Patent US5798760A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5798760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radial graphical menuing system with concentric region menuing
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A computer system comprises a processor, a program memory, coupled to the processor, for storing programs executed by the processor, and a display, coupled to the processor, for displaying images under control of the programs executed by the processor. The programs stored in the program memory including at least one menu driven program for creating a graphical display on the display. Further, the computer system comprises a menu generating system, cooperating with the at least one menu driven program, for displaying a menu on the display. Each menu comprises a focus position, and a plurality of rings concentrically arranged around the focus position, each ring having at least one command heading displayed therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Vayda
- 👤 Nancy Weyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor; 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 a menu on the display means; and the menu comprising: a focus position; and a plurality of concentrically arranged regions around the focus position, each region having at least one command heading displayed therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor; 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 a menu on the display means; and the menu comprising: a focus position; and a plurality of concentrically arranged regions around the focus position, each region having at least one command heading displayed therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the regions comprise at least one tab portion, the command heading corresponding to each region being displayed in the tab portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 2 wherein the tab portion has a width which is greater than a width of the concentric region associated therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a user input means for permitting the user to select one of the regions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer system of claim 4 wherein the menu generating means displays a highlighter and is responsive to the user input means to move the highlighter in a direction corresponding to directional movements of the user input means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 5 wherein the user input means comprises a means for selecting the region over which the highlighter is positioned.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 6 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to display a menu corresponding to the command heading in a selected region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4 wherein the user input means comprises a mouse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein each region is divided into a plurality of arcs, each arc containing a command heading.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of regions comprise at least 50 regions.
Claim 12
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 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 1 wherein at least one hundred commands may be presented in a select/execute menu.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 5 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the selection of a region to present another concentric region menu.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein several hundred commands may be executed with as few as two snaps of the highlighter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor; 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 a menu on the display means; and the menu comprising a main focus position; and a plurality of concentric region menus radially distributed about the main focus position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer system comprising: a processor means; a program memory means, coupled to the processor means, for storing programs executed by the processor; 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 a menu on the display means; and the menu comprising a main focus position; and a plurality of concentric region menus radially distributed about the main focus position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 15 wherein each concentric region menu comprises: a focus position; and a plurality of regions concentrically arranged around the focus position, each region having at least one command heading displayed therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a user input means for permitting the user to select one of the concentric region menus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer system of claim 17 wherein the menu generating means displays a highlighter and is responsive to the user input means to move the highlighter in a direction corresponding to directional movements of the user input means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 18 wherein the user input means comprises a means for selecting the concentric region menu over which the highlighter is positioned.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the menu generating means positions the highlighter over the focus position of the concentric region menu which is selected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein the menu generating means is responsive to the user input means to select a region over which the highlighter is positioned.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 17 wherein the user input means comprises a mouse.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of operating a computer system having a menu driven program for generating a graphical display operating thereon, the method comprising the steps of: generating a menu comprising a focus position and a plurality of concentrically arranged regions around the focus position, each region having at least one command heading displayed therein; inputting a plurality of direction indicative signals from a user; moving a highlighter from the focus position in a direction corresponding to the direction indicative signal to the concentrically arranged region in the direction of the direction indicative signal and displaced from the focus position a number of concentrically arranged regions in that direction corresponding to the number of direction indicative signals in that direction input by the user; and selecting the concentrically arranged region at which the highlighter is located.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of operating a computer system having a menu driven program for generating a graphical display operating thereon, the method comprising the steps of: generating a menu comprising a focus position and a plurality of concentrically arranged regions around the focus position, each region having at least one command heading displayed therein; inputting a plurality of direction indicative signals from a user; moving a highlighter from the focus position in a direction corresponding to the direction indicative signal to the concentrically arranged region in the direction of the direction indicative signal and displaced from the focus position a number of concentrically arranged regions in that direction corresponding to the number of direction indicative signals in that direction input by the user; and selecting the concentrically arranged region at which the highlighter is located.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of presenting a second menu corresponding to the concentrically arranged region selected.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of: inputting a second direction indicative signal from the user; selecting a command located within the concentrically arranged region corresponding to the second direction indicative signal.
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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) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |