); (c) selecting an area of a graphics display device connected to said iconic programming system process for use as said user panel; (d) accepting user input to arbitrarily select at least one icon from said existing network of connected icons; (e) placing copies of said at least one icon selected in step (d) on said user panel, while retaining any connections between said at least one icon and other icons within said existing network of connected icons; (f) if said user panel is connected to a user object, accepting user input to set a show-on-execute flag for said user panel; and (g) when processing said iconic network, displaying said user panel only if said show-on-execute flag is set and an icon within said object is processed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an iconic programming system process executing in an operating environment, wherein said iconic programming system process contains an existing network of connected icons, a computer implemented method for dynamically creating a user panel, said computer implemented method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting input from a user of said iconic programming system process to request creation of a user panel, wherein said user panel contains a subset of icons from said network of connected icons; (b) if said user panel has been previously created, continuing with step (d); (c) selecting an area of a graphics display device connected to said iconic programming system process for use as said user panel; (d) accepting user input to arbitrarily select at least one icon from said existing network of connected icons; (e) placing copies of said at least one icon selected in step (d) on said user panel, while retaining any connections between said at least one icon and other icons within said existing network of connected icons; (f) if said user panel is connected to a user object, accepting user input to set a show-on-execute flag for said user panel; and (g) when processing said iconic network, displaying said user panel only if said show-on-execute flag is set and an icon within said object is processed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 8 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) if said at least icon is not completely visible within boundaries of said user panel, moving said at least one icon until said at least one icon is completely visible within said boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 8 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) allowing a user of said iconic programming system to programmatically move said at least one icon within boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 8 wherein step (e) further comprises the step of: (e1) allowing a user of said iconic programming system to resize said at least one icon within boundaries of said user panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: (g) if a user select an option to secure a user panel, removing all means from said user panel that would allow said user panel or said existing network of connected icons to be modified.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 8 wherein step (f) further comprises the step of: (f1) if said user panel is connected to a user object, accepting user input to programmatically connect said user panel to a panel containing said user object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-27 | 1997-12-27 | 1998-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-27 | 2001-12-27 | 2002-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-12-27 | 2006-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |