US5515486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method, apparatus and memory for directing a computer system to display a multi-axis rotatable, polyhedral-shape panel container having front panels for displaying objects
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-16
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2014-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented method, a uniquely programmed computer system, and a memory embodying detailed logic for directing a computer system to independently rotate a polyhedron display container about several axis. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of displaying a panel container on a display and, in response to a first command from user controls to select a first front panel in the panel container, horizontally rotating the first front panel to a central column if the first front panel is not in the central column. The method also includes the step of in response to the first command to select a second front panel, vertically rotating the second front panel to the central row if the second front panel is not in the central row.
Inventors
- 👤 Hatim Y. Amro
- 👤 Troy L. Cline
- 👤 Scott H. Isensee
- 👤 Ricky L. Poston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04815; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04845; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/177; G06F40/18; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/60; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04802; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A computer-implemented method for displaying a multi-axis rotatable, polyhedral-shaped panel container, the panel container having a front panel for displaying objects, the sides organized in a plurality of rotatable rows of panels and columns of panels, the panel container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at the front panel, comprising the steps of: displaying said panel container on a display; in response to a first command from user controls to select a first panel in said panel container, horizontally rotating said first panel to said central column if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command from said user controls to select a second panel, if said second panel is in said central column, vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer-implemented method for displaying a multi-axis rotatable, polyhedral-shaped panel container, the panel container having a front panel for displaying objects, the sides organized in a plurality of rotatable rows of panels and columns of panels, the panel container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at the front panel, comprising the steps of: displaying said panel container on a display; in response to a first command from user controls to select a first panel in said panel container, horizontally rotating said first panel to said central column if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command from said user controls to select a second panel, if said second panel is in said central column, vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: in response to a second command from said user controls to select a third panel, if said third panel is not in said central column and said central row, diagonally rotating said third panel such that said third panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 2, wherein said step of diagonally rotating said third panel if said third panel is not in said central column and said central row comprises the following steps: diagonally rotating said front panel from a central front panel position in a rotational direction of said third panel; and diagonally rotating an additional panel to the previous position of said third panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 2 wherein said second command comprises a double click from a mouse over empty space of said third panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: horizontally rotating a fourth front panel positioned adjacent to said first panel in a horizontal rotational direction of said first panel; and vertically rotating a fifth front panel positioned adjacent to said second panel in a vertical rotational direction of said second panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of placing object icons within said first and second panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 wherein said first command comprises a single click from a mouse over empty space of said first or second panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a workspace switch within said first or second panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A computer system for displaying a multi-axis rotatable, polyhedral-shaped panel container for displaying computer objects, the panel container having a front panel for displaying objects, the sides organized in a plurality of rotatable rows of panels and columns of panels, the front panel container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at the front panel, comprising: user controls; a processor for receiving a first command from said user controls to select a first panel in said panel container; in response to said first command, said processor for horizontally rotating said first panel to said central column if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command to select a second panel, if said second panel is in said central column, said processor for vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A computer system for displaying a multi-axis rotatable, polyhedral-shaped panel container for displaying computer objects, the panel container having a front panel for displaying objects, the sides organized in a plurality of rotatable rows of panels and columns of panels, the front panel container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at the front panel, comprising: user controls; a processor for receiving a first command from said user controls to select a first panel in said panel container; in response to said first command, said processor for horizontally rotating said first panel to said central column if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command to select a second panel, if said second panel is in said central column, said processor for vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system according to claim 9 further comprising: in response to a second command from said user controls to select a third panel, said processor for diagonally rotating said third panel to become said front panel if said third panel is not in said central column and said central row.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer system according to claim 10, further comprising: said processor for diagonally rotating said front panel from a central front panel position in a rotational direction of said third panel; and said processor for diagonally rotating an additional front panel to the previous position of said third panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system according to claim 10 wherein said second command comprises a double click from a mouse over empty space of said third panel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer system according to claim 9 further comprising the steps of: said processor for horizontally rotating a fourth panel positioned adjacent to said first panel in a horizontal rotational direction of said first panel; and said processor for vertically rotating a fifth front positioned adjacent to said second panel in a vertical rotational direction of said second panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system according to claim 9 further comprising the step of placing object icons within said first and second panels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system according to claim 9 wherein said first command comprises a single click from a mouse over empty space of said first or second panels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system according to claim 9 further comprising said processor for placing a workspace switch within said first or second panels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer-readable memory embodying detailed logic for directing a computer system to independently rotate a multi-sided, polyhedron panel display container about several axis, the panel display container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at a front panel, comprising: first detailed logic for displaying said panel container on a display; in response to a first command from user controls to select a first panel in said panel container, second detailed logic for horizontally rotating said first panel to become said front panel if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command from said user controls to select a second front panel, if said second panel is in said central column, third detailed logic for vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer-readable memory embodying detailed logic for directing a computer system to independently rotate a multi-sided, polyhedron panel display container about several axis, the panel display container having a central row and central column of panels, wherein the central row and central column intersect at a front panel, comprising: first detailed logic for displaying said panel container on a display; in response to a first command from user controls to select a first panel in said panel container, second detailed logic for horizontally rotating said first panel to become said front panel if said first panel is not in said central column; and in response to said first command from said user controls to select a second front panel, if said second panel is in said central column, third detailed logic for vertically rotating said second panel such that said second panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The memory according to claim 17 further comprising: in response to a second command from said user controls to select a third panel, if said third panel is not in said central column and said central row, fourth detailed logic for diagonally rotating said third panel such that said third panel becomes said front panel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
The memory according to claim 18, wherein said fourth detailed logic for diagonally rotating said third panel if said third panel is not in said central column and said central row comprises: fifth detailed logic for diagonally rotating said front panel from a central front panel position in a rotational direction of said third panel; and sixth detailed logic for diagonally rotating an additional panel to the previous position of said third panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The memory according to claim 18 wherein said second command comprises a double click from a mouse over empty space of said third panel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
The memory according to claim 17 further comprising: seventh detailed logic for horizontally rotating a fourth front panel positioned adjacent to said first panel in a horizontal rotational direction of said first panel; and eighth detailed logic for vertically rotating a fifth front panel positioned adjacent to said second panel in a vertical rotational direction of said second panel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The memory according to claim 17 further comprising ninth detailed logic for placing object icons within said first and second panels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The memory according to claim 17 wherein said first command comprises a single click from a mouse over empty space of said first or second panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The memory according to claim 17 further comprising tenth detailed logic for placing a workspace switch within said first or second panel.
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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) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |