US5644739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for adding buttons to a toolbar
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-01-27
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Granted: 1997-07-01
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Expires: 2015-01-27
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a system and method for intuitively adding a button or other type of control to a toolbar or other region for holding the same. A control is added by dragging an object to a region for holding controls and dropping the object at the desired location of the control in the region. In response to the object being dropped in the region for holding controls, a control is created and bound to an operation of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth Ann Moursund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for adding a control to a region for holding controls, comprising the steps of: displaying a region for holding controls; displaying a container including a plurality of objects of a predetermined type; identifying a default operation associated with the plurality of objects in the container; detecting the selection and movement of one of the plurality of objects; detecting the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, creating a control in the region for holding controls; and associating the control with the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the selected object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for adding a control to a region for holding controls, comprising the steps of: displaying a region for holding controls; displaying a container including a plurality of objects of a predetermined type; identifying a default operation associated with the plurality of objects in the container; detecting the selection and movement of one of the plurality of objects; detecting the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, creating a control in the region for holding controls; and associating the control with the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the selected object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects represent data files of a predetermined type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the default operation includes viewing files corresponding to the displayed objects.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining the position of the selected object; and in response to the selected object being positioned over the region for holding controls, displaying a positive icon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining the position of the selected object; and in response to the selected object being positioned over an area in which the object cannot be placed, displaying a negative icon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for adding a control to a region for holding controls, the computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: displaying a region for holding controls; displaying a plurality of objects of a predetermined type; identifying a default operation associated with the plurality of objects; detecting the selection and movement of one of the plurality of objects; detecting the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, creating a control in the region for holding controls; and associating the control with the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the selected object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for adding a control to a region for holding controls, the computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: displaying a region for holding controls; displaying a plurality of objects of a predetermined type; identifying a default operation associated with the plurality of objects; detecting the selection and movement of one of the plurality of objects; detecting the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, creating a control in the region for holding controls; and associating the control with the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the selected object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the plurality of objects represent data files of a predetermined type.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the default operation includes viewing files corresponding to the displayed objects.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: determining the position of the selected object; and in response to the selected object being positioned over the region for holding controls, displaying a positive icon as a cursor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: determining the position of the selected object; and in response to the selected object being positioned over an area in which the moved object cannot be placed, displaying a negative cursor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer system for adding a control to a region for holding controls, comprising: a processing unit; an input device connected to the processing unit; and a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying the region for holding controls; the processing unit, responsive to instructions from a program module running on the computer system, being operative to: display the region for holding controls; display a container including a plurality of objects representing data files of a predetermined type; identify a default operation associated with the data files represented by the plurality of objects; detect the selection of one of the plurality of objects; detect the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, create a control in the region for holding controls; and bind the control to the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the data file represented by the selected object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer system for adding a control to a region for holding controls, comprising: a processing unit; an input device connected to the processing unit; and a display device coupled to the processing unit for displaying the region for holding controls; the processing unit, responsive to instructions from a program module running on the computer system, being operative to: display the region for holding controls; display a container including a plurality of objects representing data files of a predetermined type; identify a default operation associated with the data files represented by the plurality of objects; detect the selection of one of the plurality of objects; detect the placement of the selected object; in response to the placement of the selected object in the region for holding controls, create a control in the region for holding controls; and bind the control to the default operation and the selected object, whereby subsequent actuation of the control results in the default operation being performed on the data file represented by the selected object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system recited in claim 11, wherein the default operation includes viewing files corresponding to the displayed objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer system recited in claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further operative to: determine the position of the placed object; and in response to the placed object being positioned over the region for holding controls, display a positive icon as a cursor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system recited in claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further operative to: determine the position of the placed object; and in response to the placed object being positioned over an area in which the object cannot be placed, display a negative cursor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5287448A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |