US5420976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selecting position-dependent actions of computer applications programs
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1992-11-12
•
Granted: 1995-05-30
•
Expires: 2012-11-12
Abstract
Abstract As user is allowed alternatives for selecting computer application program actions which are dependent on the position of a computer display cursor. If the cursor is located at the position where the action is desired, the computer's user selects a textual or symbolic description of the action, thereby causing the action to be performed at the cursor's position. If the cursor is not located at the desired position, user moves an icon associated with the desired action to the desired position, thereby moving the cursor and causing the action to be performed at the desired position.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Schell
- 👤 Lovie A. Melkus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F40/00; G06F40/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for selecting position-dependent actions of computer applications programs, said method comprising the steps of: a. displaying a direct-manipulation icon adjacent to a textual or symbolic description of each position-dependent action; b. if a cursor on a computer display is at a position within displayed material at which said action is desired, allowing a computer user to place a moveable pointer on said description and to select said action, thereby causing said action to be performed at said cursor position; and c. if said cursor is not at a position within said material at which said action is desired, allowing the computer user to place said pointer on said icon and to move said icon to said desired position, thereby causing said action to be performed at said desired position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for selecting position-dependent actions of computer applications programs, said method comprising the steps of: a. displaying a direct-manipulation icon adjacent to a textual or symbolic description of each position-dependent action; b. if a cursor on a computer display is at a position within displayed material at which said action is desired, allowing a computer user to place a moveable pointer on said description and to select said action, thereby causing said action to be performed at said cursor position; and c. if said cursor is not at a position within said material at which said action is desired, allowing the computer user to place said pointer on said icon and to move said icon to said desired position, thereby causing said action to be performed at said desired position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said description and said icon are displayed on a menu, which menu the computer user may cause to be displayed and cause not to be displayed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: a. if necessary, automatically repositioning said displayed material to enable the computer user to observe said cursor; and b. if necessary, repositioning said displayed material to allow the computer user to move said icon to said desired position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4760386A
Cited
US5157763A
Cited
US5155806A
Cited
US5157768A
Cited
US5230063A
Cited
US5276795A
Cited
US5134560A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-29 | 1998-11-28 | 1999-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-11-28 | 2003-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-29 | 2006-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |