US5742287A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Context sensitive borders with color variation for user selectable options
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1996-07-17
•
Granted: 1998-04-21
•
Expires: 2016-07-17
Abstract
Abstract Methods, data processing systems and program products for providing user interfaces with context sensitive borders to user selectable options. The context sensitive borders are created by providing a border to a user selectable option comprised of a plurality of picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the picture elements of the border. The borders provided may provide a three dimensional appearance to the user selectable option and the user selectable option may be represented on the screen by an icon. The border may have a different perimeter than the icon corresponding to the user selectable option. The neighboring picture elements from which the border is derived may be adjacent to the border or may be the underlying elements of the border. The color characteristics may be varied by varying brightness and/or saturation.
Inventors
- 👤 David Bruce Lection
- 👤 Mark Edward Molander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment displayed on a display device having a plurality of picture elements, the method comprising the steps of: providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of border picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the border picture elements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment displayed on a display device having a plurality of picture elements, the method comprising the steps of: providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of border picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the border picture elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step further comprises the step of providing a three dimensional appearance to the user selectable option.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the user selectable option is represented on the screen by an icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said providing step further comprises the step of providing a border which has a different perimeter than the icon corresponding to the user selectable option.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a button to designate a user selectable option.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step further comprises the steps of: providing a first border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the first border section are selected to simulate light incident on a surface defined by the first border section; and providing a second border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein the characteristics of picture elements of the second border section are selected to simulate a surface defined by the second border section appearing in a shadow; and wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear three dimensional.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear to be raised from the surrounding background.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the positions of the first and the second border sections are reversed when the user selectable option is selected so as to make the user selectable option appear as a depression in the surrounding background.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprise brightness information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a higher brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a lower brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprises saturation information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a lower saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a higher saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a three dimensional graphical user interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises providing a border to the user selectable option wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements of the background region adjacent the picture elements of the border and are outside the border.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises providing a border to the user selectable option wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements adjacent the picture elements of the border and are within the border.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises providing a border to the user selectable option wherein the neighboring picture elements are the picture elements of the non-varied picture elements of the user interface which correspond to the picture elements of the border.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step provides a first border, the method further comprising: providing at least one additional border comprising picture elements adjacent to the first border, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the at least one additional border are selected based upon the color characteristics of the first border and are selected to enhance the three dimensional appearance of the user selectable option.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step further comprises the step of providing a border which defines a region of the screen wherein a selection made while a pointing device is positioned in the region of the screen within the border selects the user selectable option.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step is preceded by the step of determining the location on the screen pointed to by a pointing device and wherein said providing step further comprises providing the border when said determining step determines that the location pointed to by the pointing device is located inside the region of the screen circumscribed the border.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user selectable options, the method further comprising the step of: determining the location on the screen pointed to by a pointing device; providing borders to the plurality of user selectable options wherein the borders are comprised of picture elements and wherein color characteristics of the picture elements of the borders are defined by varying the color characteristics from the picture elements which neighbor the picture elements of the borders; and varying the color characteristics of the borders of the user selectable options such that the borders corresponding to the user selectable options in closest proximity on the screen to the location pointed to by the pointing device are the most prominent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises providing a border to the user selectable option wherein the manner in which the color characteristics from the neighboring picture elements is varied is definable by a user.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment displayed on a display device having a plurality of picture elements, the method comprising the steps of: providing a context sensitive border to the user selectable option such that the border is visible without detracting from the appearance of the user interface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment displayed on a display device having a plurality of picture elements, the method comprising the steps of: providing a context sensitive border to the user selectable option such that the border is visible without detracting from the appearance of the user interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said providing step further comprises the step of providing a three dimensional appearance to the user selectable option.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein the user selectable option is represented on the screen by an icon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein said providing step further comprises the step of providing a border which has a different perimeter than the icon corresponding to the user selectable option.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
136 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein said providing step further comprises the steps of: providing a first border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the first border section are selected to simulate light incident on a surface defined by the first border section; and providing a second border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein the characteristics of picture elements of the second border section are selected to simulate a surface defined by the second border section appearing in a shadow; and wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear three dimensional.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 24, wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear to be raised from the surrounding background.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 25, wherein the positions of the first and the second border sections are reversed when the user selectable option is selected so as to make the user selectable option appear as a depression in the surrounding background.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment comprising: a display device having a plurality of picture elements which define the appearance of the user interface environment; and means for providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the picture elements of the border.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for of displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment comprising: a display device having a plurality of picture elements which define the appearance of the user interface environment; and means for providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the picture elements of the border.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said means for providing further comprises means for providing a three dimensional appearance to the user selectable option.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the user selectable option is represented on the screen by an icon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said means for providing provides a border which has a different perimeter than the icon corresponding to the user selectable option.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising means for providing a button to designate a user selectable option.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
138 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said means for providing further comprises: means for providing a first border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the first border section are selected to simulate light incident on a surface defined by the first border section; and means for providing a second border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein the characteristics of picture elements of the second border section are selected to simulate a surface defined by the second border section appearing in a shadow; and wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear three dimensional.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said means for providing a first border section and said means for providing a second border section position said first and said second border sections about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear to be raised from the surrounding background.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said means for providing a first border section and said means for providing a second border section reverse the positions of the first and the second border sections when the user selectable option is selected so as to make the user selectable option appear as a depression in the surrounding background.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprises brightness information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a higher brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a lower brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprises saturation information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a lower saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a higher saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the user interface comprises a three dimensional graphical user interface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements of the background region adjacent the picture elements of the border and are outside the border.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements adjacent the picture elements of the border and are within the border.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the neighboring picture elements are the picture elements of the non-varied picture elements of the user interface which correspond to the picture elements of the border.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said means for providing provides a first border, said apparatus further comprising: means for providing at least one additional border comprising picture elements adjacent to the first border, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the at least one additional border are selected based upon the color characteristics of the first border.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the border provided by said means for providing defines a region of the screen, said apparatus further comprising: a pointing device for designating a position of the screen based upon user input; and wherein a selection made while a pointing device is positioned in the region of the screen within the border selects the user selectable option.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: a pointing device for designating a location on the screen based on user input; means for determining the location on the screen pointed to by said pointing device; and wherein said means for providing further comprises means for providing the border when said means for determining determines that the location pointed to by said pointing device is located inside the region of the screen circumscribed the border.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
141 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user selectable options, the apparatus further comprising: a pointing device for designating a location on the screen based on user input; means for determining the location on the screen pointed to by said pointing device; means for providing borders to the plurality of user selectable options wherein the borders are comprised of picture elements and wherein color characteristics of the picture elements of the borders are defined by varying the color characteristics from the picture elements which neighbor the picture elements of the borders; and means for varying the color characteristics of the borders of the user selectable options such that the borders corresponding to the user selectable options in closest proximity on the screen to the location determined by said determining means are the most prominent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising user input means for defining the manner in which the color characteristics from the neighboring picture elements are varied.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer program product for displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code means comprising: computer readable program code means for displaying a plurality of picture elements on a display device; and computer readable program code means for providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the picture elements of the border.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer program product for displaying a user selectable option in a user interface environment, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code means comprising: computer readable program code means for displaying a plurality of picture elements on a display device; and computer readable program code means for providing a border to the user selectable option comprised of a plurality of picture elements wherein color characteristics from picture elements neighboring the border are varied to define the color characteristics of the picture elements of the border.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein said computer readable program code means for providing further comprises computer readable program code means for providing a three dimensional appearance to the user selectable option.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, wherein the user selectable option is represented on the screen by an icon.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer program product according to claim 48, wherein said computer readable program code means for providing provides a border which has a different perimeter than the icon corresponding to the user selectable option.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, further comprising computer readable program code means for providing a button to designate a user selectable option.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
152 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein said computer readable program code means for providing further comprises: computer readable program code means for providing a first border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the first border section are selected to simulate light incident on a surface defined by the first border section; and computer readable program code means for providing a second border section comprised of picture elements circumscribing less than the total perimeter of the user selectable option, wherein the characteristics of picture elements of the second border section are selected to simulate a surface defined by the second border section appearing in a shadow; and wherein the first and the second border sections are positioned about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear three dimensional.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein said computer readable program code means for providing a first border section and said computer readable program code means for providing a second border section position said first and said second border sections about the user selectable option so as to make the user selectable option appear to be raised from the surrounding background.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer program product according to claim 52, wherein said computer readable program code means for providing a first border section and said computer readable program code means for providing a second border section reverse the positions of the first and the second border sections when the user selectable option is selected so as to make the user selectable option appear as a depression in the surrounding background.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprises brightness information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a higher brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a lower brightness than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein said color characteristics of the neighboring picture elements comprises saturation information and wherein the picture elements of the first border section have a lower saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the first border section and wherein the picture elements of the second border section have a higher saturation than the neighboring picture elements of the second border section.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein the user interface comprises a three dimensional graphical user interface.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements of the background region adjacent the picture elements of the border and are outside the border.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein the neighboring picture elements comprise picture elements adjacent the picture elements of the border and are within the border.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein the neighboring picture elements are the picture elements of the non-varied picture elements of the user interface which correspond to the picture elements of the border.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, wherein said computer readable program code means for providing provides a first border, said computer program product further comprising: computer readable program code means for providing at least one additional border comprising picture elements adjacent to the first border, wherein color characteristics of picture elements of the at least one additional border are selected based upon the color characteristics of the first border.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, wherein the border provided by said computer readable program code means for providing defines a region of the screen, and wherein a selection made while a pointing device is positioned in the region of the screen within the border selects the user selectable option.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, further comprising: computer readable program code means for determining the location on the screen pointed to by a pointing device; and wherein said computer readable program code means for providing further comprises computer readable program code means for providing the border when said computer readable program code means for determining determines that the location pointed to by said pointing device is located inside the region of the screen circumscribed the border.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer program product according to claim 46 wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user selectable options, the computer program product further comprising: computer readable program code means for determining the location on the screen pointed to by a pointing device; computer readable program code means for providing borders to the plurality of user selectable options wherein the borders are comprised of picture elements and wherein color characteristics of the picture elements of the borders are defined by varying the color characteristics from the picture elements which neighbor the picture elements of the borders; and computer readable program code means for varying the color characteristics of the borders of the user selectable options such that the borders corresponding to the user selectable options in closest proximity on the screen to the location determined by said determining computer readable program code means are the most prominent.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer program product according to claim 46, further comprising user input computer readable program code means for defining the manner in which the color characteristics from the neighboring picture elements are varied.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |