US5710897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manager for selecting a pointer graphics folder and customizing pointers
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-15
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Granted: 1998-01-20
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Expires: 2015-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A pointer graphics manager is operating in a data processing system under a graphical user interface. The pointer graphics manager includes a pointer graphics editor for allowing an end user to edit the appearance of any of a plurality of pointer graphics displayed by the graphical user interface. Further, the graphics manager includes a pointer graphic selector for allowing the end user to select a change any of the individual pointer graphics or any set of pointer graphics within the plurality of pointer graphics. Within the pointer graphics, each pointer graphic represents a unique system operation and changes one from another depending upon the location of the device pointer while being displayed. Typically, the plurality of pointer graphics constitutes a device pointer file and are grouped as a pointer set. Several sets of pointer graphics are selectable by the pointer graphics selector. The pointer graphics manager further includes a default pointer set selector that allows the end user to restore any changed plurality of pointer graphics to a pre-edited condition or to a default set, whichever is desired by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira H. Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a data processing system operating under a graphical user interface, which provides for a device pointer operable on said data processing system, said device pointer having a plurality of pointer graphics, which each represents a unique system operation and changes one from another depending upon the location of said device pointer, a pointer graphics manager comprising: a pointer graphics editor whereby an end-user can edit the appearance of any of said plurality of pointer graphics displayed by said graphical user interface; a plurality of folders, each of said plurality of folders containing a set of pointer graphics; and a pointer graphics selector for selecting a particular one of said plurality of folders and for automatically utilizing a set of pointer graphics contained therein for said device pointer for each unique system operation wherein an end-user can select an entire set of pointer graphics by selecting a single folder among said plurality of folders.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a data processing system operating under a graphical user interface, which provides for a device pointer operable on said data processing system, said device pointer having a plurality of pointer graphics, which each represents a unique system operation and changes one from another depending upon the location of said device pointer, a pointer graphics manager comprising: a pointer graphics editor whereby an end-user can edit the appearance of any of said plurality of pointer graphics displayed by said graphical user interface; a plurality of folders, each of said plurality of folders containing a set of pointer graphics; and a pointer graphics selector for selecting a particular one of said plurality of folders and for automatically utilizing a set of pointer graphics contained therein for said device pointer for each unique system operation wherein an end-user can select an entire set of pointer graphics by selecting a single folder among said plurality of folders.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said device pointer is a mouse pointer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a text pointer used only within an entry field of said graphical user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a wait pointer used only when said data processing system cannot accept any input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a size pointer used when said device pointer device moves over an upper-left or lower-right corner of a sizeable window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a size pointer used when said device pointer device moves over an upper-right or lower-left corner of a sizeable window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a size pointer used when said device pointer device moves over a right or left border of a sizeable window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a size pointer used when said device pointer device moves over a top or bottom border of a sizeable window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is a move pointer used to indicate when a window can be moved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of pointer graphics is an illegal pointer used when an object is placed with said device pointer over an unacceptable location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4984152A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-07-21 | 2002-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-19 | 2005-07-21 | 2006-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-19 | 2009-07-21 | 2010-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |