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US5677708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for displaying a list on a display screen
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-05-05
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Granted: 1997-10-14
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Expires: 2015-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for displaying a list of items containing information or alternative choices associated with a subscriber service of an interactive network system. At least one item in the list is displayed in its entirety. The items at the border of the list are only partially displayed to give the user an indication that the list extends beyond the borders of the list. Additional list items can be displayed by scrolling the list by manipulating a directional control on a remote control unit that operates in conjunction with a set-top terminal of the interactive system. An item in the list, or another control object on the display screen, is highlighted in a manner to give the user a visible indication that the list can be scrolled, or shifted, within the display to display new items in the list and remove previously displayed items.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph H. Matthews, III
- 👤 JoGene Kapell
- 👤 Keith Lindsey Rowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4314; H04N21/4316; H04N21/47; H04N21/475; H04N21/4755; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In connection with an interactive network system, a method for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen, comprising the steps of: displaying a first control object on said display screen; displaying a list comprising at least three alteratively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In connection with an interactive network system, a method for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen, comprising the steps of: displaying a first control object on said display screen; displaying a list comprising at least three alteratively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a focus frame within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said fist control object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said focus frame is positioned on one item displayed in said first control object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes displaying said item in a different color than surrounding items.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes displaying graphics associated with said item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes magnification of said item compared to surrounding items.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said visual indication includes arrow tabs appended to said focus frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said focus frame is static and remains in a constant position relative to said first control object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said focus frame is dynamic and shifts relative to said first control object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first control object extends to at least two borders of said display screen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein at least two items displayed at two borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: scrolling items in the list through said focus frame until a desired item is displayed within said focus frame; and selecting said item within said focus frame to initiate a function associated with said item.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a second and third control object, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said second control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a first direction and said third control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a second direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a second control object, said second control object being able to accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list in each direction.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
A system, in connection with an interactive network system, for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a television display screen, comprising: a first control object displayed on said display screen; and a list, including at least three alternatively selectable items, displayed in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; wherein the items in the list can be scrolled based on input from a user of the interactive network system and wherein one of the plurality of items displayed in the list can be selected based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
127 words
A system, in connection with an interactive network system, for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a television display screen, comprising: a first control object displayed on said display screen; and a list, including at least three alternatively selectable items, displayed in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; wherein the items in the list can be scrolled based on input from a user of the interactive network system and wherein one of the plurality of items displayed in the list can be selected based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising a focus frame displayed within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said first control object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said focus frame is positioned on one item displayed in said first control object.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes displaying said item in a different color than surrounding items.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes displaying graphics associated with said item.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes magnification of said item compared to surrounding items.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said visual indication includes arrow tabs appended to said focus frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said focus frame is static and remains in a constant position relative to said first control object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said focus frame is dynamic and shifts relative to said first control object.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said first control object extends to at least two borders of said display screen.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein at least two items displayed at two borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame and selected by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising a second and third control object displayed on said display screen, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said second control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a first direction and said third control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a second direction.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising a second control object displayed on said display screen, said second control object being able to accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list in each direction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 34 wherein focus can be moved between control objects by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 36 wherein focus can be moved between control objects by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen in connection with an interactive network system, the program comprising instructions which, when executed by the computer, perform the steps of: displaying a first control object on said display screen; displaying a list comprising at least three alternatively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen in connection with an interactive network system, the program comprising instructions which, when executed by the computer, perform the steps of: displaying a first control object on said display screen; displaying a list comprising at least three alternatively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed; scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The medium of claim 39 further comprising displaying a focus frame within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said first control object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medium of claim 40 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medium of claim 40 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medium of claim 39 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein each item displayed at the borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
The medium of claim 39 further comprising displaying a second and third control object, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.
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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) | 2000-10-13 | 2001-04-14 | 2001-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-04-14 | 2005-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-13 | 2009-04-14 | 2009-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |