US5564004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for facilitating the selection of icons
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-04-13
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Granted: 1996-10-08
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Expires: 2014-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for facilitating the selection of icons. Those icons which are next likely to be used are selected and automatically moved towards a cursor thereby facilitating selection of the icons. Additionally, those icons likely to be used or other icons selected by a user may track the cursor such that those icons are always close to the cursor and capable of being easily selected. Further, in order to facilitate selection of icons, icons are provided with the capability of announcing themselves when a cursor comes close to the icon. In addition, it is possible to reduce the amount of clutter on a computer display so that icons may be easily selected. In order to clean up a computer display, icons which are least likely to be used are faded, eliminated or shrunk to a smaller size. In another embodiment, icons that are not used very often may disappear into a master icon and further, icons which have a conceptual relationship between them may be linked by a visual graphical representation.
Inventors
- 👤 Bertrand M. Grossman
- 👤 James G. McLean
- 👤 Clifford A. Pickover
- 👤 Michael S. Schwartz
- 👤 Daniel J. Winarski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F3/04895; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04817; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842; G06F3/04845; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/977
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are selected; and automatically moving said one or more likely icons towards a cursor located on said computer display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are selected; and automatically moving said one or more likely icons towards a cursor located on said computer display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically moving step comprises determining a location of said cursor on said computer display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining step comprises selecting from predefined likeliness criteria said one or more likely icons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of updating said likeliness criteria.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting one of said one or more likely icons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said selecting step comprises: moving said cursor within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; and selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing step comprises determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking said cursor by said one or more likely icons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said tracking comprises: determining a location of said cursor when said cursor moves; and positioning said one or more likely icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising said one or more likely icons announcing itself as it approaches said cursor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for tracking a cursor located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: determining a location on said computer display of said cursor; selecting from a plurality of icons located on said computer display one or more icons to track said cursor; and positioning said one or more icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for tracking a cursor located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: determining a location on said computer display of said cursor; selecting from a plurality of icons located on said computer display one or more icons to track said cursor; and positioning said one or more icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said determining, selecting and positioning steps are repeated each time said cursor moves to a new location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting step comprises: determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are provided; and selecting from said one or more likely icons those icons to track said cursor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting step comprises selecting said one or more icons based on a predefined tracking criteria.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising updating said predefined tracking criteria.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are selected; and means for automatically moving said one or more likely icons towards a cursor located on said computer display.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for facilitating selection of one or more of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are selected; and means for automatically moving said one or more likely icons towards a cursor located on said computer display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said automatically moving means comprises means for determining a location of said cursor on said computer display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said determining means comprises means for selecting from predefined likeliness criteria said one or more likely icons.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 18, further comprising means for updating said likeliness criteria.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 16, further comprising means for selecting one of said one or more likely icons.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said selecting means comprises: means for moving said cursor within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; and means for selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 21, further comprising means for computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing means comprises means for determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16, further comprising means for tracking said cursor by said one or more likely icons.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said tracking means comprises: means for determining a location of said cursor when said cursor moves; and means for positioning said one or more likely icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16, further comprising means for said one or more likely icons announcing itself as it approaches said cursor.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for tracking a cursor located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for determining a location on said computer display of said cursor; means for selecting from a plurality of icons located on said computer display one or more icons to track said cursor; and means for positioning said one or more icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for tracking a cursor located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for determining a location on said computer display of said cursor; means for selecting from a plurality of icons located on said computer display one or more icons to track said cursor; and means for positioning said one or more icons within a predetermined distance from said location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 26, wherein said selecting means comprises: means for determining which of said plurality of icons are next likely to be used, such that one or more likely icons are provided; and means for selecting from said one or more likely icons those icons to track said cursor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 26, wherein said selecting means comprises means for selecting said one or more icons based on a predefined tracking criteria.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 28, further comprising means for updating said predefined tracking criteria.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance; and computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing step comprises determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said method comprising the steps of: moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance; and computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing step comprises determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said icon is selected when said cursor is located within said Voronoi polygon.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; means for selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance; and means for computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing means comprises means for determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for facilitating selection of one of a plurality of icons located on a computer display, said system comprising: means for moving a cursor located on said computer display within a predetermined distance from an icon to be selected, said predetermined distance being close to, but not touching said icon; means for selecting said icon when said cursor has moved within said predetermined distance; and means for computing said predetermined distance wherein said computing means comprises means for determining a Voronoi polygon associated with said icon to be selected.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32, wherein said icon is selected when said cursor is located within said Voronoi polygon.
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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) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |