US5790820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radial graphical menuing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1998-08-04
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A menuing system which simplifies the interaction required between a user and one or more application programs. Menu commands are displayed radially from a highlighter default position and a user may select one of these commands by moving the highlighter a slight distance in the direction of the desired command ("snapping"). Provision is also made for selection of multiple command elements through the use of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal menus as well as command quadrants formed by the menus. In all instances, menu characteristics such as command sizes may be varied by the user through an easily accessible set-up facility. The speed of execution is limited only by the user's mind.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Vayda
- 👤 Nancy Weyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0236; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor means; a display means, coupled to the processor means, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor means; the programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display means; a menu generating means, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display means; each menu comprising a focus position and a plurality of radially distributed command selectors located along predetermined radii from the focus position, each command selector permitting selection of a command to be executed; a user input means, connected to the processor means, for providing signals indicative of movement of the user input means; a highlighter; wherein the menu generating means receives the signals indicative of movement of the user selection means and moves the highlighter in a corresponding direction from the focus position; and, wherein movement of the highlighter toward one of the plurality of radially distributed command selectors selects the command corresponding to that command selector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor means; a display means, coupled to the processor means, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor means; the programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display means; a menu generating means, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying at least one menu on the display means; each menu comprising a focus position and a plurality of radially distributed command selectors located along predetermined radii from the focus position, each command selector permitting selection of a command to be executed; a user input means, connected to the processor means, for providing signals indicative of movement of the user input means; a highlighter; wherein the menu generating means receives the signals indicative of movement of the user selection means and moves the highlighter in a corresponding direction from the focus position; and, wherein movement of the highlighter toward one of the plurality of radially distributed command selectors selects the command corresponding to that command selector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu generating means superimposes the menu over the graphical display generated by the at least one menu driven program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the graphical display has a center and the focus position of the menu is placed over the center of the graphical display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu generating means further positions a highlighter in the focus position of the menu.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the movement of the highlighter that selects the command is a snap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to generate the menu.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 6 wherein the user input means comprises at least one button and wherein the menu generating means generates the menu when the user clicks one of the buttons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu generating means erases the menu upon selection of a command.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu is translucent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein the menu generating means displays the menu during execution of the command.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer system of claim 10 wherein the selected command is a two step command comprising an initiating command and a completion command, wherein the menu comprises at least one initiating command and at least one completion command and wherein the menu generating means displays the menu from the time the initiating command is activated until a completion command has been selected and activated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the user input means is a mouse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the user input means is an eraser mouse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the user input means is a touch mouse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the commands comprise special commands and wherein execution of the command occurs when the command is snapped and a confirmation action is performed by the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu driven program is a word processing program.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the menu driven program is a spreadsheet program.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the command selectors are disposed in command sectors which are graphically represented by a shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein adjacent command sectors share at least one outwardly extending edge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein each menu consists essentially of a menu icon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein each command selector is graphically represented in a portion of the menu icon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 21 wherein the portions within the menu icon comprise command icons.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein different menus are represented by different menu icons.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 22 wherein different command selectors are represented by different command icons.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising means for "PARK"ing a command such that the command becomes a permanent resident key.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 25 further comprising a drag PARK key for permitting a cursor in the graphical display generated by the at least one menu driven program to be dragged within that graphical display.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the amount of movement of the user input means necessary for user input means to provide an indicating signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the menu responsive to the user input means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts the size of the menu.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts the opaquity of the menu.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts the number of commands presented on a menu.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts the number of commands presented on along a radius of a menu.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting accepts a default menu which is presented by the menu generating means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 33 wherein the means for adjusting accepts input regarding a command which is to be included in the default menu.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 28 wherein the means for adjusting adjusts features of menus which match the level of experience and physical ability of the user.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein at least one radius has a plurality of commands distributed there along.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein selection of each command is effected by snapping along the radius to the desired command.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein selection of each command is effected by corresponding movement of the user input means along the radius.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the command selectors comprise executable command selectors and menu indicators.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the command selectors comprise executable command selectors and menu indicators and wherein the menu generating means is responsive to selection of a menu indicator through the user input means to generate a menu corresponding to the menu indicator.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the radii along which the command selectors are disposed are separated by at least about 45 degrees.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein help on a command may be executed by snapping beyond the command selector corresponding to that command.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 40 wherein every movement of the user input means selects a command or menu indicator in the menu.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the command selectors represent an alphanumeric character to be input.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a computer system on which a menu driven program for creating a graphical display on a display is operated comprising the steps of: generating a menu comprising a focus position, a highlighter, and a plurality of radially distributed command selectors located along predetermined radii from the focus position, each command selector permitting selection of a command to be executed, the highlighter being presented substantially at the focus position; inputting a direction indicative signal from a user; moving a highlighter from the focus position in a direction corresponding to the direction indicative signal; and selecting the radially distributed command selector located along the predetermined radius most closely correlated with direction of the direction indicative signal.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a computer system on which a menu driven program for creating a graphical display on a display is operated comprising the steps of: generating a menu comprising a focus position, a highlighter, and a plurality of radially distributed command selectors located along predetermined radii from the focus position, each command selector permitting selection of a command to be executed, the highlighter being presented substantially at the focus position; inputting a direction indicative signal from a user; moving a highlighter from the focus position in a direction corresponding to the direction indicative signal; and selecting the radially distributed command selector located along the predetermined radius most closely correlated with direction of the direction indicative signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the step of moving a highlighter is a snap.
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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) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |