US5347628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of graphically accessing electronic data
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-01-18
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Granted: 1994-09-13
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Expires: 2010-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A computer system user interface that includes a method of accessing electronic data. The method includes displaying on a computer display screen a control window that includes a perspective view of a work area. The work area includes at least one animated icon that is movable from a closed position to a substantial continuum of open positions. Moving the icon to an open position automatically opens a window on the display screen that contains the data to be accessed. Closing the icon automatically closes the window.
Inventors
- 👤 Susan C. Brewer
- 👤 Kathy A. Brink
- 👤 William H. Krebs, Jr.
- 👤 Robert P. Welch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04817; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/976; Y10S715/977
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method in a data processing system, including a display screen and a user operated device, for graphically accessing electronic data, which comprises the steps of: displaying on said screen a graphical representation of a work area, said work area including at least one icon that is movable in said representation of said work area between a closed position and an open position; operating said device to move said icon to an open position; automatically opening a window on said screen in response to moving said icon to said open position while said icon and representation of said work area remain visible on said screen; and displaying said data in said window.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method in a data processing system, including a display screen and a user operated device, for graphically accessing electronic data, which comprises the steps of: displaying on said screen a graphical representation of a work area, said work area including at least one icon that is movable in said representation of said work area between a closed position and an open position; operating said device to move said icon to an open position; automatically opening a window on said screen in response to moving said icon to said open position while said icon and representation of said work area remain visible on said screen; and displaying said data in said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: operating said device to move said icon to a second open position; and automatically changing the size of said window in response to moving said icon to said second open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: operating said device to move said icon to said closed position; and automatically closing said window in response to moving said icon to said closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said representation of said work area is displayed in a first portion of said screen and said window is displayed in a second portion of said screen.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
104 words
A method in a data processing system, including a display screen, for graphically accessing electronic data, which comprises the steps of: displaying on said screen a graphical representation of a work area, said work area including at least one icon that is movable in said work area between a closed position and an open position; moving said icon to a position; displaying on said screen a window while said icon and work area remain visible on said screen, the size of said window being related to the position of said icon with respect to said closed position; and displaying said data in said window.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method in a data processing system, including a display screen, for graphically accessing electronic data, which comprises the steps of: displaying on said screen a graphical representation of a work area, said work area including at least one icon that is movable in said work area between a closed position and an open position; moving said icon to a position; displaying on said screen a window while said icon and work area remain visible on said screen, the size of said window being related to the position of said icon with respect to said closed position; and displaying said data in said window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said icon represents a drawer having contents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said data includes a list of the contents of said drawer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said icon represents a door.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said data includes a plurality of door icons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said graphical representation of said work area includes a perspective view of an office including office furnishings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said graphical representation is displayed on a first portion of said screen and said window is displayed on a second portion of said screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said icon has a fully open position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein when said icon is in said fully open position, said window is fully open.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein when said icon is in said closed position, said window is closed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said icon is movable to any intermediate position between said closed and fully open positions.
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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) | 1997-09-12 | 1998-03-14 | 1998-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-12 | 2002-03-14 | 2002-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-03-14 | 2006-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |