US5377314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for selective display of overlapping graphic objects in a data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-12-21
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Granted: 1994-12-27
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Expires: 2012-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided for permitting a user of a data processing system to display particular ones of multiple overlapping graphic objects. A subregion within a display is specified by the user. A set of overlapping graphic objects which are at least partially displayed within the subregion is then determined. The specified display order of only these graphic objects which are at least partially displayed with the specified subregion is temporarily altered, in response to a user input.
Inventors
- 👤 Cary L. Bates
- 👤 Jeffrey M. Ryan
- 👤 Byron T. Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/10; G06T15/40; G06T15/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein, said method comprising the data processing implemented steps of: graphically specifying a subregion within said display wherein said subregion consists of a variably sized user-selected portion of said display; determining a set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects which are displayed at least partially within said specified subregion; and thereafter, temporarily altering a specified order of only said determined set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein, said method comprising the data processing implemented steps of: graphically specifying a subregion within said display wherein said subregion consists of a variably sized user-selected portion of said display; determining a set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects which are displayed at least partially within said specified subregion; and thereafter, temporarily altering a specified order of only said determined set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects is completely hidden from view by said plurality of overlapping graphic objects prior to temporarily altering said specified order.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying each of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in said altered specified order on said display, whereby a user may select one of said each of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 3 further comprising the step of restoring said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects to said specified order in response to a user input to said data processing system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 1 wherein said step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises the step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a frequency of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 1 wherein said step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises the step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a length of time of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method in a data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 1 wherein said step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises the step of temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a time of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein, comprising: means for graphically specifying a subregion within said display wherein said subregion consists of a variably sized user-selected portion of said display; means for determining a set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects which are displayed at least partially within said specified subregion; and means for thereafter, temporarily altering a specified order of only said determined set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
A data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein, comprising: means for graphically specifying a subregion within said display wherein said subregion consists of a variably sized user-selected portion of said display; means for determining a set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects which are displayed at least partially within said specified subregion; and means for thereafter, temporarily altering a specified order of only said determined set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects is completely hidden from view by said plurality of overlapping graphic objects prior to temporarily altering said specified order.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 8 further comprising means for displaying each of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in said altered specified order on said display, whereby a user may select one of said each of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 10 further comprising means for restoring said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects to said specified order in response to a user input to said data processing system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 8 wherein said means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a frequency of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 8 wherein said means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a length of time of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
The data processing system having a display and a plurality of overlapping graphic objects displayed therein according to claim 8 wherein said means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system further comprises means for temporarily altering a specified order of said set of said plurality of overlapping graphic objects in accordance with a time of use of each of said plurality of graphic objects, in response to a subsequent user input to said data processing system.
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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) | 1997-12-26 | 1998-06-27 | 1998-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | 2002-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-26 | 2006-06-27 | 2006-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |