US5666499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clickaround tool-based graphical interface with two cursors
Assignee: Alias Systems Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-04
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Granted: 1997-09-09
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Expires: 2015-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A graphical user interface with clickaround tools for enhanced user interaction with an application program utilizing "two-handed" techniques. The "tool-handed" technique provides two displayed cursors controlled by two distinct pointing input devices. Actuation of a secondary input device, corresponding a secondary cursor, provides a tool palette or menu near a displayed primary cursor. This technique allows a user to select and activate tools to perform substantive operations on displayed objects of the application program. The interface allows the user to invoke tools in a fluent and seamless fashion, thus maintaining the user's focus on the substantive operations and not the procedural motions of tool access.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Baudel
- 👤 William A. S. Buxton
- 👤 George W. Fitzmaurice
- 👤 Beverly L. Harrison
- 👤 Gordon P. Kurtenbach
- 👤 Russell N. Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04845; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A system having a graphical user interface in which objects are displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the system comprising: receiving means for receiving information from the primary device and secondary device, wherein said information includes event actuation data and cursor position data; and clickaround tool means for displaying a tool palette having representative tool images in response to an actuation of the secondary device and activating an operation of a selected tool, wherein said clickaround tool means utilizes said cursor position data to display said tool palette with an offset position from the primary cursor and said event actuation data to display said tool palette only while the secondary device is actuated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A system having a graphical user interface in which objects are displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the system comprising: receiving means for receiving information from the primary device and secondary device, wherein said information includes event actuation data and cursor position data; and clickaround tool means for displaying a tool palette having representative tool images in response to an actuation of the secondary device and activating an operation of a selected tool, wherein said clickaround tool means utilizes said cursor position data to display said tool palette with an offset position from the primary cursor and said event actuation data to display said tool palette only while the secondary device is actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said actuation of the secondary device is initiated by depressing a menu button.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said clickaround tool means utilizes said cursor position data and event actuation data from said primary device to select and activate said selected tool, whereby the user indicates said selected tool by positioning the primary cursor on an image of said selected tool and actuates the primary device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said clickaround tool means utilizes said cursor position data and event actuation data from said secondary device to select and activate said selected tool, whereby the user indicates said selected tool by positioning the secondary cursor on an image of said selected tool and deactuates the secondary device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein said tool images are positioned around the center of said tool palette for tool selection by the user by moving the secondary device angularly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising two-handed means for displaying a second tool palette having second representative tool images in response to a second actuation of the secondary device and activating a second operation of a second selected tool in response to an actuation of the primary device, wherein upon a deactuation of the primary device said second tool palette disappears and a ghost shape image is displayed, whereby the user utilizes the primary and secondary cursors to size said ghost shape and wherein said second operation is performed upon a deactivation of the secondary device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising leap-frog menu means moving said tool palette with a single leap toward the secondary cursor when the secondary cursor is moved a substantial distance from said tool palette.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising grab means for attaching the secondary cursor to one of the displayed objects and moving said one of the displayed objects in accordance with movements of the secondary device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising marking menu means for interpreting at least some of said information from the primary device to control a marking menu.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting means for automatically adjusting dominant control, wherein a side of the primary cursor in which said tool palette is displayed is governed by a relative position of the secondary cursor, wherein if the secondary cursor is approximately left of the primary cursor, said tool palette is displayed left of the primary cursor and if the secondary cursor is right of the primary cursor, said tool palette is positioned right of the primary cursor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising audio feedback means for issuing a first audible sound when the secondary cursor position is moved from one of said tool images to another of said tool images and a second audible sound when the secondary cursor is positioned off said tool palette.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said clickaround means is incorporated into an operating system graphical user interface, thereby providing the features of the invention across a plurality of application programs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said tool palette is semi-transparent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
187 words
A computer program product to interact with a graphical user interface having objects displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for enabling the computer system to clickaround tools, said computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable first program code means for enabling the computer system to receive information from the primary device and secondary device, wherein said information includes event actuation data and cursor position data; and computer readable second program code means for enabling the computer system to display a tool palette having representative tool images in response to actuation of the secondary device and activate an operation of a selected tool, wherein said computer readable second program code means utilizes said cursor position data to display said tool palette with an offset position from the primary cursor and said event actuation data to display said tool palette only while the secondary device is actuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
187 words
A computer program product to interact with a graphical user interface having objects displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for enabling the computer system to clickaround tools, said computer readable program code means comprising: computer readable first program code means for enabling the computer system to receive information from the primary device and secondary device, wherein said information includes event actuation data and cursor position data; and computer readable second program code means for enabling the computer system to display a tool palette having representative tool images in response to actuation of the secondary device and activate an operation of a selected tool, wherein said computer readable second program code means utilizes said cursor position data to display said tool palette with an offset position from the primary cursor and said event actuation data to display said tool palette only while the secondary device is actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer readable second program code means utilizes said cursor position data and event actuation data from said primary device to select and activate said selected tool, whereby the user indicates said selected tool by positioning the primary cursor on an image of said selected tool and actuates the primary device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
The computer program product according to claim 14, further comprising computer readable third program code means for enabling the computer system to display a second tool palette having second representative tool images in response to a second actuation of the secondary device and activating a second operation of a second selected tool in response to an actuation of the primary device, wherein upon a deactuation of the primary device said second tool palette disappears and a ghost shape image is displayed, whereby the user utilizes the primary and secondary cursors to size said ghost shape and wherein said second operation is performed upon a deactivation of the secondary device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer program product according to claim 14, further comprising: computer readable fourth program code means for enabling the computer system movies aid tool palette with a single leap toward the secondary cursor when the secondary cursor is moved a substantial distance from said tool palette.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
The computer program product according to claim 14, further comprising computer readable fifth program code means for enabling the computer system to automatically adjust dominant control, wherein a side of the primary cursor in which said tool palette is displayed is governed by a relative position of the secondary cursor, wherein if the secondary cursor is approximately left of the primary cursor, said tool palette is displayed left of the primary cursor and if the secondary cursor is right of the primary cursor, said tool palette is positioned right of the primary cursor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer program product according to claim 14, further comprising computer readable sixth program code means for enabling the computer system to issue a first audible sound when the secondary cursor position is moved from one of said tool images to another of said tool images and a second audible sound when the secondary cursor is positioned off said tool palette.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of providing user interaction with a graphical user interface with objects displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the method comprising steps of: displaying a tool palette having representative tool images in response to an actuation of the secondary device; and activating an operation of a selected tool, wherein said tool palette is displayed with an offset position from the primary cursor and said tool palette is only displayed while the secondary device is actuated.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of providing user interaction with a graphical user interface with objects displayed thereon, wherein a user interacts with the objects using a primary device to control a primary cursor and a secondary device to control a secondary cursor, the method comprising steps of: displaying a tool palette having representative tool images in response to an actuation of the secondary device; and activating an operation of a selected tool, wherein said tool palette is displayed with an offset position from the primary cursor and said tool palette is only displayed while the secondary device is actuated.
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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) | 2000-09-08 | 2001-03-10 | 2001-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-08 | 2005-03-10 | 2005-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-08 | 2009-03-10 | 2009-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |