US5761646A — Technique for assisting a user in setting attribu…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 152 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a dialog which includes a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, previewing effects of applying said at least one new attribute by updating the sample with the at least one new attribute before said at least one new attribute is applied to the screen object; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, for setting the selected object to have said at least one new attribute.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 152 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a dialog which includes a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, previewing effects of applying said at least one new attribute by updating the sample with the at least one new attribute before said at least one new attribute is applied to the screen object; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, for setting the selected object to have said at least one new attribute.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps (c) and (d) prior to step (e) for a plurality of additional user inputs for specifying new attributes, whereby the sample is continually updated for each new attribute received.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is a bitmap replica of the screen object.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 1, wherein in step (b), the sample is displayed in a sample window, said window including a surrounding border and a displayed title for identifying the window.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes the substep: displaying a dialog means for receiving user input.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the screen object includes a text object, a graphic object, or a combination thereof.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 177 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, and wherein: the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user dragging a mouse cursor across the screen object for defining a rectangle; and the sample consists of the portion of the screen object contained within the rectangle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 177 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, and wherein: the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user dragging a mouse cursor across the screen object for defining a rectangle; and the sample consists of the portion of the screen object contained within the rectangle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 147 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, wherein the new attributes include foreground and background colors of the screen object.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 147 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, wherein the new attributes include foreground and background colors of the screen object.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 158 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, wherein step (e) includes redrawing the screen object with the at least one new attribute, whereby the screen object appears identical to the sample.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 158 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: (a) in response to user input, selecting a screen object of interest; (b) displaying a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected, the sample being displayed separately from the screen object; (c) receiving additional user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; (d) in response to the additional user input, updating the sample with the at least one new attribute; and (e) in response to last user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, wherein the user input responded to in step (a) includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device, wherein step (e) includes redrawing the screen object with the at least one new attribute, whereby the screen object appears identical to the sample.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 123 words

In a computer system, a method for changing colors of objects displayable on a screen device, the method comprising: in response to user input selecting a screen region having an object of interest; displaying a dialog box having first and second buttons, designated "OK" and "CANCEL"; displaying in the dialog box, separately from the selected screen region, an image, referred to as the sample image, that is a replica of the selected screen region; displaying a color palette in the dialog box; in response to additional user input, selecting a desired color from the palette; re-displaying the sample image with the desired color; and in response to user input signifying clicking the "OK" button, applying the desired color to the object of interest.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 123 words

In a computer system, a method for changing colors of objects displayable on a screen device, the method comprising: in response to user input selecting a screen region having an object of interest; displaying a dialog box having first and second buttons, designated "OK" and "CANCEL"; displaying in the dialog box, separately from the selected screen region, an image, referred to as the sample image, that is a replica of the selected screen region; displaying a color palette in the dialog box; in response to additional user input, selecting a desired color from the palette; re-displaying the sample image with the desired color; and in response to user input signifying clicking the "OK" button, applying the desired color to the object of interest.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 11, wherein step (a) includes the substep: selecting a screen region by choosing two points on a screen device, the two points defining a rectangle bounding the screen region.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the two points are selected in response to signals from a pointing device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the two points are selected in response to signals from a keyboard device.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 11, wherein the sample image is stored as a bitmap.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 11, wherein the color palette includes a plurality of foreground and background colors displayable on the screen device.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 16, wherein the color palette includes scrollbar means for selecting a desired one of the foreground colors and a desired one of the background colors.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 11, further comprising the step: (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until the sample image attains coloration satisfactory to the user.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 18, further comprising the step: (g) redisplaying the object of interest with said coloration.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 136 words

In a computer system, an improved dialog module for assisting a user in setting attributes of objects displayable on a screen device, the improvement comprising: (a) means for displaying an example element of at least one object selected by the user, the example element being displayed separately from the at least one object; (b) means for entering new characteristics desired for the at least one object; (c) means, responsive to the entered new characteristics, for continually displaying the example element updated with the new characteristics, wherein the new characteristics are first applied to the example element, so that the user can preview the new characteristics prior to the new characteristics being applied to the at least one object; and (d) means, responsive to user input, for applying the new characteristics to the at least one object.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 136 words

In a computer system, an improved dialog module for assisting a user in setting attributes of objects displayable on a screen device, the improvement comprising: (a) means for displaying an example element of at least one object selected by the user, the example element being displayed separately from the at least one object; (b) means for entering new characteristics desired for the at least one object; (c) means, responsive to the entered new characteristics, for continually displaying the example element updated with the new characteristics, wherein the new characteristics are first applied to the example element, so that the user can preview the new characteristics prior to the new characteristics being applied to the at least one object; and (d) means, responsive to user input, for applying the new characteristics to the at least one object.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 20, wherein the means for entering includes dialog controls for receiving keyboard and mouse events, wherein said dialog controls are presented in the dialog module at a location separate from the example element.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 20, wherein the object is a screen representation of information stored in the computer system.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 110 words

In a computer system, an improved dialog module for assisting a user in setting attributes of objects displayable on a screen device, the improvement comprising: (a) means for displaying an example element of at least one object selected by the user, the example element being displayed separately from the at least one object; (b) means for entering new characteristics desired for the at least one object; (c) means, responsive to the entered new characteristics, for continually displaying the example element updated with the new characteristics; and (d) means for applying the new characteristics to the at least one object wherein the entered new characteristics include new colors for the object.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 110 words

In a computer system, an improved dialog module for assisting a user in setting attributes of objects displayable on a screen device, the improvement comprising: (a) means for displaying an example element of at least one object selected by the user, the example element being displayed separately from the at least one object; (b) means for entering new characteristics desired for the at least one object; (c) means, responsive to the entered new characteristics, for continually displaying the example element updated with the new characteristics; and (d) means for applying the new characteristics to the at least one object wherein the entered new characteristics include new colors for the object.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 116 words

A computer-aided system for assisting a user in displaying information, the system comprising: a computer having a memory and a processor; means for representing the information as objects on a screen; means, responsive to signals generated by the user, for selecting objects; means for setting new attributes for selected objects; means for displaying example elements that are replica images of selected objects separately from the selected objects; means for previewing effects of the new attributes by setting the example elements to have the new attributes before the selected objects are set to have the new attributes; and means, responsive to additional signals generated by the user, for setting the selected objects to have the new attributes.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 116 words

A computer-aided system for assisting a user in displaying information, the system comprising: a computer having a memory and a processor; means for representing the information as objects on a screen; means, responsive to signals generated by the user, for selecting objects; means for setting new attributes for selected objects; means for displaying example elements that are replica images of selected objects separately from the selected objects; means for previewing effects of the new attributes by setting the example elements to have the new attributes before the selected objects are set to have the new attributes; and means, responsive to additional signals generated by the user, for setting the selected objects to have the new attributes.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 24, wherein the representing means includes a screen device capable of displaying different color attributes.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 24, wherein: said means for displaying example elements displays the sample elements in a sample window in a dialog box.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 26, wherein the means for displaying example elements repeatedly displays new example elements for each new attribute set by the user.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 26, further comprising: means for confirming selection of the new attributes, whereby displayed example elements are removed from display and selected objects are re-displayed with the new attributes.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 142 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: in response to first user input, selecting a screen object of interest; displaying, in a dialog box, a set of controls for changing object attributes and a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected; receiving second user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; in response to the second user input, displaying, in the dialog box, the sample with the at least one new attribute; and in response to third user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, whereby the screen object takes on an appearance corresponding to the appearance of the sample in the dialog box at the time of the third user input.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 142 words

In a computer system, a method for assisting a user in setting attributes of screen objects, the method comprising: in response to first user input, selecting a screen object of interest; displaying, in a dialog box, a set of controls for changing object attributes and a sample comprising a replica of at least a portion of the screen object, so selected; receiving second user input for specifying at least one new attribute of the screen object; in response to the second user input, displaying, in the dialog box, the sample with the at least one new attribute; and in response to third user input, applying the at least one new attribute to the screen object, whereby the screen object takes on an appearance corresponding to the appearance of the sample in the dialog box at the time of the third user input.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 29, wherein the first user input includes signals generated by a user selecting the screen object with a pointing device.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 30, wherein: the first user input includes signals generated by a user dragging a mouse cursor across the screen object for defining a rectangle; and the sample consists of the portion of the screen object contained within the rectangle.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 31, wherein the sample is a bitmap replica of the screen object.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 29, wherein the sample is displayed in a sample window within the dialog box, the sample window including a surrounding border and a displayed title for identifying the sample window.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 29, wherein the set of controls includes controls for changing foreground and background colors of the screen object.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 29, further comprising: removing the dialog box in response to the third user input.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-06-01	2001-12-01	2002-06-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-06-01	2005-12-01	2006-06-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-06-01	2009-12-01	2010-06-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Technique for assisting a user in setting attributes of selected screen objects by use of a preview display of a replica object

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