US5757358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for enhancing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects through dynamic selection area and constant visual feedback
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2015-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enhancing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects reduces required cursor travel distance to an object by increasing the effective object selection area without enlarging the displayed size of either the object symbology or cursor. This is done through the constant computation of a "selectable" cursor target, which is the object closest to the current cursor position on a computer-display. The distance to all display symbols is computed in real-time as a cursor is moved. The system identifies the "selectable" object by providing a visual indication to the computer-user of the closest object to the cursor before a computer-user selection action is made. A computer-user selection confirmation action, such as the depressing of a mouse switch, erases the "selectable" object identifier and displays a visual indication that the object is a "selected" object. Object selection speed and accuracy is improved by the application of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn A. Osga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to a computer user controlled cursor; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer displayed object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to a computer user controlled cursor; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer displayed object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of visually distinguishing said closest computer-displayed object from other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said step of visually distinguishing said closest computer-displayed object includes highlighting said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a color of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes displaying said closest computer-displayed object in inverse video.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a border color of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a border of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a background appearance of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a dimension of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the arrangement of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is not predefined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining which of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor includes: applying the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the distance from said computer user controlled cursor to each computer-displayed object of said plurality of computer-displayed objects; and identifying said closest computer-displayed object as that computer-displayed object that is at the smallest distance found by said step of applying the Pythagorean Theorem.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining which of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor includes: applying the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the distance from said computer user controlled cursor to at least one of said computer-displayed objects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining which of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor includes: using a trigonometric function to determine the distance from said computer user controlled cursor to at least one of said computer-displayed objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 in which said trigonometric function is the Law of Cosines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 in which said trigonometric function is the Law of Sines.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for categorizing computer-displayed objects comprising: means for determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled displayed cursor; and means for enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer displayed object.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for categorizing computer-displayed objects comprising: means for determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled displayed cursor; and means for enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer displayed object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 in which said closest computer-displayed object is visually distinguished from other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of visually distinguishing said closest computer-displayed object includes highlighting said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the arrangement of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is not predefined.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for facilitating computer-user selection of one of a plurality of computer-displayed objects comprising the steps of: determining which of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to a user-controlled cursor; marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually distinguish it from other computer-displayed objects; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance from said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for facilitating computer-user selection of one of a plurality of computer-displayed objects comprising the steps of: determining which of said plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to a user-controlled cursor; marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually distinguish it from other computer-displayed objects; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance from said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for facilitating computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects comprising the steps of: determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled cursor; marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually signify that said closest computer-displayed object is selectable by said computer-user; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance from said closest computer-displayed object through the action of switching a selection switch.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for facilitating computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects comprising the steps of: determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled cursor; marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually signify that said closest computer-displayed object is selectable by said computer-user; and enabling said closest computer-displayed object to be selected by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance from said closest computer-displayed object through the action of switching a selection switch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 21 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said computer-user, said method further including the step of: marking said selected closest computer-displayed object to visually signify that said closest computer-displayed object has been selected.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 21 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said computer-user, said method further including the step of: visually changing said selected closest computer-displayed object to signify that said closest computer-displayed object has been selected.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for easing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects comprising: means for determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled displayed cursor; means for visually distinguishing the closest computer-displayed object from other computer-displayed objects; and means for making said closest computer-displayed object eligible for selection by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for easing computer-user selection of computer-displayed objects comprising: means for determining which computer-displayed object is closest to a user-controlled displayed cursor; means for visually distinguishing the closest computer-displayed object from other computer-displayed objects; and means for making said closest computer-displayed object eligible for selection by said computer-user without regard to whether said cursor is within a predetermined distance of said closest computer-displayed object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 further including: means for marking said closest computer-displayed object when said closest computer-displayed object has been selected.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 further including: means for visually changing said closest computer-displayed object to signify that said closest computer-displayed object has been selected.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
81 words
A method in which placement of a user-controlled cursor within an object selection area coupled with a selection action by said user will select a computer-displayed object within said object selection area, said method comprising the steps of: determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor; and defining said object selection area based upon the distance of said closest computer-displayed object with respect to other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
81 words
A method in which placement of a user-controlled cursor within an object selection area coupled with a selection action by said user will select a computer-displayed object within said object selection area, said method comprising the steps of: determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor; and defining said object selection area based upon the distance of said closest computer-displayed object with respect to other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 27 further including the step of: marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually distinguish it from said other computer-displayed objects.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 28 in which said closest computer-displayed object is marked to visually indicate that it is selectable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 28 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said selection action of said user and in which said closest computer-displayed object is marked to visually indicate that it has been selected.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 28 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said selection action of said user and in which said closest computer-displayed object is visually changed to indicate that it has been selected.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus in which placement of a user-controlled cursor within an object selection area coupled with a selection action by said user will select a computer-displayed object within said object selection area, said apparatus comprising: means for determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor; and means for defining said object selection area based upon the distance of said closest computer-displayed object with respect to other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus in which placement of a user-controlled cursor within an object selection area coupled with a selection action by said user will select a computer-displayed object within said object selection area, said apparatus comprising: means for determining which of a plurality of computer-displayed objects is closest to said computer user controlled cursor; and means for defining said object selection area based upon the distance of said closest computer-displayed object with respect to other computer-displayed objects of said plurality of computer-displayed objects.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 32 further including: means for marking said closest computer-displayed object to visually distinguish it from said other computer-displayed object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 in which said closest computer-displayed object is marked to visually indicate that it is selectable.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 34 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said selection action of said user and in which said closest computer-displayed object is marked to visually indicate that it has been selected.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 34 in which said closest computer-displayed object is selected by said selection action of said user and in which said closest computer-displayed object is visually changed to indicate that it has been selected.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
46 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining which object of a plurality of objects appearing on a computer display is closest to a computer cursor; and enabling said object to be selected without regard to whether said object is within a predetermined distance from said cursor.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
46 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining which object of a plurality of objects appearing on a computer display is closest to a computer cursor; and enabling said object to be selected without regard to whether said object is within a predetermined distance from said cursor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 32 further comprising the step of visually distinguishing said object determined to have the least distance from said cursor from other objects of said plurality of objects appearing on said computer display.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 37 in which the arrangement of said plurality of computer objects is not predefined.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 38 in which said closest computer object is selected, said method further including the step of visually marking said selected closest computer object to signify that said closest computer object is selected.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus comprising: means for determining which object of a plurality of objects appearing on a computer display is closest to a computer cursor; and means for enabling said object to be selected without regard to whether said object is within a predetermined distance from said cursor.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus comprising: means for determining which object of a plurality of objects appearing on a computer display is closest to a computer cursor; and means for enabling said object to be selected without regard to whether said object is within a predetermined distance from said cursor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising: means for visually distinguishing said object determined to have the least distance from said cursor from other objects of said plurality of objects appearing on said computer display.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 42 in which said closest computer object is selected, said apparatus further including: means for visually marking said selected closest computer object to signify that said closest computer object is selected.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
54 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining the distance between graphic objects appearing on a display screen and a cursor appearing on said display screen without regard to whether said objects are within a predetermined distance from said cursor; and visually distinguishing a graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
54 words
A method comprising the steps of: determining the distance between graphic objects appearing on a display screen and a cursor appearing on said display screen without regard to whether said objects are within a predetermined distance from said cursor; and visually distinguishing a graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 in which the arrangement of said graphic objects is not predefined.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a color of said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes displaying said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor in inverse video.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a border color of said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a border of said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a background appearance of said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said step of visually distinguishing includes changing a dimension of said graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus comprising: means for determining the distance between graphic objects appearing on a display screen and a cursor appearing on said display screen without regard to whether said objects are within a predetermined distance from said cursor; and means for visually distinguishing a graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus comprising: means for determining the distance between graphic objects appearing on a display screen and a cursor appearing on said display screen without regard to whether said objects are within a predetermined distance from said cursor; and means for visually distinguishing a graphic object determined to have the least distance from said cursor.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |